I am thinking about buying a 91 TT but the engine is all torn apart. The car has about 140K miles on it, and the guy didn't say why the engine was torn down...just that is is and everything is there. So my question is...Should I try to buy a JDM engine for it, buy a rebuilt performance engine, or have the engine that comes with the car rebuilt? As far as cost goes, could I have a "better than stock" engine built for about the price of a JDM engine? Or how much do JDM engines cost and where do you buy them at?
I can get this car for $3,000 and it is in pretty nice shape except for the engine, is it worth buying and building?
Thanks,

Larry

 

Some of the other people on this forum could answer this better than I can but the 91-94 Z's are great models. Really all of them are great but I think out of the 90-96 years 91-94 were the best, don't get me wrong I would take any of them. But to answer your question, I guess it would come down to how much money you want to put into the car. If you have access to the cash I would put in a new engine, that way if you ever sell (God forbid) you should still have good miles on it. If you're working with a not too tall budget I would just have the engine rebuilt all the way in and out, I would also add all of my performance up grades during the rebuilding process.

 

Thanks,
I found some engines on ebay for around $1500, one was $1900 with a 5-speed transmission. Wouldn't it cost more than that to rebuild the already torn down engine this car has? Has anybody on here bought and installed a JDM engine? They are supposed to have around 30-40K miles on them but there isn't any way to really know, so I'm not sure if one of those would be worht the time and money.

 

Mr. ZNut, If the engine is complete you could most likely have it rebuilt like new and maybe have a few bucks left over to put on some add-ons. If you have it done right, you'll have as good as new engine plus.

 

^^that's what I'd do. Send. all of the pieces to Z1 or AMZ and have them rebuild it.

 

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I 2nd 91zxtt's suggestion. Rebuild and addon to what you already would own.

 

http://www.twinturbo.net/net/viewmsg...msg_id=1495072
After seeing some feedback about Z1 and their engine builds I am a little sceptical about their engine work now. I have heard nothing but good about SGP's builds though.