Maybe I just suck at searching, but I can't find any used engines for the prices everyone seems to be claiming for their swaps. The cheapest Ecotec 2.2 in my area is a $500 core-only that doesn't run. The cheapest L36? $980 with 156,000 miles. The cheapest L67's a grand with 111,000 miles and that is 'less supercharger'. Where does everyone go to get their inexpensive drop-out assemblies? (Harness, ecm, etc. All the stuff needed to make it run...)
Luckily I live near 4 Pull a Parts (www.PullaPart.com). Any V6 engine is like $160 +$30 core. I can get a whole drive train (engine,trans, harness, computer) for around $300. The only downside is you're taking a risk not knowing if either the engine or trans is in good shape, but most people are going to pull the valve covers and oil pans anyways.
------------------ 87 GT: Need to get road worthy first 92 Cutlass Vert: LX9/20s/tons more 01 Impala: Wifes taxi 99 Blazer: Parts hauler/winter beater
Luckily I live near 4 Pull a Parts (www.PullaPart.com). Any V6 engine is like $160 +$30 core. I can get a whole drive train (engine,trans, harness, computer) for around $300. The only downside is you're taking a risk not knowing if either the engine or trans is in good shape, but most people are going to pull the valve covers and oil pans anyways.
That sounds like a worth-while road trip for a good 3.4 PR. All the ones around here are 5x as much.
[This message has been edited by turbo86se (edited 03-23-2014).]
In ontario you go on OARA website .they have a search button , you can look up almost anything .Probably over a thousand ecotecs .In the USA try car-part.com i think it is called .gives you a list of available parts at wreckers all over the USA .They also list condition and prices .
You may be better off buying an actual donor car. Check your local Craigslist. It often makes sense to do this anyway, since most swaps require more parts than just the engine and having the donor on premises allows you to take what you need as you need it. Also, once you have everything you need you can continue to part out the car to make money and then scrap off the remnants; some skilled individuals can come out near even going this route.
Maybe I just suck at searching, but I can't find any used engines for the prices everyone seems to be claiming for their swaps. The cheapest Ecotec 2.2 in my area is a $500 core-only that doesn't run. The cheapest L36? $980 with 156,000 miles. The cheapest L67's a grand with 111,000 miles and that is 'less supercharger'. Where does everyone go to get their inexpensive drop-out assemblies? (Harness, ecm, etc. All the stuff needed to make it run...)
You are looking at engines with some sort of warranty. The pick-and-pull places will usually not guarantee anything, which reduces the price considerably. If you are confident you can fix the unforseen problems, you can save a lot of money.
A lot of places just put themselves out of the used engine business. My choices are $1000 for a 150k used engine of unknown condition or $2500 for a brand new crate engine. Guess which I take ? If you pay to have it installed, they both cost the same in labor...maybe even cheapest with the new one. Only way anymore I put a running used engine in, is if im selling the car and it has a blown engine. A girl I know blew up the engine in her Cavalier. Reputable yard sold me 3 engines that were all bad after they were installed. They didnt charge for each one, and didnt pay any labor. I ended up just putting a crate engine in it...car fixed.
Whatever you do pay with a credit card and get the warranty on the receipt. I bought an engine from a yard with the warranty typed up right on the receipt but when I returned it for no compression in 3 or 4 cylinders they called me a liar and basically told me to stuff it. I dropped the engine off in their parking lot and was able to contest it with the credit card to get my money back.
Buying a doner car isn't a bad idea especially if you need the whole drivetrain and computer. You know that it runs and can take a compression test before you buy the car. A big plus too is working on it at your leisure at home with the radio on and ALL your tools there. and not having to drive to the self service junkyard and back numerous times
I have had good luck with the wreckers here in Ontario .Maybe they are a little more honest , I don't know .Bell City of Brantford Ont sold me a 2004 2.2 ecotec with f23 transmission bolted up , entire wiring harness , ECM ,BCM , steering column with keys , clutch hydraulics (master and lines all still attached ) and one axle that I did not even ask for .All for 1000.00 cdn .You can get low mileage 2.2 and 2.4 ecotecs just about anywhere around here without wiring but with manifolds for 500.00 . They usually come with a guarantee but the catch is it has to go in to a car that came with that engine from the factory . Fiero engine swaps do not qualify for a guarantee.
Its not that yards are dishonest. They have no idea of the engines condition when they buy them. They get a whole car and the idea is sell everything they can off of it. They seldom even have keys for them. Some yards will let you bring a battery and gas to try and start them. I def dont buy an engine I dont hear run.
You may be better off buying an actual donor car. Check your local Craigslist. It often makes sense to do this anyway, since most swaps require more parts than just the engine and having the donor on premises allows you to take what you need as you need it. Also, once you have everything you need you can continue to part out the car to make money and then scrap off the remnants; some skilled individuals can come out near even going this route.
i second craigslist. i bought a 3.4l long block for $200 and it only had 26k original miles on it just two months ago. cant beat craigslist for people who are cleaning out there barns and garages for great deals.
Pick n Pull in Va Beach, all engines $170, intake to oil pan. No accessories. If you want "starter, AC, exhaust mani's, Alt" its half price for each. (plus core). After tax, you can drive out with a complete motor for about $300. I've pulled a 3800 w/ 4T65E trans, all accessories, +core, +tax and it was under $450.
