You also got to stop and think. Maybe some people want to have a rear car or a Sleeper.

Lets not just say that it would cost more to do a swap then buy a Ei.
Because thats just not true most of the time.
Lets see what He wants the Car to be and What he thinks he can do or what resources he has.

Bandit. Sit down and think.

MOST people here don't have the resources to do it for that price. He hasn't stated his resources.

It still holds true, that for MOST people here, selling the SE and buying the SSEi is the most cost-effective choice available. Just because you saw a member do it for under $2k recently doesn't mean everyone here can do the same.

There'* a very good reason I proposed that option, and why we've been stating that option as the most cost-effective solution for a few years here.

In addition, you also get the better handling suspension and all the other SSEi toys for that price. A swap doesn't get it for you.

He has stated IMO that he'd be paying for both parts and labor. An SSEi if around that area..would probably be more cost effective. In the case of labor on your own.. it'* worth it to swap IMO.

Absolutely. If you have the tools, knowledge, and ability, as well as being able to take your car down for the time it takes, you CAN do the swap for cheaper. But this describes perhaps a dozen members of this Forum, no more.

For 95% of the people (or more) that ask this question, the SSEi is the logical choice from a financial standpoint, AND you get the bells and whistles with it.

8-10 hours... A couple guys could probably make it happen overnight.

Most people here can't do that. Again, let'* be practical.

Most people that ask this question have never swapped a 3800 before.

well..... heres my opinion


Personally i would swap a se. If and only if i owed the car (not paying a payment). If you own it, then might as well do the swap verus paying a payment on an se and then also putting money in it. If you are going to do that then sell the se, and go ssei.


As for the swap.... if you are serious about it contact Ed morad. Tell him what you want and tell him you want a complete dropout like Tj'* brother got. Depending on what milage you want he can probably get you something very reasonable. Plan on spending around 2000 if you do your own labor on the swap.


The swap its self isnt that hard. I pulled my first motor in about 3-4 actual man hours. And if you are doing the swap then it is easier because you pull motor and tranny together and that can be done in i know 3 hours. Then clean and prep engine bay, very easy. Then drop everything back in another 3-4 hours. Even if you start friday night and make a weekend project out of it.


I dunno, i think it is worth it. My brother swapped his SE and has a ton less money in it then a ssei would have costed him. He has about 1/3 the actual cost of a ssei. His dropout has low milage. I mean it doesnt have the gadgets the ssei has but for the average person it is good.

My Black 1995 will be getting a L67 dropout this winter. I could have easily sold both my cars and bought a pretty new ssei but i would rather have it the way it is.

PS-- that was my first time taking a motor out.

Since the OP is asking about labor, the swap is probably out of the question.

And don't forget to add in the cost of additional tools the average person might not have like a cherry picker, stands, etc. That is of course if they can't borrow them.

And this isn't just the MOTOR.

Motor, trans, PCM, wiring harness, and axles. Let'* stay ON TOPIC. Go back and read the topic author'* question.