Swap cost from people who paid a shop to do work

[jrockbk]

if it was going to coast me 15-20k to get the swap done at a shop I'd just do it myself. It's really not that hard. there is endless amount of info and knowledge on the web for a first timer to get it done. i speak for from experience.

Sorry forgot to mention I live in nyc in an apartment with no driveway or garage to work in...would love to do it myself

[Nick_S]

Sorry forgot to mention I live in nyc in an apartment with no driveway or garage to work in...would love to do it myself

Just a thought. Is it possible to rent a garage space to do it yourself? I'm about to start my own and while I do have a garage, it's tiny so I opted to use my friends shop about 45 minutes away. Sure it's not ideal and I have to plan when I can get there but it's better than trying it at my house.

[jrockbk]

Just a thought. Is it possible to rent a garage space to do it yourself? I'm about to start my own and while I do have a garage, it's tiny so I opted to use my friends shop about 45 minutes away. Sure it's not ideal and I have to plan when I can get there but it's better than trying it at my house.

I did actually think of that, most likely solution if I can find someone willing, I do like this idea most of all

[RondoAcapriccio]

probably looking at 2-4k in parts.. depending on how cheap you can source everything and 2-4k in labor depending what you get done.

[ed94r]

I paid over 9K to have mine done..but that was back in 2005.

Not everyone has the time/skill/desire to DIY. That shouldn't shelter them from the 24V experience. If you can pay..you get to play.

Ed

[2mAn]

My parts cost, not including machine shop work/ pistons/ MM Main & Rod bearings was over 2k but I got a lot of new parts, only used stuff was wiring harness, manifolds, iX booster/ master, E34 oil pan/ dipstick, and an alternator. Everything else was new

[rzerob]

If you are worried about the labor times, ask the shop to give you a detailed estimate on how long it will take for each part of the job. How long to remove the powertrain? Freshen the new one? Install? Plumb and bleed all components? Wire up to your setup? Custom exhaust? Extras, like cruise control A/C and oil light? And have it turn key no issues ready to drive?

If you have everything you need for the swap and deliver it to them when you drop off the car that will definitely make it cheaper. If they have done the swap before they can get through it faster and that will save you money.

As long as everything you deliver is in good working order and works. And you don't want them to fully rebuild anything like the engine. I would say closer to 20hrs. Just to make sure all the kinks are out and there are no issues. But you have to take into account of the what ifs. 30hr estimate sounds fair for what ifs. That is just an estimate it could be cheaper. And that is if you want everything.

[dude8383]

Shops would go out of business giving you detailed quotes like that. Why? Because you're going to take that quote and proceed to nickel and dime every part of the install.

You said that you found cars going for 10k or so... You think the labor invested is earned back???? If that were the case my car would be worth over 50k.

Having said that it will take some time for you to find a shop that'll really do it on the cheap. Sounds like you can wait...

[NickL]

How are you ever going to learn if you don't just try it yourself? It seems extremely intimidating but its quite an easy swap. Just do your research. If you don't have the space/time then I could see it being justifiable to have a shop perform it. But if you do, go for it.

[fresh_TD]

How are you ever going to learn if you don't just try it yourself? It seems extremely intimidating but its quite an easy swap. Just do your research. If you don't have the space/time then I could see it being justifiable to have a shop perform it. But if you do, go for it.

This

Sent from my GS4 Active

[kevvve]

I know where you're coming from. I live in an apartment complex. Found a garage for rent on Craigslist moved into and work out of there.

[nrubenstein]

Honestly, the best approach is to just buy a swapped car. Unless you have a truly exceptional example of an e30, a nice swap car will probably run you a fair bit less than your cost, likely come with a lot more parts, and you can sell/keep your current one.

[sharky]

Im pretty sure we just quoted you the other day and made you a very nice offer. We do our swaps by the job not by the hour. Also it makes a huge difference if the customer supplies every little thing for me. If I have to source all your parts, find them in good condition, neg a deal etc you will be charged for my time in doing that for you. We have done swaps in 2 days and we have taken 4 months. It is all just if the customer is willing to spend the money and go all out of if they drag their feet and are not prepped. Im doing one right now for a member here that is doing it right, resealing the motor, clean parts, nice new things and is having me take care of getting all he needs. It will be a very proper reliable obd2 S52 but all said and done he will be 8-10K in probably (parts and labor).

[JRKOUPE]

to a fellow brooklynite.....

I paid to get a swap done about 3 yrs ago.....and even after giving it to a respected shop Ive had some issues. Dont do it on the cheap....many of those cheap swaps were such headaches that the cars were only sold due to the headaches.

Some real good folks have responded here that would be a wise choice for you to use....ie dude, sharky..

I bought alot of the parts to be used, so that saved a lil. You will be in for at least 5k w/ parts and labor...at least!!!!.....IM GUESSING 6-10k all in...and that is not going overboard w/ new refreshed stuff...

I ended up doing a water pump/t stat , ps lines, and then a HG only after the swap was done..that cost me more of course because the engine was IN the car...

youll never get an itemized breakdown prior to the job....dont expect one. But do expect a reasonable price quote for the job..not incl unexpected probs.

And you may find e36 cars or e46 cars that seem like a better deal but first you must ask if u want an e30?....

there are e36 M cars now for 5-6k!!!

and like mentioned......swap cars are avail at good deals..like under 10k.

some say go for it and do it yourself?.....but if u dont have the space..or the time..and some decent skills....prior experience....its gonna be problems.

having some1 do it thats done 10 of them vs some1 doing it first time?..geez thats worth hrs of saved time......

[klodkrawler05]

If you'd love to do it yourself and the e30 isn't your only transportation I see no reason why renting out some garage space wouldn't be the way to go with this project. I was actually in the same boat as you when I started my e30 swap, didn't have room etc.

Here in Michigan I was able to find shop space for rent for $75 a month for a 2 stall garage, based on the average rate a shop charges for an e30 swap I could've rented garage space for 2.5 years before paying as much as the shop would've charged to do it for me.

I've got just over $3500 total into my e30 including all the parts for the s52 swap granted its taken me over a year to complete the project and find all the parts. but I have the satisfaction of doing it myself and on a way tighter budget than most!

my advice if you tackle this project yourself, buy a cheap m3, it's invaluable having the donor car on hand for extra fuses, looking at stuff, realizing you forgot to pull a part etc. plus after you get the swap running an m3 can usually be parted out for as much if not more than you paid for the car running/driving.