new motor? install self or at shop?

[duzer182]

how difficult is it to replace the motor? i have all the tools its just a matter of time and difficulty? or take it to a shop and for $1,000 they can install it? i dont know what to do..

 

[Rummy636]

All depends on the factors. You say you got the tools so thats covered. You got friends to help you im guessing. Do you have a book like Chiltons to help with small questions and removal? Do you also have another vehicle to get around? Me personally, i would pocket the 1K and spend it on something else.

 

[duzer182]

i know.. but i know personally if i started it myself i wouldnt finish it for about 3-4 months because of time. but is 1k a reasonable price? seems kind of up there

 

[Kapok6]

You could have it done in a weekend without rushing if you have the right tools.

 

[Rummy636]

Yeah sounds pretty high but do you know what is included in the price? Are fluids? Is there a warranty from the shop after install? Is the place have a good reputation?

 

[PWR4HIM]

Is it a long block or short block? I would do it myself, but I work on cars everyday for a living so it wouldn't bother me. If you are doing it at home, I always plan on it taking twice as long as you think and make sure you label things since you may take stuff apart one weekend and then get busy with something unexpected and forget where stuff came from. Use masking tape to make little tags for stuff or take pictures of how stuff is arranged and routed. Then spend the 1,000 bucks on something better.

If you really think it will take you 3-4 months then on second hand I would pay to do. I was thinking or a couple weekends time frame

 

[wkmitsu]

Do you have a whole assembled motor to replace your old one with? Taking one motor out and putting another one in really isn't that difficult. If you have one person to help and all the necessary tools, the hardest part will probably be just getting all the wiring put back together properly, unless you know it really well. Do you have emissions tesing in your area? Things like eliminating emissions and AC are going to make the install go quicker and easier. Like someone mentioned, you should get a manual if you don't have one, that way you will have a step by step process of what to do. Personally I would never pay a shop $1000 to install a motor, thats way too much money for something so easily doable.

 

[crash89]

You could have it done in a weekend without rushing if you have the right tools.

What he said! Me personally can have a motor out and another in in a matter of maybe 4-5 hours. But like already stated if you have all the correct recources it can be done in a weekend with you and a friend or two. Lable all your connections! For 1k they better include all fluids and a warrenty.

 

[JStrateger]

I wouldn't pay that much to have it done. I put my motor in when I was 18. Never done anything like that before, it's a simple procedure. It pretty much straight forward.

I can't believe we don't have a tutorial on removing a engine yet. I should make one since I'm in the process of removing me engine.

 

[duzer182]

it was with all fluids and warranty, its a good shop they specialize in performance cars. and yes i have motor to put in. i and im just scared ill F something up. i think ill just do it myself then, try and do it in a week when college goes on spring break.

 

[Wobet]

I wouldn't pay that much to have it done. I put my motor in when I was 18. Never done anything like that before, it's a simple procedure. It pretty much straight forward.

I can't believe we don't have a tutorial on removing a engine yet. I should make one since I'm in the process of removing me engine.

Start makin one I would read it daily for sure

 

[rommel rojasgsx]

1k just to put a built motor in? or build it and put it in car? if its just to install like you say, they are out off their mind. Is this a dealer? get a friend to help while u drop the engine in. the rest its pretty easy.i just did mine. just keep everything in as much order as u can. manual and this site will be your best friends

 

[cookmeup272]

If all you have to do is pull one motor out, and put another one in....then you can definitely do it yourself. It shouldn't take more than 20 hours tops to do by yourself. That's if it is your first time. It didn't even take me that long, and I did all the work by myself...and when it came time to lift the old motor out, or drop the new one in....I just had my dad help me. It is definitely easier with two people so you don't go smacking the motor around the engine bay.

 

[TalonEsi_96]

i'd say do it on your own. If you got all the tools then it should be a good learning experience.

 

[Rummy636]

What shop is it? I live in the area.

 

[jed344]

go for it great learning experience aswell. i have pulled a motor out of a 1st gen we rebuilt botum end and put back togther and in car in 4 days and it woulda been a weekend but had to wait till monday for block to go get checked out. Its pritty easy. O and yes repair manual to check torque specs is a must

 

[Tanro]

I've done at least 10 swaps, or remove/installs. At this point, even in my one 1g awd with abs, I can get the thing in and out in about 2 hours. The hardest parts are maneuvering the engine around the ABS unit, and getting the t-case back on there.

If you dont care about a/c, are not AWD, and don't have abs... your golden. It can easily be done in a weekend.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Couple of hours seems ive done over a dozen times easy as pie just get in there and go for it save the money. Im glad i did it myself.