I talked to a machine shop today, something doesn't sound right!

[emperor_lunchbox]

I talked to a shop about getting them to help my auto to manual conversion and getting by engine rebuilt. I will be supplying all of the parts. Here is what they told me.

auto->manual:first to start with the auto to manual conversion - if you supply all the parts the labor will run about 11 hours to complete the job so that is $715

Engine rebuild:to give you an idea to start - the bore and hone, decking, hot tank, etc will run you approximately $400 for just machine work - assemly of the fresh components would have to be charged hourly at our shop rate of $65/hour - i would estimate about 5-6 hours for complete engine assembly

I have been told by many people that the machine costs would be somewhere in the ball park of 100-150, maybe 200. is this correct?I was also told by another shop that it would only take them about 3 hours to assemble the motor. Who is telling the truth. One shop is nearly twice the amount in every factor. What should this cost me?thanks.

[Nismo_Freak]

$100 - 150 is incorrect.

[KATwo40]

In the automotive service industry, there's a rule of thumb. Youi pay for what you get. So, if you get a $200 complete machine/build, then congratulations...you now have a $200 turbo motor.

I'd go with the guys with whom you've spoken. Sounds like they aren't hiding any costs and want you to understand the potential cost up front. That way, when you go to pay your bill and pick up your engine expecting a $200 bill, you aren't surprised by a $1,000 bill.

[240sxfan6882]

Im paying A LOT for my engine work. I went cheap once and it ended up costing me more...horrible job. Now im getting charged like 2.2K for boring, honing, magnafluxing and hot tanking, turning the crank, sandblasting everything, tearing head appart, reinstalling and valve job, installing forged pistons, ARP hardware, decking, and also for assembling the motor and swaping them into my car. I got a discount too since my friend knew them. They are a well known shop who builds a lot of SRs and im the 1st KA-T they are building....they do a hell of a job. You get what you pay for, I learned that the hard way.

[emperor_lunchbox]

cool. I was iffy about the first shop as well. The guys asked what kind of car I had and I told him that I have a 1991 240sx. His reply "ah, your in to jap crap. Come down here and I'll show you a real motor." But to get the full effect imagine the worst hick draw you have ever heard, slow that down 20% and you have kinda what it was like talking to this dude.

So 400 is cool for hot tanking and checking the deck surfaces and cleaning the head and cylinder walls?I am not doing an all out build. Basically back to stock for some mild boost (7-9 PSI). Anything else I should look into?

[Florida240sx]

I'm getting my Ka built for about 250. Will be the first one for the guy.But he's a bigblock builder.Only seen one engine come back that had a valve ticking which got fixed in 2hrs. He does all machining.I'm doing everythign stock except for rod/s and pisotns. So it's jsut a matter of honing and checking clearances.

[srdrps13]

they either know what they're doing or plain old overcharging.. you cant come to the conclusion that they do high quality work due to the high pricing... the "cadillac syndrome"

[180sx]

hhmmm think about it machine shop gets paid to do work not advise ... u may not need all the work they offering u...also u can save a buck by taking it all apart urself and taking it to them to rebuild assemle.