420A Newbie, am I getting screwed on engine rebuild?

[djaux]

Okay so I have a mechanic who's going to help me out with rebuilding my engine on 95 Mitsubishi eclipse GS.
He has his own shop, and asked him about a engine rebuilding kit. He told me that he would order the parts separately, because I don't know what I'm getting with the engine rebuild kit.
Yes he has accounts with parts stores., but I've never rebuilt a engine before. He told me I'll be looking to spend around 1500 which I do not have. I've seen kits on eBay for around 400-500. So I guess my question is he trying to screw me or not.?
Any advice would be helpful for anybody who's rebuilt an engine with the kits.

Also, I'm not looking to do any aftermarket parts, just OEM specs...

 

[Zufelt]

His quote does sound a little high, do you have a quote with everything labeled? Such as parts, and how much in labor? Also, you have to remember that most of the things on ebay aren't usually of quality. This is why it's substantially cheaper, I would look into reputable sites such as

extremepsi.com
summitracing.com
Jnz for OEM parts or any of our supporting vendors

 

[djaux]

I haven't looked at any of those sites, yet., and thank you for the links.
No this isn't including labor at all. I'm basically going to be doing this by myself but he's going to be over my shoulder helping me out. Which I told him that I would pay him for any education that I'm learning from him.
I know he's a mechanic and he knows more than I do, but like I said I just want to get the engine rebuilt back to factory specs.
I'm going to be moving in about a month so he's not going to be around anymore to help me out. He also has a reputation of screwing people over., which to me is disrespectful.
I've put a lot of money into this car already., so I'm very hesitant on getting rid of it. This is my first car I've gotten my hands dirty with., aka project.
Would I be better off finding another eclipse taking all the parts that I put in there and switching them out and selling the car. (radiator, condenser, shocks/struts/springs front and rear, power steering pump. Honestly I haven't gotten to anything fun yet.
I don't know I'm pressed for time and seeking answers from anybody that can help me out.

 

[Diamond Star Werks]

$1500 is the worth of a rebuilt engine. Is a fair price as long as it comes with a good warranty and includes new water and oil pump.

 

[Diamond Star Werks]

If that doesn't include labor that's is alot just for parts.

 

[Zufelt]

Yeah, that's a bit much for parts. You could send it in the shop, get a warranty and not have to do anything for that price.. It just depends on what you consider a motor rebuild..

 

[codym]

Before doing anything you need to figure out a game plan. What you want to rebuild, what needs to be rebuilt. It's your money to spend so spend it wisely.

What's the reason behind rebuilding it?

If you are completely rebuilding the engine, there is a lot of parts that add up quickly individually. If you do some research based on your goals, it'll help you select parts. Get some prices from a few different websites like the ones mentioned above.

I recommend these guys.
http://millerimportparts.com/

 

[shifty2006]

I am not sure if I understood correctly he will be assisting you in the rebuild? Ok so there are several things parts on ebay are cheap so you can achieve things with them but knowing you might do it again. But the standard of where if he or you are purchasing the parts matters. But if he is buying and building and you are drinking coronas or silver bullets in the ac then jump on it. But if you are wrenching and buying the stuff then there is a lot better avenues then that. Depending on what is to be done a rebuild can cost multiple 1000s with parts machine work and then labor but when your talking swap bearings and gaskets I wouldnt pay that much for a "poormans" rebuild. Get a book and read assembly and disassembly is easy with the info out there. People have run ebay rebuild kits for miles and years depending on the set up. When you work on the car if "his people" are getting oem I guess maybe but really you need to know what he is doing. What machine work what parts hes getting oem or autozone stuff and what all he is going to replace. Report back after you get some more info. I could get a cheap gasket set and some cheap bearings and rings and throw you on the road for 300 off ebay if thats what your looking for but the longevity matters. Let me know what you figure out..

 

[OZRallyEdition]

A proper rebuild with machine work, balancing and evrything can cost that and more if you just want oem specs, you can find a wrecked donor car like i did. I got mine for 400 off craigslist with extras and it runs great.

 

[djaux]

My goal is to replace basically most of the general stuff inside the engine I'm not that mechanically inclined, but I will be turning the wrench, not sipping on Coronas(). This will be my car, my project, but his garage., And most of his parts will probably be coming from AutoZone, napa, etc. basically he has all of the tools that I need to do it with, except for the machine shop. Which if I'm going OEM spec on the 2.0(non-turbo), do I need a machine shop?
Really love the comments you guys are sending me, it's very helpful.
I would just say a basic motor rebuild. Nothing aftermarket. I love the car, and everything Ive learned from it so far.
I got the car last summer. The guy bought it from, told me the car was sitting for about two years., used to be a show car., but everything that i've taken off of it shows me otherwise. I have an oil leak(internal), so I just want to basiclly rebuild and replace any parts that need to be replaced with new ones.
It will be at least another year maybe two before I can do anything special with this car. I'm moving so I won't have my mechanic anymore to help out. I would just like the satisfaction of knowing that I'm leaving with a good car.
I'm new to the whole tuner thing, but I'm not looking to turn it out right now.

 

[djaux]

$1500 is the worth of a rebuilt engine. Is a fair price as long as it comes with a good warranty and includes new water and oil pump.

No warranty.

 

[djaux]

Before doing anything you need to figure out a game plan. What you want to rebuild, what needs to be rebuilt. It's your money to spend so spend it wisely.

What's the reason behind rebuilding it?

If you are completely rebuilding the engine, there is a lot of parts that add up quickly individually. If you do some research based on your goals, it'll help you select parts. Get some prices from a few different websites like the ones mentioned above.

I recommend these guys.
http://millerimportparts.com/

There is an internal oil leak, I've lost power, and it is eating oil bad. Don't have any oil spots underneath the car, but the exhaust is just getting worse, and worse.

 

[djaux]

I am not sure if I understood correctly he will be assisting you in the rebuild? Ok so there are several things parts on ebay are cheap so you can achieve things with them but knowing you might do it again. But the standard of where if he or you are purchasing the parts matters. But if he is buying and building and you are drinking coronas or silver bullets in the ac then jump on it. But if you are wrenching and buying the stuff then there is a lot better avenues then that. Depending on what is to be done a rebuild can cost multiple 1000s with parts machine work and then labor but when your talking swap bearings and gaskets I wouldnt pay that much for a "poormans" rebuild. Get a book and read assembly and disassembly is easy with the info out there. People have run ebay rebuild kits for miles and years depending on the set up. When you work on the car if "his people" are getting oem I guess maybe but really you need to know what he is doing. What machine work what parts hes getting oem or autozone stuff and what all he is going to replace. Report back after you get some more info. I could get a cheap gasket set and some cheap bearings and rings and throw you on the road for 300 off ebay if thats what your looking for but the longevity matters. Let me know what you figure out..

Longevity, is key. Hit the nail on the head.

 

[StrokerMax]

I just spent about $3000 - $3200 to rebuild my motor (thats all parts and labor). I pulled the motor and took it to a machine shop. My motor is highly modified though. I had the block machined, new rings, JE Pistons, and new bearings. I also had them do a full valve job on the top end. I think my gaskets and timing parts ran about $600. Machine shop labor was about $1600 (I had them assemble the long block and time the motor), and other internal parts were about $900. Keep in mind that I used the top of the line parts. Steel headgasket, Gates racing timing belt and much more.

You may not know 100% what you need to replace until you open up the motor. I completely recommend a machine shop. They can vacuum test the head and make sure the block is all put together right. I wouldn't pay a guy $1500 unless he has a machine shop. Pulling the motor yourself is not incredibly complicated. It just takes time. Machine work is not easy.

I would expect your motor to cost around $2300 - $2700 to have it professionally done with good parts. But that all depends on what internal work is needed. It maybe cheaper if your top end doesn't need work.

 

[My1GLaser]

Is that $1500 including OEM timing parts, OEM water pump and a complete gasket set? That's probably $600-700 right there. $150 for NPR pistons and rings, OEM bearings are more expensive than $100 for ACL, etc...

Does it include machine work? Your probably looking at another $400 there to bore and hone, deck block and head, polish crank, put new pistons on rods and get a valve job.

 

[FalleN4ng31]

No warranty.

Walk away. If your engine builder isn't going to warranty his work, then he isn't standing behind his work. That's a huge red flag, IMO.

 

[djaux]

Well said., I didn't think that was right., he's always trying to scam somebody, n these days., where are your true friends. I can count them on 1 hand. Thanks for that(knew something wasn't right).
Only problem now, I don't trust him to touch my engine., n like I said I'm on limited time(work, move, etc.) what should I do.?
Options anyone; get a used one online, but can't find a good one for under a 1000., or try to do it myself(I might be able to do the gaskets(on top). Don't have a garage. Idk, I'm kinda lost now.
All your comments are appreciated., seriously like this forum. I hope to learn more in the near future. To the whole forum, n to the people who still wanna see other people succeed., THANK YOU!

 

[evo-gsr]

If he has a reputation for screwing people like you say...why would you go near him?

 

[djaux]

I know, makes no sense. I haven't done anything big w/him., n have helped him out w/a lot . Basically I have a frame of min, "do unto others". N trying to give him the opportunity to set things right, by helping me out. Guess I was wrong.
"To many Littlefingers, not enough Starks".

 

[djaux]

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Found this on Craigslist, it's a 96', I understand some things aren't compatible 96-99. Is this compatible., I'm exhausting my options here(swap isn't ruled out, yet). If it won't fit, does anyone know where I could find a reasonable priced "rebuilt engine", w/warranty.?

 

[djaux]

Mitsubishi eclipse engine removed from 97 model. 2.0l non-turbocharged also called a 420a. Run great when removed ,new clutch kit and aftermarket header and downpipe included. less than 80k on remanufactured engine.

 

[74runner]

Mechanics are not engine builders..I was a mechanic, we never built engines, I later went back to college for Engine building.I'd find an actual engine builder, and yes quality parts can add up to $1500.00 quickly! I spent just over $7000.00 when I built my stroked 440 my self (No labor cost included) My point is you get what you pay for.

 

[74runner]

You will have some added cost on top of the parts that you can't get around in the form of machine work....Decking the head aprox $40.00 , Hone the cylinders aprox $80.00 if with in spec...I doubt your guy has the tools to replace valve guides so $60.00 Seat regrind can be from $60.00-$150.00 and up depending on how bad they are.
No trying to scare you, just inform you.
My current 4G63 build I have $250.00 in machine work into the head and $120.00 into the block, all other work is done by me.

 

[djaux]

Wow, that's quite a bit., N yeah u scared me now. In my mechanics defense, he's had extensive training/education(I have watched him do at least a dozen engines, and custom jobs). It's not that I don't trust his work, but I told him about the kits, n he told me if I wanted it done right, he was gonna order the parts I need and do it his way. It just seems sketchy., considering he's ordering from napa, autozone, etc. make sense? If not, correct me, cause I don't have this experience...

 

[My1GLaser]

Except Felpro gaskets, there's not really any "parts store" stuff that I would put in my engine! I pretty much buy all engine parts from extremepsi, jnztuning or Mitsubishi! Partsdinosaur is phasing out its Mitsubishi inventory and even Engnbldr isn't carrying valves anymore...