What is a rebuilt 2.0 liter worth? Options

[r_towle]

Here is the deal.
I have several motors that I could build.
I am working on quite a few 356's now.

I would like to figure out if I could make a few bucks by building, testing, (leak down and compression, no dyno) and selling these motors complete.

If the value is there, I will do it.
Otherwise I will sell each item on ebay.

I am testing the waters here.
Rich

[r_towle]

As I said, I am testing the waters.
The market for these cars is still at such a low value that people do not need this service. Its interesting. This market contains several segments.
One segment cannot afford the new motor with all the new parts, but this segment also has no concept of the value of a properly built motor.

The next segment of the market can afford the new parts, but also may have the ability to build a motor with competence.

As the market for 914 matures in the next ten to fifteen years and used parts become more scarce, things will change.
As we all know a mass production motor from one of the larger firms is just that..mass produced. A single person building a motor for a particluar client has alot more care and reputation involved that goes with the motor. If you end up having a need for a rebuilt motor, get to know the builder...a small shop will always out perform a large shop just based upon people helping people.

I have found my answer. The market defined itself with the responses.

I do want to state for the people who voted 1-4k....do the math.
It cannot be done for that price. The parts alone, new parts and limited machine work is 1-2k.
The assembly time for a properly built motor, one that is balanced, measured, blueprinted, and assembled two or three times to get it perfect ranges from 30-50 hours.

So do the math guys.
The 356 crowd will provide us with the complete core motor and spend 7-10k to get it rebuilt....and the head work is cheaper than a type 4 head...This is mostly labor...and it does take longer than a type 4, but not a whole lot longer. The main difference is sourcing the parts and machine work.

I do see the 914 market following the 356 market. We are experiencing the same market conditions that the 356 market had in the 80's.

Rich

[Todd Enlund]

So do the math guys.
The 356 crowd will provide us with the complete core motor and spend 7-10k to get it rebuilt....and the head work is cheaper than a type 4 head...This is mostly labor...and it does take longer than a type 4, but not a whole lot longer. The main difference is sourcing the parts and machine work.

While I don't disagree with you, the way I see the math is that a 356 guy has a car that he paid $25K for, so an engine rebuild at $8K is reasonable. Currently, a 914 guy might have paid 10% as much as the 356 guy, and not have the kind of income to be able to afford an $8K rebuild.

Putting an $8K engine into a $2.5K car doesn't make economic sense. Some people look at it that way.

I'm sure that there is a market for an $8K 2.0 Type IV. As the value of the cars increases, that market will get larger. The cars will find their way into the hands of owners that can afford them.

Right now, I'd bet that there is more of a market for a $2K 2.0 Type IV that is simply a collection of good used parts with new rings and bearings.

Personally, I'm looking at spending the money on parts and machine work, and throwing in my own labor for free (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)