I'd say if you can find a replacement engine for a reasonable price, then that's probably the way you'd want to go. If not, do what work you can, and have a shop do the rest. Just my opinion tho.

 

It would be more cost effective to do the whole engine. Shop around and pick the one that fits your budget with the best warranty.

 

JMO but what I have used for many years is the current condition and issues with your engine in the WJ. If it is just tired and needs rebuilt without any major damage I would opt to have a good engine machine shop rebuild it from top to bottom.


The reason with any reman you never know what kind of abuse it has saw or how much it was bored or the new parts that were installed along with the old. This is a common thing with all the reman engine sellers all they care about is a re-buildable long block in exchange. They cut corners a lot of the time where if you have it done you have control of what is done and quality of machine work and parts used.

 

So one shop quoting me ~$4800 to swap in a rebuilt ATK and another shop quoting ~$5000 to rebuild my current motor. Not sure which is the better option.

 

You show up with it or they yank it & reinstall? Any type of enforceable labor/parts warranty?

 

That's for them to remove, rebuild, and install. 5 year/50k mile warranty.

 

I would ask the local shop exactly what new parts they were installing on a std. build, bad items would need more and they cover themselves with the quote they gave. Also ask what machine work would be done to yours. I would most likely go with a local depending on answers for only $200 more.