Cost of engine swap
 

Hey guys im new to these forums, and this will be my first post!
I currently own a 1980 datsun 280zx 2+2 non turbo thats fairly beat up but has low miles on it, so the engine and the rest of the drive train are very solid, my neighbor has just informed me he may be able to get me a 10th aniversary 280zx that looks stunning but has a busted motor. my question is what would be a rough estimate on the price to swap the engine out of my running datsun into the one with the busted engine. they are the same year so i believe the engines would be the same.

How much would it be for you to buy Oil, Clutch fluid, and will you be putting off any money earning opportunities?

Less that $50 if you do it right. And thats if you have an engine lift and a leveler.

Depending on how much he wants for the skeleton.

Whats wrong with his engine, fix it, sell refurbished engine.

You will need to keep the driveshaft from the 10th ann., otherwise, your running motor will go right in. Depending, both 5 speeds? Automatics?

i believe that the 10th anv. is a stick, mine is an automatic, as to whats wrong with the engine im not sure, i do not have a lift and am not a mechanic and would not feel comfortable tackleing such a task, im just wondering what you guys would think and average mechanic would charge for such a thing, would it only run the cost of labour and fluids assuming everything goes to plan?

Yes, unless the clutch is shot, then that would need replaced and wouldn't be a bad idea while in there. These motors are easy to swap, but I'm sure a shop would want to charge you about 6hrs of labor for doing something like this, min. Which normal shop rates are 80 bucks an hour. Depends on what each shop claims book time would be. I'd do it for 400 bucks if you lived close by lol. And could prob have it done in one day. Dont forget though, you will aslo have to pay for towing, since one car will always be undriveable.

If you're close to me, I have a lift, leveler, and a spare engine/mounts if I needed to rip parts off it.

Just buy me a Pizza/Root Beer, and call me your friend, consider it done.

No shop hours here.

It can be an expensive road to start going down, but there quite a few things I'd do while I was at it, if I were you. clutch, flywheel, throw-out bearing, pilot bushing, and rear main seal at the bare minimum. But all the other gaskets on the engine will be way easier to access with the engine out than they are with it in the car. Consider a new water pump while it's easy to get the front timing cover off. I'd also replace engine mounts while they're accessible, radiator hoses, vacuum lines, etc. Also an opportune time for cleaning, painting, & taking care of any rust spots in the engine bay. No matter how rust-free an entire car is, I've yet to see a 30 year old battery tray that's intact, so get a new one welded in while you've got room to work on it.

So yeah, a straight up engine swap shouldn't be more than a day's labor. It's all the "while I'm at it" jobs that add up quick. :D

MY battery tray happens to be spotless.

And someone wants friends pretty bad lol

Doing an engine swap isn't too bad. As long as you got an engine stand, picker, and the basic tools. And also quite a bit of patience. A lot of the process is tedious mostly. I have been there.

As for the battery tray. After you fix it, and get rid of the rust. Or replace it, get a Optima battery, and call it good. No more battery acid to worry about. They are pricey, but well worth it in the long run. I love mine, plenty of cranking amps, and strong. :D

I posted my link in the facebook thread and not one Z loving bastard has friended me, other than Marc's Cat.

baaaahahaha, you are friends with a cat! idk man i don't check that thread really, so I expect people to request me if they are looking