I've been shopping around for a new engine and have a mechanic offering me an ls/vtec. He says the top and bottom are built and comes with a header and a transmission as well. Not sure which tranny it is but i will inquire about that soon. This engine is for 3500 installed. What are your thoughts and opinions about it and what are some things I should be looking to make sure its worth buying.
Thanks in advance.

 

Find out what parts are in it what the vtec head came from. And the tranny cuz 3500 is quite pricey even with the install.

 

How much should the engine drop cost in labour, that way i know how much the engine roughly costs when I go see it tomorrow. I'm just a little worried that it might be a little beaten as it is an lsvtec, is there anyway of knowing for sure?

 

You'll need to find out exactly what's been done to the motor. Since the word "built" is so subjective. I heard from a guy that an LsVtec with a APR rod bolts and a block guard was considered "built"

My opinion for a LsVtec being built is APR rod and head bolts, balanced and micro polished crank, shot peened or polish connecting rods, aftermarket pistons or type r/b16's at the very least and that's just the bottom end alone. With the head it's a whole other story.

So if that mechanic is quoting you 3500 including labour for what's mentioned above, it would be a steal. Unfortunately there's no way to actually know for sure until you tear it apart. You could however perform a conpression test and a leak down test as well. Those two tests will show you the condition of the engine.

Hope that helps

 

I say if that's with labor, do it. I would suggest e85 tho cause they aren't supposed to last forever...... 2 years tops?

 

No e85 here compadre