How much should it cost to have your KA installed?

Post by **smokin240** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 6:17 am

I would do it myself but I don't have the tools or garage, and barely the know how. Whats a good price and whats a bad price to have your KA installed and running on your s13? I have the engine already, and the blown engine is still in the car, will need that taken out also.

Post by **hopesfallhxc** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 7:58 am

An expierenced mechanic whos swapped KA's before can get it done in a day, two days max. Usually the going rate is about 60$/hr. but dont quote me on that... and it takes about 8-12hrs. depending on the mechanic to do the swap. Find some people in your area that are willing to help you out and go buy a craftsman toolset for like 79$, and rent a engine lift and you're set. Its a good learning how to swap engines, and this one is pretty straight forward. Good Luck! -Shaun

Post by **Henry G** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 8:02 am

What tools to you have? Pulling a blown KA, and putting in a replacement wouldn't take long. You'd only need an engine hoist for a day. $30-40. Taking the engine out can be done with hand tools. Wrenchs, and a good set of sockets with a few deep sockets.

If not, it would cost you more than you paid for the KA.

Post by **Henry G** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 8:03 am

$60 x 12hrs = $720.00

See... do it yourself or find someone to help you.

Post by **Dattebayo** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 8:06 am

What engine are you putting in what chassis/year of chassis?

There are other things that complicate the cost as well, like replacing the clutch, which is something that should probably be done before you swap in the whole thing.

Post by **Graphfixz** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 9:30 am

Henry G wrote:$60 x 12hrs = $720.00

See... do it yourself or find someone to help you.

ok, so if the mechanic would cost more then the KA.. how much does a KA go for?Also, is there a place where you can toss/sell the old engine? The local city dump?

Post by **Henry G** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 10:39 am

I'm just assuming he bought a used KA to replace it. I've seen running KA just given away for free, or sold up to $500 depending what it comes with.

Just offer the engine to someone for free, and more than likely someone will drive to your location and pick it up.

Post by **Onizuka** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 1:30 pm

Good price: order of pizza and a case of beer

Bad price: anything with dollar symbols

I swapped my SR in with no previous experience and a K-mart tool set by myself...

Post by **smokin240** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 1:36 pm

im swapping a ka for a ka out of a 93 240. I replaced the clutch myself less than 200 miles ago but getting the transmission back on was a f'ing nightmare, i don't even want to think about doing that again. I would be willing to do it myself if I could get the tools and someone that has done this before to atleast watch over me to make sure im doing everything right. and I actually tried taking the engine bolts that hold it on off with a air powered wrench and that biatch still didn't come off. we ended up stripping it a little, just because we were trying to angle the engine to help with putting the transmission back on. i don't want to get myself into it and not be able to finish it or run into several other problems just like the clutch (missing alot of tools we didnt think we would need i.e. slide hammer. and took 2 weeks to do). i'll pay cash for someone to come up one weekend and help out to get me started.

Post by **Henry G** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 6:30 pm

I just got done pulling my KA out tonight. The only problem was I couldn't get the damn pass side mount to unbolt. I tried from the top, and the bottom with NO luck.

I ended up just chaining up the engine, and removed the 4 bolts that attach the mount to the engine.

Everything else was fairly simple. With a few tough bolts, and plugs that were a ***** to get off, there wasn't too much drama. Now, all I'd need to do is throw a KA back in a hook everything up. I'm doing an SR, so I have a few extra steps.

If I was in your area I'd give you a hand.

Just really think it over before you have a shop do it.

Post by **Graphfixz** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 4:08 am

J-Spec Tuner wrote:Good price: order of pizza and a case of beer

Bad price: anything with dollar symbols

I swapped my SR in with no previous experience and a K-mart tool set by myself...

how did you keep track of all the hoses, wires, etc. etc. etc. Did you have a diagram? Even so... man I would be very worried if I had to do it myself!

Post by **Onizuka** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 4:16 am

I got a race harness done for $125, a S14 SR factory service manual online for free that told me how to put everything together. I was worried myself, because I also tore apart the motor and replaced all the gaskets (first time for that too). You only learn by doing, so you have to be prepared to take the plunge. I did it and im extremely happy I did so, I now drive a fun car 60 miles every day. Plus after you accomplish that, repairing your own car becomes alot easier, I havent spent a penny on labor for repairs since the SR got on the road.

Post by **Florida240sx** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 4:31 am

I got quoted the other day for an engine swap. $450 and $350. I got connections so I can get it done for $250 But wanting to do it myself soo gonna be costing me $32 for Jack and $20 on food

Post by **Graphfixz** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 4:47 am

Ha! you guys are crazy!

knowing me I would put the engine backwards!

Post by **Florida240sx** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 4:58 am

Graphfixz wrote:Ha! you guys are crazy!

knowing me I would put the engine backwards!

You wouldn't be the 1st to do that one. 3 drunk friends doing engine swap= not completed correctly.

Post by **smokin240** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 5:40 am

How did you do it with a wal-mart tool set? last time i checked they didn't sell engine hoists... then again i could be wrong, wal mart has everything :-P anyone wanna lend me an engine hoist in richmond, va??

Post by **Henry G** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 7:13 am

Graphfixz wrote:Ha! you guys are crazy!

knowing me I would put the engine backwards!

I good idea would also be to take alot of photos with a digi so you can look back and see how something was setup. I haven't gone to that extreme, but I do have all the bolts, nuts, mise little things in labeled baggies. I knew this swap would take me a few months with my schedule so, I'd forget little things.

You won't install much backwards. Most things only fit a certain way.

Post by **Henry G** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 7:31 am

smokin240 wrote:How did you do it with a wal-mart tool set? last time i checked they didn't sell engine hoists... then again i could be wrong, wal mart has everything :-P anyone wanna lend me an engine hoist in richmond, va??

Do you have a Harbor Freight in your area? If not http://www.harborfreight.com

I have a set of good craftsman tools, but I use alot of harborfreight tools as well. I've yet to break anything, and won't be pissed if I do.

Just an idea of the good deals they have.204pc Socket Set - $99.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/c...44808

This is what I got...65pc Metric Socket Set - $39.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/c...44808

Post by **sanioll** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 7:46 pm

J-Spec Tuner wrote:I swapped my SR in with no previous experience and a K-mart tool set by myself...

you make it sound too easy??

how did you do it?? what tools exactly did u need??

how experienced are you in automotives??

Can you teach me??

How much should it cost to have your KA installed?

How much should it cost to have your KA installed?

Re: How much should it cost to have your KA installed? (smokin240)

Re: (Henry G)

Re: How much should it cost to have your KA installed? (smokin240)

Re: (J-Spec Tuner)

Re: (Florida240sx)

Re: (Graphfixz)

Re: (Florida240sx)

Re: (Graphfixz)

Re: (smokin240)

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