Rebuild or Remanufactured

[SilverNitrate]

So I called one of the shops around NOVA about rebuilding my engine to fix the oil consumption problem I have. I was told that re-building the engine is really not that economical and suggested swapping for a remanufactured engine. The place where they get the engine is from jasperengines.com. So I went there and saw one for my car for around 4500. They also include a 3 year/100,000 mile warranty with their engines.

I'd like to get some advice and opinions on what you guys think I should do. It's a 99 corolla VE.

[AlaricD]

Originally Posted by SilverNitrate

The place where they get the engine is from jasperengines.com. So I went there and saw one for my car for around 4500. They also include a 3 year/100,000 mile warranty with their engines.

I'd like to get some advice and opinions on what you guys think I should do. It's a 99 corolla VE.

$4500 is a lot of money to spend on an 11-12 year old car, so it hinges on how strong the guarantee is, how much you trust the installer, and maybe the turnaround time.

I'd guess rebuilding a modern engine is pretty labor intensive now, though. You could do it yourself (or have things done to it) in stages, but on the other hand you probably don't want to wait a long time to get back on the road.

Searching for reviews on them gives mixed results.

[Crowbar911]

4500 is a good start to a nice downpayment on a new car.

At this point, id be lookin into how many miles do you have? is there any problem with the tranny, suspension, oil pump, water pump, fuel pump, evap system, rust, etc?

The reason behind this, is because if your tranny is about to go, putting 5k down for a new engine is pointless, and I feel a new car would be a better bang for your buck as you would get more worry free miles out of it.


If you LOVE the rolla, (and I have thought of this myself), you can always throw enough money at a car, and itcan always be fixed. It jsut depends how much you want to throw at it.

[SilverNitrate]

Well the car has 80,000 miles. No problems with any of the stuff you mentioned, just the burning oil problem. I love my rolla, she's my first car and she's been well maintained, both mechanical and body. Even the engine compartment is super clean. She's been well dressed with TRD parts (TRD body kit, TRD Wheels, TRD Springs, TRD Exhaust and TRD Sway Bar). I'd like for her to last longer if I can, but I do understand that 4500 just for the engine alone is quite a lot, not to mention the installation. With that amount, it's definitely a new car down payment. This is why I feel kinda sad that she's burning so much oil that if I don't do something, she'll eventually fail or cause other parts to fail. I feel I'm in a cross road and no matter which road I take will cost me so much money.

[wylee]

I wouldn't even consider it, but you need to decide how much you're attached to the car. $4500 would come pretty close to getting you an 03 Corolla around here.

[MFCC08]

If it were I.......First I'd find a shop who can do engine swaps, if you aren't going to do it yourself, and then get an engine off of MWR.

Since you seem to love your car, which I do as well, then why not upgrade it too. You can start with a pretty good engine from them for a little more than half. Then, you could just add parts to it up to your budget.

Otherwise yeah, I'd look at a newer car. Heck, you can find those same years and miles approx on craigslist for that price.

[Milky]

what ever you do, dont buy a jasper engine. they are somewhat local to me and i have seen many of their rebuilt/re manufactured engines torn down. they are crap. i have seen them just bore one cylinder .020 over and leave the others stock size.

my vote is and will always be a rebuild. do it your self. get a FSM and go to town. hell of a lot cheaper than having someone do it for you.

the MWR is a nice option too.

[Bingo]

You could buy a lot of oil for $4500 ! It's a 99 leave it or buy yourself a newer car.

Amazing how times have changed. I bought one of those used Japanese motors a few years ago (mid 80's)for 225 bucks and had the guys drop it in for another 100.

[DjiNN]

for 4500 definitely better to put that towards a down on a new car. Sell off the TRD parts along with it and you got yourself a 04-06 Corolla. If not that's around maybe 6k towards a new car. I myself spent a lot to fix the problems I had with my 2001 Corolla. I didn't bother fixing the rest of them(springs, struts, endlinks, tires, and catalyst converter).

All of that being fixed would have cost me anywhere from 1000$ - 2500$ depending on where and who I bought them from. So I left it at that and put that money I would've spent on those parts and put a down on a new car. Also I've replaced the engine on the 2001 corolla. Cost me around 2000$(w/ labor) for a 06 engine with about 60K miles on it.

[iskate631]

you can buy a re-manufactured engine for like 2600$ with 300$ back core charge

[PushnFords]

I'd check around at some reputable machine shops. My '94 Civic was burning a lot of oil (1qt every 200 miles) and eventually started to overheat. When I tore the engine apart the cylinders were too worn for a quick fix (over 200K miles). I pulled the engine and disassembled then had a machine shop clean the block, bore all 4 cylinders, and press new pistons on the rods for around $175. I picked up a rebuild kit on eBay that had the pistons, rings, rod & main bearings, and bought a new oil pump and all of that was around $280. Then I bought a rebuilt cylinder head off of eBay for $225. It wasn't the highest quality rebuild but it is running good.

With only 80K on your car I'd try to rering it in the car. Pop the cylinder head off and either rebuild it or have it rebuilt. Pull the oil pan, disconnect the rods, and pull the pistons/rods out. Hone the cylinders, replace the rings and rod bearings, then put everything back together. When the cylinders are honed and measured it'll tell you how good the chances are of everything sealing back up. If you find a good mechanic it shouldn't cost too much. Finding a good used engine might be cheaper...IF you can find one.

[twotoyotas]

Sounds like you appreciate your car enough to have maintained it well. Do you know the source of the oil consumption? If compression is good it's probably not pistons, rings. These motors are notorious for valve guide seals going bad. $4500 + tax + labor for different motor = too much to invest in this car. As was previously posted; you can put a lot of oil into this car for a fraction of the cost.

[Bdub215]

Originally Posted by twotoyotas

Sounds like you appreciate your car enough to have maintained it well. Do you know the source of the oil consumption? If compression is good it's probably not pistons, rings. These motors are notorious for valve guide seals going bad. $4500 + tax + labor for different motor = too much to invest in this car. As was previously posted; you can put a lot of oil into this car for a fraction of the cost.

valve seals is my issue. if i keep my oil clean it wont burn but if it gets dirty all hell breaks loose. to put it in perspective i went through 4qts in 3 weeks. but i changed my oil and done the same distance and its still full.

[Chris Corolla S]

It will be cheaper to find a used low mileage engine. You can get a used 1zz with under 50,000 miles for $1700 - $2000 shipped. Check online for brokers.

[hokie_sti]

I've seen '02 and '03 Subaru WRXs in good condition sell for $6K. 227hp and awd stock. I'd think twice before dropping that kind of money on a '99 corolla.