V6 Rebuild Estimation
Discussion
It comes a time, in every S owners life when he looks at his car and thinks 'this could do with a rebuild one day'.
Since having a new garage plus ample time to see the car in great detail and poking around the chassis, coming across some holes makes me worry. The outriggers aren't too bad, it's just kind of in the middle (must get some pictures up really)
I've taken most of the front end off already, all the hoses and the engines out. Gearbox is still in place and it's quite solid, just allot of powder coating flaking off everywhere.
Now I'm thinking...why patch it up? I maybe could do it but it will need rebuilding soon enough, that hole is already an MOT failure.
So I'm asking of all your knowledge...what's the estimated cost of a rebuild of an S3? Just trying to plan it you see so I don't get left behind financially.
I mean, sandblasting the chassis, little bits of welding, protecting the chassis, new bushes all around and back together? I know there's all the electrics to worry about, that would be my main concern...
Then, how long would it take if we got amongst it? We could have it in bits in 2 weeks...got a nice garage to work in...I could even get a cheap Chim as the project goes on for the summer...sell it in October, buy a new Bimmer to replace the piece of rubbish I'm running now and it goes on and on and on...
Please give your thoughts, this ain't the usual stuff I post...and talk about...then ever actually DO. I can see me ripping things out tomorrow.
Cheers
If you can do it yourself then it is time not money that's the issue. If not welding is the expensive part. Don't worry about the electrics they are really very simple unless you decide to strip out the full loom and remove the dash etc - if you just go for a body off you've done most of the disconnection already with your engine being out the car. Look at my site www.gbsportscar.com it will give you a good idea of what is ahead, noting I didn't go for shot blast and plastic coating, but went for the replace all corroded metal, take hours and hours and hours rubbing down and rust treating and then hand painting to try and keep a rolling chassis - in hindsight I'd have gone down the shotblast route, but will probably do that next time body is off (5 years time is my plan)
Marl
Marl
A sand / grit / shot blasting company should do your chassis for £150 or less - thats what I've been quoted (he said worst case would be £150 as he had not seen the chassis) Powder coating after welding will be the same price.
Tubing is about £25 for a 6mtr length
You should ask a local company as I'm probably 350 miles north of you.
Tubing is about £25 for a 6mtr length
You should ask a local company as I'm probably 350 miles north of you.
Edited by magpies on Sunday 22 March 14:11
In terms of time I'd say if you really busted a gut and worked every evening and weekends you'd probably be looking at about 3 months as a bit of a wild guess.
This assumes some welding needs doing (it will, I think you've already established that) and that you're on the ball ordering parts as you need them and don't end up waiting around for them to arrive.
I'm also assuming you strip the chassis to nothing and have it shot blasted and powder coated.
Beware - it is very hard indeed not to get carried away
This assumes some welding needs doing (it will, I think you've already established that) and that you're on the ball ordering parts as you need them and don't end up waiting around for them to arrive.
I'm also assuming you strip the chassis to nothing and have it shot blasted and powder coated.
Beware - it is very hard indeed not to get carried away
You don't really need to touch the interior at all, but I would take the seats out for easier access.
You will need to pull the carpet up to get to the various bolts - but it is easily stuck back down again.
Make sure you go mental taking zillions of pictures and put all removed bolts and bits into freezer bags and label them up, then chuck them all in a box.
You will need to pull the carpet up to get to the various bolts - but it is easily stuck back down again.
Make sure you go mental taking zillions of pictures and put all removed bolts and bits into freezer bags and label them up, then chuck them all in a box.
It terms of the engine, a rebuild can take about 2-3 weeks if you spend most evenings and every weekend. Baring any problems, it should be a fairly quick turn around. Replacing perishable parts i.e. bearings, gaskets etc will cost about £200-£300.
That's how much mine cost anyway. That included bearings, con-rod shells, piston rings, full engine gasket set, new plugs and other odds and sods.
It's cheaper to buy a new engine but if you rebuild, you can be sure the engine is up to scratch.
HTH
That's how much mine cost anyway. That included bearings, con-rod shells, piston rings, full engine gasket set, new plugs and other odds and sods.
It's cheaper to buy a new engine but if you rebuild, you can be sure the engine is up to scratch.
HTH
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