• Welcome to Elio Owners! Join today, registration is easy!

    You can register using your Google, Facebook, or Twitter account, just click here.

Myelio.me Is Up & Running

KenK

Elio Addict
Joined
May 15, 2014
Messages
360
Reaction score
547
Let me see if I got this right: you can buy a good used engine for $3K for most cars. But the ECU alone would be $2K? Seems nuts to me.


I just checked -- I can buy a used ECU for my 2009 Forester for $134.95

Indeed. I guarantee you that the ECU on a $6800 car will not be anywhere near $2000.
 

Coss

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Sep 5, 2014
Messages
11,118
Reaction score
16,411
Location
Battle Ground WA
Let me see if I got this right: you can buy a good used engine for $3K for most cars. But the ECU alone would be $2K? Seems nuts to me.
I just checked -- I can buy a used ECU for my 2009 Forester for $134.95
ECU ECM COMPUTER Subaru Forester 2009 09 Auto 22611AN450 775471
Correct, I went back and checked on the numbers; what I quoted was from the last time I had to go find one for an S10 2dr Blazer; used it was $2,200 and it was in 2005, the Blazer was a 1987.
The prices have drastically changed, depending on make, model and (this part I didn't know) the early ECM (or ECU (it's the same as motor or engine) ECU=Electronic Control Unit | ECM=Electronic Control Module) anyhow back to where I was; the older ECU's had more in them than the new cars.
The old ones had everything controlled by 1 box, the newer cars can have up to 8 different modules depending on what part of the car it's supposed to control. Plus just like any other electronic, the more you make, the cheaper they get. So yes, the new ones can be from $100 to $400; the older ones can be $1K to $2,500.

Ok, now that it's covered on price, it goes back to the question; is it still worth going through that much hassle just to lie about the mileage?
And no, there isn't anything to stop you from doing it other than your moral compass.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ekh

Marshall

Elio Addict
Joined
Feb 27, 2016
Messages
1,691
Reaction score
2,222
Location
Texas
Correct, I went back and checked on the numbers; what I quoted was from the last time I had to go find one for an S10 2dr Blazer; used it was $2,200 and it was in 2005, the Blazer was a 1987.
The prices have drastically changed, depending on make, model and (this part I didn't know) the early ECM (or ECU (it's the same as motor or engine) ECU=Electronic Control Unit | ECM=Electronic Control Module) anyhow back to where I was; the older ECU's had more in them than the new cars.
The old ones had everything controlled by 1 box, the newer cars can have up to 8 different modules depending on what part of the car it's supposed to control. Plus just like any other electronic, the more you make, the cheaper they get. So yes, the new ones can be from $100 to $400; the older ones can be $1K to $2,500.

Ok, now that it's covered on price, it goes back to the question; is it still worth going through that much hassle just to lie about the mileage?
And no, there isn't anything to stop you from doing it other than your moral compass.
NO! It's as dumb as stealing a $20 bill from a register while working for $100 a day. But some people are dumb.
 

Elio Amazed

Elio Addict
Joined
Jun 30, 2014
Messages
3,507
Reaction score
4,630
Rebuilt yes.

The quote was "...a good used engine..." Two different animals.
That's with water pump, alternator, starter and valve covers included.
You've got to trade in the old engine to get that price.
 
Last edited:

Ty

Elio Addict
Joined
Feb 28, 2014
Messages
6,328
Reaction score
14,763
Location
Papillion, NE
I bought a 302 engine from a T-boned Mustang at one of those pick-a-part places for $45. Why a T-boned car, you ask? Cars go to those lots because it costs more to repair than they are worth... They usually fall into one of three categories: Body is shot, engine is shot, or transmission is shot. Well, if it was T-boned, it usually means it was running and on the road so it's a good bet the engine and tyranny are okay. Not always, but a much better chance than getting an engine out of a pristine vehicle...

EDIT: The year was 2008. The Mustang was a 1996. The motor went into a 1960 Falcon. ;)
 

Coss

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Sep 5, 2014
Messages
11,118
Reaction score
16,411
Location
Battle Ground WA
I bought a 302 engine from a T-boned Mustang at one of those pick-a-part places for $45. Why a T-boned car, you ask? Cars go to those lots because it costs more to repair than they are worth... They usually fall into one of three categories: Body is shot, engine is shot, or transmission is shot. Well, if it was T-boned, it usually means it was running and on the road so it's a good bet the engine and tyranny are okay. Not always, but a much better chance than getting an engine out of a pristine vehicle...

EDIT: The year was 2008. The Mustang was a 1996. The motor went into a 1960 Falcon. ;)
I wish the Chev 350's were that plentiful; when I had my S10 I wanted to swap out the 90hp I-4 with a LT1 (the 350) and I could find them cheap (like $500) but they would need a rebuild because they had a gazillion miles on them. A nice low mileage 350 is in the $2K range; they are probably one of the most popular motors for project cars and the people that have them, know it.
 

Ty

Elio Addict
Joined
Feb 28, 2014
Messages
6,328
Reaction score
14,763
Location
Papillion, NE
I wish the Chev 350's were that plentiful; when I had my S10 I wanted to swap out the 90hp I-4 with a LT1 (the 350) and I could find them cheap (like $500) but they would need a rebuild because they had a gazillion miles on them. A nice low mileage 350 is in the $2K range; they are probably one of the most popular motors for project cars and the people that have them, know it.
True. One thing I admired about Chevy was that their engines used the same parts for years. You could go in and say "I need a distributor cap for a 350." And the parts guy would say "Okay. Here. Cash or charge?" Ask for a distributor cap for a (Ford) 351 and he'd say "Okay. What year? Automatic or Manual? Air conditioning or no air conditioning? Etc.."
 
Top Bottom