(05-08-2019, 03:13 AM)66Turbo Wrote: I've got a car with a 2.3l turbo from an 88 Thunderbird.
I'm going to remove this engine and put in something else.
Both engine and transmission are working perfectly fine. I've put 5000 miles on them without problem. Engine has had a recent tune up and dyno run. Transmission recently had the clutch replaced.
Both were completely rebuilt 25k miles ago.
The engine has the earlier garret turbo on it.
What would be a reasonable asking price for the engine? T5 transmission?
As I have been looking for a 2.3 to rebuild, and have in the past been in the market for a T5OD, I’m a good candidate to answer your questions.
First, the T5OD. EBay often lists rebuilt ones for anywhere from $600 up to well over $1K. You don’t see a lot of “raw” used unbuilt ones...I got a used Fox Body Mustang one (only difference is it has the Neutral Safety Switch on it—our cars have that on the clutch pedal) for $150 off the local Craigslist in 2013.
Were the rebuilds professionally done? Can you provide documentation? That will help you get a higher $$ figure.
As for the 2.3...I can share my recent experience. My rebuild is a project, to replace mine as it approaches 300k miles. I found one in Tucson from a salvage yard I’ve purchased from before for $300, which included the cylinder head. It was a short block and pretty rough (it was kept outdoors), but internally it looks to be okay.
There was a salvage yard in Georgia that was offering one for $650, through eBay. It was a full block—even had the bellhousing and clutch—and of course that price included shipping. I got them to agree to $525, but after talking to several others on this board the general consensus was that even that was too high for a used engine that was untested. Plus, for the Tucson one all I had to do was drive the 100+ miles and pick it up.
A recently rebuilt 2.3 engine—with documentation—should bring upwards of $1000, I would think.
Obviously that shipping cost is one you’ll have to consider—depending on where you live, Local Pickup might be the best option for either the T5OD or the 2.3.
