is it worth it?

[GTDrifter]

i can get a wrx shortblock off one of my friends at college for $275
ill need to get heads, exhaust manifold, the engine has surface rust so itll need to get bored out so i would have to upgrade to sti pistons, i may have to reseal the turbo, wiring harness, i think thats it but im not sure

i can get the engine bored for free at college because my roommates taking that course in machining
i know someone around my college thatll install it for free and if that doesnt work out my friend that has the engine will do it for free
i want to know if its worth buying and doing all the work or not?

free engine swap labor = them doing a a shitty job in my book

[1996Battlewagon]

Once you start pricing heads, manifold, turbo, etc. your $275 will turn into a $800+ pile of parts that you still have to put together and wire up yourself. Plus, just because they're in "college" (I got a kick out of you mentioning that for some reason), doesn't mean they know jack about building engines and it sure as hell isn't going to be "free".

Long story short, do the work YOURSELF!

[GTDrifter]

the kid that has the engine works at a subaru dealership and has a load of engines at his house
and theres a ton of junkyards around college and my house that i can get parts from

[ouch1011]

Sounds like you've already convinced yourself its worth it...

If you want a WRX swap it probably isn't a bad deal, but I think you are underestimating the amount of work involved in getting all the parts you don't have, the amount of machine work that will be needed, the actual swap, etc. While the engine may just bolt in, its far from easy.

[Grafton]

I would make sure that i could find all the parts before i tore apart my car, that's what i am doing with my hybrid build

[GTDrifter]

true...im not convinced on doing it because of all the work...we would be converting my auto to a 5speed during this project also if it continues