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Rogue_Wulff · 01-19-2010, 02:33 PM

In the race classes that demand the use of a stock 12A, $1600 for a quality rebuild that will last several seasons is a bargain, compared to a few $300-500 used engines, that may not last an entire race, let alone season. Yet, there's still many that go the "Cheaper" route, and end up paying lots more in the long run.
If I had a cheapo car that I didn't feel was worth putting in an engine that I knew I could get 100K+ out of without issues, I might be tempted to go the used engine route. But, I'm more of "Once and Done" type of person, so I'd be building my own, or buying a Quality rebuilt, unless I was just trying to one running and peddle it for some quick cash.

For the record, I found out my $500 car had a rebuilt 12A, from a reputable builder, after I had bought the car. That was 5 years ago, and that same $500 car has won me 3 consecutive local CSP championships, while suffering little more than a clutch failure. It has also given me over 30K miles of totally reliable service, between the track/autocross outings.
So yes, I'd drop $1600 for a quality rebuild without hesitation, if I needed another 12A (in the car I plan to keep), assuming mine was too far gone to rebuild myself. Granted, I could likely build my own for less, but all it takes to wind up having to do it all again is one minor mistake. That one minor mistake could run the cost of rebuilding an engine yourself to as much, or more, than buying a rebuilt engine with warrentee.

Unfortunately, buying a used engine, even a low mile one rebuilt by a quality builder, will always be a crapshoot, unless you are very well acquainted with the seller, and know how it was treated. Even a brand new engine, not treated right, may not last 30K. For that reason, selling a used engine for top dollar is often difficult, no matter the history of said engine.

01-19-2010, 02:33 PM	#12
Rogue_Wulff Non Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 310 Rep Power: 18	In the race classes that demand the use of a stock 12A, $1600 for a quality rebuild that will last several seasons is a bargain, compared to a few $300-500 used engines, that may not last an entire race, let alone season. Yet, there's still many that go the "Cheaper" route, and end up paying lots more in the long run. If I had a cheapo car that I didn't feel was worth putting in an engine that I knew I could get 100K+ out of without issues, I might be tempted to go the used engine route. But, I'm more of "Once and Done" type of person, so I'd be building my own, or buying a Quality rebuilt, unless I was just trying to one running and peddle it for some quick cash. For the record, I found out my $500 car had a rebuilt 12A, from a reputable builder, after I had bought the car. That was 5 years ago, and that same $500 car has won me 3 consecutive local CSP championships, while suffering little more than a clutch failure. It has also given me over 30K miles of totally reliable service, between the track/autocross outings. So yes, I'd drop $1600 for a quality rebuild without hesitation, if I needed another 12A (in the car I plan to keep), assuming mine was too far gone to rebuild myself. Granted, I could likely build my own for less, but all it takes to wind up having to do it all again is one minor mistake. That one minor mistake could run the cost of rebuilding an engine yourself to as much, or more, than buying a rebuilt engine with warrentee. Unfortunately, buying a used engine, even a low mile one rebuilt by a quality builder, will always be a crapshoot, unless you are very well acquainted with the seller, and know how it was treated. Even a brand new engine, not treated right, may not last 30K. For that reason, selling a used engine for top dollar is often difficult, no matter the history of said engine.