03Zcrit

My 2006 Z spun a bearing at 62K miles after running over debris and having the oil lines severed. I had a Chevy dealership that specializes in Vettes (Abel Chevrolet in Rio Vista CA) R&R the engine with a brand new crate motor, new clutch, slave cylinder, flywheel, new oil cooler and lines and clean the oil tank. The new engine was properly broken in and now has a 3 year 100,000 mile warranty. Any idea if the new engine would decrease the resale value of the car, keep it the same or slightly increase either desire for a buyer or increase value should I look to sell it? Other than having the oil lines cut by debris and the lower splitter damaged by the debris (it was replaced) there is no accident history and the car is in mint/showroom shape. Any idea what it might be worth? It has 63K miles and the new engine has only 1000 miles on it and I have all the documentation for every service. I also have a set of AHP heads with the new valves and valve guides to give to the next buyer so they can put them on when the warranty is up.

kyle242gt

I was looking at two cars - one with a new OEM engine (rod-thru-the-block per seller) and one with new OEM heads (failed wiggle test at Abel under warranty).

I shied away from the new engine one - "what other horrors could have been perpetrated on the poor car" kind of whispering in the back of my mind. Anecdotal to be sure, but there's at least one data point.

Legionofone1

The new factory crate engine is probably a bit of a plus since it has warranty (make sure it's transferable). An engine swapped car though is always a negative to me since who knows if everything was put back together correctly. I would say it's a wash all together, the fresh heads are a plus but may scare away someone who doesn't know about the head issues.

Unreal

For the right buyer it will be worth same as one without a new engine. For a lot of buyers will be a downside.

Either way, don't expect it to add a lot of value.

03Zcrit

Great input guys, thanks!

03Zcrit

I too would’ve shied away from the one that previously had a rod through the block as that may have been from abuse.

Dan_the_C5_Man

For me, it would depend on who did the swap (Abel, I know). Assuming it was done properly, I would say it would not detract from the value. The part that sucks is you still have heads that most likely need to be re-done.

c6_CJ

Curious what that crate motor costed?

03Zcrit

With a new clutch installed for parts and labor it was $20k.

reasonable suspicion

Agreed, same with modded cars.....if someone reputable did the work that can be verified it wouldn’t detract from value

zaquhree

Dpends on the work and overall health of the car. I'd personally want to see receipts for the parts and labor. Then judge the person I'm talking to and see if they're the type of person that does things right or skimps around. If an honest and well put together situation the new engine should be the same if not slightly higher than a stock engine car. Depends on the buyer at the end of the day. However the issue with the LS7 is not just the valve guides but rod cheek and rod bearing wear...an educated buyer would take the new motor (assuming no hidden issues).

449er

I would like the new engine with a 3yr warranty, a warm & fuzzy feeling

GTIMANiac

I would've bought it as a roller for the LSx F1x project I want to build.

acroy

If I was in the market, I'd pay a minor premium for the new engine. maybe 2k max.