Rebuild cost
Turbo Mini Forums

Wondered if anyone can help, I have taken my standard turbo engine out as was in need of a rebuild and wanted to know how much I could expect to pay in order to get a complete rebuild ( pistons, new crank ( mine is competly buggered ) , rebore etc .

The problem I have is I am not sure if I want to undertake such a project my self or if its better to leave it to the experts and if so who ?

Any one who can advise I will be very greatful .

Cheers :)

Go for it yourself. It's fun, you'll learn a load of new skills and you'll have the pleasure of knowing that you built it.

In the 13's at last!.. Just

Im expecting mine to cost ~£3k when its done. But then im installing megajolt, 4 pin diff, omega pistons, water feed for turbo, unleaded conversion, 266 cam - I initially started my rebuild looking for just standard power but have gotten to the point where its like "well since its apart I may as well install a new camshaft" "I may as well put megajolt in"

I think my next problem is going to be the clutch. Spent £135 on one that was 20% uprated on standard and will probably have to change that =/

Price all depends on what spec you want
Location would be helpfull when looking at experts

All sounds good so far, sorry I live in Devon, I am looking for standard however it will have an intercooler , having typed this I am now thinking it might be worth putting a 266 cam etc etc , would be nice to get to 120BHP.

This trend in thinking will continue...

Be prepared to empty your wallet.

In the 13's at last!.. Just

Yes i moved to the darkside

Instagram @jdm_brett

The 'while im at it' is a nasty disease to have, but worth it in the end!

First off, I have no experience with turbo A series....it really does not pay to "rebuild" components when you can purchase new ones for 50% more. So buying a new crankshaft, rods, or cam kit is often a better deal than regrinding or rebuilding them as long as factory parts are available. Factor that into your engine rebuild costs. The other thing is that you really have to go after everything in an A series rebuild. If it isn't 100% then it needs doing. To help make up your mind, just add up all the parts and machining operations and see if you suddenly choke to death. The cost of first class labor is no greater than the cost of doing it yourself if you have to buy all the tools and supplies. The only payoff comes from self satisfaction and any subsequent work you choose to do. DIY is more about choosing to learn about the work than saving money on the work.

I agree with some points above; build it yourself but your likely to break something (a piston ring) and will need to buy more, or pay some one to do it all and get the tolerances right - as long as they know what they are doing. I feel there are a few people out there that say they are a series experts when actually they're anything but. There are however some very good people on this forum (turbo Phil, benross etc) that are good value as far as pound per bhp is concerned.

If you have the time and plenty of money and want to learn, go for it. But I guarantee you'll need to buy more than you bargained for - you'll need to gap the drops, diff etc and you'll need the right size shims which can be expensive.

Don't get me wrong here, I'm not telling you to not build it, just it's a whole lot more than people make it put to be.

Saying that, the feeling you get when it starts and runs is great.

Set a budget, double it and add some more, because you'll spend it. I started off with a standard 998 turbo it's now a full blown 1293 lairy beast - you'll never have enough power!!!!

I wish someone told me this to start with because i initially budgetted 1k at the abolsute max xD cant wait to have it finished mind.

That said i was told when i started my cost of rebuild thread that id end up buying more parts and sure enough...

Its fun dude just be ready to spend the money, for 3k i could have just about squeezed a honda conversion which is what i really wanted turbo a series was supposed to be a temp engine till i get vtec :p

Cheers for all the advise, 3k is not too scary as I have built a non turbo show mini and I paid 2.5k for the engine from Jonspeed although its a cracking engine I feel that there were some things that could have been done better !. As much as I want to do the build myself time is a factor and from experence you end up spending almost 50% of the costs on postage and waiting for things to arrive !. I think it may be a case of contacting bennross or turbo phill and letting the experts do the job.

The engine was 99BHP when knackered so with a quality rebuild should be 99-120 BHP and stronger, plus its going back in my scamp so should be quick as well !

Cheers again chaps !

Jonspeed..... Cough shite cough wankers cough cowboys cough

redrat i recognise your name from the torbay mini club forum, do you have a turbo'd scamp?

Take a visit to mike tarr ratt racing if you are who i think you are?!

http://www.rattracing.co.uk/

:)

Edited by jamestar on 22nd Nov, 2011.

Yes that's me, thanks for the advise , I will contact them . Cheers