Merkley

1)
I have a line on a B18C5 from http://www.japanmotorimport.com -- $3900 (plus taxes) shipped to Toronto. Full swap, LSD tranny, axels, ECU, etc.

Anyone ever deal with them? (Spoke with Patrick)


2)
Also I'm looking for a swapper shop... I see that Defcon/Art is recommended... any other suggestions of where to go? Also for these shops, what should I pay for the swap and should they provide some type of warranty that is different then the engine provider? (I'm worried about them pointing fingers at each other for a problem (or something missing, etc) and me getting screwed).


I'm hopefully less than 7 days away from my 93 del Sol going from D15B to a B18C5...

Cynikal.Mindset

get it all done at optionjdm/defconART and have no worries at all

Merkley

I can find the optionjdm website but can't find their listings for engines for sale...?


And nada for defconART (unless they are one in the same) -- no website, nothing -- ?

THX

k_r_a_c_k_e_r

iTrader: (3)

www.optionjdm.com

http://www.defcon-racing.com/

Double B

Your best bet is to give Defcon/ART a call and ask all the questions you want answered. They will be up front and honest with you on everything. Option JDM and Defcon/ART are somewhat affiliated together but Defcon/ART actually do the swaps.

Merkley

Well I spoke to Dave at Defcon... you're all correct, he sounds like a great guy. I've decided that I am going to get them to do the work... but there was some information I didn't know, so I'm going to share it with anyone else getting a swap.

As it turns out their "swap cost" is $800... not bad considering the reputation and the fact that he comes so highly recommended.

HOWEVER, as it turns out the "swap cost" is just the cost of the labour, not nearly the cost of the full swap. I was shocked (and saddened) to learn that there are many other costs involved in a swap (remember, I'm a NOOOOOOB). Basically he changes the timing belt, water pump (?), all hoses, cables, and recommends the clutch and flywheel (because they eat the labour cost and just charge parts), and there is a few other things... all totaling around $1675. OUCH! Now when I had figured the "cost" was 800 for the swap I thought I would be doing the math "swap" + "parts" = "cost" --- totally wrong, to the tune of about 20% of the overall cost... that really screwed me up.

So, for now my plans are on hold... I'm going to have some parts from a D15B for sale CHEAP (hopefully increasing the speed of sale - PM me if interested) to offset the cost... but still, the total cost $6675 (4200 '98 TypeR, 800 swap, 1675 maintenance) has really pinched me... so for those of you getting a swap done, think about that 'extra' hidden cost for that maintenance... it is there, and it does hurt.

1niceSi

Because you've quoted yourself as being a "noob," I suggest not swapping anything and keeping your D15.

The only practical reason, why I could justify a swap is if your motor is burning an excessive amount of oil. I swapped my old z6 for another z6 and haven't looked back since.

Think of how better you could invest $6675.

k_r_a_c_k_e_r

iTrader: (3)

ditto, unless you plan on racing or something, you dont need it.

that money could be put somewhere better.

Cynikal.Mindset

that 1675 includes the swap...if not thats way too much...so 4200 for the engine and tranny etc + 1675 for labour and tune up = 5875 out the door...which is pricey yes but at least everything is fresh and new and there wont be hoses blowing and other crap to fix down the road

zyepher

What car is this going into?

For $3900 you should have a complete complete swap then whatever for labour to install.

If you don't want to pay $800 then don't, their are plently of shops who charge $500

hula_balu

... you could buy another used vehicle with a b16/18 already swapped into it.

Merkley

Okay here goes:

It's going into a 93 del sol that I just dumped a bunch of coin on for maintenance... that's part of the reason for me wanting to keep it. Also, I love the del Sol, it's light, you can throw it around like it's a paper ball and it's a hard top convertible which stores the roof in the trunk with LOTS of usable space. (and see next answer too)

You left out another good one... blown engine! My timing belt went at about 140Km/h). Apparently the guy that did the D15 swap for me DID NOT change the timing belt as he indicated. (He passed away this summer, God rest his soul, so there is no going back to him anyway). That's why I'm keen on finding a reputable shop...

Also, not to be trite, but wasn't everyone a noob at one time? I love driving and think I'm "pretty good" at it (but don't we all...?) -- not sure why I need to be mechanically inclined or understand how a D vs B engine rates, etc. to want to feel my car haul a$$ ...? Perhaps you could explain if there is some extra knowledge needed beyond asking "the right questions" which is what I'm here trying to do...?

I thought that would be what I was looking at... and yes, steep, but I agree with your mindset of nothing to fix down the road. But nope, here are his prices he gave me today. You'll see I also asked if he could help procure an engine to make it easier, so that price is listed too (and yes, I'm sure that these are the numbers, I was making the arrangements with him)

All prices are "CASH" price:
GSR Engine $3000 : GSR Full Swap $5475
97 Type-R $4200 : 97 Type R Full Swap $6675
98 Type-R $4600 : 98 Type R Full Swap $7075

So, the engine price seems reasonable (said he was getting it from OptionJDM) but from what you're all saying I'm getting "hosed" (pun intended) on the rest of the pricing. *PLEASE* give me a good shop that I can trust for $500 or like $800/900 with doing clutch and flywheel.

----
All responders, if you're going to say "You could get X for Y dollars" or "you could just get X instead" send me a link or two; I don't mind following up, doing the reading, making phone calls, etc... but Google is not exactly the best at finding these places even when I've known their names..... so you'd be doing me a huge favour.

I'm going to owe some people some beer when this finally gets resolved!



Thanks again to you all -- posting here was one of the smartest things I've done in a long time... (no, you don't need to respond to that one... )

si_ponz

It depends on what you really want. If you love your del sol then keep it. If i were in your shoes and about to invest that kind of money (almost 7000)...i would sell my car that i have now and take that money plus the 7000 and go and buy something newer that will have no problems at all, drive great, look good, and basically have no headaches ever. I mean I just spent quite a bit on my engine too at Defcon in June and love the work they did, helped me out big time, and love the way my car is right now, but no matter what you will always want more, thats why i have to be realistic with myself. I decided i would keep my car for another year and enjoy it how it is now then sell it and hopefully get my hands on an 05/06 RSX type S next summer/fall. Unless you have had this car for a long time and have done everything to it and this engine swap is just the last major thing u want to do and then keep it for a long time after that...the ultimate decision comes down to you tho.

Cynikal.Mindset

okay well...buy your own clutch/flywheel, installation of that should be free or dirt cheap since its already out and accessible.

get the motor 4200bucks
get it installed 800bucks (for this price timing belt/water pump should be included...yes, parts too)

then just do your routine maintenance as money permits.

one thing you need to take in to consideration is any and all extra parts you may need such as hoses (upper and lower rad) and other small things that are going to be extra.

I paid 700bucks to get my engine changed out in my GS-R last summer but it was b17 for b17 so I didnt need all the extra hoses etc...for 700bucks waterpump/timing belt was included

it all costs money, you gotta pay to play

97SIRHB

http://www.b-linemechanics.com/contact.html

call them they do great work for a good price.

Merkley

Will do... thanks

Mikey

you can buy my d-series turbo kit cheap instead of dropping the 6K+ and have way more fun driving boosted! lmk if your interseted

kingjames1983

DONT DO IT... SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!!
seriously its cool now and its fun... but they get boring fast and then you either dump more into it to make it faster or you wish you never wasted the coin in the first place and did something smart like saved for a downpayment on a house

Merkley

Agreed, if I didn't have house already that would be absolutely the best post I've read yet. Give that mortgage rates are so low and you can now get a variable 5-year rate at 4.25 (prime - 1) now would be the time. I know all this because I just renewed my mortgage today...

Thanks Mikey, but I'm going NA only. I'm looking for a "set it and forget it" solution that won't require tuning/extra work/more money.