So, I have decided to keep the troublesome Zed and still think the engine needs to be either rebuilt or swapped.

I have found a potential replacement engine but need to understand what sort of cost we are talking about when replacing a blown engine with a replacement one.

I would imagine there is quite a bit of labour involved with removing one engine and replacing it with another. Is this days and days of effort at a garage or is it fairly quick? Also, has any one any experience or knowledge of reputable people/garages who have the facilities and tools to do an engine swap in the South of England? How much do I need to budget to do this?

Any help appreciated.

Greg

Il pm you later Greg, I'm out fishing ATM. Then we can talk on the phone tomorrow.

423.60 would be closer to the mark i recon. based on 6hrs labour. then fluids and consumables on top of that in a garage ide estomate the £500 mark is around about right

423.60 would be closer to the mark i recon. based on 6hrs labour. then fluids and consumables on top of that in a garage ide estomate the £500 mark is around about right

 

Gonna take more than 6 hours to pull and refit a 20 year old vg30dett. If their undoing original bolts and don't have z32 specific experience 20 hours is easily amassed.

Gonna take more than 6 hours to pull and refit a 20 year old vg30dett. If their undoing original bolts and don't have z32 specific experience 20 hours is easily amassed.

quoted for truth !

Your going to struggle to get a zed engine in and out in a shift especially if its not been out before, plus all the problems that will arise from disturbing all those fragile electrical connections

Classic applying modern car hourly rate to a 24 yr old car with potential seized nuts and bolts and as ruisht1 mentioned the electrical connections! any mech worth his salt will also insist on a cambelt swap as well, water by pass, egr valve removal etc. etc so more like £800 if you want it doing right.

 

Jeff TT

if a jobs worth doing right then send it to jeff :)

What he doesnt know about these cars, isn't worth knowing!

to pull the old and 1st check the new motor before it goes in your looking at 2 days drive in,drive out for a propper job and thats iff you know your way around these cars

allways the same, a normal garage wont know about doing an egr removal, or water bypass or any of the other things whilst its out. with the engine on the floor a timing belt swop takes no time so wont change the price too much, £500 is about right for a NORMAL garage just working on the basis of 1 out 1 in.

 

he did just ask what a garage would charge

 

Most garages simply wouldn't touch it

true but given a lot of places are struggling for work i bet more and more places would be willing to just say yes to get some work.

 

Sad but true, cos it will most likely go wrong.

true but given a lot of places are struggling for work i bet more and more places would be willing to just say yes to get some work.

 

Mmm..no reason for any garage to be quiet at the moment given the millions of cars here.

 

Sad but true, cos it will most likely go wrong.

 

Fully agree.

 

Jeff TT

I'm sure plenty would take the job on, end up charging more due to complications, then leave you with a car with several defects and issues. Then you would have to take it to a z specific experienced mechanic and end up paying a lot more in total than if you just took it there in the first place.

Just on the point about garages accepting work. About 6 months ago before I got rid of my ZT the ignition barrel broke immobilisting the car. Anyway the first garage I went to (proudly advertsing: "Specialist in all British makes of car, MG/Austin..." Blah) said truefully "we don't want to touch your car mate, so I'm going to quote you £1,000 for the work in the hope you go away". It later cost me £170 to fix it all at a forum sourced person.

 

Tom

I would heed the good advice given and go to someone who has experience in Z work..... there are some very knowledgeable people on here.....

Not sure who is in the south, but I know Jeff TT knows his way round a Z blind folded......lol

I must admit I would love to see him do an engine swap like they do in the VW scene under a timer......lol

Bet it would be quick.....:whistling:

your all right. dispite all those cars out there it is a strugle at the mo. and i know from pulling my z apart that it can be a royal pain but when you really look at it it quite simple. as stated a cam belt kit is always advised for peace of mind if nothing els but as an import there are place that will let you supply own parts as long as its new.

As it is a slow time for work prices can work out cheaper an they may just say yes to get the work but that dont mean they know what there doing. garage d would be on my list of picks as they do mainly do jap cars. sadly i dont know anywhere that far south but if jeffs as good as they say its got to be worth the trip if poss. Make a holiday out of it. (no presure on jeff lol)

Thanks all for the comments. I definitely would want to use a garage/mechanic who knows Zeds and have history with this type of work. My only issue is the car will need trailering anywhere as the further away it is, the more it costs. Mind you, it is only a fraction of what I will have to spend I suppose!

ive now spent 520.00 on trav cost alone on what would have been nearly 600 pounds of parts and labour repair bill had i not mucked up doing some stuff wrong, peace of mind and knowing your not going to get ripped off,well pays for the transport. and they have there own truasted man.