engine life.

[redhotzook]

nah man, we are on bundal road. bout 3 mins inland of surfers paradise

[GRPABT1]

my sierra has done 402 000 K's but i dont know the history of it so its possible it has been rebuilt half of its life ago haha. anyways im an engine re-builder and im pretty sure i did a quote for a sierra engine not long ago for $1400, that includes crank being re-ground ontop of all the usuall like new pistons, and bore and hone the block. if anyone is interested we are called ingear industries and we are on the gold coast (aus) PM for more info

$1400????

might as well buy an injected motor and install it for that price!

Redhotzook is right, it's the cost of parts that make these cars so cheap not the labour. If you skimp on labour costs then your playing with fire.

[redhotzook]

cheers mate, much appreciated

[Lil'Loki]

If you want to go the whole hog and have a 4 year/80,000km warranty…
My mechanic got me a recon from these guys http://www.engineexchange.com.au/. It cost about $2500 (Sierra 1.3 litre) for the exchange plus another $1300 to fit (reconditioned radiator included).
They use chrome or molly rings for longer engine life and have a demonstration of their reconditioning process on their website.
I know there is a few guy's on this site who will probably recommend buying an engine reconditioning kit and doing it yourself for a far cheaper price, but I think a 4 year/80,000km warranty (better than the original new car warranty) is worth it.

If you feel that you can rebuild your engine yourself and have the confidence that it will last as long as, or be as good as a professional reconditioned engine, go for it!

[spamwell]

thats alot of cash for that money i would be buying a fresh front cut and doing a g13bb or 16 conversion

[Lil'Loki]

PS…
I forgot to mention that the only reason that I had to recondition the engine was because the Cat Convertor got blocked up (60%) with carbon deposits.
Blocked Cat = Exhaust Gases Not Escaping = Cracked Engine ':oops:'

Other than that the engine was pretty tight, No Oil Burning what so ever!
It had 160,000km on the dial and would have probably gone another 100,000km. I think the theory that smaller engines don't last as long is not true, the wife's Honda Concerto 1.6 has done 270,000km as still runs like a new car (Apart from an oil leak).

[Lil'Loki]

thats alot of cash for that money i would be buying a fresh front cut and doing a g13bb or 16 conversion

I appreciate you comment, yes it is a lot of cash.
My point is the 80,000km warranty and also the knowledge that the engine although reconditioned is just as good as new, if not better. Keeping in mind these engines are pulled apart, cleaned thoroughly and put back together with better quality parts by a qualified technician who does this for a living.
Yes you can get front cuts, but these cars have probably done 60,000km plus, (BUT, you're unaware of the service history or how it was treated). I'm not saying that this is a bad thing, just something to be aware of as you get no warranty on a front cut that I know of.

In saying this, sometime down the track I'd probably buy a second Zook for a project and also get a front cut for the engine. Being that the project won't be my daily driver, I'd be prepared to go a second hand motor.

[spamwell]

you can get front cuts with 25,000 or less kays if you hunt around also a compression test and test run can usually tell you whats going on.

i just think for the possible repairs needed to be done if something does go wrong with a front cut motor you would probly still be ahead, 80,000 km warranty is quite good i just know i would feel alot better not just having an engine that runs like when it was new but is more powerfull or what not.

i would say there would be a whole heap of terms and conditions with the warranty i just think that if i was to spend that much i would be sad to still have a standard motor lol.

but yeah i see where your coming from

Sam

[spamwell]

PS…
I forgot to mention that the only reason that I had to recondition the engine was because the Cat Convertor got blocked up (60%) with carbon deposits.
Blocked Cat = Exhaust Gases Not Escaping = Cracked Engine ':oops:'

Other than that the engine was pretty tight, No Oil Burning what so ever!
It had 160,000km on the dial and would have probably gone another 100,000km. I think the theory that smaller engines don't last as long is not true, the wife's Honda Concerto 1.6 has done 270,000km as still runs like a new car (Apart from an oil leak).

honda motors are good at that, i have a civic with nearly 300,000 kays on it still goes hard

[Lil'Loki]

Your exactly right there is terms and conditions - mainly the car should be serviced every 5000km by the mechanic who installed the recon'd engine.

I used to do all my own servicing on a regular basis, but as I am self employed and work from home, I thought that I'd pay someone else to do the work as I can claim it as a tax deduction.

The extractors and 2" exhaust system give me plenty of power for the moment - I can sit on 115 - 120km (speedo reading) - actual speed would be higher with the 235's (larger tyres).

But as I said previously - 2nd Zook (Project) + 1.6 EFI = TOY TIME ':armsup:'

[redhotzook]

thats alot of cash for that money i would be buying a fresh front cut and doing a g13bb or 16 conversion

I appreciate you comment, yes it is a lot of cash.
My point is the 80,000km warranty and also the knowledge that the engine although reconditioned is just as good as new, if not better. Keeping in mind these engines are pulled apart, cleaned thoroughly and put back together with better quality parts by a qualified technician who does this for a living.
Yes you can get front cuts, but these cars have probably done 60,000km plus, (BUT, you're unaware of the service history or how it was treated). I'm not saying that this is a bad thing, just something to be aware of as you get no warranty on a front cut that I know of.

In saying this, sometime down the track I'd probably buy a second Zook for a project and also get a front cut for the engine. Being that the project won't be my daily driver, I'd be prepared to go a second hand motor.

i am a qualified technician and i do do it for a living and we do pull the engine appart and clean it thoroughly and we do put it back together with better quality parts but we only charge $1400 not having a go at u. just showing there are qualified people who can do this work fairly cheap.

[Lil'Loki]

Cool…

Do you give 4 year/80,000km Warranty with that as well?;)

[redhotzook]

nope, dont need it. wont f**k up after we deal with it haha plus its what... $2000 cheaper. i think u will find us suzuki drivers wont spend the extra $2000 on making the car the exact same as the $1400 price tag. and would much rather spend that $2000 on some huge tyres, diff lockers, or Tcase gears lol

[Lil'Loki]

thats alot of cash for that money i would be buying a fresh front cut and doing a g13bb or 16 conversion

I appreciate you comment, yes it is a lot of cash.
My point is the 80,000km warranty and also the knowledge that the engine although reconditioned is just as good as new, if not better. Keeping in mind these engines are pulled apart, cleaned thoroughly and put back together with better quality parts by a qualified technician who does this for a living.
Yes you can get front cuts, but these cars have probably done 60,000km plus, (BUT, you're unaware of the service history or how it was treated). I'm not saying that this is a bad thing, just something to be aware of as you get no warranty on a front cut that I know of.

In saying this, sometime down the track I'd probably buy a second Zook for a project and also get a front cut for the engine. Being that the project won't be my daily driver, I'd be prepared to go a second hand motor.

i am a qualified technician and i do do it for a living and we do pull the engine appart and clean it thoroughly and we do put it back together with better quality parts but we only charge $1400 not having a go at u. just showing there are qualified people who can do this work fairly cheap.

Not having a go at you either…
BUT, we can get engines reconditioned over here in WA for as cheap as $1400 as well, but to my knowledge the businesses which do it don't give anything more than a 3 or 6 month warranty. To get a 1 year/20,000km or 2 years/40,000km warranty, they stipulate other work to be done or parts to be replaced. such as cooling systems are checked, radiators recored, water pumps replaced.

Now before I go any further, you could probably still do all this and more
for still a far cheaper price. So with out further ado I'll open myself to possible ridicule and give you a break down of the cost…

Labour Remove & Replace Motor $500
Reconditioned Engine (4 year/80,000km warranty) $2440
Water Pump $89
New Radiator $320
Lefthand Engine Mount $38
Oil and Filter $40
Coolant and Distilled Water $40
Thermostat $12

Total $3479
Total inc GST $3826.90

Now I can guarantee that there are mechanics/technicians who will do all this for a cheaper price. If they can offer a 4 year/80,000km warranty with it, they'll be the first call I make if I ever need another engine reconditioned.

I'm a graphic designer I charge around $110 per hour
There are other designers out there who'll charge as little as $30 per hour. My clients are aware that there are cheaper options but still insist coming to me because I give them what they want and need.

These other designers are also qualified and some are good at what they do.

[Lil'Loki]

thats alot of cash for that money i would be buying a fresh front cut and doing a g13bb or 16 conversion

I appreciate you comment, yes it is a lot of cash.
My point is the 80,000km warranty and also the knowledge that the engine although reconditioned is just as good as new, if not better. Keeping in mind these engines are pulled apart, cleaned thoroughly and put back together with better quality parts by a qualified technician who does this for a living.
Yes you can get front cuts, but these cars have probably done 60,000km plus, (BUT, you're unaware of the service history or how it was treated). I'm not saying that this is a bad thing, just something to be aware of as you get no warranty on a front cut that I know of.

In saying this, sometime down the track I'd probably buy a second Zook for a project and also get a front cut for the engine. Being that the project won't be my daily driver, I'd be prepared to go a second hand motor.

i am a qualified technician and i do do it for a living and we do pull the engine appart and clean it thoroughly and we do put it back together with better quality parts but we only charge $1400 not having a go at u. just showing there are qualified people who can do this work fairly cheap.

Not having a go at you either…
BUT, we can get engines reconditioned over here in WA for as cheap as $1400 as well, but to my knowledge the businesses which do it don't give anything more than a 3 or 6 month warranty. To get a 1 year/20,000km or 2 years/40,000km warranty, they stipulate other work to be done or parts to be replaced. such as cooling systems are checked, radiators recored, water pumps replaced.

Now before I go any further, you could probably still do all this and more
for still a far cheaper price. So with out further ado I'll open myself to possible ridicule and give you a break down of the cost…

Labour Remove & Replace Motor $500
Reconditioned Engine (4 year/80,000km warranty) $2440
Water Pump $89
New Radiator $320
Lefthand Engine Mount $38
Oil and Filter $40
Coolant and Distilled Water $40
Thermostat $12

Total $3479
Total inc GST $3826.90

Now I can guarantee that there are mechanics/technicians who will do all this for a cheaper price. If they can offer a 4 year/80,000km warranty with it, they'll be the first call I make if I ever need another engine reconditioned.

I'm a graphic designer I charge around $110 per hour
There are other designers out there who'll charge as little as $30 per hour. My clients are aware that there are cheaper options but still insist coming to me because I give them what they want and need.

These other designers are also qualified and some are good at what they do.

[redhotzook]

tru tahts fair enough. but one of my old uncles used to do interiors for big multi million dollar yachts! and he just charged a price much higher than all his competition and everyone thought he was the better man for the job cause his work cost more ahha.

oh and we supply oil, filter, water pump, engine mounts, coolant and thermo stat in our rebuild.

i will agree with u though... we dont offer a long warranty. but we have only ever had a few people come back to us complaining, and they are all purely because they asked for the cheapest possible job and to cut any corner that would make the rebuild cheaper.

[Lil'Loki]

nope, dont need it. wont f**k up after we deal with it haha plus its what... $2000 cheaper. i think u will find us suzuki drivers wont spend the extra $2000 on making the car the exact same as the $1400 price tag. and would much rather spend that $2000 on some huge tyres, diff lockers, or Tcase gears lol

Your probably right, the money could probably be better spent on other things for the zook. I'm just a fussy son of a B#$%H who perhaps spent too much money where it wasn't necessary.

[redhotzook]

meh doesnt matter. atleast u can say now that u could quite possibly have the most reliable engine out in the bush now! with the best warranty

[Lil'Loki]

tru tahts fair enough. but one of my old uncles used to do interiors for big multi million dollar yachts! and he just charged a price much higher than all his competition and everyone thought he was the better man for the job cause his work cost more ahha.

oh and we supply oil, filter, water pump, engine mounts, coolant and thermo stat in our rebuild.

i will agree with u though... we dont offer a long warranty. but we have only ever had a few people come back to us complaining, and they are all purely because they asked for the cheapest possible job and to cut any corner that would make the rebuild cheaper.

I know where your coming from!
But because I did pay top dollar, I don't expect any problems and if any problems do arise I expect them to be dealt with.

If not it's S#%T STORM TIME

[want33s]

If you want to go the whole hog and have a 4 year/80,000km warranty…
My mechanic got me a recon from these guys http://www.engineexchange.com.au/. It cost about $2500 (Sierra 1.3 litre) for the exchange plus another $1300 to fit (reconditioned radiator included).
They use chrome or molly rings for longer engine life and have a demonstration of their reconditioning process on their website.
I know there is a few guy's on this site who will probably recommend buying an engine reconditioning kit and doing it yourself for a far cheaper price, but I think a 4 year/80,000km warranty (better than the original new car warranty) is worth it.

If you feel that you can rebuild your engine yourself and have the confidence that it will last as long as, or be as good as a professional reconditioned engine, go for it!

No wonder you got a good warranty... You paid for a replacement engine along with your reco unit.
$1300 to fit..... WTF? that's about $325 per hour. (there's another replacement engine!!!!)

[redhotzook]

and u know what makes me angry?? the boss pays me $7 an hour when it only takes me about 8 hours to completely rebuild an engine and put it back in the car. soo.... $1700 to rebuild and remove and replace engine back into car divide by 8 =.... $212.5 an hour!!! far out, the boss sits in his office and tells me what to do and he gets paid $205.5 more than me an hour!! ( guesse u gotta take into account the parts...) but still!!!

[Lil'Loki]

Are you serious? I take it that your an apprentice and that's the award rate?

If so I'd be sticking it out, until you've finished your apprenticeship and once you have your ticket, look for another job or start your own business. Then you can make the big dollars.

I've heard rumours of low wages in Queensland but that's ridiculous.

There seems to be enough Zook Owners on the Eastern Seaboard that if you specialised in Zooks or Zook Rebuilds you may be able to create yourself a niche market. Speak to your Uncle who did the interiors of the multi million dollar yachts, he could possibly help set you up with information and advice.

[redhotzook]

haha its rediculous ey!! well i just finished my cert 3 and the boss wants me to go onto cert 4.... but dont think i will. dad just offered me a job in tiling so i might go give that a shot. ill be gettin paid $14 an hour with him. bit better than the old $7 ahahaha

[nicbeer]

tru tahts fair enough. but one of my old uncles used to do interiors for big multi million dollar yachts! and he just charged a price much higher than all his competition and everyone thought he was the better man for the job cause his work cost more ahha.

oh and we supply oil, filter, water pump, engine mounts, coolant and thermo stat in our rebuild.

i will agree with u though... we dont offer a long warranty. but we have only ever had a few people come back to us complaining, and they are all purely because they asked for the cheapest possible job and to cut any corner that would make the rebuild cheaper.

I know where your coming from!
But because I did pay top dollar, I don't expect any problems and if any problems do arise I expect them to be dealt with.

If not it's S#%T STORM TIME

I hate rebuilt motors. never had any luck with them.

1.6efi on the other hand

[gumtree]

my friends dad took it to thier trusted family mecanic who does camrys and he charged him $3300 for a rebuild. i know! the mechanic contracted some else to do it to and charged my friend $3300, so he got $2k for nothing. and the dad is happy!!! bumbass.

[redhotzook]

baahahaha
camry mechanic!! wouldnt trust them! lol jks jks. i just cant stand working on camry's. every one that comes in has about 10mm of baked on crusty oil everywhere!! but yea $3300 is far too much.

[suzimad]

I do a fully rebuilt engine for $1650, and do a install for $465 plus $90 for a radiator service , this includes ...

bored and honed block
new pistons and rings
ground crank and new big end and main bearings
reconditioned oil pump
new water pump
new timing belt
reconditioned cylinder head
new thermostat
oil and oil filter
all engine seals
also includes all extra gaskets (if you wish to fit it yourself)
also all parts that are reused (like oil pickups , sumps , tappet covers etc) are acid dipped so that "inside" the engine is like new

when the engine is built , everything is checked one way or another , plastigauge on bearings , ring end gaps , oil pump clearances , every measurement is checked and recorded

It has a 12 month 20000 km warranty (and if it passes this period without probs , its obvious only stupidity will cause a prob after the warranty expires)

Speaking of high kilometre suzi's . i work on 2 that have over 500 000 on them , one of them has 640 000

[redhotzook]

yea that sounds about right. where abouts u work??

[suzimad]

Heh , i dont know if i should say ..

[redhotzook]

ahah all good man.
we are the opposite. the more we say our shops name and tell people what we do. the more work we get from suzuki owners.