I found a black 93 ssei with a blown engine sounds like it thru a rod. 140,000, good condition except it has never really been garaged, paint faded to primer in spots. Looks like it has not been hit at all. NO rust either.

but..I would need a complete rebuild.

It has all of the normal options for an ssei that I can tell.

I looked on KBB.com and according to them it would bluebook at $2,925 (private party) if it was in good condition for this zip code.

It appears it was neglected considerably as the previous owner let the belt get old enough to snap and then drove it 100 miles with no water pump, it then blew a head gasket which she had replaced. Then it started making a "ticking noise" soon after it was dead.

I have not contacted the mechanic that took a look at it but I will tomorrow.

So I am wondering if it is a worthwhile investment? How much would It be worth paying for?

What is a fair price for a complete engine rebuild as well as a possible tranny rebuild?

thanks in advance!

That car.... If the PO cared that much for the engine, Plan on replacing alot of stuff. My PO didn't know how to change oil and didn't care to pay to have it done, You'd be in the same boat. I've replaced all of my brakes but the PMV and EBCM, The tranny is slipping, the motor mounts are all new, the motor needs lower intake gaskets, but should be replaced soon. The suspension system is still half done while I find the tools to finish it... It'* a lot.

The motor in that car would probably be best to be replaced with a low mileage engine from a junkyard or a crate motor from GM. You can't drive it so you should consider the tranny gone for all intensive purposes.. Basically, I wouldn't touch it, But if you really want it and can dedicate your time, wallet, or both, Then maybe $300 tops, With good tires.

I know I should call around but what is the norm for a rebuild of just a series 1 supercharged engine?

The ticking noise right before it died was the bearings, Depending on how far it was driven those bearings could be worn quite out, If they are too far out, It'* just a better idea to get a new engine. If it threw a rod, You've got scrapmetal instead of an engine.

I'll Give you an idea of how bad it can get, I've got this 1985 chevy pickup, Apparently it spun a bearing before I got it, But it was undetectable. The engine would run rough but I put over 50k on it like that because it was simply a work truck. Finally one day it quit, I suspected the Timing chain, an easy to replace peice. Pulled it apart and the crankshaft, the part the shouldn't move a thousandth of an inch, could easily be lifted 3/4" of an inch.

Call around your area... I've never paid for motor work to be done and the last tranny I saw rebuilt was a TH350, And I got a deal. Either way, for the amount of work it is, It'* not going to be cheap. Figure $1500 for the engine maybe $1000 for the tranny, $2000 for paint. Right there you're over what KBB says a perfect one is worth. I bet the seats aren't exactly perfect... The carpet may be worn...

now if you could get it for free or maybe like 50 bucks, it'd be fun to play with

oh well It is a nice car. Not a dent to be found. The underbody looks new. It actually looks like the owner before the po took care of it alrgiht. Leather is mint. Paint is faded on the front and rear bumper and spoiler. Interior is good except for a few missing plastics.

All power options work. It is NOT throwing any codes.

ABS seems to work, has traction control, hud, sunroof you name it.


The car does fire up with no problem but does make a bad noise on the lower end although it does idle fine. I drove it around the parking lot and it seems to go into at least 1st and reverse.

Anyway I found an engine for 450 w/out the supercharger. I have not looked around much but what can aftermarket series one'* be had for?

Looks like labor is around 1000.

still trying to figure out if it is worth it on this one.

I have never sat in the 92+ bonnies. It has more options than the 98-03 grand prixs gt/gtp. Seems like a crazy good deal even at the full retail blue book price

if it'* thrown a rod, running the motor is just asking for damage.

buuut, from the sound of it, since it does run, you may not need a complete rebuild - possibly (if it hasn't been run too long on the bad bearing), some new bearings would be in order. but, there'* prolly more that would need to be done anyway.

does sound nice, but keep in mind what you're getting yourself in to. if you do the work yourself, it would be fun on the side. if you are taking it to a $hop, don't be suprised when it costs you an arm, a leg, and possibly somethin else...

If you do a motor, do the tranny at the same time. The tranny'* in these cars are actually incredibly easy witht the right tools.. I did one by myself in about 9 hours....And if you're Swapping the engine and trans at the same time, you could lift them both out as one assembly in as lil as about 2-3 hrs depending on how easy the prep went.

I'ts easier to pull the struts and drop the front sub frame if you're doing engine and tranny

hmmmm I left my struts in......