Sourcing Used Engines

[Evtron]

I'm looking for an S54 to refresh and swap into my car. I've been checking Copart and eBay, and it all seems pretty risky. eBay prices seem somewhat inflated, and I really don't have the time or space to deal with an entire parts car.

So, where are the cool kids sourcing engines?

I understand there's always going to be a risk associated with buying a used engine. I'm willing to pay a premium if there's a known reputable dismantler or something. I've never bought a used engine before, so any insight here would be greatly appreciated.

Posting this here to get some traction, feel free to move this to the General Discussion forum.

[Braymond141]

To do a full rebuild you're looking at 4-6k plus the core S52. Keep that in mind when pricing out a good used long block. Pricing has risen for everything as a result.

[Evtron]

Thanks, ideally I'm looking to buy a known good motor and replace the rod bearings, all gaskets, refresh the vanos and call it good. It's that "known good motor" piece that I'm stuck on, I'm unsure of where I should start looking.

[BLCKSTRM]

Honestly, I'd rather start with a known bad motor and just do the full rebuild. You'll wind up near enough to the price of a "known good" - except you'll actually KNOW that it IS good instead of just hoping.

[Westopher]

I agree with that. If not that route, probably best to look for a whole car that has records that was in a wreck.

[J!m]

Currently struggling with this myself (with the S52).

On one hand I can rebuild what I have, since it runs, it's obviously not blown up. But it ate a plug once, so the piston crown is damaged and presumably the cylinder wall (which is why oil consumption is up).

But then I'd be down during the machining and rebuild process... rather spend a day at a local shop and sling another motor in and then sell mine off, or, rebuild it and then sell it off.

[BLCKSTRM]

Currently struggling with this myself (with the S52).

On one hand I can rebuild what I have, since it runs, it's obviously not blown up. But it ate a plug once, so the piston crown is damaged and presumably the cylinder wall (which is why oil consumption is up).

But then I'd be down during the machining and rebuild process... rather spend a day at a local shop and sling another motor in and then sell mine off, or, rebuild it and then sell it off.

You know yours works. Yeah, you might need new hardware, and maybe even have to go up a piston size. But hey, who doesn't want a 3.4?

I hate having my car down - it sat for a month while I figured out the GS6 swap. We had 3 drivers at the time and going back to 2 cars was painful. I have 4 drivers now - it's just going to get worse before it gets better!

But I'd still bet on my own homework and attention to detail before I bet on someone else's "ran when parked." That, and you'd get a LOT more ROI by rebuilding and blueprinting / upgrading your own than buying a used question mark.

[Nate047]

If I were in this situation and did not have room to buy a whole parts car, I would at least try to buy a motor that you can turn over. Or get them to send you a video of the engine turning over in the donor car