ECOTEC stuffed, need a changeover

[Krilnik]

Gentlemen, need some advice.

My V6 Ecotec is stuffed. Only done 200,000k's. Making some loud slapping sound. Its definitely metal on metal. My mechanic rekkins its coming from down below. Main bearing or something like that and i will need a changeover eventually.

My problem is i don't wanna buy another car and i don't wanna lay down too much coin. My VS is in good nick and i wanna keep it. I travel in bumper to bumper traffic everyday to and from work so don't wanna go spending a large amount of coin on a nicer or newer car when its only gonna cop dents from other people at work when they open their doors against mine in the tight carpark we have etc.

My mechanic rekkins he could find me another motor from a wreckers and change it over for about $1500 including labour. Am i getting ripped off?

I rang a local Holden wrecker and he has an Ecotec that's done about 170k for about $500.

Am i buying someone elses clapped out motor that'll probably blow smoke?

Anyone ever done a motor changeover? If so, you got any horror stories to share?

Thanks in advance.

[walesy]

rebuild it with a MASSIVE cam... like this stato... when i first seen this vid i couldnt believe it was a V6!!

YouTube - big cam statesman

[EDGE3]

$500 for a 170000km ecotec thats not bad.My ecotec has done 355000kms I had the car since brand new 96 VS,I have always looked after it,when something needed to be fixed I got it fixed.The ecotec will last forever if you look after it,yours has only 200000kms on it what I would do is find out exactely what the prob is not that the mechanic reckons its the main bearing,you dont know how many times I have been told that it was the main bearing when it wasnt.Check to see if its leaking oil from the bearing,mate it could be the tappets,piston/rings,get some lifter free and then see if its still making the noise.You probably are getting charged to much it just depends what your mechanics rates are my mechanic charges $70hr so for him to put a motor in would only be about $500 labour.But its true if there are no sevice history records then dont even bother your better off trying to buy a reco engine you get I think at least 3-6 months warranty

[Krilnik]

OK thanks for the response EDGE3.

Might take the car elsewhere for another opinion.

[nemesis_adrasteia]

170000 KMs means #### all with out service records. id be careful about wreckers motors no warranty no garuntee of quality.

[Thomas1]

You could also fit a L67 (factory supercharged V6). Just so happens that there is one for sale in the classifieds section

[edals]

My Brother Just paid 1500 for a engine swap in his VS for a VT ecotec, But they did in a day so he could keep going another 500kms to get home lol
You could always just swap it over your self ? hire a engine crane or just buy one for $200ish plus a weekend to change it

[Trayner]

Im with thomas 1 may as well swap it out for a l67 while its out , more power

[Krilnik]

Thanks for the responses guys. Money is an issue. No supercharged motor for me unfortunately.