I am thinking about purchasing a 1996 3.2 TL, but the problem is that it needs an engine replacment. First question - is it worth replacing or just consider the car junk? Does anyone know where to get a good quality engine in the Kansas City area? Any guesses on the cost for engine and install?

Thanks.

 

well first off how much is the shell of the car going to cost? If it is cheap, then you can go find a new engine or part it out for us . Since it is a 3.2 you could put in a stock motor or a type II legend engine. Since your engines already out you could try the 6 spd manual swap

 

The shell of the car is around $2500 delivered. Engines I have priced are $1200 for used with 50k. Installation has been quoted to me at $1500. It looks like I would be in the $5200 to $5500 range for the total cost. Any more suggestions.

 

doesn't sound like a bad deal if you have that kind of cash to front. be sure that all of your work has a warranty and the parts are from a reliable source

 

Exactly, if done properly this could be an inexpensive way to get a good car

 

i say do it, but be different. drop in the legend engine /w the 6 spd tranny and show us the first 6spd first gen tl

 

I've been working on it with my uncle but we'll have to do a custom center console job. (Time to put more wood in the car)

 

I SOOOO want to do this BADLY. If I wasn't saving for a house right now this would already be done\....once the house is purchased and I get truck fro the winter, I'll be putting the TL up on blocks and picking up a legend 6 spd to drop in.....along with maybe an RL block....Guy did it on www.acure-legend.com in a legend, no reason why it shouldn't work on the TL.....WOULD BE SICK!!!!

 

Yup, DV8 I think is his name on the Legend forums.

To my knowledge, no one has done a manual tranny swap to a 1st generation TL.

 

I think the easiest way to do the console would just be to get an aftermarket boot that's big enough to reach under and attach it from underneath, should look pretty clean.