Engine Conversion Price?

Phil W · 10 Jul 2006 at 22:19

Hi All,

As you may know i've got an Astra Merit (1.4)

I've been enquiring into an 2.0 16v (C20XE) Conversion, and have been getting quotes on labour for fitting.

Bearing in mind it would be over a weekend (2-3days max), the price i have been quoted for labour is £500. I would have to either pay for the bits or source them myself (£300 - £400)

Does that price seem reasonable? They guy is a Vauxhall mechanic, so knows his stuff!

Cheers all,

Phil

[TW]Fox · 10 Jul 2006 at 22:20

Whats the point? It looks like a naff old Astra becuase it is a cheap naff old Astra.

If you want to do something like that, get a really nice Astra as a base to work from first, not a merit. Infact they even did a factory 2.0 Astra didnt they? Just get one of those/

Nozzer · 10 Jul 2006 at 22:20

Would it not be cheaper (parts, labour, increased insurance due to driving a shonky car instead of a legit 2.0 etc) just to sell it and buy a 2.0?

Adz · 10 Jul 2006 at 22:23

Or have a crack at it yourself...

You should be able to get an engine and 'box for £200? Your own time is free, borrow some tools...

Check out the various Vauxhall forums for advice.

Spending £900 on a Mk3 Astra seems pretty crazy to me. If you're not interested in doing the engine swap yourself, how about selling up and buying a Mk2 GTE? Much more fun!

Phil W · 10 Jul 2006 at 22:25

Thanks for your opinions, but i was looking for an idea of how the quote sounded

Phil W · 10 Jul 2006 at 22:26

Adz said:
how about selling up and buying a Mk2 GTE? Much more fun!

I'd love an SXi or a GTE, but chances of finding a good one are next to none, and good ones are overpriced because they can be!

SgtTupac · 10 Jul 2006 at 22:26

Mint Astra GSI's go for silly money. Sounds reasonable for an engine conversion. Me and my mate was gonna charge £800 for an engine conversion on a Rover Bubble to Turbo

Adz · 10 Jul 2006 at 22:27

Quote sounds a little on the high side but if he's an experienced mechanic with a good reputation....

Mechanics will charge what punters will pay. If you shop around you'll probably find someone to do it for half the price but will he make as good a job of it?

penski · 10 Jul 2006 at 22:40

[TW]Fox said:
Whats the point? It looks like a naff old Astra becuase it is a cheap naff old Astra.

If you want to do something like that, get a really nice Astra as a base to work from first, not a merit. Infact they even did a factory 2.0 Astra didnt they? Just get one of those/

More evidence of Fox just not getting 'it'...

Do it and leave the Merit badges on it. Even better if it's in that brown colour they all seemed to be in...and is so faded it looks like a prime candidate for a T-Cut advert...

Some inspiration:

320bhp LET.

*n

austinpowers · 10 Jul 2006 at 22:44

penski said:
More evidence of Fox just not getting 'it'...

Do it and leave the Merit badges on it. Even better if it's in that brown colour they all seemed to be in...and is so faded it looks like a prime candidate for a T-Cut advert...

Some inspiration:

320bhp LET.

*n

a lot like a guy on the RS246 forums, had hybrid turbos fitted to his B5 S4, so should kick out around 500bhp

But he's fitted a TDI badge to the boot

Morba · 10 Jul 2006 at 22:53

penski said:
More evidence of Fox just not getting 'it'...

Do it and leave the Merit badges on it. Even better if it's in that brown colour they all seemed to be in...and is so faded it looks like a prime candidate for a T-Cut advert...

Some inspiration:

320bhp LET.

*n

thats completely different imo.

i also do not see the point in the OPs decision. from a cost perspective and insurance perspective, im sure it would be cheaper to buy a better model than he has now and work from that.

Phil W · 10 Jul 2006 at 22:56

It probably would be cheaper, if i paid more for the car. I paid £260 and it just flew through the MOT without even an advisory, what better sleeper than a merit?

Mr Gimp · 10 Jul 2006 at 22:58

What's the point in doing the above? It'd be like driving a rocket powered wheelie bin!

Jonnycoupe · 10 Jul 2006 at 23:11

penski said:
More evidence of Fox just not getting 'it'...

Do it and leave the Merit badges on it.n

Doing what? paying someone to fit an engine to a shoddy old car that will need yet more work to make it usable (brakes/suspension) is classed as some sort of achievement?

There'd be nothing for him to 'do' if he left the badges on aswell.

Cant be much more to get a Calibra nowadays.

Zip · 10 Jul 2006 at 23:14

Only do it if you do it your self.
It will make you proud to know that you achieved it

Big Spender · 10 Jul 2006 at 23:29

screw the C20XE conversion, go for a z20let conversion :cool:

you know its the right choice!

Lopéz · 10 Jul 2006 at 23:30

I've never attempted the job myself. However, if I was asked I'd be willing to try it as long as the parts needed were provided.

Is £500 a fair price? Hmmm..... compared to garage prices then yes. I know I'd want at least £100 to do a straight swap a on carb fed engine on even the simplest of cars (ie Sierra) and even then it would have to be £150 or more before I felt any real urgency or desire to do the job.

If you do pay him to do it then try and hang around and help as much as you can. Watch and learn..... because to be honest I wouldn't actually want an engine conversion (note - different to a straight swap) job done by anyone except myself. I like to know what goes where, why and how.

penski · 11 Jul 2006 at 02:05

Jonnycoupe said:
Doing what? paying someone to fit an engine to a shoddy old car that will need yet more work to make it usable (brakes/suspension) is classed as some sort of achievement?

Brakes and suspension are bolt-on upgrades and will cost him less than £200 all-in from a scrappy.

There'd be nothing for him to 'do' if he left the badges on aswell.

That's the idea...

Cant be much more to get a Calibra nowadays.

That's missing the point entirely though...

*n

silversurfer · 11 Jul 2006 at 03:45

Last engine swap (like for like) I had cost 115 including 50 for the engine. Never a problem afterwards except for 2 expired fuel pumps. You can get it cheaper but thats upto you

Dogbreath · 11 Jul 2006 at 07:59

penski said:
Brakes and suspension are bolt-on upgrades and will cost him less than £200 all-in from a scrappy.

When you are putting an engine with more that 2.5 times the power into a car, brakes and suspension to suit are essential.

Have you thought about all the other aspects that could cause you grief? Is the stock fuel pump, designed for a 60bhp engine going to be suitable for one with 155bhp? Have you factored in the cost of a new exhaust system, as the stock one won't be suitable? Is the stock 1.4 radiator big enough to cope?

Insurance will very likely be crippling, even compared to a GSi, and the number of companies willing to quote can probably be counted on one hand.