I don't own one yet, but I'm trying to get a grip on the scope of what I'd be taking on if I were to swap engines into an otherwise working FC.

I've never swapped engines personally. I've pulled them before, but with the intent of putting the same block back in. I'm guessing I'm looking at a man-and-a-half job that would take a full weekend, maybe a weekend and a half?

If I bought a Hayes manual, took my time, and used my head; would that be sufficient to ensure I don't screw something up? If not, is there a thread I'm missing (I've looked around) that could give a few of the critical tips?

 

its not too hard
so long as you pull the engine with the engine harness still attached and the new motor has the harness hooked up already.

just take apart everything thats holding it in, remember how it goes together, pull it, drop new one in and put everything back on how you remembered it.

 

it could be tricky if your not mechanically inclined... i did my first swap in half a day... also i pulled the tranmission with it... makes everything alot easier putting it back in

 

Ok, that's not so bad then.

I hope I'm mechanically inclined, I do engineering. Thanks for the answers.

 

Airceo13, that's quite quick...you're making it seam a little too easy

If the engine being swapped in is known to be good (compression tested with warranty, etc.) and it has everything like the intake, turbo, and other bolted on already with the harness attached, it's not too bad. Yes, swap with tranny attached. Even so, give yourself and a buddy a weekend to do things methodically and accounting for BBQ time.

BTW, is this by any chance an NA to turbo swap? If it is, it gets more complicated (and more parts needed) fast.

 

Ok, so more like a day and half if things go smoothly and we don't meet that poltergeist of an infamous bolt that's been in the car since day 1 and will not pop free. Might try it over a 3-day weekend to give some error room.

Talking a straight up T2 to T2 swap. I'd be doing some component testing on the side to make sure everything's working right and replacing the clutch plate, throw-out bearing, etc... in the tranny while it's pulled.

 

Newer question, how much does a 13B weigh? Two person liftable in a pinch? I'm looking at storing the second engine in a basement for a while, could two people get it down steps?

 

2 person liftable off the ground, yes. Not 2 person liftable into the car ... Id give yourself some time though. it never pays to try and rush a swap. I did mine over a week perdiod working a few hours at a time. Gave myself some time to think, and double check things. If everything is layed out, and you HAVE to get it done fast, then a weekend is doable as long as you dont run into problems. I had alot of trouble with bolts breaking, things snagging and getting hung, ect. Took a good bit of time to get straightened out. DONT RUSH THINGS, you'll regret it.

 

^ +1

Little things like replacing pilot bearing and seal, input shaft bearing being bad, replacing a bad mount, etc. can complicate things also, depending on availability of parts. You get the point.

 

So an in and out banging job, a day -a serious get-it-all right while you're there, 4 or 5 days?

 

Sounds about right. It all depends on how many hours a day you put in. I did about 3 hours a day, and just the in and out part took about 4 days. though my entire project took over a month. If you work hard for 4 or 5 hours a day, and have everything standing by ready to go in. Done right, maybe 3 or 4 days.

 

200+ lbs. I've seen pictures of people lifting it out of the bay but they weren't smiling.

 

avg joe a day out a day in and 3 to 7 days fixing the little issues not including research time.

I do this daily I know where every single bot on the entire car goes from a box it takes me almost 2hrs to pull a motor and 3 back in from the hood and 30 min both ways from a lift being a speed monkey with air tools and all fittings pre lined up :-) but I usually take my time only on disassembly conversions do I speedy it bc normally dealing with a clip or junker for core. So about day of work, I've yet to beat my dads record of out and in befor lunch "he used to bet the mechs at the dealership for lunch hehe.

If you do not do this daily I suggest labeling EVERYTHING! you will forget where things go.

I have also lifted short block 225lbs out of the bay before by hand in a junk yard with 1 friend, we did not have a good time it is not easy. Oh and i was HOT too. I suggest grabbing a larger rope tie some knots in it where it has a loop in the middle to cradle the motor in. tie a loop on ends slide a board through it grab a body kneel down put board on shoulders and lift!

 

Pulling a motor is made A LOT easier if you pull your radiator out first.

 

Radiator first, check. I was gonna try that as I've done it in cars before with the radiator in and then wished as I was trying to get whatever hooks onto the front that I'd just drained the rad and pulled it.

 

It makes for great fun when the motor brakes loose and swings into the core of the RAD.

 

What about going from a S4 turbo engine to a S5 turbo engine? Difficult?