jfk308

Recently I had a PPI done on a Carrera 3.2 I wanted to buy. Glad I did because the leakdown test and fouling plugs showed the car needed a top end rebuild, estimated at $ 3K to $ 5K. I decided to pass on the car - tough when you like it otherwise, and the price is low. Later the experience made me wonder if replacing that engine with a rebuilt engine would be better than a top end rebuild because of the relative cost. I notice that Motor Meister sells a rebuilt 3.2 engine for $ 3,995 with an exchange, and estimating 10 hours to install (maybe $ 1,000 at a good shop) isn't that a better deal than a simple top end job since you'd then have a completely rebuilt engine for about the same price? Would that be a good idea, or am I completely missing something?

mkimber

I would seriously consider doing a search on Motor Meister, both on this board and Pelican, to get an more accurate picture of the costs involved.

J. Brinkley

+1

Capt. Carrera

+1,000

KC911

Yes, you are COMPLETELY missing something as others have stated Don't even think about a MM rebuild!

Keith
'88 CE coupe

earlyapex

Factor in 10k for a good top end rebuild and make an offer.

Loaded

10K for a rebuild????????????????

People paying that must be paying 3k for a muffler also

GothingNC

Once you have a MM motor in your car you will have to pay to give it away

John

Loaded

Does anybody here have a receipt from a recent rebuild.....a stock motor not anything above stock? id like to see what shops are charging. it seems to make a big difference if the owner removes it himself etc. aka owner participation

Peter Zimmermann

I'm not sure, but Eric might have been thinking rod bearings up, including rod bolts, nuts & bearings, 24x new head studs, rings, and a complete valve job. At today's labor rates I can believe that he's right, because that was a $7-8K job when I still had my shop (in '99). Aggressively protecting yourself is never a bad idea, especially now that top ends (valve job only) are costing $4K, the above job costs $9-10K, and a "rebuild" costs $14K (including new piston/cyls). I witnessed many post pre-purchase negotiations, and I rarely saw a seller offer a price reduction of anything more than 50% of the work needed, and sometimes much less than that for a car that was already priced below market.
Pete

Loaded

Peter is certainly them pays to become and learn to be a very handy DIY'r. I myself could not imagine NOT being neck deep in a rebuild of my 911..But then agains tyhere are some self admitted all thumb types.

g-50cab

You can reduce that cost significantly by pulling your own heads and sending them off to John Walker or EBS. $10k for a top end better include a happy ending

rickdm

As a comparative price point, I just picked up my car with a rebuilt engine on Saturday Total was 10K for bottom and top end without new P & C's. This also included ARP rod bolts, EBS performance valve springs and titanium valve retainers, new oil by-pass thermostat and oil line, one axle, new cam towers, and powdercoating all the metal and valve covers. This started as a top end rebuild after kissing a couple of valves by missing a shift on the track, then I decided I wanted new rod bolts and it all went to heck from there (cracked rings, worn bearings, and ovalized pin hole on the crank nose).

This mechanic has a small race shop, a great reputation among the local racers and charges labor at $70/hour. I contributed none of the labor. The car runs great, and I am very happy with the work, so perhaps it will give you some perspective as you consider your purchase.

rickdm

samuel kinter

I had my 3.2 topend rebuilt with new p&c's also did cluth upgrade and new stock muffler 4years ago for 11k car does not burn any oil and runs like new.

jfk308

Thanks for the feedback on Motor Meister - it really is shameful that PCA allows them to advertise in Panorama given the history. If we remove Motor Meister from the equation, I still see other shops that offer rebuilt engines for a similar price. For example Air Cooled Classics (also in Panorama) sells a rebuilt 3.2 for $ 4K, and I've seen others that are similar. Assuming some of these outfits are reputable, my question still stands - if a top end rebuild costs $ 3K to $ 4K (and some posters have even paid $ 10K) wouldn't a rebuilt engine at $ 4K to $ 5K be a better alternative? Why just rebuild the top end when you can have an entirely rebuilt engine? Does it cost that much to remove the old engine and put a rebuilt one in? Again, am I missing something here?