Possible 951 For sale, not sure

[TurboFoFo]

Hey guys, I've only had my car for a lil over a month and jsut spun the rod bearing. I would defiantly do an engine rebuild but every shop I called locally wants $4000-$5000 for a stock rebuild. That's totally outrageous considering everything I've read on the board says the parts should be maybe $1000 if I do it myself. So since I don't know how to rebuild the engine myself and don't have the tools I might be forced to sell her.

Please check out the pics and tell me what you think I could sell her for considering the rod bearing is spun. It is a VERY light knocking though. I pulled over immediatly after the sound happened and towed it home right away. The body is in perfect condition, no accidents, nothing else wrong but the spun bearing.

Unless anyone in Oregon knows what to do and wouldn't mind helping me with a rebuild (I'll spare what money I have to pay you even! ) I'm only 20 by the way and am in college so I'm a broke ass kid right now. Hey it might be a fun experience for both of us! But if not, I might be forced to sell.


My 944 site with Pictures

Thank you all!! You're all great!

[Britwrench]

$4000-$5000 is cheap bearing mind the amount of labor involved to do one of these motors. I assume it includes pulling the engine and putting it back in. The next one we do will be a lot more. By the way the parts, including a new clutch will be considerably more than a $1000.

[TurboFoFo]

really? then how come it seems that everyone who does it themselves can get it done for like under $2k. And what do you think I can resell my car for? THanks

[Britwrench]

Well, considerably more than $1k for parts IS $2k.

If you have a shop doing it add labor and mark-up on parts. The clutch, clutch lever, engine gasket set and a couple of small parts is $1K.

I really wonder how much some of the diy rebuilds actually cost, bearing in mind I deal with Porsche parts all day.

Non-running 951s are less than $2k.

[TurboFoFo]

Damn! $2k for my car is a big no no. I'd rather let it sit in my garage for the next year and ride a bicycle until I can save up $5k to have a shop do it. Can someone who has done a DIY rebuild give me your total cost for your rebuild?

[ae1969]

buy a used engine for 2K and swap it in. Make sure you get the oil cooler with it....

Forget about rebuilding a spun engine...... metal everywhere.....

[TurboFoFo]

Interesting. Where do I go about finding a good used turbo engine for under $2200?

[adida(r 944)]

junkyards, standing on a tall ladder with binoculars, midnight auto J/K

http://20thstreetauto.com/ might have one, http://www.***********.com/ could pic up new, used or rebuilt here

you might be able to find a good doner car for cheap options endless in search of whatever

edit: maybe this one as well

http://www.carquip.com/

[serge944]

Check ebay, i saw a low mileage engine go for 2200 recently. And that car is beautiful!!! The interior is perfect - very rare for a 944. If you cant find an engine to replace it with, then id be asking no less than 4-5k for her!

[Ferrara_racing]

Turbofofo, (IMHO)

I think you should rebuild, at least you know what you have. Any used engine is just another bearing asking to be spun. I disagree with the notion that your engine is a bad candidate for rebuild. As far as the parts go, anyone who says they could rebuild it for 1000.00 in parts cost is a liar, a parts thief, or both. Given the superb condition, I wouldn't let anyone steal it, if it sits a year it will just make you appreciate her more when she's whole...

[TurboFoFo]

Originally posted by Ferrara_racing
if it sits a year it will just make you appreciate her more when she's whole...

Man that's really great. I actually jsut found a local porsche friend of mine who has 2 944t's and a carrera that he rebuilt. he offered to do the rebuild for $1000 and I pay for all of the parts. I think thats' extremly reasonable.

Actually since we have been talkin alot about redoing the engine, I brought up the LT1 conversion question. He said that if I were able to find an LT1 engine for about $2500 then it might be a lot cheaper to do it that way and would be a very interesting upgrade.

But year she is a beauty isn't she? I love the condition so much that I really don't want to let her go. I haven't even told my parents yet cuz I know what they will say, "YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE BOUGHT AN 18 YEAR OLD CAR!!!" hahahah oh well

[Ferrara_racing]

Mine is as yours, inside and outside, it's never even been in a parking lot. That deal sounds very good...It's your call but I'd stay with the turbo. Check out a website called "pistonheads" if you want to see an example of a v8 conversion.

[TurboFoFo]

well I've read a lot about the pros and the cons of doing a conversion and I don't ever plan on building up a stock turbo engine (until I'm 40) because I just don't have the funds. The lt1 engine is stock, adds tons of hp and parts are more readily available and easy to work on. so it doesn't sound too bad. yeah it does sound weird to have American muscle in German ingenuity but about same price an huge HP gains for stock

[Ferrara_racing]

make sure whatever you decide to do some background checkups on this guy and the quality of his repairs. Get everything in writing, I'd hate to see you fork out the cash and get skunked..Also. if the engine is out I'd replace the clutch and associated parts while your there....

[ae1969]

Used engines are available...... If I can find them here. You can definitely find them where you live.

If you plan it right it will cost you some coin and just your time.

Swap engines and drive the friggen car.

Take your old engine and part it out............ Do you know how much that engine is worth in pieces..... You would be very happily surprised. (pistons, rods, block, head etc..) Even that damaged crank is worth something......

If you go for a full rebuild .......... You better have some extra coin. SOMETHING always comes up and you won't be satisfied with leaving something half assed.....

[Ferrara_racing]

I stand corrected, apparently when you select an engine off of E Bay you need not put aside any extra cash because nothing can ever go wrong in those circumstances....

[TCMdocs944]

Please, please, please don't put an Lt1 in a 951! Trade me for my running NA and put it in that if anything.

[ae1969]

Originally posted by Ferrara_racing
I stand corrected, apparently when you select an engine off of E Bay you need not put aside any extra cash because nothing can ever go wrong in those circumstances....

Ebay is 50:50 thats for sure......

If you can find one locally off a wreck or someone you know then you are set.............

That is ........IF you know what you are looking for.

........and yes REBUILDS do also fail at the turn of the key no matter who the builder is. No guarantees.

[Wolf1]

Originally posted by TCMdocs944
Please, please, please don't put an Lt1 in a 951! Trade me for my running NA and put it in that if anything.

Not that I would ever support such blasphemy, but.

Actually the 951 makes a much better candidate for the swap than an N/A..

951 already has the correct transaxle, and bigger brakes, sway bars, etc...

Besides, the turbo engine parts can be sold for more than a complete LT1 engine and EFI system costs...

And, it is a reversible procedure.....one day if you desired you could switch back....

[TurboFoFo]

do you really think I can part out the engine and make that much? Even with a spun rod bearing? How much do you think the parts are worth? I mean the LT1 engine is around $2-$3k and then teh conversion kit another $900.