buying a rebuilt 3.8

[espey_16]

So I talked to a guy at rebuiltcrateengines.com a few minutes ago, and he said he had a rebuilt 3.8l that he would sell for $1850 shiped with a 3 year warranty, and I can keep my core. Does this sound like a good deal to you guys? Its the cheapest I could find, but you know what they say, "you get what you pay for". Have any of you guys delt with this company before? If so, could you give me any feedback? Thanks guys.

[michael454rs@hotmail.com]

Re: buying a rebuilt 3.8

youre gettin a warranty for 3 years i think its good deal. i paid 700 dollars for mines out 02 bird wiht 42,xxx miles. i saw its a good deal. but someone else might know some place else thats cheaper.

[espey_16]

Re: buying a rebuilt 3.8

I figure its a good deal because all the rebuilt motors I've found around me are $2000 and up. So $1850 from texas to washington sounded alright to me.

[Meatyshells]

Re: buying a rebuilt 3.8

wow you are getting ripped off

[whitdog54]

Re: buying a rebuilt 3.8

wow you are getting ripped off

So what do you suggest he should do?

[espey_16]

Re: buying a rebuilt 3.8

wow you are getting ripped off

On what, the $2000 and up long block or the $1850 long block? I've found them on ebay for around $1800 with a 5 year warranty, but they only ship to a commercial address.

[pace2006]

Re: buying a rebuilt 3.8

For someone that doesn't have a lot of experience in rebuilding engines this might be a better deal, especially with a 3 year warranty.

But you can also find lower mileage Series III 3.8s ranging from $300-800. Just need to swap out the intakes, accessories, and oil pan to have a fresh motor that should drop in. Trade off for this is cost of labor if you don't do the work yourself and no warranty outside of a salvage yard's brief warranty.

[espey_16]

Re: buying a rebuilt 3.8

I'm gonna try and rebuild the motor that's in the car now after I put the new one in. I've never done a motor swap except on an older chevy truck, and the only work I've done to an engine is bolt on stuff, but I think I can figure it all out.

[Meatyshells]

Re: buying a rebuilt 3.8

you can buy an engine for 500 bucks and stick it in your car and be done with it. Being a rebuilt engine isnt any better then a used one.

For 2 grand you can buy a 6.0 liter and stick it in your car

[espey_16]

Re: buying a rebuilt 3.8

If I could find a motor for $500 id be all over it. I'm not looking for all out performance from this motor, that's why I'm gonna rebuild mine.

[espey_16]

Re: buying a rebuilt 3.8

Well I think I'm gonna get my motor from TA Creations, they have a 3.8 with 33xxx miles for $750. If shipping dosnt kill me that's what ill do.

[jrherald420]

Re: buying a rebuilt 3.8

I picked up a 90,000 mile 3.8 from a 99 Firebird for 250.00, oh yeah it was fully dressed with full wiring harness and came with a set of good t-tops. Just do some looking for a wrecked 3.8 then buy it and part it out. With what i sold off of my engine including the tops, ive got a whopping 90.00 in my longblock.

[flamingchicken]

Re: buying a rebuilt 3.8

im about tired of everyone saying hes getting ripped off, i called salvage yards the other day (the reputable ones) and in my region, they cost about $800 plus noone had it in stock, so they told me with freight it would be about $1k with a not doa guarantee. so for 1800 he is getting a complete fresh engine with a warranty, sounds like a steal to me.

[ssms5411]

Re: buying a rebuilt 3.8

Next month or maybe this month I'm picking up a 08' L26 with 1200 miles on it for $400 plus tax. Then rebuilt up.

[Need4Camaro]

Re: buying a rebuilt 3.8

Meh, honestly $1,800 does seem alittle on the high end, any reason you need the warranty? I am getting both my LM7 and Rebuilt A4 transmission both with a 6 month warranty for the same price, the LM7 only being 40k miles old... With alittle over $3k I will have a reliable car with twice as much HP...

LM7 - $900
4L60E Rebuilt - $900
= 1800
Wiring Harness - $300
Accessories - $400
Intake - $350
Fuel Pump - $150
Radiator - $100
Headers - $250
$3350 in Parts

Real good swap if you can do the labor yourself too... Im getting a good deal on my labor though, all in all I am getting the whole thing installed for the same cost as a typical LS1 Motor/Trans pullout and I'll also have some performance goodies too... Looking at 350 to the wheels...