Engine crossroads

[Vinnybin]

Lots to read about engine swaps. Id apprectiate some a opinions. I purchased my VX for the purpose of having an SUV. Not a car that looks like an SUV but an actual utility vehicle capable of discreetly creeping down hunting trails, getting into the nastiest places to launch a kayak hunting or fishing trip and able to pull the days kill out, pulling small trailers around the remote forest of the cabin around, traveling between states between cabin and beach house, all the while pulling the kids in the back. I have no interest in a shiny car unless for some reason the shine serves a useful purpose. The VX runs horribly with multiple systems malfunctioning but the vehicle besides the engine is in great shape. 112xxx. I would think the engine needs a thousand in repairs and replacement parts to be function 100%
Id like that car to have a solid dependable engine that is friendly to repairs and parts availability. I need nothing special except a solid engine that is economical(In every aspect). As much fun as working on particular vehicle is, its not my primary objective. My mechanical skills are amateur at best though they are developing.
At this point should I look at an engine swap? Which engine reflects my situation? Should I repair this engine?

[eternal21]

"multiple systems malfunctioning"? That doesn't sound good. I'd try and get into another engine soon rather than later, TBHWY. Currently, what you have sounds like trouble waiting to happen. If you're talking about other systems malfunctioning, as well (brakes, electrical, etc), it might be time to start shopping for another rig, as chasing that stuff down can be a nightmare. Baptism by fire is never fun on any vehicle, and you don't want it to be a money pit.

I'm all about restoration projects and keeping them on the road, but if you don't have the time and wherewithal to do it, might be better to save yourself some headache. And don't take this as bias from someone who has a 2001 Kaiser for sale that's been rather bulletproof, take it from someone that has had to work on one that had so many issues it had to be sold to avoid financial ruin *lol*.

[sindarin]

Vin,

You may repair the motor but you would want to research special parts that break conditions inherent within an Isuzu Engine such 'oil starvation' which each original 6VE1 engine risks.

I have just purchased a long block (only the intake and component pullied systems and their respective brackets require transfer.) The old engine literally detonated and fused requiring a 6 ft 3 " diam cheater pipe on a 1/2" drive breaker bar to break the piston loose from the crank weight that shook loose through the passenger side of the block (we have pics & vids I will post)

You can buy the motor from Jerry Lemond (jlemond@bellsouth.net) It cost me $5600.00 and winds up being a damn near $8000.00 motor with all inherent issues on a 6VE1 repaired (oil starvation is diminished to nil)

Now that the old fused block is out, and I have begun a new job. I pressed pause on my repairs to:

Lift & redo shocks & springs

Heater Core

Rims & Tires

Transmission to manual (maybe in the next year if my auto craps out with the new Jerry motor whipping its ***)

Ask and search, but the Jerry motor is the kick-assingest answer I have heard, and am close to experiencing.

[Leon R]

I do not know about your area, but around here, every given week, there are 5-6 Isuzu Troopers selling for $700-$1200. Half of them usually have a blown tranny and the other half has blown motor.

If my engine was to go TODAY, I would go and buy one of those donor cars, strip them of them of what I want (or can sell) and junk the rest for around $200 worth of scrap. This is the by far, the cheapest way to get a used motor

[bartmanS4]

I would find shelling out $6-8k for a replacement too hard to swallow. It's not that the engine isn't worth that much it's just that if I were going to spend that much I'd go for something different. A purpose built v8, turbo diesel, or something with current manufacturer or aftermarket support. If I had a blown engine right now I'd take a chance on this:

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/4366780350.html

I'd want to get enough info about the rebuild or talk to the shop that did it first though. I'm pretty sure this is a DI and drive by wire setup since it's an '02. However, for about $2k you'd get everything you need to do the swap and when you're done get some money back by parting out or sending to the crusher.

[Leon R]

Converting to DI is a BIG project! If you are going for it, you may just as well put in someting bigger/stronger (like LS4 or Nortstar) . Also, I do not trust "rebuilt motors" unless and know who did it. There are SO MANY ways to screwup engine assembly, that it is just not worth the risk.

I would take a 100-120k miles factory built motor over an "unknown rebuilt" any day!

[vt_maverick]

Bart that's a drive-by-wire, NON DI motor. The DI 3.5L was only available in 2004 Rodeos and Axioms. And I agree with Leon that the minor power increase is hardly worth the trouble of swapping it into your VX. FWIW I'd still like to see someone swap the turbo Ecotec 4-cylinder out of a Saturn Sky Redline / Pontiac Solstice GXP since it bolts up to the AR-5.

[Ala5ka]

swap it for a beat up old Cherokee if you don't want to spend the money on owning a rare/exciting/albeit finicky old gem that is the VX. Not saying it isn't a dependable trail rig but it just isn't an all around beater like an old POS Toyota/Jeep, it has a purpose like everything else. That being said I have driven mine all over the western United States including every major road in Alaska, Western Canada, down to MexiCali and it performs amicably.