I'm in a really weird situation. I was driving my car from LA to Dallas when there was a massive oil leak and the engine seized. This happened in Indio, right outside palm springs. I have 0$ and I'm moving to Dallas because I have been chronically ill for about a year now, and my family has finally said move back here and stay with us till you get healthy.

So The car was towed to a shop on Saturday morning, obviously closed till today. The owner just called me and said a engine install (plus a new clutch as I said it was slipping) would be 2100$ + tax. Ive never looked at the costs of engines and installs but does that sound about right to you guys? I really wish I had the cash for a sr20 or just a custom KA-T, but being sick has drained my finances. So I jsut want to make sure my family isn't being ripped off. For that money how many miles should the used engine have as I know they made KL24DE all they way to 96-97. Any information would be great. Told this guy I would get back to him by today. Thanks guys

 

thats sounds like alittle much for a KA install

 

that sounds like a good price if that includes a good motor that they will give you some kind of guarantee on. labor, fluids, etc. really add up when you pay someone else to do it.

 

i dont know what a KL24DE is, im assuming you meant KA24DE. in which case it was made for 240sxs from 1991 to 1998. it was also put in a host of other vehicles, mainly trucks. a used engine will run you from free to about 300 dollars. if you have no tools whatsoever, you'll need screwdrivers, socket set, wrenches, and an engine hoist. you could buy all the tools for about 500 and that would be pretty decent tools. and you get to keep them. throw in about 100 for a new clutch, and your looking at 900 dollars, and thats with buying all new tools. and it really doesnt take that long to pull an engine. doing a swap should take you and maybe a friend a decent weekend, factoring in beer, and cig breaks.


its simple,
drain fluids and remove radiator

remove wires, (label if you want, its not hard to figure out where stuff goes)

unplug hoses, do something to remember where everythign goes,

remove driveshaft,

attach hoist to bolts into the side of the head (or just wrap chains around the mani's...)

undo motor mount bolts, and tranny mount bolts

pull engine.

reverse with other engine.



EDIT: and if you do it yourself, you now have all the tools if you ever need to do it again, and the knowledge to do it faster and better the next time. so if this 300 dollar engine blows, buy another one, and still be up on that shop. and still have tools.

 

the guy said he has been chronically ill, i dont think he wants to do it himself

 

the price sounds decent if the engine is completely rebuilt properly with warranty. while rebuilding it is not hard it many not be your best choice if you don't have the necessary tools and space.

 

Yeah, I have installed a new radiator and water pump myself, shocks and coils. However right now I can hardly walk so it isn't an option for me to do any of the work. So if its a low mileage engine with some sort of warranty thats a good price? what if its like 120k with no warranty+ not a good deal? again I have just never needed to price and engine, or labor on an install. So I'm just in the dark right now. Thanks for all of the info that been posted so far though, any other opinions would still be great. Also, I'm sure we all knew I meant KA24DE, I'm just in a hospital bed and have iv's and tubes going everywhere.So read the post and not just the topic next time

 

a few years ago i decided to get a used engine installed because the old one was on it's way out. looking back i wish i would have just had the old one rebuild that's also considering i only paid half of what you were quoted.

if you really want to keep the car save the money for a rebuild with warranty. i'm not an advocate of engine swaps such as the sr because you may find yourself in the same situation a little down the road after spending money you didn't have to begin with.

 

if u really like the car, go with the new engine. i dont think it sounds like a lot at all. plus u'll have a new engine. i bet its like sex having a decently new engine. lol. good luck with everything bro. and get better.