DIY or let the professionals?

[BudSlater]

So the background to this is I want to convert from a carb'd pinto to a Jenvey TB'd Duratec. My dilemma is whether to DIY, or get it done by the pro's....

 

So i'm quite mechanically competent (I've done head gaskets before on quite complex cars) but I have never done an engine swap before. But access is easy in the westie so it shouldn't be too bad to do, right? I've got most if not all the major parts (ecu, box, engine, exhaust, wiring loom, throttle bodies, clutch, flywheel, alternator, starter, sump, radiator, bellhousing) so it shouldn't be a bad job but the devil is always in the detail and stuff like converting carbs to FI, pedal boxes to Hydraulic and so forth, are probably ok, but would take me a long time to do. But I'd like the accomplishment of having "done it myself"

So, a quick chat with Chester Sports Cars this morning gave a ballpark figure of £1400 to convert, It would obviously take less time to do with someone else doing it, and I struggle for time in evenings etc so I'm torn between DIY (being cheaper and more accomplished) vs "right first time and quicker, but more expensive"

Discuss (haha). 

[CraigHew]

Self satisfaction v blame someone else if it goes wrong.....?

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

If you're thinking with your head rather than your heart, most engine swaps tend to be poor value at best. (There are one or two exceptional builders who pull off good quality installs for staggering little cost, but they really are the exception!).

 

If you then factor in the labour cost of having the work professionally done, it's hard to see how it makes any sort of financial sense.

 

You will not, in anything but the most extraordinary of circumstances add anything like the value of what you've paid out, to the car. Indeed, if you leave the car with obvious traces of the previous engine, such as holes and openings in the bodywork, in either the wrong places, or that have been obviously enlarged to accommodate an engine in a slightly different position, then you might if unlucky, actually loose value.

 

Basically, you do an engine swap for the enjoyment and challenge that the task will give you, and accept that the money you loose in the process is just the cost of the hobby. Which to be fair, isn't bad value!

 

However, if all you actually want is a car with a particular engine set up in it, by far and away the best way, is to sell your current car and buy one with the "correct" one in it.

[blue ass fly]

Do it yourself !

If you have the skills its going to save you a load of money and you may well get a better job done

Nothing against chester cars,but its your baby and your attention to detail nay well be better ss you will have much more time

I did cvh to zetec last winter,started beginning of november and finished in march - when your not going to be using it anyway

Did the same as you,got all the major bits together,then plodded throughout the winter on and off when i felt like it.i took the opportunity to de clutter the engine bay,rewire,re position battery etc

It now looks the way i want it to and has tranformed the car

The feeling you get when it bursts into life for the first time is only beaten by feeling the new found power on its first run out - theres a part of you gone into it

Its not always cost effective but thats not the point of owning these cars is it

[corsechris]

Sounds like the ideal winter DIY project. Engine & box out makes doing the pedal conversion simpler, the rest is easy enough to deal with. If you've successfully done head gasket repairs on modern engines then you've got most of the skills you need right there. The rest is a bit of research and a few questions on here if you get stuck. Some problem solving along the way, but you aren't trying to do anything outrageous so you won't be alone.

 

If you are asking for votes, DIY would be mine. That way you get the satisfaction and save some of the costs. Paying someone to do it is, as Dave says, pretty much the worst of all options.

[Onliest Smeg David]

I'm not advising you!

Only you can balance the value of your time, skills, costs, inability to blat period, etc etc.

Personally I don't have time or inclination to do much myself, so I use a 'profesional'. And this can be done when I'm working so I do not miss as many opportunities to blat out etc.

Some of the best days I've had out have been when many owners have their cars off the road over Winter.

It's horses for courses as we all are different, have different lives and different needs.

[TrophyJem]

I did this conversion last winter. Started straight after Christmas and finished July. Took me much longer than I expected. Spent most weekends and many evenings doing it. But I'm probably slow and I'm as fussy as you can be when it comes to the detail. 

I actually thought the job was harder (more frustrating at least) than the initial build with the pinto. 

I learnt a lot mind! 

Yes I would do it again, but I would start sooner in the winter.

[ALLADDIN]

go for it, what have you got to loose ?  get it in and major parts fitted and at worst it will save you money when you take it to get completed...........

[pickmaster Andy Lowe]

DIY over winter

[Nick Algar - Competition Secretary]

DIY and get cracking now !!

[B.RAD]

DIY every time. You'll learn loads about your new drivetrain along the way and be more self sufficient in the future. Plus as others have said, and as I think you've experienced yourself, you can never fully rely on 'professionals' as even the very best can make mistakes. You may well make mistakes doing it yourself, but you'll have learnt how to fix them and be so much more proud of yourself for it!

[Marto303]

Hmm DIY vs Professional Tradesman

 

That is a dilemma only you can answer for yourself 

 

DIY

If you have some of the basic skills, time, space, support from swmbo and dog eared determination necessary to tackle / complete the task then you have a start, you'll also need to be keen to learn the skills you lack and accept delaying the project while learning those skills, trial and error will increase costs / frustrations when things go wrong and bring huge satisfaction when they go well   If this sounds like you, go for it, take your time and try to enjoy the project.

 

 

Professional Tradesman

If your unsure about any of the above then employ the skills of a good tradesman who understands what your looking to achieve on a budget you can afford. You may prefer to earn a little more at your own job and pay someone else to do something you find difficult or stressful, nowt wrong with that   

 

 

Good luck and keep us posted       

[Onliest Smeg David]

[B.RAD]

I should add to my previous post that there is one professional that I trust with my life, and that's Martin, so listen to his advice!

[carbon-nv]

As stated above, it will likely take longer than you think as it's unlikely that you'll get everything just right at the first time of asking, but you'll learn a hell of a lot along the way

 

My engine was in and out a few times whilst getting things like the clutch just right, but having not tackled anything that big before, I wouldn't feel phased at all by it now

 

Of course, you'll find plenty of support via this forum