Quote:
Originally Posted by WMichelsen
You're talking about future me... first time builder.
The way I see it (maybe) ... I have about 250K miles on my 3.2L. It's starting to burn oil and smoke after sitting. Still passes CA Smog, but I assume that means a rebuild is coming.
With your experience, Jeff, how much is a DIY 250 HP build of a 3.2L? I'm not trolling. I am really interested in this info.
If this really is 99% reversible swap (noted -if-, minor drill holes mentioned, and 3.2L kit not yet available), then I can get a 300 HP fun-mobile for $20K. Drive it for years. Then swap back to where it began when it's time to move on. Where is the lost value ... other than associated wear from enjoying it, which should happen either way?
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The cost really depends on what it needs. My last build, documented in part in this thread:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/1163328-mighty-3-0-mfi-motor-has-finally-had.html
Took me about a month. It wound up needing new pistons, new rod bearings and, of course a gasket kit. My friend John Walker rebuilt the heads for me. He found it only needed a few new valves and no new guides, so it was basically just grinding the valves and lapping them to the seats. All of the springs and keepers were good. I checked the crankshaft and it mic'd out fine, the small end rod (wrist pin end) bushings were fine, as were the rocker arm bushings and shafts.
It wound up costing me less than $3,500. That's the absolute bottom of the range, due to the motor being in generally fantastic shape. Add in turning the crank (if needed), sizing the rods and new wrist pin bushings, all new guides and valves (most common problem on 3.2's), and I bet you could easily double that. If it needs cylinders in addition to pistons, add in another couple grand for even a reconditioned set from someone like EBS. Mag case motors (which, fortunately for you, you do not have) will always need facing, line boring, and such from a place like Ollie's. That's another couple grand.
So,even a "worst case" 3.2 that needs "everything", I can't see it going over $10-12k. But that's if you do EVERYTHING yourself. Except of course the machine work. These "$30k" rebuild costs these guys are touting are basically drop the car off, hand the guy the keys, come back later, he hands you the keys, and you drive off with a rebuilt motor. No grease under your fingernails, no busted knuckles, no thrown tools, no inventive new "garage language" (believe me, we can get pretty creative on that one). And, well, no fun, and no opportunity to learn anything.
So, anyway, that's part of what I've been saying - if you have a good car, with a good but tired motor, this kit ain't for you. If you are unskilled enough to require a pro to do either for you (rebuild original motor or install this kit), I think it's a wash. If you are capable of rebuilding your own motor, you would be way ahead to do so compared to buying this kit. Like i've said repeatedly, there are some fantastic use cases where this kit makes sense. Yours is not one of those.