What are core motors worth?

[anthony]

I'm curious as to what one should pay for a core motor. 2L, 2.2, 2.4, 2.7, 3L?

Here's an example I saw recently:

"porsche 911 t (2.4 litre) motor for sale complete with MIS, all there except spark wires , must sell now , turns over good , have not heard it run" - asking $750


Without seeing it run and seeing a compression check I wouldn't want to pay but the bare minimum for such a motor. My goal would be to rebuild such an engine for a 914 transplant project.

[A Quiet Boom]

I still have the 2.0E longblock that was in my car prior to my 3.0 conversion, I used it's headers and carbs on the 3.0. Anyway it ran great but leaked a little if you're interested. As far as what they're worth (core's I mean) I'd say $750-1250 depending on the damage/wear. A good running complete engine is probably worth around $2500 depending on condition and size.

[Wayne 962]

I like to pay $500 for core mag motors, as they will usually have enough good parts on them to justify that cost. Then again, everything may be junk - it's a gamble...

-Wayne

[anthony]

Thanks Wayne. Did the '73 2.4 have CIS or MFI? I'm trying to guess what this seller means by MIS.

[john walker's workshop]

300-500. if you can get a good crank and case out of the deal, then you're covered. pig in a poke though. i usually try to work a deal where i can tear it down before i fork over any cash.

[Wayne 962]

That's $500 complete from fuel injection to exhaust.

Core 3.0Ls around $1500 or so make a decent deal...

-Wayne

[A Quiet Boom]

I'll trust Wayne and John's opinion on this but I have seen core motors go for the prices I've stated. Not everybody lives on the left coast where 911's seem to be much more popular, perhaps that's why they seem to go for more here in the midwest.

[speeder]

It's partly a west coast thing, but also Wayne and John are in a position where people call them and say, "you want this?" The dynamics are always different when you NEED something and are looking for it. Good advice from them none the less, and w/o info you could get shtupped. I've seen sellers who think that VW bug cores are worth $500......

[A Quiet Boom]

Another consideration not often thought of is shipping. Using my companies shipping discount from our main carrier it cost me $465.00 to have a 3.0SC engine shiped from CA to OH. Sure there may be plenty of "cheap" 911 core engines on the west coast but who wants to pay almost the sale price to recieve the engine? If in fact you could find one closer, maybe within driving distance, for a little more money you'd most likely be saving money over a "West Coast" purchase. I have listed my 2.0E for $1500 less intake and exhaust and had several interested buyers but shipping costs always became a big factor. In one case the potential buyer was close enough to pick it up but his tow vehicle blew it's motor canceling the pickup as well as the sale due to his unfortunate financial burden of an unexpected blown motor. I've come to the conclusion that in my case I'll just keep the motor until someone needs it. I have seen core mag engines go for over $700 on ebay but they were usually 7R cases, good but worn out engines going for $800 and up. It seems to me that 911 motor sales are kind of seasonal and prices vary with availability but actual sale price is always dictated by what the market will bear as well as the sellers urgency to sell.

[anthony]

One thing is that when I said "core" I meant motor with no history, no compression tests, leakdown etc. You're looking at motor at a swap meet or in a classified ad and the seller can't give you a complete history. I'm talking about worst case scenario prices. I think Wayne caught on to what I meant. Certainly, motors with known histories from a trusted seller would sell for more based on condition.