Well it looks like I'll probably have to have my engine rebuilt or replaced on my '90 GXL. While looking around online I found a couple of TII engines for about $1000 - $2000 after shipping. Both engines come with all the major components including transmission. However the ECU is not included and one has a slightly beatup intercooler(that's the cooler on top of the engine, right?). Both are imported from Japan and have aprox. 45000 miles on them and come with some sort of warrenty(30 days or so). Given the price range, would it be worth buying one of these engines(I'd love to have a turbo engine) or would it make more sense economically to have my engine rebuilt(no idea how much that would cost, I'm not mechanically inclined enough to do it myself). Thanks for ANY input!!!!

 

umm you need to change a lot more than just the engine if you want the turbo. (like the whole drivetrain). and also, i wouldnt buy a turbo if you arent 'mechanically inclined' unless youre good friends with somebody who is.

 

I were gonna go to all the trouble of a t2 swap, I'd rebuild the t2 before I put it in anyway. How much trouble are you looking for? and how much money (that you'll never ever get back) are you willing to spend?


--Alex

 

"whole drivetrain"?? You mean the transmission and rear end?? The engines come with the transmission I guess I change the rear eventually..... Well I'm somewhat mech inclined, I used to be a forklift mech, but that was mostly electrical forklifts. I'm done all kinds of pm work, brake changes, troubleshoot electrical problems, rebuilt gear boxes, but never an engine swap.......

 

You don't need to change the rear end. you don't REALLY even need to change the tranny.

 

Moneywise, it's whatever I can get away with, lol. I'm slowly easing my wife into letting me spend 2.5k - 3.0k to get the car running....... Hell, I only spent $800 to buy the car in the first place. The interior is immaculate and everything electrical works great. My only prob is the engine......

 

I knew the transmission wasn't vital to change, but since the engines come with one, it's like a bonus!

 

Yeah, I'd love to rebuild the TII engine, but the rebuild kit is like another $1000 and I'd be kinda nervous about doing it, though it would be fun. So should I go with a swap considering the price? BTW, I found a guy who'd sell me a TII engine with ECU and wiring harness for 1.6k........

 

Go for the swap then hombre, just be ready for lots of work. Sounds like you have the ability and a decent budjet. It's been done many times before, so you will be able to find lots of help on here.



Good luck, and make sure the motor you buy is in good shape (ie decent compression)

--Alex

 

Thanks for the advice Alex, btw, is your avatar Che Guevera or Castro?

 

LOL, good 'ol Che.................

do a seach on this forum for T2 swap, it'll give you a good idea of what your up againsed.

As I said, it's been done by many different people on here (Madrxracer comes to mind)


--Alex

 

I just did this swap past few days. Well not up and running yet but working on it but its all swap over. I purchesd a front clip b/c u need all that stuff in there that you wont get buying a motor. You realy need to hunt or finde a donor car or clip. The reson for our swap was we were going to turbo our NA anyways. The main thing is how much money do you got to spend?

Ok after doing this swap I have to say. REBUILD IT!
Ok simple factprs you will have a ton of unforseen $$$ you will have to put into it. I promis you you will have allmost 4 grand into doing this swap. And you still have a used motors. And now I hate working on dirty used ****. Take it apart clean the hell out of it paint it and have a fresh MOTOR! If you want turbo and you can do it soon get some S5 Housings and rotors and couterwaight and do it right.

My dad kinda laughed at me and said I have put more engins in cars then you have seen weekends in your life. And done this same thing to meany times. Should of just rebuilt it b/c now what if it smokes and you have to pull it all back out and brake in to the motor anyways. And you will just be back in it soon anyways it was used.

Things you will need to do when you get your mototr anyways.
1. posibly rebuild or will be rebuilding soon enugh.
2. take teh UIM off and clean the hell out of evrything.
3. All new VAC hoses
4. All new FULE LINES
5. New RAD lines and heator lines and all these kinda lines
6. O2 sensor
7. Fule filter
7. TII fule pump
8. soder wire crimpers all that jaz
9. ALUM piping
10. Intercooler
11. Alot of grunk work cuting and stuff.
12. moving the AC condensor lines and body harness under fron valence for intercooler mounting drill holes that kinda stuff.
13. new plugs and wires.
14. new gear oil and oil oil filter rear end oil
15. TII drive shaft.
16. rebuild turbo

hell im tierd of posting # and your tierd of reding stuff thats in the arcive u get the idea alot of parts and redo work and $. So unless you got hte money and you are planning on turboing anyways I have to say rebuild. If someone ells does it it will cost you probly $2,200 of $930 plus tools yourself. I paid $600 for car 850 for rims this swap I totald $5,400 so not cheap