Engine Rebuild Recommendations (Melbourne)

[mouce]

My dear old VN V6 has finally gotten to the magical 300,000km mark, and has decided that enough is enough.

The oil leaks are now too many to count or keep up with (using really thick oil too), the cooling system let go, the p/s pump is making strange noises and there's a strange rattle from the lower drivers side of the block.

Given that it's a manual and is top fun to drive, I don't want to part with it if I can get it rebuilt. I want it to be a drive-in/drive-out rebuild as I can't pull the engine myself.

I don't have the time or tools to do it myself, so here's what I need advice on:

Where have you had your engine rebuilt in Melbourne?
What did it cost you?
How long did it take?
Would you recommend them?

P.S.: Would prefer Eastern Suburbs workshops if possible

[vn calais manual]

how much do you love your car?

just get a less km motor from another vn/vp and put it in.

[Pub247]

Mouce if you want a decent well price engine recoer i recommend Dandy enginesin carrum downs may be a little far from you but they do qaulity work. I actually work at an engine reconditioner but send my business and mates to them because i know they do stuff properly.
They are well price on machining cheaper than what my work would do it for with a Supposed "staff discount". Another option is dandy rebores vn luke got his done there and was happy with they're work

[mouce]

How much do I love my car? It's my first car, I've just spent $2000 on suspension gear (6 months ago it copped a full Whiteline suspension front to back), I've had it for 6 years and it's a series 1 motor so it has lots of balls.

I have thought about an engine swap, but I've got a seriously OLD VN (it was actually a pre-release demo) so I'd like to keep the numbers matching.

@Pub24/7: Thanks for that, I'll get in touch with them, I'm looking to get a few quotes just so I can shop around. But the fact that you work for an engine reco place and send your mates elsewhere says HEAPS.

So that's one place I need to get in touch with. And Carrum Downs isn't too far to go Hell...if there is a really good one in the Western Suburbs I'm willing to get over there. I love my car and want a good job done for a reasonable price.

I'm not chasing extra power, just extra years out of a car that still manages to out-run most other vehicles to the speed limit.

[Pub247]

Heres a basic rundown of machining cost from dandy engines
Bore & hone $165- 25 per cylinder + gst
Deck was about $90 if i remember correctly
Crank Grind was $180
Full balance if you want it is $240 odd
these are about what i got quoted a couple of months ago for a mates v6. Note theres no heads in that or parts. Basically give you an estimate to go off. I suggest you ring them and work out what they can do for you. If you after parts i may consider helping you out i can get you a good deal on a race series rebuild kit if you interested pm me when the time comes around