Well, I am going off what I researched. I had spoken to the guy at Comp. Auto in Glendora. I told him what I wanted done to the engine and also told him I just need the machining done. I would put everything together myself. Course, the quote didn't include head work. So I figure if the head needed a lot of work it would be an extra $400. Anyway, he said he could do the work on the engine for about $350 (that's also with my supplying the parts). Now, I actually sat with him to discuss my project, and he had two wicked cars there he was building. From seeing his shop and talking with him, I gathered that he knew what he was doing. *shrug* Who knows... Maybe I'm not realizing how much it will actually cost.

Maybe prices are different with different people and different shops.

If the case for whyteryce would be similar to yours in that it would cost a lot more, then I would say yeah, buy a $500 used block and do some work on it before it's put in.

Sorry for any confusion I might have caused.

I guess I should just keep my mouth shut from now on.

 

No, all opinions are welcome. I was just curious where you got your info.

In my case, I had two reasons for going used. Cost and time. I needed it cheap and done in two weeks (actually, about 10 days).

And so far, it has been worth it. The car runs great, doesn't use any oil, and has been mostly problem free (I have a weird idle problem...it sometimes likes to idle at 1000 rpm). But for the money (about $1k with all the other parts I replaced, most of which I needed to replace anyway), it was worth it.

 

Hate to burst ur bubble, but i got this car at my work. its a 91 Mazda Pro LX. 104k, needs head gasket.
OWner of the car is a mechanic there. He siad i can have the car for $250. Starts right up, runs like a champ. So therefore the engine has less miles than my dx with 109k. Im gunna swap the ECU, Engine, Trans, Cruise control. for $250, then put my engine and **** in that car and resell it or use it for a beater back and forth to work.

Look around, u might be able to find a pos beat up LX with lower miles. CHeck junkyards also.

Btw, the car is in good cond. small fender dent in drivers side where corner light is. Other than that, no rust, paint is slightly chipped. It was a Trade-in a year ago.

hehe, jus tellin my good news

 

I have a shop that will do a standard install for $450.00. Which is really good considering I paid somebody else $500 to do my Civic motor two years ago. So, for the price of a JDM engine (~$750) I can get it all done for $1200. Not bad if you ask me.
I like the idea of doing the blueprinting but, since this is not a project car or one that I am going to auto-x, than I will probably just get a JDM engine, change the timing belt and have that mechanic put it in for $450.00. I originally wanted to get the DOHC motor so, I was looking for an ECU and wiring harness. If I can't get one then I will just go with the SOHC which actually costs more than the DOHC.