420a value? Semi-built.

[DSM IN MN]

A few years ago a local guy "built" an engine for another local to this area. He got all the money, and just built the engine. Then he put it into the guys car. Then when the owner (of the car, and engine) left for Thanksgiving...well, let's just say the guy who built the engine, didn't pay much for the new built engine in HIS Neon...

He slapped it into his Neon. It had Crower stage 3 or 4 cams I believe, a "GT35R", ETS front mount and the works. He sold the car, then the new owner had it awhile, the sold it off. Some kid ended up getting it, then sold it back to the local who had stole the engine.

He ended up going to jail a few times here; on account of being a predatory offender and not telling whatever agency where he lived, worked and that his new ride was his old Neon. So we all assumed he had to pay some bills!

This engine got beat! My friend bought it for $750 with a partially melted piston. He replaced that ONE and the rings to only that ONE piston. Besides that, he used gaskets from a local NAPA, and reused ARP headstuds (no lube when torquing them). He also put the head back on the car after he blew the headgasket on his original motor. Without having any maching work done to it.

On top of that, he put like 450cc injectors with no fuel pressure regulator on it. So he almost washed the hone out by overflowing the engine with gas!

Now the car doesn't run. My friend has an SRT4 so he is not too worried about it. But he was running a turbo, on low compression pistons, with aftermarket rods....and factory (120, 140cc?) injectors. So who knows if the engine is for sure usable in it's state right now. I would assume it needs new rings, bearings, water-pump and the works.

Now here is the list of parts on/in the engine.
JE pistons, 1 new, 3 old.

Millings oil pump.
Used ARP headstuds.
Eagle H beam rods.


Mind you all, this is on a stock crank.


In all of your opinions, what is this engine worth? My friend says no less than $1,000. I think that is steap.. Let me know! Thanks!


Edit: I also just remembered that a guy locally that owns like 6 Neons, a white ACR SRT4, and 3 Sheldy CSXs, had to rebuild this engine awhile back because the "local" I mentioned above, ran the car out of oil. So the rods had to be machined (cut down, have new, true holes for the crank cut).

So yeah, the engine was beat before my friend got it.

 

[goodbuds]

garbage stay away, unless its 50 bucks. then turn it into a mail box

 

[Carter_95RS]

No way in hell I would pay anywhere close to 1k for an engine in that state. Sounds like it wasn't taken care of or maintained properly which could lead to more headaches than anything. Only way I would be remotely interested is if I pulled the pan and head to check out the piston and rod combo better.

If everything is in great condition, with no unusual wear from abuse id give a couple hundred. But that's still questionable.

 

[TWOpointFORliter]

If I could see it running and it didn't sound like it was gonna fall apart then I would pay $300. Any complete "running" engine is worth that. If I couldn't see it run then it would be worthless unless I planned on rebuilding it to start with.

 

[DSM IN MN]

I have to agree with you all. Here are some pictures of it before it went back into the car.

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[blindboarder_02]

No way, pretty sure your friend knows he got screwed and he's just trying to cover his loss. I could see maybe $250-$500 for the engine, even that's pretty high.

 

[bullettdsm]

Here's what you got; a set of used Eagle rods, a tested good Melling oil pump, a possibly still good crank, a set of used ARP's (yes you can re-use them) and a core block to work with.

The pistons are no good, unless you pay a shop and have them balanced. You need to have a matching set. They are probably also tapered and scraped on the skirts. They are ashtrays.

You didn't mention the head, but judging from what you have said about the thief, you have a head that needs a rebuild and deck.

If you pay anywhere close to $1k for that, I've got a whole garage full of parts I'll sell you

Honestly, a couple hundred bucks just for parts.

MB

 

[BogusSVO]

Its a core engine to work with.

How much is it worth? Hard to say. But a $1000, no not even close, you could spend that 1k and build the short block with all new parts for about that.

Like Bullet said, the pistons need to be checked out.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/cylinder-head-short-block/342138-how-fix-balance-hang-pistons.html

To figure a price, fair market value

20-30 % of what the rods and pistons are new, due to damage.
add $50 for the block and crank
Used ARP head studs about 50% of what they are new

So guessing, the rods and pistons are about $600 new 20%=$120 30%=$180
Used ARP Head studs About $100 so 50% =$50
Rest of the stock parts Block, crank, oil pump, oil pan, OFH ect $75
so that adds up to $245 to $305

 

[DSM IN MN]

Here's what you got; a set of used Eagle rods, a tested good Melling oil pump, a possibly still good crank, a set of used ARP's (yes you can re-use them) and a core block to work with.

The pistons are no good, unless you pay a shop and have them balanced. You need to have a matching set. They are probably also tapered and scraped on the skirts. They are ashtrays.

You didn't mention the head, but judging from what you have said about the thief, you have a head that needs a rebuild and deck.

If you pay anywhere close to $1k for that, I've got a whole garage full of parts I'll sell you

Honestly, a couple hundred bucks just for parts.

MB

The head the local kid had, was cammed and stuff. He ran it out of oil though so the cams were scarred. My friend didn't want to pay the extra $1,000 he wanted for the head.

So my friend used the head off of his ESi that blew.

For the record: I am not interested in this engine. A kid a few towns away from me hti me up on Facebook. He wants to build an engine for a car, then find a shell to put it in. So I suggested him this engine because he could get it for cheap, and have extra money to spend. However, my friends wants too much.

I will keep passing this information on to my friend so he knows.

Thank you all!

 

[bullettdsm]

For the record: I am not interested in this engine. !

Damnn, there goes my garage sale

MB

 

[stuckwithgsx]

If your friend wants to build one then why not shop at a pick n pull yard?

At a pick n pull if the body is trashed then engine is probably ok. If the body is good and you don't see a rod through the block, then it probably just overheated and died. I'm not saying that's the case everytime but it's a guideline I go by and it usually works out pretty close.

With whoever rebuilding it, then it really doesn't matter what you get as long as you have good block and head core's. Meaning the head not being warped beyond milling it down to spec, and not cracked and the block not being cracked or previously bored. That would make a good starting point. If you find the right ones then you're looking at $100 bill to get that, and if you're lucky you'll get the extra stuff like oil pan, oil pump, stock sensors, etc...

 

[DSM IN MN]

If your friend wants to build one then why not shop at a pick n pull yard?

At a pick n pull if the body is trashed then engine is probably ok. If the body is good and you don't see a rod through the block, then it probably just overheated and died. I'm not saying that's the case everytime but it's a guideline I go by and it usually works out pretty close.

With whoever rebuilding it, then it really doesn't matter what you get as long as you have good block and head core's. Meaning the head not being warped beyond milling it down to spec, and not cracked and the block not being cracked or previously bored. That would make a good starting point. If you find the right ones then you're looking at $100 bill to get that, and if you're lucky you'll get the extra stuff like oil pan, oil pump, stock sensors, etc...

My friend is the one who has the engine. In his car. The car does "run". But with a turbo and 140cc injectors..well, I will leave it at that.

I am just trying to help a local kid out who wants to build an engine for around $2k, then find a shell.

- My friends (the owner of the engine), is mad now. But be rest assured guys, he knows the engine is worth to him ($1k).

 

[goodbuds]

and he will take it to his grave and use it as a pillow in his coffin for that price. I've gotten burned befor, I try to get over it and not pass it on to the next guy.