What should it cost to do a engine swap? My car currently has a 350 and will be replaced with a 383. Nothing special should be required in terms of swapping. Just unbolt, disconnect and then rebolt, connect. Every shop around here I've talked too wants between $1200-$1400. That seems like $100/hr in terms of time and dollars. Does this sound right? I've read some posts that say a typical straight forward swap with no shop mods should cost around $600-$700.

 

In my book, 1 friend, and ... 1 day disconnecting everything, one afternoon swapping motors with a rental hoist from any tool rental company, one (or more) days reconnecting everything, retuning, etc. Total cost = $35 rental fee + $20 in beer!

 

where are you located?
Are you carbed?

If youre just doing a straight forward engine swap, its not hard.
Just take some pictures in case you cant remember what goes where.
I'd do it for 500 bucks if you were local, and i work on dirt. lol
9 chances out of 10, it'll be easier to unbolt exhaust, motor mounts, and all electrical, dizzy, trans cross member, driveshaft and torque arm, trans lines, radiator, fan, and ****** the combo out the car.. re assemble trans to 383 and go back in.

relatively simple, they're peeing on your leg and tellin you its raining if it "costs" that much.
at 100 an hour, i could probably do for 5-600 bucks. a good shop should be about the same or less.
Good Luck

 

$100/hr is quite typical. Thats what the shop i work at charges and we are on the cheaper end. Also an estimated swap according to MITCHELL is 12hrs.

 

I have TBI and I'm located in Illinois. I'd pay $500-$600 but not the $1200-$1400 these shops are asking. Hell to have this 383 built is only costing me $2400. The damn install is as much as the motor almost. Anyone close want to do it? I'll pay for beer and gas!!!

 

damn, i just had a good friend of mine go visit their family in Il. I'm 900 miles out from IL.
Shoulda built the 383 yourself!

 

I would of if I knew anything about building a motor ;-)

 

its all simple. most of it is. well , some of it. nothing about assembling it is simple.
hahahah.

nah, in seriousness, it is relatively simple. just being clean, and torquing stuff right, keep your gasket surfaces clean, and its a breeze.
The same thing with transmissions. Everyone talks about how much of a pain they are, stuff, and ive been into two 4l60e's and a few powerglide race trannys, and i turned 19 last thursday. Just pay attention, and remember where stuff goes. You can install yourself.

 

not picking on you but, when I was 19, I'd say the same thing as you. As you gain knowledge and experience, you will learn to expect the unexpected and be proactive. Builders call that "measure twice, cut once".

To the OP: that is a fair price you are being quoted by a professional shop. If you want a cut rate price then you damn well better be willing to expect cut rate craftsmanship. You might get lucky but you need to be willing to make a tradeoff if you look for it on the cheap.

You can buy a lot of tools for $1200

To listen to posters on these forums say that "I'd do it for $500 or $400 etc etc" they of course aren't paying

rent or mortgage
liability insurance
workmans comp
unemployement insurance
7% of social security for the employees
uniforms
electrical
water
heat
shop equipment
maintenace of shop equipment
payroll

technology- copiers, computers, phones, on line jobber manuals and flat rates, Internet

supplies
federal taxes
state taxes
salaries
advertising
disposal of hazardous waste

placing a warranty on the work because they have the knowledge, tools and experience to back it up.


It kind of makes you feel silly to think that you complained about the labor rate. if you don't want to pay it, then do it yourself.

 

exactly what he said (Y)