Engine rebuild cost Options

[bajafreaks]

I've been getting a few verbal estimates and doing some searching on costs for rebuilding the type4. It seems like the magic number is right around 10k for a good quality complete rebuild, adding a few goodies like head work, cam, etc. I know it's a very broad subject and there's a lot of contributing factors on what impacts the overall price but I'm just looking for a ballpark for right now. I can't afford a Raby build but also don't want something I can't rely on. Thanks for the input.

[NARP74]

Also very dependent on experience, availability and location. That cost is in line with my area.

[930cabman]

I've been getting a few verbal estimates and doing some searching on costs for rebuilding the type4. It seems like the magic number is right around 10k for a good quality complete rebuild, adding a few goodies like head work, cam, etc. I know it's a very broad subject and there's a lot of contributing factors on what impacts the overall price but I'm just looking for a ballpark for right now. I can't afford a Raby build but also don't want something I can't rely on. Thanks for the input.

I would guess around 10k for a basically stock rebuild. If I was in this boat, the PMB 2258 build might look very attractive

[didenpx]

I’ll throw in a stupid newbie question: why are rebuild costs so high?

I could probably have 2 Volvo B20 engines rebuilt to high performance specs for $10k. What am I missing?

Paul

[BillJ]

Porsche

[didenpx]

VW Type 4, no?

[brant]

When you rebuild an in-line 4
It’s less parts and less skill

An air cooled motor will need new cylinders and more time than an inline 4
Plus Porsche

[nivekdodge]

curious

If the motor is running, can things be upgraded without a total rebuild?

Kevin,

[Superhawk996]

curious

If the motor is running, can things be upgraded without a total rebuild?

Kevin,

Yes - paint tin red. Good for +10 HP. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

[Jack Standz]

VW Type 4, no?

No.

Especially, when you're talking 914 motors (or 912 or 911 motors). They are "Porsche" motors. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Similar motors, but not the same.

There are differences in the cases (i.e. dipstick in the wrong place), 914 Type IV motors all had fuel injection, so the cams were optimized for FI. Many many more Type IV motors went into VWs than 914 Porsches. 914 cases are getting much harder to find in good condition.

Have you looked at prices for VW motors (Type 1 or others) lately? You can do a lot with $10,000 when building a Type IV motor. However, if you can't or won't do the work yourself, then that's a very different story.

There has always been a premium to pay for Type IV motors compared to Type 1 motors. There has always been a premium for "Porsche" motors.

Here's a 2056 Type IV short block for $5,500. You could possibly get someone to install it for the $10,000 total? Of course, there are other options.

https://scatvw.com/product-category/long-bl...e-type-2-4-914/

Am not vouching for SCAT rebuilds, but we did have them do machine work in the past.

[VaccaRabite]

Especially, when you're talking 914 motors (or 912 or 911 motors). They are "Porsche" motors. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Similar motors, but not the same.

I fundamentally disagree.

While there are nuances between bus motors and 412 motors and 914 motors, they are all VW Type 4 motors.

You can use a bus case to build a 914 performance motor. I know because I did it. Block off plate for the forward dipstick, and changed out the curved dipstick tube for the straight 914 version.

After that, its just parts.

Lots of people run 914 motors in their bus or 412. Lots of people have used bus or 412 cores in their 914.

As to why its expensive.... Getting the heads right takes experience, and that does not come cheap. You always want to put as much money into your heads as you can, and they will make or break your engine. They also go together differently then most modern liquid cooled engines. They don't have the breadth of cheap aftermarket parts that the T1 community has (which is a good thing, as most of those are CRAP).

It used to be you could do a budget 2056 for about $5K. But that was 15 years ago. You can probably still do it yourself for about that, but you won't find a shop building for that amount that has not cut a TON of corners. I agree that 10K for a stock motor is about right. And I also agree that you should be looking hard at the PMB engine program. I LOVE my 2.3i from PMB. But it cost more then 10K.

Zach

[didenpx]

Thanks to all. Absorbing.

[Jack Standz]

Especially, when you're talking 914 motors (or 912 or 911 motors). They are "Porsche" motors. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Similar motors, but not the same.

While there are nuances between bus motors and 412 motors and 914 motors, they are all VW Type 4 motors.

Lots of people run 914 motors in their bus or 412. Lots of people have used bus or 412 cores in their 914.

The "nuances"/differences are why real 914 motors cost a little more $$$. There were a whole lot less 914 motors made than other Type IV motors & there are less 914 motors still available every year. Yes, they are made by VW, hence the "Porsche " in quotes.

Do you really think a 914 with a real 914 motor is worth the same as a 914 with a bus motor? There's a reason for the difference.

Yes, we put a "real" 914 motor in our Westfalia camper bus. Still miss it, as it was so much fun before an inattentive driver totaled it. But, that wouldn't translate to "lots" of people putting 914 motors in a bus. We personally know of one (ours). That's the same number of people we personally know that put a 911 motor in a bus. No, not "lots", but it can be done.



*** This comment brings up the silly distinction starting maybe 40/50 years ago (from mostly 911 owners) that a 914 is "Not A Real Porsche" or NARP. Yes, Porsche sourced 914 motors from VW, bodies from Karmann, assembled them in Wolfsburg not Stuttgart, etc.

So, does that mean everyone that has a Porsche with a VW motor in it, is driving a NARP? I pity all those unsuspecting Cayenne owners and others.

[930cabman]

Thanks to all. Absorbing.

It's not a cheap date to be sure, taking your time is a good bet

[JeffBowlsby]

Rebuild cost depends a lot on what the scope is. If you have the skills and time, you can remove/reinstall the engine, strip it down to a short block and have the shop rebuild to a short block will save a lot of out of pocket money. You can refurb the tin and intake, mount the alternator, service the ignition/injectors/harness yourself at minimal cost.

[mepstein]

If only rebuilding engines was that easy. The devil is in the details. I’m not saying that most anyone can’t do it but if it was just assembly, it would be easy and cheap.

[930cabman]

If only rebuilding engines was that easy. The devil is in the details. I’m not saying that most anyone can’t do it but if it was just assembly, it would be easy and cheap.

Fit is the key word here, assuming everything and I do mean everything fits correctly, you are off to the races so to speak. One rod nut not right, one ring land not right, ............... many many details

[mepstein]

If only rebuilding engines was that easy. The devil is in the details. I’m not saying that most anyone can’t do it but if it was just assembly, it would be easy and cheap.

Fit is the key word here, assuming everything and I do mean everything fits correctly, you are off to the races so to speak. One rod nut not right, one ring land not right, ............... many many details

We recently built a 906 style engine for a real 906. Every single part, new and used, had to be redone, massaged, measured and remeasured, remachined, fit 8x over and bought 3x. I wish engines were just assembly…

[NARP74]

We have 2 examples on this forum where the DIY approach did not work and had to be done 2x or 3x and expensive help brought in at the end. I consider myself very mechanical but I do not want to try a rebuild like this for my first and possibly only one.

[930cabman]

We have 2 examples on this forum where the DIY approach did not work and had to be done 2x or 3x and expensive help brought in at the end. I consider myself very mechanical but I do not want to try a rebuild like this for my first and possibly only one.

I recall building my first Type 1 engine in the early '70's. I went for it with little/no guidance and of course it failed in a short time. The next was a bit better, and so on. these days I have fun building a T4, but sent a 2.7/6 to a well experienced builder.