Freshly rebuilt Vertex Long Blocks

[KRAM36]

Originally Posted by sfkjeld

Bought a long block for my 2000 2.7 last weekend from a private party. I didn’t really need a motor since the original has only 93k and runs great. But I did need a water pump and the estimates to replace were nearly $1000 and the new long block was $2500 with a new water pump, IMS and RMS upgrades. So I took the motor to a well respected Porsche shop in San Rafael. The install is scheduled in a few weeks. But when I dropped it off, one of the shop guys said they had bad luck with a Vertex motor in the past few years. I was a bit shocked, since I had heard positive reviews on them. I even spoke with the Vertex shop in Florida and they were great. Generous with their time and information shared. But now I am worried. I understand the shop doing the install has an engine room, where they can test a motor out of the car. Anyone have any idea what that costs to do? It might be smart since I am not so certain about this “new” motor anymore.

Also, anyone with experience with Vertex? I should have posted this question before I bought the motor.

$1,000 to replace the water pump? Dude, you need to learn how to turn wrenches and do easy stuff like this on your own. Plus you're selling an engine that recently had the IMSB replaced with a LN Engineering IMSB?

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by KRAM36

$1,000 to replace the water pump? Dude, you need to learn how to turn wrenches and do easy stuff like this on your own. Plus you're selling an engine that recently had the IMSB replaced with a LN Engineering IMSB?

Exactly. Every time I turn a wrench I'm saving $125-$150 an hour shop rate. Granted, doing things the first time (WP... AOS... MM...) it likely takes me twice as much time as a shop so, when for the first time I've completed the maintenance, repair, replacement of a part... I divide the number of hours by two... multiplied by ~shop rate... and spend that money elsewhere.

I saved THOUSANDS... THOUSANDS of dollars doing my own repairs/maintenance... and wouldn't have done so absent the huge brain trust of this forum.

:dance:

[flouese]

Originally Posted by Starter986

Exactly. Every time I turn a wrench I'm saving $125-$150 an hour shop rate. Granted, doing things the first time (WP... AOS... MM...) it likely takes me twice as much time as a shop so, when for the first time I've completed the maintenance, repair, replacement of a part... I divide the number of hours by two... multiplied by ~shop rate... and spend that money elsewhere.

I saved THOUSANDS... THOUSANDS of dollars doing my own repairs/maintenance... and wouldn't have done so absent the huge brain trust of this forum.

:dance:

Let me chime in on doing your own maintenance. I am NOT a motor head, however several years ago I did a total rebuild on my 66 912. Started 15 minute after the last bolt went in. Fast forward, last year my 99 base Boxster motor quit. I bought a new motor and priced a shop install. After quotes from $6-10K, I decided to take the plunge. Used many references, took my time and did it myself with the assistance of a few friends for the heavy lifting. Now I feel I am intimate with my motor and understand its moods. It was rewarding do the job. Lastly, I am not sad that I did not fund some mechanics kids college education.

[Brian in Tucson]

Originally Posted by Starter986

Exactly. Every time I turn a wrench I'm saving $125-$150 an hour shop rate. Granted, doing things the first time (WP... AOS... MM...) it likely takes me twice as much time as a shop so, when for the first time I've completed the maintenance, repair, replacement of a part... I divide the number of hours by two... multiplied by ~shop rate... and spend that money elsewhere.

I saved THOUSANDS... THOUSANDS of dollars doing my own repairs/maintenance... and wouldn't have done so absent the huge brain trust of this forum.

:dance:

Some people have an income (not me!) that is sufficient that it's not worth it to do mechanical work (or plumbing, carpentry, wiring, etc.) It costs more to not be working than it does to hire someone.:ah:

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by Brian in Tucson

Some people have an income (not me!) that is sufficient that it's not worth it to do mechanical work (or plumbing, carpentry, wiring, etc.) It costs more to not be working than it does to hire someone.:ah:

Oh, I hear you. I'm self employed... so when business is good, the wrenching is reserved for weekends. When business is slow... nothing like some weekday wrenching. It's a hobby for me and, like Art said, "How hard can it be".

Further, if you get to a point where you're over your head... or something isn't working in your favor... flat-bed it.

Flouese... awesome! I, too, would be inspired to install my own motor for those kind of dollars.

Cheers!