Quote for complete engine rebuild
Finally got a quote today for a full GSL-SE 13B rebuild. Won't mention the shop as they have a private vendor forum here and I trust them to do top notch work.
But I guess my dilemma is - do I spend $6,300 to re-build the engine? The car is in great shape, but has 325K miles. Interior was redone a few years back. Has a new stereo with sub-woofer. The paint and body is in pretty good shape, but needs a new rear bumper and paint - another $5,000 for a top-notch job. I have owned this car for 27 years and love it, but do I really want to spend $6,300 on the engine, and then another $5,000 within a few years on paint + body? Weekend to think about it...:scratch: |
6300??!??!!?!?!? for a JUST a rebuild? or is that including removal and install and various other services?
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Originally Posted by cr-rex
(Post 12153157)
6300??!??!!?!?!? for a JUST a rebuild? or is that including removal and install and various other services?
Includes removal and install, as well as final testing, tuning, and clean-up. That line item is 13 hours @ $100 per hour for $1,300. As far as parts, includes brand-new rotor housing @ $1,000 as well as as new internal soft parts set (all seals, gaskets) at $1,500. The actual labor on the rebuild is 18 hours at $100 for $1,800, including tear-down. Add all of these up, and get to $5,600. The rest is small stuff. External gasket, main bearing, spark plugs + oil, engine mount, used (but newer than mine) wiring harness... (Numbers are rounded up a little...) |
thats about right, books time to remove and replace the engine is about 12 hours, plus whatever time they charge to actually take it apart and rebuild it.
gaskets and seals are about $1200, give or take, rotor housings, which you should just get since you can, are another $1000. plus a clutch, while its off... radiator, thermostat, hoses, metering lines, engine mounts, etc. so yeah $6300 is about right. |
well, you do have some choices once you hit $11K with paint! NICE low(er) mileage -SEs can be had for $7K and up. At $11K or less you really have the pick of the Litter. That could land you a very sweet, low mileage (60K mi?) -SE (or: FB or SA if you are so inclined and want to expand the field of choices), with very likely change left in your pocket.
Of course, you lose the emotional connection to a car you have owned since near-new. Only you can decide on the value of that. And even after dropping $11K, you still have the remainder of the drivetrain and chassis clocking in at 325Kmi. So chances are good the car will continue to be a bit of a money pit. And - from a financial investment standpoint: $11K into an SE with 325K miles will NOT result in an SE WORTH $11K!! Ever! Whereas, the minty low-mileage -SE for the SAME price, will actually continue to INCREASE (sloooowly) in value. So. Your head? or your Heart? ;) Best of luck! Stu Aull 80GS Alaska |
Originally Posted by j9fd3s
(Post 12153253)
thats about right, books time to remove and replace the engine is about 12 hours, plus whatever time they charge to actually take it apart and rebuild it.
gaskets and seals are about $1200, give or take, rotor housings, which you should just get since you can, are another $1000. plus a clutch, while its off... radiator, thermostat, hoses, metering lines, engine mounts, etc. so yeah $6300 is about right. |
Unless the car is pretty choice (low miles, great condition), I wouldn't put that kind of money back into the car. Frankly, even then I would hesitate. I would think you could find a VERY nice GSL-SE with a lot less miles with good paint for $6,300.
Or you could find a used engine and put it in the car... I'd go shopping. Just my $.02. |
Originally Posted by 7aull
(Post 12153941)
well, you do have some choices once you hit $11K with paint! NICE low(er) mileage -SEs can be had for $7K and up. At $11K or less you really have the pick of the Litter. That could land you a very sweet, low mileage (60K mi?) -SE (or: FB or SA if you are so inclined and want to expand the field of choices), with very likely change left in your pocket.
Of course, you lose the emotional connection to a car you have owned since near-new. Only you can decide on the value of that. And even after dropping $11K, you still have the remainder of the drivetrain and chassis clocking in at 325Kmi. So chances are good the car will continue to be a bit of a money pit. And - from a financial investment standpoint: $11K into an SE with 325K miles will NOT result in an SE WORTH $11K!! Ever! Whereas, the minty low-mileage -SE for the SAME price, will actually continue to INCREASE (sloooowly) in value. So. Your head? or your Heart? ;) Best of luck! Stu Aull 80GS Alaska
Originally Posted by RXTbone
(Post 12154122)
Unless the car is pretty choice (low miles, great condition), I wouldn't put that kind of money back into the car. Frankly, even then I would hesitate. I would think you could find a VERY nice GSL-SE with a lot less miles with good paint for $6,300.
Or you could find a used engine and put it in the car... I'd go shopping. Just my $.02. The thing is, I don't want another GSL-SE. It is highly unlikely it would have been cared for the way this one has been. If the car was totaled today, I just wouldn't replace it. And I wouldn't buy a used engine, again, I don't know where it is has been like I have with this one... So with $6,300 I accomplish what other are looking at with dream builds - a RX7 exactly like I want it (minus paint chips and a bumper scar) with an effectively new engine. As to the value being lower than buying a low-mileage SE, that assume it would ever be for sale. Thanks for the thoughts, the engine work is starting today! |
Originally Posted by wilme2
(Post 12154373)
Thanks for the thoughts, the engine work is starting today! |
Originally Posted by wilme2
(Post 12154373)
Thanks for the thoughts, the engine work is starting today! Oh, and having a patient and understanding wife helps. :) Good luck on the build! |
i can tell you it wouldn't be $6300 at my shop, but maybe i should be charging $8k, since the more shops charge the more work it seems they get...
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Originally Posted by RotaryEvolution
(Post 12154756)
i can tell you it wouldn't be $6300 at my shop, but maybe i should be charging $8k, since the more shops charge the more work it seems they get...
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Originally Posted by wilme2
(Post 12153156)
I have owned this car for 27 years and love it, but do I really want to spend $6,300 on the engine, and then another $5,000 within a few years on paint + body?
Weekend to think about it...:scratch: |
Originally Posted by KansasCityREPU
(Post 12154815)
So back to the original question, it sounds like you already had your mind made up before posting the question.
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Unless there is sentimental value, I agree that putting the money toward a very nice GSL-SE is the answer.
As we know, sentimental value can tilt the scales. Of course, you can make new memories with a new car also. I recently sold a GSL-SE that was in my family for 6 years. It just so happened that the stars aligned for me and after trying to sell this GSL-SE for over a year, I sold it and bought an extremely nice early 1979 RX-7 with just the profit all in one weekend. I like this 1979 GS better than the 1985 GSL-SE. Sentimental value can cloud our better judgement sometimes. |
Pics
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...b68a8314cb.jpgLooks pretty good when opened up for the first time in 30 years...
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