rebuild or replace engine: opinions? please recommend online engine shop

Post by **CIK7** » 10 Jul 2020, 22:47

I am looking around at used engines for a 2.3L top of line. know any reliable online engine companies? would y'all recommend rebuilding my 2.4 or buying new engine? seems like $1000-1500 is the price for the rebuilt ones.

Post by **abscate** » 11 Jul 2020, 03:46

Used engine with junkyard warranty should be about $500

Post by **CIK7** » 11 Jul 2020, 10:04

I found a few rebuilt engines on SWengines.com. the factory 2.4 for my XC is $1,095 and the 2.3 for the R AWD is $1,495 w/ 5yr/50k Mile warranty. I wonder if it would be cheaper for me to rebuild my own engine. I probably would be going for performance increase from 190hp factory to 275hp aftermarket. I am thinking that I will not ditch the angle gear but will remove the drive shaft for increased gas mileage. I assume the angle gear even with drive shaft removed still adds friction?

Post by **Chuck W** » 11 Jul 2020, 10:54

If this car is just going to be your "back-up car", grab a used JY 2.4 engine. P2 LPT engines are pretty inexpensive.

We have an '01 LPT motor in the wife's '97 GLT. Had 145K on it, which is half of what her old one did.

Post by **scot850** » 11 Jul 2020, 11:14

Not sure what you are getting for those prices on the SW rebuilt engines. To just do a head job with valves over haul, gaskets, leveling and anything else head related you are close to $500-600 at least. So what else do they supply with the engine, and what quality of parts do they use? The warranty is fair depending on how good they are at fulfilling it. Do they have good reviews?

Having a reworked engine does have it's advantages with new seals on cams, crank, etc. Either way, used with a junkyard warranty if they go wrong then you have to replace it, so work is the same. It is a tough decision.

I'm assuming you found a major issue with the old engine, i/ don't recall the final outcome from your other thread.

Either way, good luck!

Neil.

Post by **scot850** » 11 Jul 2020, 11:19

Looking at SWengines web-site I could not see any claim the engines were re-built. Maybe I missed the claim. All the engines appear to be used only which means the difference you are paying them for the engine is paying for a warranty over what a junkyard charges. I guess that is fair.

Neil.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 11 Jul 2020, 14:22

Do a JY RNC conversion. Gain Graphite coated pistons, Improved cooling, Oil trap integrated into the Oil filter & Cyclonic oil separators.

Post by **CIK7** » 11 Jul 2020, 15:00

Chuck W wrote: 11 Jul 2020, 10:54 If this car is just going to be your "back-up car", grab a used JY 2.4 engine. P2 LPT engines are pretty inexpensive.

We have an '01 LPT motor in the wife's '97 GLT. Had 145K on it, which is half of what her old one did.

I think I am just going to buy an engine and get this car going again. Oklahoma sucks in terms of finding ample 850s.

Post by **CIK7** » 11 Jul 2020, 15:01

scot850 wrote: 11 Jul 2020, 11:14 Not sure what you are getting for those prices on the SW rebuilt engines. To just do a head job with valves over haul, gaskets, leveling and anything else head related you are close to $500-600 at least. So what else do they supply with the engine, and what quality of parts do they use? The warranty is fair depending on how good they are at fulfilling it. Do they have good reviews?

Having a reworked engine does have it's advantages with new seals on cams, crank, etc. Either way, used with a junkyard warranty if they go wrong then you have to replace it, so work is the same. It is a tough decision.

I'm assuming you found a major issue with the old engine, i/ don't recall the final outcome from your other thread.

Either way, good luck!

Neil.

I thought I saw a pic somewhere and it looked like they had completely cleaned and rebuilt it. yes my engine hydrolocked, which I think that had something to do with a timing jump. doesn't seem right.

Post by **Chuck W** » 11 Jul 2020, 15:05

CIK7 wrote: 11 Jul 2020, 15:00
Chuck W wrote: 11 Jul 2020, 10:54 If this car is just going to be your "back-up car", grab a used JY 2.4 engine. P2 LPT engines are pretty inexpensive.

We have an '01 LPT motor in the wife's '97 GLT. Had 145K on it, which is half of what her old one did.
I think I am just going to buy an engine and get this car going again. Oklahoma sucks in terms of finding ample 850s.

The RN LPTs are a pretty easy swap, and you get rid of the oil cooler in rad. We just swapped her old intake (The same as your '98).

A couple other bits here and there, but not terrible.