Rebuild or Replacement?

[gt-ep82]

Hi, my engine in my GT Starlet is passing 260,000kms and it's time to do something about it.

What would be better to do, buy a replacement motor or to rebuild the existing motor?

Does anyone have an idea of what a engine reconditioner charges for a complete rebuild?

I have located a replacement motor for $1250 comes with the alternator, starter, turbo etc, from an engine importer.

Feedback appreciated

[molex]

Is there actually anything wrong with it? Blows smoke? What colour?

Compression test? The turbo's go well before the motors do and a replacement CT9 goes for peanuts.

[20v_rollaboy]

Has your engine been modified or standard? And is there anything actually wrong with it?

If it is still fine I would leave it alone. If its starting to smoke, and you can do the work yourself, I would rebuild it.

[gt-ep82]

I've had to rebuild the turbo a little while ago, it's blowing a wee bit of blue smoke still, motor doesn't drive like it used to, get up to 4000rpm and thats peak power now, go over that and it sounds like the motor will blow up, boost gauge reads 4psi - low, 7psi - hi, been told should be higher than that.

Mods - exhaust upgrade, bov.

I can do some work my self but not to the extent of a rebuild, as just learning.

[FST4RD]

If your in the know... My engine rebuild (Mitsi DASH motor, rare hard to find bits) Cost $1600 from top to bottom.
Better spending the extra money and getting it done properly, getting a replacement engine with less k's might seem good but if it's been thrashed and not serviced then your not in any better situation.

[gt-ep82]

thanks

i was leaning towards a rebuild as then I would know the service history from scratch. I'll ring around engine rebuilders during the week to get an estimate.

[Lloyd]

If you can pull the engine out yourself then it shouldn't be too expensive to get fresh bearings and rings thrown at it

[20v_rollaboy]

TBH, I wouldn't have bothered rebuilding a ct9

Do a compression test, and if all is good, I would look at the turbo. Might be time for a upgrade.

[Brick]

where are you located?

[escortman]

i think those boost readings are about right also

[rollaholic]

if you want to rebuild an engine for it, i would be tempted to find a lower kms one to start with, rebuild it then swap it in. this could save you having to hone the bores excessively and then having to go to oversized pistons, as at 260km there could well be a bit of bore wear.

unless you want to go down that road

leakdown test can tell you if its leaking oil through the head or the block, if you are really after the cheap option and its the valve stem seals (for example) you could just get those refreshed.

[gt-ep82]

located in chch, I can pull the engine out myself. I don't really want to go to the extreme of putting oversized pistons in it, trying keep the cost down.

[gt-ep82]

Can anyone tell me why I've lost top end power? Turbo seems to be working fine, you can feel it working low and hi boost

[Dell'Orto]

Could be a multitude of reasons, one of the biggest is the fact you're probably used to it.

[matt dunn]

located in chch, I can pull the engine out myself. I don't really want to go to the extreme of putting oversized pistons in it, trying keep the cost down.

If it's worn in the bores you may have to, and that's not what you'd call extreme anyway.

[Adamal]

Thats not a bad price for a replacement motor, but then you have to think about if that replacement engine is any good. Does it come with a warranty? Do you know how many K's its done?

[Boosted_162]

Ive just replaced the 4EFTE in my sisters GT, we got a replacement 100k engine from toyotaz galore, was about $1100 IIRC. Took me a weekend to replace. Her one had lost compression on 1+2 so rebuilding wasnt an option really.

[gt-ep82]

Replacement motor is run and tested by importer and comes with 90 day warrenty. I'll be doing a compression test soon and will talk with experts about what is my best option. Replacing the motor sounds good as the car won't be out of action for a while, and running the legacy gets very expensive, but i'll wait and see.

[Boosted_162]

I found replacing just to be far less hassle, i used the complete engine from the importers but ran with the original loom, clutch, gearbox etc. The only issue i had was the axle seals leaking, but i couldnt budget new ones in if they originally didnt leak (poor family members )

[MRDRFT]

if you going to get it rebuilt engin reconditing services on st asaph st in chch are good guys that no what they are talking about.

good lots done from them and never once had a problem.