Possible 3.0L purchase Options

[Zaffer]

I am looking for some advice on what a price range would be for a 3.0L engine, long block only, out of a 1980 911 Targa. The engine needs to be rebuilt as there is a knock (though faint) while the engine was running. Shortly after I heard it running, the engine caught fire, but was put out within 5 minutes; the fuel line at the frequency valve failed and blew fuel onto the exhaust system.

The engine is stock, was running on factory CIS, but does have the timing chain upgrade. Some of the components survived the fire (alternator, cooling shroud, distributor, and SOME of the CIS components), but the majority of the CIS system was damaged. The long block is fine, however.

I am considering purchasing the engine to rebuild and put into my 914, but I would like to know what to offer given the above information as I really have no clue. If I don't go this route, I will be doing a 3.0L Subaru conversion instead.

The picture is of the engine in question.

Thanks for any and all advice and I really appreciate everyone on this forum!

[Steve]

$12k minimum to overhaul, not to buy the engine. I would say $5k for a core, but @mepstein has more experience selling these motors.

[mepstein]

$12k minimum to overhaul, not to buy the engine. I would say $5k for a core, but @mepstein has more experience selling these motors.

Steve - If I could buy a 3.0 for $5k, I would buy as many as possible. That’s a long ago price. These days you are looking at $10-20k labor + parts ($15-20k) to rebuild. I know of shops in California charging $20k for top ends. Even if you do an overhaul yourself, it’s easy to spend $15k for parts and machining. Add $5k for carbs or $15k for itb’s and FI.

$12.5 would still be good. Imo.

Add in another $15k to do the conversion.

My shop has already rebuilt about 15 engines this year so I’m not just making up prices. That being said, a 3.0 in a 914 (while isn’t a great investment) is a great power plant and makes it super fun to drive.
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[infraredcalvin]

If I could buy a 3.0 for $5k, I would buy as many as possible. That’s a long ago price.

That’s funny, I bought a 3.0 from you a while back for about that…. Glad I bought when I did, but it’s been in the corner since, right next to an 2.7 7R core, and a fresh FAT 2.3 IV… I gotta get rid of some stuff… (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

Problem is, I couldn't leave well enough alone, I’d want to hot rod Cairo’s 3.2, end up with a twin plug 3.4 (wait, I have one of those). I’d pick the 3.0 and build something else special, 2.8 or a 3.2 hot rod motor as suggested above…but that’s a different slippery slope…

[mepstein]

If I could buy a 3.0 for $5k, I would buy as many as possible. That’s a long ago price.

That’s funny, I bought a 3.0 from you a while back for about that…. Glad I bought when I did, but it’s been in the corner since, right next to an 2.7 7R core, and a fresh FAT 2.3 IV… I gotta get rid of some stuff… (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

It is amazing how quickly prices escalated .
I bought my first 3.2 engine for $4,500. It came rebuilt with some performance parts. Now, a new pair of Mahle p&c’s cost that much. Labor has gone through the roof. There are fewer people who work on air cooled. This year, we rebuilt engines for three shops that sent us customer engines. I wonder how the market/hobby will look in 10 years.