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How many people have had an engine replaced?

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russellb

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It looks like I need a replacement engine in my 2002 GTX DI. How hard is it to swap out one of these engines? Who has done it? What was your experience? If you paid someone to do it, how much did they charge? Trying to get an idea of what a reasonable price is.
 
I'm in the process of having an engine put in one of my 1999 GTI's. Am not doing it myself. So far, I have $850 invested in the new motor (this includes shipping to and from) and expect another $300 - $400 for the labor. Was planning on doing it myself, however, there are some specialty tools required and didn't feel like hunting them down to rent or buy. Good Luck.
 
I'm in the process of having an engine put in one of my 1999 GTI's. Am not doing it myself. So far, I have $850 invested in the new motor (this includes shipping to and from) and expect another $300 - $400 for the labor. Was planning on doing it myself, however, there are some specialty tools required and didn't feel like hunting them down to rent or buy. Good Luck.

The guy I am talking to about doing it wants somewhere in the neighborhood of $1000. Not too many PWC mechanics in the area or maybe I have not gone about the right way of finding them. Almost wish I had a carbureted ski. The engines seem to be much, much cheaper. SBT lists the 951 DI between around $1600 and $1900 depending on whether you want the 1 or 2 year warranty. Not sure what else is different between the "standard" and "premium" engines.
 
Seadoo engine shop is probably a couple hundred $ cheaper but turnaround time is way longer than sbt. If you're not in a hurry seadoo engine shop is the way to go. I have a sbt engine and SES engine in my boat both have the same compression


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Done a few of my own. I just buy the parts and rebuild them myself cause shipping from where I live to sbt or SES would cost a fortune. I definitely don't have any "specialty" tools either. I just make sure I take a lot of precise measurements of the engine position in the hull before I remove it and install it exactly the same. Call it redneck, but it's worked for me for years


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Just had mine done this past weekend.

I paid $850 for a rebuilt engine and a gasket kit. Then I paid $150 to have it installed and aligned.

One word of advice though, make sure that your starter works before installing the engine, much easier to replace it when the engine is sitting on a bench. lol
 
I put a deposit down on mine last week . Guy said 5 weeks since it's in season right now :(


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I want to get the engine quick. I'm trying to enjoy the ski this season. From what I'm hearing SBT is the only choice for a quick shipment. My goal is to get the engine in and the ski operating by the end of the month.
 
I had a good experience with Full Bore. Had them rebuild my engine over the winter and I'm just now finishing up the break in period. They did a great job, the engine is like new, and compression is at stock levels or higher. With SBT, you'll get your engine much quicker, but you'll also have less compression by at least 10 PSI, and I've heard varying stories about their quality. But if you need an engine fast, they are your best option.

I did the labor myself on the removal and install. Not a hard job, but a lot of work and time consuming, for a first timer like me. I'm glad I did it myself because I know everything was done right and by the book. But if had to do it again, I would pay someone a couple hundred bucks to do it. But not a whole lot more than that.
 
I want to get the engine quick. I'm trying to enjoy the ski this season. From what I'm hearing SBT is the only choice for a quick shipment. My goal is to get the engine in and the ski operating by the end of the month.

SBT is your only option then
 
Well here is where I am at, I had my 720 just rebuilt at SES. I sent it on March 22nd, recieved it back on like May 15th. And that wasnt even during "the on season". I have put about 5-6 hours on the ski, compression tested at 140 when I got it, compression is still at 140. I'm kind of concerned about that, and if it doesnt raise by the end of the year back to the 150 that a new engine should be then I am going to send it back. I know I am picky but if he wants the engine in by the end of the month, then SBT is his only option. He would be lucky to get his engine back by August with SES. I am just stating my personal experience, plus I had about a week or two worth of setbacks due to "shipping issues". It almost feels like those shipping issues are just an excuse to give him a little bit more leeway and time, but I am glad to have my engine in and running good right now. I would use again, but I would send my engine in in like December and not so close to the season.
 
Interesting thread. After reading it I am seriously considering buying a spare engine for my two X4s and keeping it in my storage room just in case I blow one during the short MN riding season.
 
I'm running an SBT engine. So far it has performed up to OEM specifications. 20 hours on engine. Had the engine 2 days after paying
 
neither of my skis have the original engine in them. well, one had the original rebuilt by the dealer, the other had a sbt or something put in. Luckily i wasn't the one that had to deal with the hassle. keep in mind if you buy the SBT, it won't be the same case as you send in and thus will definitely need an alignment tool. if you send your case off to be rebuilt you can get away with reusing the same shims in the same locations when the motor comes back.
 
Another possible SBT downfall is the chance you get another guy's salt turd. Don't get me wrong it will have been gone through but new paint can't make up for the pitting.

If your a boat repair place and a customer said "just fix it" then who cares. If your a particular do it your selfer working on your fresh water baby then you might feel like your "new engine" is a step backwards.
 
I want to get the engine quick. I'm trying to enjoy the ski this season. From what I'm hearing SBT is the only choice for a quick shipment. My goal is to get the engine in and the ski operating by the end of the month.

The guy who did mine has a pretty quick turnaround time. I just bought a rebuilt engine and gave him my core, but was reading that his turnaround time was something like a week or so, but don't have personal experience with it. He keeps some motors on the shelf, he might have one that you need.

Here's the thread, and my first post has his EBay link and his contact information is on the listing. If he has it in stock, the listing shows delivery as being June 16th (next Monday). Even if he does have to rebuild it, he can give you and idea as to the date.

http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?69705-Has-anybody-dealt-with-this-EBay-seller

In this thread, Jetskigoodies commented a bit at the beginning of post #77 about the quality of the rebuild.

http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?66293-Our-787-x4-restoration-modification-thread/page4

Hopefully, you'll get that thing in the water soon. I'm in the same boat as you, I'm chomping at the bit to get both of mine back int he water.
 
Well here is where I am at, I had my 720 just rebuilt at SES. I sent it on March 22nd, recieved it back on like May 15th. And that wasnt even during "the on season". I have put about 5-6 hours on the ski, compression tested at 140 when I got it, compression is still at 140. I'm kind of concerned about that, and if it doesnt raise by the end of the year back to the 150 that a new engine should be then I am going to send it back. I know I am picky but if he wants the engine in by the end of the month, then SBT is his only option. He would be lucky to get his engine back by August with SES. I am just stating my personal experience, plus I had about a week or two worth of setbacks due to "shipping issues". It almost feels like those shipping issues are just an excuse to give him a little bit more leeway and time, but I am glad to have my engine in and running good right now. I would use again, but I would send my engine in in like December and not so close to the season.

Compression was one of my main concerns when deciding on an engine rebuilder. I had read that SBT engines only get up to about 140 PSI or even a little less. That wasn't going to cut it for me. Full Bore has done a good job compression wise. Within 5 hours I was up to 155LB on both cylinders, and that's with a gauge that usually reads a little low. In my opinion, a 15 PSI difference is definitely noticeable. But there's still a good chance your compression will come up within a few operating hours.
 
SBT is known to mill their heads to reduce compression, decrease power, and thus make fewer warranty replacement claims.
 
I found another shop where they will try to diagnose the problem before they jump to "you need a new engine". He said if I can get by with a top end rebuild they can do it in shop for a reasonable price. I'll let you know how it turns out.
 
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