engine swap cost?

Topic: engine swap cost? (Read 1375 times) previous topic - next topic

engine swap cost?

October 22, 2006, 05:37:34 PM

anybody know how much one of these would cost if you were to go to a place, like a local garrage? somebody wants me to do it for them, but i have no idea what to charge em, i figured i'd go off what everyone else does, and cut him a break.

engine swap cost?

Reply #1 – October 22, 2006, 05:43:25 PM

I'd imagine between $900 and $1500.

engine swap cost?

Reply #2 – October 22, 2006, 06:00:03 PM

depends on the swap. as you know, a 5.0 ho swap into an 88 sport is wicked easy. either way, assuming you are useing your tools, space and obviously your time 1000 bucks would be fair. your useing somebody elses space, and who knows for tools like a lift so id say more for that. deffinetly make sure you have absolutely everything you need. you wouldnt want the car holding up space. depends on how well you know the guy. id do it for free for a friend.

engine swap cost?

Reply #3 – October 22, 2006, 07:10:29 PM

When I used to work at the garage, I recall mitchell on demand listed recomended labour times for strait up (ie: identical engines) swaps.

One complete swap that I remember was a GM 3.4L V6 in a pontiac something or other. The customer failed to get an intake gasket coolent leak fixed, after being warned about it by the oil change guys, and overheated the engine big time.

The charges to install a used, nearly identical engine was:

14 hours labour ( as per mitchell) * $93 per hour = $1302.00
Shop supplies (3%) = $33.46
Plus the cost of a used engine which I cannot remember

So you probably can calculate what a shop would charge based on local labour rates, and then reduce your price by what ever you feel is fair. However, if this is not a direct swap, you may want to charge based on the amount of time it takes you.

engine swap cost?

Reply #4 – October 22, 2006, 09:58:50 PM

When I work for freinds all I normaly charge is lunch. But an engine swap I would say free is they pay for all the parts AND actually work on it. I have freinds that want me to do the work while they sit and watch.

engine swap cost?

Reply #5 – October 23, 2006, 12:06:02 AM

My mechanic friend is going to drop a HO that I'm going to buy in the spring into my car (I don't have the time or space to do it as I'm in college and I can't tie up the drive way at home). He said he'd charge me $800 to do it. So I'd say depending on the difficulty of the swap $800-$1,000 is about right.

engine swap cost?

Reply #6 – October 23, 2006, 12:13:36 AM

my mechanic charges 700 complete. including engine.

engine swap cost?

Reply #7 – October 23, 2006, 09:07:11 PM

hmm thanks guys. he's not a friend, hes a guy my friend knows. he has his own engine and computer. i know i can do the swap before lunch if i start in the morning lol. i was figuring on like 200, but seeing everyone post around a thousand makes me think a little higher. then again, is everyone posting prices without engine? or with? i suppose if i did it based on hrs. maybe it would be more fair to charge an hourly rate? like 30 an hr.

engine swap cost?

Reply #8 – October 23, 2006, 09:33:06 PM

My rate was without an engine. That was just installing an engine for $800.

engine swap cost?

Reply #9 – October 24, 2006, 12:16:16 AM

Don't price yourself out of the job :)

I'd say a nice 500-600 (500 if he supplies oil,plugs,fluids etc, 600 if you have to pick up the tune-up stuff)beans would be nice for half a weekend of work.. Pull it Friday night, put new motor in Saturday morning, driving it by Saturday afternoon/Night. Finally turn it over to him Sunday when all the little buggies are worked out and you'll make him a happy camper.

Also take your time with it, #1 its not your car so you don't want to f--- anything up, and 2 if you charge him alot and get it done in 4-5 hours he might be little sour thinking he got robbed.

Do it nice, clean his engine bay, spend 3 bux on a can of paint, make him happy and you might get all his work in the future.

engine swap cost?

Reply #10 – October 24, 2006, 08:17:41 AM

Oh and another thing, where is he going to be during the swap? If he is going to be up your ass asking questions all day long and breaking stones I would add another $150 for the trouble... bring it up to $750 (or $650 if he supplies everything you need)

Where you doing this at your house? I hope your not going to do it at his place..

engine swap cost?

Reply #11 – October 25, 2006, 10:33:35 PM

im still trying to find out where its getting done, im dealing with a middle man. lol. i dont want to do it realy at his house like ya said. i'll probley take it to a friends with a paved driveway and make it a weekend job.