Buy new or used 3.8 Liter Engine?
 

Hey guys I need some advice. My car died as I was coming home. Dealership called me this afternoon and advised me that my engine needs to be replaced. The engine had 164k miles on it. The service rep will call me tomorrow with prices for new and used engine. I have a 2004 Monte Carlo SS. Should I go new or used engine?


Thanks in advance for your help.

There are some good used 3800 motors out there with lower miles. I just had mine swapped - put a 3800 with a supercharger and HD trans (aka the L67) that came from a 2004 Monte SS into my 2003 Monte SS that had 198k on it (the L36). 49k miles on the "new" motor. Have to keep the trans in mind too. If the dealer prices a new engine, they may be planning to bolt that up to your existing trans. I think that would be a mistake. Putting a new motor on a trans with 164k miles on it doesn't sound like a good idea to me. Nice part about the used ones is many of them were pulled with the engine and trans together and are sold that way. Mine was. I'd do some serious comparison between used and new.

Unless you have a warranty, the dealership will rob you blind. (Dealerships always overcharge their customers)

http://stores.ebay.com/Morad-Parts-Company

or your local junkyard, its your choice.

i believe zzpreformance sells new 3800s

personally if you have that much money i would put something else in there.

if a dealer tries to charge you more than $1800 to put a used engine in they are f******* you blind a used engine with around 50,000 miles on it should be around $550-$800 and no more than 12 hours labour to change it probably more like 10 hours. and if they change it with trans attached it should be less labour than that maybe 8-9 hours.

I hate to say it, but you're in trouble. A new engine is going to be stupid expensive- and I bet even their price on a used engine is going to be way over what they're worth- I totally agree that a used L67 (minus all the accessories especially) shouldn't be much over $500 used; but they're going to kill you in labor to put it in. I guess you don't have much choice if they've already got it all torn apart.

Did you ask them specifically what is wrong?

The engine died at 101,000 miles? I thought the 3800 easily lasted over 200,000 miles. I'd ask the dealer exactly what is wrong with the engine, sure there are oranges in everything, but 101,000 miles seems a little early to me.

I think that says 164,000.

Lemons?

+1 for Morad. Can't speak highly enough of my experience with them on my L67.

Ed Morad is the way to go for reasonable used 3800 stuff. Give them a call!

Morad is great if you need parts ASAP- if you have a little time, you can get stuff cheaper on clubgp in the classified section.

Sorry, I thought it said KM, so I did the conversion. :rolleyes:

Lemons, oranges, both fruits that stand out. I had a brain fart.

Even still, 164,000 miles doesn't seem long enough.

Thanks for great advice
 

Hey guys,

I appreciate the great feedback. I had some work done on my car by an GM Dealership when I was out of state. Omw back home to VA, the car died. Now, its at a GM dealer here and will be getting the engine completely torn down to determine if the work done by the out of state dealer contributed to the engine dying. Also does anyone now a mechanic shop in Northern VA that would install a used engine if it turns out that I have take care of the replacement?


Thanks

The problem with the engine
 

The rod bearings and main bearings are shot according to the dealer.

Morad for sure!!!

I'm not trying to step on toes here, but the bearing are junk? THAT is something that just doesn't usually happen to a 3.8. Did you change the oil frequently, use quality oil, etc? This sounds like a serious case of neglect to me, and if that's the case, whether by you or a previous owner, DEFINATELY don't EVEN think about a new or reman' motor. Find a good motor with 50K on it and have it replaced. 12 hrs labor TOPS, and $800 for the motor TOPS!
If the engine went out, how many transmissions have you put in? That's the weak spot in these cars.
Also, switch to Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w-30 oil and change it once or twice a year and that won't happen again.

What did you have done at the out of state dealership? Possibly sounds like some antifreeze got in the engine oil, intake gasket or head gasket maybe. That will kill the bearings quick.

I had a coolant bypass pipe replaced. As part of the replacement process, the had to replace the manifold gaskets, flush the coolant system and do an oil change. Shortly after picking the car up and getting on the road to travel back home, the low oil pressure light started coming on intermittently. The car subsequently died.

I have never had the transmission replaced. I bought the car new off the lot. I found a used engine from Ever Drive for $1400 with 50k on it and a 3yr unlimited mile warranty. They will also throw in a 1 year warranty on the labor if I have it installed by a ASE Certified Technician at a shop

if you get the power train put in new plugs and replace all the intake gaskets whil it is out of the car befor it is put in the car to make sure it will be golden when you turn the key

Almost $1500 for a 50k mile L36 is awfully high- heck, you could pick up an entire 98/99 monte or a 97/98/99 grand prix with a little more mileage for maybe another $500-1000, and that's for a whole working car!

Just looking at KBB, private party value, 75k miles, with standard options, in good condition:
1997 Grand Prix SE w/ 3800- $2155
1997 Grand Prix GT- $2540
1998 Monte Carlo Z34 - $2175

edit- just looking on clubgp, there is a guy selling a complete L67 short block for $150, and L67 heads for $120- that's why I say the price for an L36 (which is even less desirable) seems high to me).

edit 2- checked out Morad Parts Company (a big Wbody junkyard- known for having every 3800 part, but also known for being a little high on price):

L36 w/ 125k for $499
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GM-38...Q5fAccessories

L36 w/ 106k for $599
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GM-38...Q5fAccessories

L36 w/ 75k for $849
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GM-38...Q5fAccessories

Also, like I said- Morad is known for being much higher in pricing than regular forum prices. Even if you aren't close enough to Ohio to go pick it up, he says shipping runs $150-250 depending on the distance.


edit 3- found another place w/ a bunch of decently priced L36's in Colorado:

L36 w/ 113k for $299
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-04...item5ad7f3c28f

L36 w/ 75-100k for $349
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-01...item2c521a2759

L36 w/ 50-75k for $450
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/05-Po...item5ad5785046

L36 w/ 25-50k for $549
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005-...c521d9583#shId


And most of those bottom ones have a 6 month warranty. Even if you had to pay full shipping, and had to have it shipped to your house (which runs extra shipping- that bottom engine is only $899 shipped.

$1500 could get you a jasper rebuilt engine with a full warentee... probibly installed, lol. :D

http://www.jasperengines.com/index.php

idk if anyone else posted about jasper rebuilds, but its another option for you to look into at the very least :)

Thanks for the information on the engines. I will most likely end up going with that company in Colorado if it turns out that the out of state dealership is not at fault. I'm praying that they are found to be at fault.

Morad=Ohio....

Trying to swap a 2003 Engine
 

How much would you say a engine and a trans would run these days and where would be the best place to get them? Do you think a 2003 MOnte would still be worth the work?