Motor swap questions - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Quicksilver300 · 06-19-2008, 08:53 PM

After checking around at dealers, small used lots and browsing classifieds everywhere, I'm starting to rethink changing out my blown motor instead of buying a new car. I went to my mechanic today and she said it wouldnt be worth the money. She runs the shop, said they would charge about $1000 for the labor since it would take about 20hrs.

My question is, is that a fair price for labor?

Also where are reputable but decently priced places to order a motor or motor and tranny from?

Thirdly would you guys do it? The car has 133K on her paints damn near perfect besides my fire blistered bumper and she ran like a clock before.

I need to assess the tranny, I figure one way would be to drain and filter the fluid out, but I dont know how much that will tell me any ideas?
---------------
I've come back yet a third time to this idea after a guy really tried to swindle me on a camry coupe. If you guys would like the story let me know, it was unbelievable. Here's his listing, please never do business with this scumbag. I'm kinda think the car was actually stolen, but he sells lots of camry and theyre all garbage.
http://albany.craigslist.org/car/721306842.html I hate how you cant really report people on CL.

I figure if I'm gonna spent 3 large, why not do it on a car that I know about.

Please let me know what you guys think
not to keep posting pics but in case someone comes on that doesnt know or remember the car.

Venom_5 · 06-19-2008, 09:10 PM

i definitely think its worth it ... its a car you know thats in good condition other than the engine

you might be able to get the engine swapped out cheaper - and one sure way to see if the transmission blew too is to look for metal chunks in the fluid, or any other inconsistencies/discoloration

renmike · 06-19-2008, 09:35 PM

a proficient mechanic should be able to swap the engine and get it up and running in 8-10 hours, which includes the already-ready engine sitting there, pulling the old engine/tranny, bolting on the tranny, swapping the wiring harness, putting it back in, hooking up the wiring to the ecu, putting back in the radiator and getting all the fluids back in.

So, depending on the labor rate for the shop, I think you should be able to get the engine swapped for no more than 700 bucks. depending on what you spend on the engine itself, you might be able to get the swap done for less than $2,000.

5SlowFE · 06-19-2008, 10:12 PM

I'd keep the car. It's always cheaper to keep fixing what you have than to buy something else and start fixing THAT! It only took me about 20 cars to figure that out LOL.

20 hours sounds excessive for a decent shop. I swapped my 4cyl and had it running in maybe 24 hours working time, working alone, outside, in a 1 car parking spot, last winter in the snow and rain. No joke! With nothing more than basic hand tools ( no air ). If I was in a shop with a lift and air tools, probably 6 to 8 hours. I've never done a v6, so if you've got one, then I have no idea how long it should take.

Venom_5 · 06-19-2008, 10:25 PM

my buddy Craig (who does my alignments and let me use his lift/air tools to install the k-sports) was doing a swap in an early 90s accord .... just OEM to OEM, cuz the old engine blew or something - he was able to finish it within 12 hrs i think

he started it the night before i came to his shop, worked on it ... slept ... then finished it before i got there in the morning

renmike · 06-19-2008, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Venom_5

my buddy Craig (who does my alignments and let me use his lift/air tools to install the k-sports) was doing a swap in an early 90s accord .... just OEM to OEM, cuz the old engine blew or something - he was able to finish it within 12 hrs i think

he started it the night before i came to his shop, worked on it ... slept ... then finished it before i got there in the morning

Yeah, I believe alldata says that the dealer labor to remove/reinstall an engine is just 14 hours for a v6; I know for a fact that it took just under 4 hours to remove my 4 cylinder, add another hour to swap the wiring/any parts that would transfer to another engine (manifolds, throttle body, alternator and ps pump) and move the tranny to the new engine, then another 4 to drop the new engine in, tighten all the bolts, and make all the connections for the wiring. Then, add another hour to put the radiator back in, put the fluids back in, and crank it up. I did it in that much time under a carport with an engine hoist, hydraulic jack and air tools so I would think a fully-equipped shop can do it in that much time.

TheKevin · 06-19-2008, 11:51 PM

You just have to look around. I recently bought a low mileage 3vz-fe and had it installed for $350. the guy did it in 2 days.

felonyr301 · 06-20-2008, 12:48 AM

What do you got V6 or i4??? If I were in your shoes and wanting to just replace the motor and have an i4 I would take this chance to swap in the V6 but that's just me lol.

Quicksilver300 · 06-20-2008, 10:59 AM

thx for all the responses. It's the 5sfe motor, I think I'll have to shop around for mechanic who does this on the regular. Have any of you guys done this yourself before? I only ask, because it seems fairly straight forward, at least in principle. If I didnt have to change out the tranny I would think it could be slightly easier.

I only say this because I'm exploring all options. I figure if it would cost be $800 or more to swap the motor, I would think I could buy a lot of tools and parts with that money. However I have a bad back, so I'm torn.

Before anyone thinks of suggesting it, I'm not going to put a V6 in the car, too much work and would be more money.

I've really got to drain that trans fluid before I go any further, I'll let you guys know, thanks for the support.

Quicksilver300 · 06-20-2008, 12:16 PM

The trans passed the easy test. Absolutely nothing in the coffee filter I strain a few cups through. Nothing at all.

At the same time, I took a large magnet and suspended it in my collected fluid for about an hour, nothing on that either.

renmike · 06-20-2008, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quicksilver300

thx for all the responses. It's the 5sfe motor, I think I'll have to shop around for mechanic who does this on the regular. Have any of you guys done this yourself before? I only ask, because it seems fairly straight forward, at least in principle. If I didnt have to change out the tranny I would think it could be slightly easier.

I only say this because I'm exploring all options. I figure if it would cost be $800 or more to swap the motor, I would think I could buy a lot of tools and parts with that money. However I have a bad back, so I'm torn.

Before anyone thinks of suggesting it, I'm not going to put a V6 in the car, too much work and would be more money.

I've really got to drain that trans fluid before I go any further, I'll let you guys know, thanks for the support.

Like I mentioned earlier, I did the swap from a blown 4 cylinder to another 4 cylinder a couple of summers ago, I started early in the morning, had the engine out, tranny over to the other engine and was ready to drop it back in before lunch. Took lunch, came back, and with food on my stomach, dragged out the install for the rest of the day, lol.

Too bad we don't live closer (and I still had my truck, lol) I'd load up my compressor, tools and engine hoist and get you back on the road in a weekend

Venom_5 · 06-20-2008, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quicksilver300

The trans passed the easy test. Absolutely nothing in the coffee filter I strain a few cups through. Nothing at all.

At the same time, I took a large magnet and suspended it in my collected fluid for about an hour, nothing on that either.

smart man ^

... i didnt think that your tranny would be harmed - like i hinted at, ive seen this before with people who are boosting or spraying, and usually the block just shatters and almost everything else is okay

still doesnt explain why it happened with you tho ... have you removed the valve cover yet and taken pictures? maybe check the oil and coolant like you checked the tranny fluid if its not too time consuming

Quicksilver300 · 06-20-2008, 09:59 PM

Renmike, thanks for the motivation. I just need ramps, a crane and some SST's. I think it might be kind of fun, I like challenges and I bet I'll know a hell of a lot more about motors afterwards. I'm hoping I can also afford some new CVC's, and change those out at the same time, both have ripped boots.

Venom, Well, I could check the oil, but there isnt much left, most blew out during the incident and then the tow. There's about 1/4" on the dip stick though. I'll check it out. So far I've found at least 4 people that are willing to lend a hand with the swap. Just need to find a low mileage cheap motor. Gonna call a yard tomorrow, this particular one has at least 12 gen3 camrys. They have to have one.

Luckily while talking to my father he reminded me to refill the tranny, just in case rust or corrosion could form with it empty.

dresev6 · 06-20-2008, 10:09 PM

at my shop for a four banger 12-13hr labor, under warranty 6-8hr, 20hrs way too much. o yea and a quater of oil left on the dip stick usual means you have about 3 quarts left in the motor, and i might have a 5 sfe for sale. and i could send you the whole repair manual torque specs and watever motor info you need to take out that motor let me know. hit me up in a email. and im located in ny

my email is: watthafuk187@yahoo.com

Quicksilver300 · 06-20-2008, 10:29 PM

thx for the offer. The manual used to be online, does anyone know where it went? I got a new computer and lost my bookmarks. It was the complete official toyota manual.

Might take you up on the torque spec offer, hopefully I can find a 5sfe closer. Like I said I've got to call this place tomorrow. Luckily my father has a El Camino to transport the motor. I live 120mi. from my papa.

You guys got me wanting to drain my oil right now. however it is 11:30pm. So tempted though.