I have a chance to purchase a 3800 SC with 160K. The engine has been pulled and I am unsure of the condition, but its was said to run fine. Well, I certainly would not completely trust someone trying to sale me a used engine.

I was wondering what the cost would be to rebuild a 3800 SC, gasekets, bearings, and such? And also, with 160k on the supercharger what would I have to look at replace or servicing?

For you 3800 owners, would this engine be worth the time?

You can get a nice low mileage engine for a lot less then a rebuild will cost you and 160,000 km is not that high for a 3800SC engine as long as it was properly maintained. Dan

Sorry, the 160K = 160,000 miles from what I was told. He is asking $800 for the engine.

Its a 1997.

Also, what's the cost of the PCM?

Plan on 2 grand for a rebuild. I'm going to be doing one soon and after doing some research over on ClubGP, that's what it's going to take. I'm doing mine for the pleasure and fun of doing it. If you're just wanting to get a car swapped and running, Ed Morad will have good low mileage motors for less. In fact, I just called on Friday, and they had a L67 with 108k for 840+shipping. Comes with a guarantee as well.

2 Grand for a rebuild? Are you talking about dunking the block, re-boring, new cam, bearing, pistons, and such?

Even with a 100,000 miles I would be weary with a used engine.

How long do the superchargers last? I mean with even good service, which I really cant verify.

For about $400 more, much less than the cost of a rebuild, you can get one from Ed Morrad and the tranny and harness in known good condition, with low miles and a guarentee.

I constantly use motors with that type of mileage in swaps and projects, and I get them for significantly less, $250-400 is all I will pay for a 3800 right now.

quote Originally posted by RotrexFiero: Sorry, the 160K = 160,000 miles from what I was told. He is asking $800 for the engine. Its a 1997. Also, what's the cost of the PCM?

That is way to much for a 160K motor. You can get a low mileage motor for that price or just a little more. Not worth rebuilding becuase of the cost and the fact you can get low mileage motors cheaper.

I would not mind $800 if I was assured it was solid and reliable, but my guess with that kind of mileage I am looking at replacing accessories, sensors, along with all the other small stuff.

Dark...do you really think $300-400 is a good offer? From the pictures he sent, this thing looks to be sitting outside, for all I know all winter.

I usually say to just run a motor till it dies.. Rebuilding MIGHT save you from a failure, but it most likely will just introduce more complexity and reasons for it to fail than anything else. If it worked for 160k miles, whats stopping it from working another 160?

When I took my 327 to the machine shop the guy had his sons 3800 apart for a rebuild. Over 100k and no ridge at the top of the cylinder. Which means you would most likely not have to bore the block. A complete gasket kit with rod and main bearings, piston rings, cam and lifters, timing chain and gears, water pump, valve job, hot tank with cam bearings and freeze plugs should put it back together nicely. Then you'll have to deal with the SC. There are companies that offer rebuilt ones reasonable with your core. You could probably get the above work done for around 1300.00 to 1500.00. It wouldn't be worth paying 800.00 then doing all this work. You would have good tight engine, but I've seen Ed Morad have series III's with around 35k on them for 1700.00. That would be a much better way to go IMO.

Yes, Ed has a few Series 3 motors on hand right now, low mileage in the 17 to 1900 range. All around, a better engine than the L67. I was very tempted, but another deal worked out for me that was a little closer (no shipping).

If that thing has been sitting outside all winter, on top of being 160k, I would just stay away from it. Neither of those mean anything is wrong with it, but this is just way too much money for way too many questions.

Ed Morad isnt that far away and for probably the same price you could get a known good motor with decent mileage. I dont know what he charges for just the motors, I just know he has some combos for about $1200 right now.

I need to start buying up motors more and edge in on morads busniess.

Who is Ed Morad? Have a wedsite?

Here's thier direct email for sales.

sales@MoradPartsCompany.com

They reply back to give you a direct phone number to talk with one of their sales guys. I have that number, but might be better to get it from them via email. Good guys to work with. You won't be disappointed.

yes ed morad does offer a warranty and is very fair with everything.. i bought my engine from him for my swap then i started working for him..almost all of our series 3's are less than 55,000 miles and as you all know the series 3 comes with the better s/c.. Our number to the shop is 216-671-3736.. i rebuilt my 3800 fro about $1000 doing most the work myself not including cam gen V and all the goodies but for 600-900 more you get a good low mile engine a warranty, and better blower
Josh

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[This message has been edited by black88fiero (edited 06-18-2008).]

In terms of rebuild, It's about $300 for a shop to go thru and rebuild the supercharger. (if it needs it)
For the rest (bearings, gaskets, rings, ARP bolts, etc.) It's around $600. Cleaning, valve job, and porting both heads (around here) runs about $400.
If you want to add in performance parts like smaller pulley, rockers, cam, injectors, etc. or have the block worked (bore, balance, blue-print, etc.), it can run anywhere from $400 and up. (depends on what parts you want and what work you want done)
So yes a decent performance rebuild can start around $2000 and go up from there.

$800 for 160K mile motor does seem on the high side.

We had a supercharger rebuilt by these guys:
http://www.thehighspeedlab.com/catalogsc005.html

and they did an excellent job on it.

I have yet to find a supercharger that needed a rebuild, and I have seen blowers with 250k+ on them....... couplers go bad, but that does not ever mean you need rebuilds done.