How much should I be willing to pay for an engine to rebuild?

[1999 Camaro RJS3800]

A guy I know is selling the 3.4L V6 from a 94 Camaro.

It's got 130,000 miles on it and needs a new freeze plug (wore through).

I'm planning to get it and rebuild it over the winter for my 93 turbo project and need to know what to offer for it.

He wants to make "the deal of the century" because his garage is in need of cleaning but I wouldn't know where to begin as far as price goes.

[jonny985]

I've been looking at 3.8l rebuilders and I would spend somwhere in the area of $100. $200 at the most for a complete engine.

If its running and has low mileage, its a totally different story.

[edge24_99]

I might be able to hook you up with a guy down here in West Jordan. Email me your details and I will see what kind of price you are looking at. I just did my 3.8 and it wasnt really that bad at all....

[cam1993]

Im in the process of a complete rebuild on my 1993 camaro (3.4). Here's what the rebuild on the engine has cost so far:
1. Block - complete gasket/seal set, journal and crank bearings, freeze plugs, timing set, crank turned, oil pump, block cleaned and cyllinders honed. $380.
2. Heads - Ported and polished (valves were still good) new valve guides, roller-tip rockers (from GM) $350
3. Other - Crane cam $173 (from P.A.W.)
4. Rotating assembly balanced - still negotiating this but I hope for $150 or less.

Other mods to car (just in case you're considering them:
1. Complete urethane bushing set $165 (Jegs)
2. Front rotors (not drilled) $44 (both)
3. Front calipers (loaded) and rear shoes $98
4. All shocks $280
5. Chip - the only one I can find for this car is in a J.C. Whitney catalog for $200 and I don't know what I'll gain out of it yet.
6. Headers - $323 from Pacecetter. However, If God wanted me to have them, he would have miracled them to me by now...cancelled the order and going to RK Sport for $500.
7. Clutch - $193 from RAM Performance. Solid hub disc and HD series pressure plate. Retail on this from P.A.W. was $235 (it helps to know people at the factory)

I can't tell you yet about the performance gains from all this yet because until the headers get here, I can't put the damn thing back together yet. Mabey some day I'll get to post some ET's on the site. Then I'll know wether or not I should have spent this money on a V8!

[Wicked 3800 V6]

Hey cam, where are all of the rotor / caliper / etc. prices quoted from? I could use some $20 rotors
Thanks!
-Rob

[cam1993]

The rotors and calipers were from Auto Zone. Calipers came as rebuilds with new life-time warranty shoes. No core charge on the rotors.
$90 core charge on the calipers.