Rebuilt V8 Engine Cost?

[Devitan]

Hey Guys,

Just had my engine rebuilt as I bent a valve...Was just wondering if anyone had a similiar situation in which they needed their 4.2 V8 to be rebuilt? How many hours did it take? How much did it cost? I am getting the bill soon and I want to have a ballpark range of what to expect. I heard it is a 40 hour rebuild job, plus about 8 or so to pull the motor and just some testing that would run a few hours. All is all at 95 an hour should run me about 5 g in labor costs. Are these estimates accurate? I expect this to run under 10g and use cash as an added incentive to lower costs further.

Please advise.

Thanks a bunch!

[UberA3]

You didn't ask for an estimate before authorizing the work? Why did you have the whole motor rebuilt versus just having the head rebuilt and put back on?

[cabracco85]

You didn't ask for an estimate before authorizing the work? Why did you have the whole motor rebuilt versus just having the head rebuilt and put back on?

You have to pull the whole motor to get to the timing chains on the back side of the block. So you cant just take off the head and reinstall it while the engine is still in the car. But i could be wrong on having to pull the whole engine but im about 95% sure it has to come out.

[serumk]

Yeah..... I'm concerned about the fact that you didn't get an estimate first.

[Devitan]

I did. The estimate was under 10, around 9.5g. I recently asked again if we were going to keep it under that and he hesitated in answering. So I am not sure how to respond if it does go over. The heads were what was rebuilt and I needed a bunch of new parts. They tried but had to pull the whole motor in the end. Was just wondering if people had a similiar experience and I had a benchmark to go off of.

[serumk]

The law varies state to state, but most states require a service shop to give you a revised estimate and get your approval if it's going to be more than 10% higher than the original estimate. Check your local laws if you didn't give approval for additional parts and labor, and the final bill is substantially higher. Bring it to their attention that they went over the estimate.

[fitzS4]

are you doing all stock parts?

[Devitan]

Yes. All stock parts. I am putting in a new clutch which will be an extra 400 and change. Other than that completely stock.

[OneFastBMW]

If you are rebuilding just go all the way with higher compression, forged internals, and a stronger clutch. Might as well and I bet good aftermarket parts are cheaper than stock.

[drew]

what happened that you bent a valve?

[Devitan]

I miss-shifted going fast...Just slipped into second. No resistance nothing...just went in and revved up...

We spoke about making sone adjustment like porting the heads and taking care of everything. The heads were smoothed out but not ported. Mainly he said it is a great engine and just wanted to put it back the way it was, and I agreed. There may be after market performance parts...I will find out when I get the invoice today. From my understanding, an S4 is an S4. Just a few bolt ons will do it for you. Other than that there is not much to do. I don't want to suffer the same fate as the guy who changed his cams.

Thanks for the responses. Hopefully someone has had this done before!

[drew]

I miss-shifted going fast...Just slipped into second. No resistance nothing...just went in and revved up...

We spoke about making sone adjustment like porting the heads and taking care of everything. The heads were smoothed out but not ported. Mainly he said it is a great engine and just wanted to put it back the way it was, and I agreed. There may be after market performance parts...I will find out when I get the invoice today. From my understanding, an S4 is an S4. Just a few bolt ons will do it for you. Other than that there is not much to do. I don't want to suffer the same fate as the guy who changed his cams.

Thanks for the responses. Hopefully someone has had this done before!

ooooh...the money shift...good luck on the repairs.

[Devitan]

I am glad there is a name associated with this...I feel like the only idiot in the world who would make such a trivial and novice mistake.

[Levitikus]

I did this not too long ago myself, luckily it just about threw me through the windshield with no damage to the engine. (Gotta love seatbelts) Damn Porsche trying to have some fun with me. LOL

[crafty]

Yeah I have *almost* money shifted once or twice... (let out the clutch before it was too late) and yeah, that is like a heart attack every time it happens. Sorry to hear it happened to you man, it sucks to do it on ANY car, but on a 4.2 that is 10K to fix... OUCH. Hell everytime I almost do it I think hard about getting an automatic instead to avoid a 10K mistake in my future (risk avoidance is part of my job at work ), added bonus of no clutch to replace! Just not the same tho...

Hope it works out for ya!

I think ALL manuals in sports cars should be gated... or at least not let you money shift somehow!

[serumk]

Makes me glad I short shift most of the time, lol.

[NoTec]

Did a search 4 or so months ago because I had the opportunity to purchase a B6 S4 with blown engine, and I found that average used engine prices were 4-6 grand depending on mileage and most came with a 3 month warranty. Plus, I wouldn't be afraid to tackle a project like this myself or with the aid of a friend for removal and reinstallation.

As far as a price for the rebuild, I find that the $9.5k quote is excessive. I honestly would have had another engine installed and fooled around with the concept of having the second one built/optimized.

[Monchichi8]

Did a search 4 or so months ago because I had the opportunity to purchase a B6 S4 with blown engine, and I found that average used engine prices were 4-6 grand depending on mileage and most came with a 3 month warranty. Plus, I wouldn't be afraid to tackle a project like this myself or with the aid of a friend for removal and reinstallation.

As far as a price for the rebuild, I find that the $9.5k quote is excessive. I honestly would have had another engine installed and fooled around with the concept of having the second one built/optimized.

Sooooooo True!!! Thats the route I would of gone.

[serumk]

I would have doused my car in gasoline, told my wife to use the insurance money to pay off the car, and gone out to have a cigarette in the S4.

[Devitan]

Well, I found one for 5.5g with 40k miles, the labor to remove and install would run for around 3g. I was going to go that route but my mechanic talked me out of it. Didn't realize how much stuff had to be replaced. I feel much better about having all new parts in there as opposed to leaving it up to chance. I have been watching it through the progression and can say everything looks like new...mainly because most of it is new. I figure it is basically like getting a new engine.

While on the topic does anyone have tips for breaking in the engine? Does idling it help break it in? How many miles do people recommend? I have seen around 2k to be on the safe side. Obviously I am not doing WOT launches, but how slow do I have to take things?

Thanks

[NoTec]

Well, I found one for 5.5g with 40k miles, the labor to remove and install would run for around 3g. I was going to go that route but my mechanic talked me out of it. Didn't realize how much stuff had to be replaced. I feel much better about having all new parts in there as opposed to leaving it up to chance. I have been watching it through the progression and can say everything looks like new...mainly because most of it is new. I figure it is basically like getting a new engine.

While on the topic does anyone have tips for breaking in the engine? Does idling it help break it in? How many miles do people recommend? I have seen around 2k to be on the safe side. Obviously I am not doing WOT launches, but how slow do I have to take things?

Thanks

Who's your mechanic? Have you dealt with Tony's Import Auto in Manchester, CT or Northbay Imports in East Windsor, CT? They are 2 very reputable facilities in northern CT. Their rates are pretty reasonable considering the alternative dealer prices.

3G for removal/reinstall sounds like a Hoffman Audi or Valenti Audi price.

[serumk]

Yeah, a lot of people don't realize that a lot of times you have to replace stuff on used engines. It's more expensive than just the motor. When I was writing service and someone needed a used motor, I'd quote them the labor, the engine cost, plus about $400, because the motor was probably going to need parts to run appropriately, and it was better to have the customer prepared.

[NoTec]

Yeah, a lot of people don't realize that a lot of times you have to replace stuff on used engines. It's more expensive than just the motor. When I was writing service and someone needed a used motor, I'd quote them the labor, the engine cost, plus about $400, because the motor was probably going to need parts to run appropriately, and it was better to have the customer prepared.

Very understandable.

[Devitan]

I am down in fairfield county, where everything feels 50% more expensive. I use ICS Performance in Stamford. They have a very good reputation and I don't question their expertise in the least. I just want to be able to have a negotiation where it is a win-win. I don't feel like feeling like I grossly overpaid.

[NoTec]

I am down in fairfield county, where everything feels 50% more expensive. I use ICS Performance in Stamford. They have a very good reputation and I don't question their expertise in the least. I just want to be able to have a negotiation where it is a win-win. I don't feel like feeling like I grossly overpaid.

I am very familiar with ICS Performance. I would say their prices are fair for that particular area. They perform top-notch work on many different vehicles and have a long history of engine building and tuning with many European and Japanese platforms. So I guess you're in good hands. Good luck with everything and we wish you the best.

[crafty]

I wonder if they can put in a gated shifter for ya too, hell after reading this I am gonna start researching gated shifters!

[tonys4]

10 grand seems really high. i dont know about how much repairs are but i wonder if cant do what other people said? just buy a used motor and put it in. these v8s seem like pretty solid motors and wont really have too many issues getting a used one. correct me if im wrong but that is what ive heard.

[SilverSurferS4]

Go figure you went to ICS! They do ok work, and 9 out of 10 times your gonna get raped... kinda like you are now... when me n my friends went over their to get a car dyno'd they tried to sell me apr diverter valves for my b5 s4, and they wanted like 275$ to install them.. not including the price for the 2 valves (300$ or so)... 275$ equals what like 2.5 hrs labor??? to install a valve thats can be installed in under 5 minutes... they thought I was a noob.. lol.... anyways... you should of bought another motor and took it somewhere else... the only reason they told you to rebuild it is because it benefits them financially... they werent looking out for you! Im willing to bet the only thing your getting new is some piston rings/seals, all gaskets, maybe timing chain tensioners, etc... they probably only replaced the one bent valve and a piston if it hit... everything else was probably cleaned to look new... in anycase... whats done is done... good luck!

[Devitan]

I have to say they did show me all the pieces that were replaced. I saw all my valves and they basically replaced everything. All the valves, all the holders, gaskets, clutch, repolished the heads etc. I think the parts will only come out to be 2.5 - 3g and the labor will be more. As long as everything works well I will be happy. The car business has always been an area that has made me a little uneasy. Doubt you will find anyone 100% honest...then again I work in Finance so I have no room to talk.

[RudeBwoi]

Who's your mechanic? Have you dealt with Tony's Import Auto in Manchester, CT or Northbay Imports in East Windsor, CT? They are 2 very reputable facilities in northern CT. Their rates are pretty reasonable considering the alternative dealer prices.

3G for removal/reinstall sounds like a Hoffman Audi or Valenti Audi price.

WORD, while reading this, I was thinking Josh and Victor from Tonys Import auto wouldnt put somone through these hoops...but at the same time if 10k is within your means, atleast you will now have the peace of mind.

[serumk]

Go figure you went to ICS! They do ok work, and 9 out of 10 times your gonna get raped... kinda like you are now... when me n my friends went over their to get a car dyno'd they tried to sell me apr diverter valves for my b5 s4, and they wanted like 275$ to install them.. not including the price for the 2 valves (300$ or so)... 275$ equals what like 2.5 hrs labor??? to install a valve thats can be installed in under 5 minutes... they thought I was a noob.. lol.... anyways... you should of bought another motor and took it somewhere else... the only reason they told you to rebuild it is because it benefits them financially... they werent looking out for you! Im willing to bet the only thing your getting new is some piston rings/seals, all gaskets, maybe timing chain tensioners, etc... they probably only replaced the one bent valve and a piston if it hit... everything else was probably cleaned to look new... in anycase... whats done is done... good luck!

There isn't a service shop in the world that prefers to rebuild an engine as opposed to putting in a replacement. They didn't do that to benefit themselves. It's a fucking nightmare to rebuild an engine from the standpoint of making money on flat-rate. They'd make more money putting in a replacement.

[Justincredible]

I have to say they did show me all the pieces that were replaced. I saw all my valves and they basically replaced everything. All the valves, all the holders, gaskets, clutch, repolished the heads etc. I think the parts will only come out to be 2.5 - 3g and the labor will be more. As long as everything works well I will be happy. The car business has always been an area that has made me a little uneasy. Doubt you will find anyone 100% honest...then again I work in Finance so I have no room to talk.

3g in parts is cheaper then a used motor. so you are a head of the game there. Car-part.com you can find used motors for about 4000