Mechanic says 4000 to remove short block machine like new motor balance blueprint etc. and reinstall everything this includes no new internal hard parts only gasket kit and installation materials.

Mechanic says 6000 grand if i need new h beams je pistons and eagle crank.

Are these common prices or are they high.

Keep in mind i dropped my car off in mid december with an appointment and they just today gave me an estimate to get it fixed. In other words i was on the backburner for almost 4 months.

 

That is a lot! However, with all of the hours of labor to do that and the fact that they probably REALLY don't want to do it, I can understand why.

You might as well just buy a car with a built motor and everything already in it or get an assembled shortblock for $3500 and get them to put the heads on and drop it in.

 

Yeah, i thought it was pricey. I have no idea what i am going to do

 

What do you need done?
What is wrong?

 

It is knocking. They said it probably needs rebuilt but won't know until they pull it out. If it doesn't need rebuilt the price is going to be about 1600-2000 depending on what they need to do. The 4000 includes a pull rebuild with the internals i had installed on my last rebuild (15 miles on no warranty rebuild.) 6000 includes all new forged internals with install.

 

So it's all stock now?

Pull the motor yourself if you have to and bring it to them. That would save you a lot of money in labor. Like I said, though, if you can't do that just get a built shortblock. Call VRE and Golen, they can set you up with almost anything.

 

WOW, THAT IS HIGH!

Look up one of the Vendors here (VRE)

Lure a few friends for the weekend with beer and food, get it in and save some $$

 

If they had you on the back burner for 4 months and just gave you an estimate, why the heck are you even thinking of tossing money to them? I think it would be a smart thing(like mentioned above) to pull the motor yourself. It may seem really intimidating but it really isn't. Just go slow and make sure you mark everything as it gets unplugged. You and a buddy could pull that motor in an afternoon and save yourself 500-1000 dollars in the process. And you will be gainiing valuable knowledge for the future.
Brandon

 

I have pulled the motor on my camaro, twice. It is not very fun at all. I might decide to do it but i really don't want to. I pulled the lt1 out of one wrecked car i pulled the v6 out of my car i put the lt1 into my car. i blew up the lt1. i pulled out the lt1. i got an engine builder to do the bottom end. I waited 6 months until i had time to put it in. I started it and began to mess with valve train adjustment. I backed it out of the driveway and it started to knock. I parked it and the engine builder said i must have been spraying or racing it at really high revs. He would not give me any break on a new rebuild. I really want someone else to be responsible if the bottom end is not built right again. The newest rebuild has eagle i beams and new stock crank and pistons.

 

If you want warranty, then you might want to check out Golen Engine Service, they offer a good warranty coverage.

I'm not sure about VRE's warranty, so you might want to drop them a call and see what options they have as well.

 

I don't think its that high considering all the labor they are doing. You could buy shortblock from one of the vendors here and then have them put that in. Either way when you don't do your own work it ends up costing you quite a bit.

 

I think my best option might be to pull the motor myself(if i can find a place to do it) and get someone to build the entire long block for me. Any opinions on the solution?

 

Where are you located? Someone local to you may have someone they trust with their machining.

Mail order engines from vendors is another option, actually works out cheaper in most cases if you really look at it.

http://www.victoryracingengines.com/

Best bet is to talk with those guys. From what I see about them here and their responses to members, they seem to be able to work something out for just about anyone's budget and needs.

 

If they are just building you a standard LT1 non 383 that is alot!!!!

 

I have no clue what to do.