Cost for engine replacement/worth the money?

[RancidCamaro]

Cruisin' in the nifty nickel today i saw that someone is selling my exact engine - a 3800 series II from a 98 camaro (i have a 99) for 500 dollars with less than 15,000 miles on it.

My current engine has 70,000 miles on it, there are absolutely no problems, but taking 55,000 miles off of the car sounds excellent.

My question for you is, what is the estimated total cost of engine replacement if i were to have a normal shop do it? If I were to perform the work myself with a friend? Is it worth the cost associated? Any input is welcome.

[camaro_speedemon]

Well if I remember correctly, the 99's have drive by wire, the 98's do not. So you probably have to swap throttle bodies. Other than that, if you did it yourself, I can't really seeing it costing much more than the engine. If I were you, I would build up the other motor. It's what I'm doing.

BTW That's awesome price for that motor with so little miles on it, if it runs.

[pgriffith]

swapping from a 3.8 to another 3.8 is cake. The throttle body's and upper intake will probly be different but its easy to take it off your old engine and put it on the new one.

[FirebirdGT]

This swap is not so easy.

98 has the intake /TB pointing down - so your entire intake will need to be replaced with the 98 stuff.

98 uses a throttle cable, 99 electronic - will need a new gas pedal, cable. Will also need the 98 PCM, because you can't use yours without the electronic throttle.

Get a 99-03, then it will be easier.

[slacker69]

all he has to do is use his old intake and TB but everything else is ok. But u could almost lose a finger like me

[RancidCamaro]

:( I was hoping they would have kept mostly everything the same going from 98 - 99, but I'm pretty skeptical about buying a 3800 series II for under 500 dollars that only has about 15,000 miles on it, i'm guessing something's wrong with it.

[jonny985]

70k isn't bad at all, I have 135k on my engine I just pulled 195 RWHP/ 233 Ft-lbs and a 15.055 in the quarter. These engines last forever if you treat them right.

I'd hold on to what you have and replace your engine when something goes bad

[ June 27, 2003: Message edited by: jonny985 ]</p>

[Riles]

$500 isnt an incredibly low price for a v6... engine rebuilders sell em for 850 to 1250, and they have alot of markup.

Magnus was selling his engines for near that price as well. I wouldnt be too skeptical of it- there just isnt a huge demand for a 99 v6, because people with cars that new don't need new engines yet.

[SixBanger]

I'm not saying do it, and I'm not saying don't do it. Just keep in mind that taking 55k miles off the cars ENGINE is not taking 55k miles off the entire car. Other things such as your transmission will still be at 70k. Just something to think about at least.