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Date:         Sat, 11 Mar 2006 23:44:28 -0800
Reply-To:     Aaron <lists@MYCOMMUNITYNET.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Aaron <lists@MYCOMMUNITYNET.NET>
Subject:      Re: Subaru Conversions
In-Reply-To:  <006801c64479$85ebea00$8f6f0a0a@W05560>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

On Mar 10, 2006, at 11:33 AM, Jon Brown wrote: > Aaron wrote: >> I estimated that it took me around 100 hours of labor. A lot of that >> was figuring out the cooling, making runs to the parts places and >> just sitting around bewildered. Actually the VW engine was out and >> the subaru in with probably 10 hours of labor! > > So at $80/hr it ONLY cost you $8000 of your own time... to install > on top > of parts... > > Even if factor in that your not a very good mechanic and you sit > around > bewildered some (which I think most mechanics do anyway)... you're > minimally > at a $5k cost to yourself. > > To be clear, I don't think professional engine conversion > installation costs > are too high. In fact comparing the professionally done > conversions I've > seen to the home built conversions I've seen, I'd say it's money well > spent... > > -Jon

While I have to admit that I am a poor mechanic and it probably took me at least 2x as long as it should have, my time was "free" as in it was my own - hence the term "free-time". I figure that we all sit and watch a little TV, or go bowling, or mow our own lawns, paint our rooms, drink beer etc. Heck, I think that some of us even work on our own cars and spend lots of time e-mailing others about how to fix them. How many of you figure that a 3 hour movie costs you $240 + a ticket to watch? Just don't take a date!

I never stated that the professional conversion prices were too high. I only gave people a figure so that they could get a feel for what a conversion might cost if they did it themselves or could find the labor more cheaply elsewhere. Besides, doing a conversion would only cost me if I was taking time away from work to do it. At my student rate that would be around $10/hr. But I'll assume the rest of you are making $80/hr though since there have been so that have made this point.

As to my post detailing MY costs of doing the conversion, take it as that - my costs. I think most of us are intelligent enough to figure out what our time is worth to us. I usually have more free-time than free-money so guess which route I take?

I am happy and my bank account is still positive. Life is good and road trips even better now.

Cheers! Aaron


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