Rod install cost?

[Papachristou]

What has it cost you guys to get a basic bottom end build.. new rods, replace rings or install new pistons/rings and bearings? This german auto tech quotes me $1800 minimum?!??!!??!?

oh and this was LABOR ONLY!!!! me providing rods, pistons, rear main seal, TB kit and bearings....

I told him i would drive to Rhode Island to the DO WERK Garage before i paid him $1800

[JustinCase]

I was wondering the same. I was thinking of getting it done after the clutch goes in in a few weeks.

[7speed]

a VERY reputable shop (1552) did mine for a quarter of that price and there was only a 3 day turnaround !

[Rickz96]

Mine is a ATW, '00, not sure of the difference.

Not sure of the cost of living difference either however I will give you the cost of my build. I was a machinist in a past life (14 yrs) and am more than capable of assembling the bottom end, however the machine shop already had the block, head etc. So I let them assemble the bottom end. The place that did the work is a reputable racing engine shop that does drag/oval racing engines.

Here is the bill of sale.

Machine crank (had a manual crank machined for an automatic)
polish/balance crank
clean/tanked block
bore hone .030 over
assemble jr pistons/pauter rods
assemble bottom end (checking clearance with mic's not plastiguage)
install expansion plugs, etc
pressure test head
swap camshafts from one head to another
main/con rod bearings (purchase as I did not have at the time)


TOTAL invoice was $1221.63

The costs of the assembly only is a little cryptic as you can imagine. However the line item that says ass/short was $250.00. That doesn't include the rods/pistons I don't think.

-Rick

[Alphazuzu]

I was quoted 1000 without rods.

[AudiA4Turbo22]

Mine is a ATW, '00, not sure of the difference.

Not sure of the cost of living difference either however I will give you the cost of my build. I was a machinist in a past life (14 yrs) and am more than capable of assembling the bottom end, however the machine shop already had the block, head etc. So I let them assemble the bottom end. The place that did the work is a reputable racing engine shop that does drag/oval racing engines.

Here is the bill of sale.

Machine crank (had a manual crank machined for an automatic)
polish/balance crank
clean/tanked block
bore hone .030 over
assemble jr pistons/pauter rods
assemble bottom end (checking clearance with mic's not plastiguage)
install expansion plugs, etc
pressure test head
swap camshafts from one head to another
main/con rod bearings (purchase as I did not have at the time)


TOTAL invoice was $1221.63

The costs of the assembly only is a little cryptic as you can imagine. However the line item that says ass/short was $250.00. That doesn't include the rods/pistons I don't think.

-Rick

PLEASE explain i'm in the same boat.

[maclem8223]

Thanks for this thread because I'm hoping to be doing this during the summer and am starting to price things out myself. Chime in people and btw 1800 sounds f'in rediculous.

[Das General]

What has it cost you guys to get a basic bottom end build.. new rods, replace rings or install new pistons/rings and bearings? This german auto tech quotes me $1800 minimum?!??!!??!?

oh and this was LABOR ONLY!!!! me providing rods, pistons, rear main seal, TB kit and bearings....

I told him i would drive to Rhode Island to the DO WERK Garage before i paid him $1800

Bring it to Jake... do it.




....do it.

[AudiA4_20T]

PLEASE explain i'm in the same boat.

just get a manual crank dude, its like $50

[AudiA4Turbo22]

^^ya but do what with it? i have to explain to the newbs at the machine shop what i need lol.

[AudiA4_20T]

^^ya but do what with it? i have to explain to the newbs at the machine shop what i need lol.

ummm, you want it put in your block in place of your old one

[AudiA4Turbo22]

^^just check ur PM

[Jake39454]

What has it cost you guys to get a basic bottom end build.. new rods, replace rings or install new pistons/rings and bearings? This german auto tech quotes me $1800 minimum?!??!!??!?

oh and this was LABOR ONLY!!!! me providing rods, pistons, rear main seal, TB kit and bearings....

I told him i would drive to Rhode Island to the DO WERK Garage before i paid him $1800

Do it, I dare ya

[dougyfresh]

you're looking at 700-900 in parts. plus labor.

it ain't cheap and not trival. you're doing open heart surgery on your motor.

[HIERLEVELZ]

you're looking at 700-900 in parts. plus labor.

it ain't cheap and not trival. you're doing open heart surgery on your motor.

Who does it for that price? And is that 7-900 parts+labor or 7-900 for parts plus additional for labor? lol

[dougyfresh]

Who does it for that price? And is that 7-900 parts+labor or 7-900 for parts plus additional for labor? lol

reread what i wrote.

[Rickz96]

PLEASE explain i'm in the same boat.

You got PM

[Papachristou]

you're looking at 700-900 in parts. plus labor.

it ain't cheap and not trival. you're doing open heart surgery on your motor.

oh, i agree doug, but $1800 minimum plus parts seemed extremely high... just for assembly, no machine work or anything... and he emphasized minimum like if he felt like it, he could tack more on...... no thanks

those videos made a DIY seem not that bad..

[dougyfresh]

oh, i agree doug, but $1800 minimum plus parts seemed extremely high... just for assembly, no machine work or anything... and he emphasized minimum like if he felt like it, he could tack more on...... no thanks

those videos made a DIY seem not that bad..

I agree. That price and his lack of confidence would make me weary. My recommendation: stay away from that individual.


Those videos are misleading to the masses. My money goes to many blown up motors after people have tried to follow that DIY. No offense to the creator, I think he did a great job and he knows his stuff. However, we all know how DIYs go with your average joe. Specifically at DIY of that magnitude.

Yes, it makes it sound easy but in reality there are a ton of things to keep an eye on. With how many 'built' motors have failed on these forums I would leave a job like this to people that know what they are doing. Jake at DW Garage, the guys at Eurocode, the guys at 1552, the guys at ASP, etc, etc, etc... You do not want to spend upwards of $2000 parts and labor twice due to one little mis-hap. Ask Clint and Jordan how they feel about that.






Oh, and 2004 iBook G4 FTL with youtube HD. I had to watch it in regular because the video was jumpy. First time ever where my iBook felt 'slow' to me.

[CO AVANT]

Does this $1800 labor charge include taking the motor out of the car and re-installing it or were you going to take the motor to him yourself?

[IVRINGS]

I might just have to plan on the honeymoon down in FL to just leave the car for some work while we "have a little fun" while we are down there. I mean how much will I need a car on my honeymoon? Either sleeping, bed, or beach... ;)

[dougyfresh]

I might just have to plan on the honeymoon down in FL to just leave the car for some work while we "have a little fun" while we are down there. I mean how much will I need a car on my honeymoon? Either sleeping, bed, or beach... ;)

sleeping?

[Papachristou]

it was bringing the car to him. but all his hesitation and acting like it was such a big deal makes me leary...... i think he is more content to do his oil changes and TBs then do some real work.

[CO AVANT]

yeah wouldn't be taking it there by the sounds of it...

[A4 TSCHUSS]

I think the price will vary alot for different reasons.

1. Is the shop familiar with the B6 A4 so they know exactly what to take apart and what size the bolt, etc are, or are they gonna have to sorta figure it out as they go such as maybe not knowing every wire that may need to be disconnected or a bolt in this certain spot they might not have seen if they didnt know it was there.

2. Are they taking the engine out of the car and then completely taking it apart or are they taking it out of the car and then just leaving the crank in it and swapping out the pistons/rods after pulling the head or are they leaving the engine in the car and just taking off the head and then the oil pan to replace rods. A few hours of time would be saved by not having to take the engine out of the car but that is only going to typically be the case if you are just swapping in rods and new rod bearings and not changing the main bearings and the rear main seal and the front main seal and all that good stuff.

So depending on if the engine is staying in the car or not depending on how involved you are getting with your built that can factor a good $4-500 I would say into the bill if it is being taken out, then like I said if all bearings and seals are being replaced that all takes time unlike just popping the head off, popping the oil pan off and swapping out the rods.

[dirtybrd]

Well he's more then likely going by a labor guide and I'm sure it's approx. 18hrs by the book to do it and probably includes pulling the motor.

[AudiA4_20T]

BUY A SPARE BLOCK. I cannot emphasize this enough. There are so many things that can go wrong. I would buy a spare block and build that on the side. It'll be cheaper and easier in the end, and youll probably SAVE money, yes I did say save

[Papachristou]

im sure you have a spare block in your backpocket dont you? PM me if you do

[dougyfresh]

BUY A SPARE BLOCK. I cannot emphasize this enough. There are so many things that can go wrong. I would buy a spare block and build that on the side. It'll be cheaper and easier in the end, and youll probably SAVE money, yes I did say save

I have a spare block I can bring to Jake and he can build it up for you, Chris.. Its just an hour's drive and I have to go there this weekend to help him with some stuff and pick up my parts for my car.

[absolutegtr]

Chris, why not just DIY? I am sure you are more than capable. Its not rocket science. Just be extremely clean and thorough.

[Papachristou]

Chris, why not just DIY? I am sure you are more than capable. Its not rocket science. Just be extremely clean and thorough.

sami, i appreciate the compliment. although i think i could get through, im going to do a road trip... I really want to help/watch jake do it so ill see what he says.. we got just got off the phone and got the main details worked out....

[dougyfresh]

Awesome!

[dirtybrd]

sami, i appreciate the compliment. although i think i could get through, im going to do a road trip... I really want to help/watch jake do it so ill see what he says.. we got just got off the phone and got the main details worked out....

Rods, while you wait?

[AudiA4_20T]

sami, i appreciate the compliment. although i think i could get through, im going to do a road trip... I really want to help/watch jake do it so ill see what he says.. we got just got off the phone and got the main details worked out....

lol nice. Why not ask Doug to buy his block, get Jake to build it, and then swap it in when you get there?

[Papachristou]

lol nice. Why not ask Doug to buy his block, get Jake to build it, and then swap it in when you get there?

cause i wanna help do it!!!!!!! ive done everything myself so far... why stop now? if i turn a few wrenches on it, i will feel better and learn a lot im sure.

[IVRINGS]

sleeping?

Well I was trying to keep it PG, but you know what I mean. We live together now, but I'm sure after everything we will have a need for more as we get away.

[NyteEscape]

cause i wanna help do it!!!!!!! ive done everything myself so far... why stop now? if i turn a few wrenches on it, i will feel better and learn a lot im sure.

i know the feeling. that's why i've been waiting so long cuz i don't feel like i know what i'm getting into.

[dougyfresh]

lol nice. Why not ask Doug to buy his block, get Jake to build it, and then swap it in when you get there?

i already spoke to jake about it.

you call me earlier? i was out on a bike ride. what's up? find me that part? martin found a bunch online for me. about to pull the trigger. deadlines are approaching.

[Papachristou]

i have to wait three days for my ecu to go out and come back so thats all it will take to tear it down and put her back together anyway

[Jake39454]

DoWerk!!!