The REAL cost of conversion

[Simple]

I always get an under estimated figure when it comes to conversion cost.

Can someone let me know what the real TOTAL cost of a 3sgte into a st162?

Front cut + Transport + Labour + Engineer Certified + Extra Insurance + Misc parts ?

Much appriciated!

[fixeruperer]

ill guess at 4-6 grand

[Tarkers]

it is very difficult to put an exact figure on something like this. Each conversion will have a different value. Depends what price you get a halfcut for, where you get it from(will there be freight), is a mechanic and auto elec doing everything for you etc.

If you arent doing anything yourself allways budget more than you think it will cost, fair chance it will run over, but if it doesnt, then you have spare money for other mods/maintanece.

halfcut 2k
engine fit 500
wiring 500
transport 100-200(depends where its coming from)
engineers cert 500-700(depends whats getting done and who does it)
misc parts 400-500
exhaust 600-700(probably needed for the turbo engine)

Theres 5-6k pretty easily, so budget a bit more and your set(7k would be optimal ). Even better if you do it yourself you will save about a grand or more.

A single figure cannot be put on any conversion as each will differ, but cars will allways cost more than you are expecting.

Cheers
Kyle

[SYC02T]

The general rule with modifying cars, weather its the cost or time you think it will take, is:

1 + 1 = 4.

seems to be about right.

[EldarO]

to REPLACE the 7MGTE in my car, not including the cost of the engine, was around 400-500.

this was in gaskets, oils, fluids etc. alone.

just to give you an idea of how costs rack up in no time, this price was for parts only, as all the work we did, and all the tools used (engine crane, hoist etc.) was a mates stuff

keep in mind, the halfcut you get, may have some defunct parts (sensor, alternator, whatever) that you may need to replace, its just how this works.

my new engine had the suprise for me of..... BHG of death :/

Eldar.O.

[Shifty]

Make an estimate, and triple it - you're probably getting close.

A conversion that is a direct bolt-in with no other modifications required should be budgeted at around $2000 even if you do it yourself. That covers fluids, filters, a new timing belt/chain, new hoses, a new clutch, broken parts, unexpected problems, new tools you have to buy, etc. Then you add the cost of the half cut.

A conversion that involves driveline changes (driveshaft/tailshaft), intercooler and piping that does not bolt straight in, new exhaust, etc should be budgeted at about $5000. Plus the half cut.

These figures might sound like a lot but until you've done it you'll just never understand. Some people will estimate lower but they have either not done it before, have forgotten what it cost, or were very lucky that everything fell into place perfectly and they were able to do everything themselves.

[gianttomato]

Oh come on. Everyone knows it's the cost of the halfcut and a tank of petrol......

[Tarkers]

if only that were true

[takai]

Oh come on. Everyone knows it's the cost of the halfcut and a tank of petrol......

Only for some of us GT, only for some of us

[JustCallMeOrlando]

Oh come on. Everyone knows it's the cost of the halfcut and a tank of petrol......

Hehe, was waiting for it.

My conversion cost $6.5k roughly. That included $2200 for the engine package, and it was a bolt in conversion. That was a full 3"/2.5" stainless exhaust, stainless IC piping, new intercooler (when the China ones were over double their current price), gaskets, seals, belts, hoses, fluids and engineering. All that and it was a bolt-in conversion

I'm sure I could've done it for cheaper in hindsight, but we live and learn on some things. That's not counting all the tools I had/bought/borrowed, because I'll use them again. Nor does it include the BHG it had up out of the box.

Stuff that I didn't have to do for engineering but chose to were a brake upgrade, new shocks and springs and a replacement LSD, add another ~$2500 to that figure.

It may seem expensive, but I wanted to do everything well, and I wanted to use the oppurtunity to learn stuff.

[SeptemberSquall]

if only that were true

where c = cost of conversion,
and t = tank of petrol,
and h = cost of half cut;

c =! t + h

love,
Mic

[thechuckster]

If you want a workshop to do everything - that's you drive up with engine 1 and the bits of engine 2 hardware and parts on a truck & trailer, then drive off with engine 2 installed and running and engineered - then $10k would probably be a realistic number.

$10k was what johal paid in total for getting other gimps to do everything except clean and polish the newer 1JZ that was stuffed into his MZ1x.

Given that Wilbo probably spent $4-5k over 6 months sourcing all the parts, doing all the work and fabricating himself of a 1JZ into MA61. That's from removing the old to new engine/box/electrics/driveshaft/zorst etc installed and running. And the MZ1x and MZ61 are mechanically similar cars (the MZ being the easier to install intercooling in).

ergo: If you pay someone to do all your installation, labour and fabrication will cost around the same for what you spend in parts.

[takai]

If you want a workshop to do everything - that's you drive up with engine 1 and the bits of engine 2 hardware and parts on a truck & trailer, then drive off with engine 2 installed and running and engineered - then $10k would probably be a realistic number.

$10k was what johal paid in total for getting other gimps to do everything except clean and polish the newer 1JZ that was stuffed into his MZ1x.

Given that Wilbo probably spent $4-5k over 6 months sourcing all the parts, doing all the work and fabricating himself of a 1JZ into MA61. That's from removing the old to new engine/box/electrics/driveshaft/zorst etc installed and running. And the MZ1x and MZ61 are mechanically similar cars (the MZ being the easier to install intercooling in).

ergo: If you pay someone to do all your installation, labour and fabrication will cost around the same for what you spend in parts.

This is true, so long as you dont use the word 'race' anywhere in your dealings with the people. I have had people ask if i had spent anywhere between 20 and 30k on my race car, and were shocked when i told them it cost just over half of the bottom of that bracket.

Moral of the story: if you say its a race car, mechanics are likely to bend you over and ream you for more. *notable exceptions are cage builders

[The Witzl]

Garage Witzl - your one stop cheap labour shop

i've done a few conversions for people now, and can quite confidently say that it just about ALWAYS costs more than they were expecting..... especially if you do things PROPERLY!!

Turbo conversions are the best for blowing out budgets - intercooler piping, brake upgrades, fuel upgrades.... etc etc... all add up fast.

[finney]

Garage Witzl - your one stop cheap labour shop

i've done a few conversions for people now, and can quite confidently say that it just about ALWAYS costs more than they were expecting..... especially if you do things PROPERLY!!

Turbo conversions are the best for blowing out budgets - intercooler piping, brake upgrades, fuel upgrades.... etc etc... all add up fast.

so so true.. i blew out my budget by around 25% but then again i (witzl) did it properly.
budget more than what you expect. May also help to PM Draza on here as he has done a 3SGTE into a 162.