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Decisions! Decisions!
Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 4:52 pm
by FTO-BOY
Hey everyone. Just want your opinion on this..
My 94' GPX has recently ticked over to 200,000km. I was wondering if its better of if i just get a major service done to it (all liquids flushed, belts, spark plugs, and fix up the oil leaks etc) or get a new engine?
I dont know how much a major service cost but im guessing somewhere in the $1000? I have sourced out two motors, one for $1085 and a half cut for $1890. the thing is the half cut is also a manual half cut so if i get that then i can convert my fto to manual.
The thing is im really really low on budget and i dont know whats better? major service or engine swap.. how much am i looking at in labour if i swap the motor over?
any good mech in the sydney area?
PS> How many case of beers do you reckon Bennoz would offer for the manual conversion/ engine swap? lol
Re: Decisions! Decisions!
Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 4:59 pm
by aza013
Ben would want about 3 palets for that job

it would be cheeper getting a full service and recon than getting another engine IMO.
Re: Decisions! Decisions!
Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 5:09 pm
by Kustom
If you havn't had any problems with current motor i would just keep it and get a full service & recondition.
Re: Decisions! Decisions!
Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 5:14 pm
by FTO-BOY
Hmm well i doesnt feel as responsive and sometimes i would feel it struggling.
Never really had a problem with it apart from the starter motor i fixed recently.
But it feels like im driving an excel. lol i dont feel the power there anymore. i've had the car since 117000km
Re: Decisions! Decisions!
Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 5:57 pm
by aza013
Sounds like it NEEDS that service then.
Re: Decisions! Decisions!
Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 6:14 pm
by FTO-BOY
Hmm ok so any idea on how much it would cost? Also which workshop should I take it too?
Re: Decisions! Decisions!
Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 6:28 pm
by aza013
Where abouts are you? That way we can give you some mechanics shops close to you.
Cost well any thing from $1000 - $1500 aprox.
Re: Decisions! Decisions!
Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 6:30 pm
by FTO-BOY
Sydney.
Re: Decisions! Decisions!
Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 6:33 pm
by aza013
North, south or west?
Re: Decisions! Decisions!
Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 6:41 pm
by FTO-BOY
South-west but anywhere is fine as long as they know what they're doing and the price isn't ridiculous because it's an "import" .. I can even get the parts if that's cheaper.
Re: Decisions! Decisions!
Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 6:48 pm
by aza013
Well as every one knows I would say Pulse racing
http://www.pulseracing.com.au
they will do the right thing and not over charge you.
Re: Decisions! Decisions!
Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 6:58 pm
by FTO-BOY
Haha ok no worries. I'll give em a call tomorrow or sometime this week.
Thanks aza
Re: Decisions! Decisions!
Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 7:57 pm
by rock_it
I jump in with Ricol ...
http://www.ricol.com.au/
Re: Decisions! Decisions!
Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 8:09 pm
by aza013
And there is envy imports as well.
Re: Decisions! Decisions!
Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 8:13 pm
by vipfto
do the whole conversion to manual YOU WONT REGRET IT and really easy to do
I did mine in my own small garage (motor swap too) even though I have done many before even a noob could swap a motor its fairly simple just need a few tools and engine lifter
But if yu dont want that then prob just needs a major servive incl plugs/leads all belts ETC
Re: Decisions! Decisions!
Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 8:25 pm
by FTO-BOY
yeah i was even considering of doing the work myself (swapping engine) as i have a few 2nd yr apprentice mech mates with tools. and im not completely stupid when it comes to engines either but im no mechanics haha.
but i wouldnt touch doing the major service myself.. specially doing the seals. maybe the belts and spark plugs but not the water pump etc.. btw. would you need to take the engine out for the major service?
Re: Decisions! Decisions!
Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 8:45 pm
by vipfto
na do it on the car but if you do replace motor do it anyway and only take 30mins that way
Re: Decisions! Decisions!
Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 9:25 pm
by MH999
vipfto wrote:do the whole conversion to manual YOU WONT REGRET IT and really easy to do
I did mine in my own small garage (motor swap too) even though I have done many before even a noob could swap a motor its fairly simple just need a few tools and engine lifter
But if yu dont want that then prob just needs a major servive incl plugs/leads all belts ETC
+1
Manual fto's are very nice to drive.Acceleration will be heaps more responsive,the gear shift is nice and smooth i wouldnt have never considered the tiptronic.Engine wise 260 000 -300 000kms your motor will start to use oil and blow smoke so if you can get a low klm motor and box and install it yourself, or get someone to do it.it will be worth it.
Re: Decisions! Decisions!
Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 10:24 pm
by FTO-BOY
what degree of difficulty is changing the motor myself.. (not completely myself. theyre will be mates too)
i found changing oil the first 7/10 (10 being difficult) but that was only coz the oil filter was in the most ridiculous place ive ever seen with a tiny gap to fit a mans hand. and also the filter didnt turn (used 3 types of oil filter wrench) in the end i used a screw driver and stabbed it and used that as a lever. haha that was the very 1st time i changed the oil on my fto 3 yrs ago. lol took me 2 hrs (yes laugh)
but since then i've changed the suspension, removed the rear bar, painted the calipers (easy i know) changed the starter motor, wired the stereo incl wiring the sub and amp to the boot, changed the trans fluid.
Re: Decisions! Decisions!
Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 10:30 pm
by aza013
We will all

with you not at you on the oil filter, I think we have all done that at some point of time.