The V8 automotive engine is a favorite among muscle car owners and sports car owners but is also popular in trucks because of its power. But, if you ever need to replace one, you might wonder how much does a V8 engine cost? In this guide, we look at a breakdown of the price and show you an average engine swap cost for V6 to V8.
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How Much Does A V8 Engine Cost?
The V8 engine contains eight cylinders in a V shape, which is where it gets its name from. Usually, it is found in a high-performance car or truck where more power is needed. It’s become popular because of how much more power it can provide versus a four- or six-cylinder engine, but they haven’t been good for fuel economy.
The first V8 to become popular was the Ford Flathead, which was released in 1932. Since then, the V8 has gone through many designs, including a smaller compact design that can fit into a smaller four-cylinder bay while still producing massive amounts of power.
On average, most V8 engines start at about $7,000, but many will sell for much higher than that. Let’s look at a few of the most popular models to give you an idea of what you might be looking at.
How much does a Mustang V8 engine cost?
Expect to spend between $8,000 and $20,000 for your average Mustang V8 engine.
How much does a Chevy V8 engine cost?
If you choose a small block Chevy, you might spend $4,000 to $10,000, while the big block Chevy can cost as much as $40,000.
How much does a twin-turbo V8 engine cost?
The average twin-turbo V8 is going to cost you $10,000 or more but is going to provide a mind-blowing amount of power.
How much does a Hemi V8 engine cost?
You might be able to find a new Hemi engine for as little as $7,000, but it could easily cost up to $15,000.
How Much Does Building Of a V8 Engine Cost? (Parts & Labor Cost)
Whether you want to fix the one you have or swap it out for a new one, it helps to look at the answer to - how much does it cost to build a V8 engine? A V8 engine can be built or rebuilt from a previous motor that needs work. In general, a remanufactured or rebuilt engine is going to be a lot cheaper than purchasing a new one.
However, this isn’t something you can tackle on your own because it requires a lot of expertise and special equipment. Instead, you will want to work with a reputable mechanic for this work. You could spend as little as $2,500 to $4,000 for a rebuilt V8 engine, which is quite the cost savings. However, the engine isn’t brand-new, so parts could still fail.
Still, the cost savings makes it worth the gamble for most people. As an example, how much does it cost to rebuild a Rover V8 Engine? You might spend between $5,000 and $6,500, which is far less than what a new one would cost.
How Much Does a Replacement Engine Cost? (Unit & Labor Cost)
How much does it cost to replace a V8 engine? You can spend a lot less if you choose to go with a remanufactured or rebuilt V8 engine versus a new one. As shown above, the prices between the two are quite different.
Your V8 engine can be replaced with another one as long as it is similar and is compatible with your car model. You can also choose to get a used V8 engine for the replacement, but there probably aren't going to be any guarantees that it will continue working.
The cost of labor is going to make up a big portion of the bill. While a rebuilt V8 engine might only cost you $2,500, the labor to put that engine in could easily be $1,000 to $4,000 on top of the motor's price. It's important to look at all your options before you decide on replacing your V8 engine with a new one, remanufactured, rebuilt, or used motor.
Can I Swap V6 Engine To V8?
If you’ve been thinking about the engine swap cost for a V6 to V8 Mustang, you might be surprised to find out that many people do this. In fact, there are companies that provide conversion kits to make a simple engine swap. These kits include everything to transition to the larger motor, such as the exhaust headers and motor mounts. On top of paying for the engine, you will have to also purchase these kits, which will cost you additional money. Plus, these modifications could add another $1,000 just in labor alone to make the transition.
With this in mind, what’s the engine swap cost for a V4 to V8 engine? Unfortunately, these aren't as easy to do, and it's much harder to find these kits. However, you can find a mechanic that might be willing to tackle the job for a premium price on top of what you spend for the engine.
Factors to Consider When Swapping an Engine
How much does a V8 engine swap cost? It’s important to consider the price, but you must also look at all of the parts that need to be adjusted, especially if you are going with a different motor or are upgrading from something smaller. Make sure you talk to your mechanic about these vital parts to determine what the game plan will be.
For every part that needs to be upgraded or swapped, you can figure on an additional cost. However, you don't want to put a V8 engine in with equipment meant for a smaller engine or something less powerful. Otherwise, these parts might not fit properly, or they could wear prematurely. By planning out the entire job at the beginning, you won't have any surprises when it comes to matching up the estimate with the total cost.
Frequently Asked V8 Engine Cost Questions
Is a V8 faster than a V6?
With eight cylinders versus six, the V8 can produce more power, but it doesn’t always. There are some V6 engines that produce more power and create better speeds than certain V8s.
Does V8 waste more gas?
In general, the smaller engines are going to be more efficient than the larger V8 motors. However, modern V8 engines are becoming more efficient, thanks to some newer motor technologies.
How much does it cost to fill up a V8?
It depends on how much fuel is in your area and the size of your tank. If your V8 engine car can hold 12 gallons, you can multiply that amount by the cost of fuel to get the total price. Plus, you might use premium fuel, which costs more.
Conclusion
How much does a new V8 engine cost? The new engine swap is going to cost much more than a rebuilt, remanufactured, or used motor, even though both require similar amounts of labor to install.