so i am trying to buy an ls (b18b1) for my ek hatch and i have 2 options..... i can save hella money and buy one off craigslist for like 500 bucks or buy it from a tuning shop that is reliable for 1200. what should i go for? and what should i look for if i buy it off craigslist and its already pulled? Thanks.

 

craigslist can be good, but you just have to be carful, the motor could be shot, or it could be perfect, you never know,
at least with a shop there is some sort of warrenty.

 

cant really trust craigslist, the motor can either burn oil or not work properly. You can also take out the oil pan to see if their is metal shavings. Look at the dipstick n see if the oil is not dirt black. Your best bet is to take off the head and see how the pistons are but Id rather go to the tuning shop.

 

its up to you if u want to take the chancebuying it through craigslist. my friend just bought a gsr motor for 1000 dollars, we dropped it in, and works and drives fine.

he bought it on craigslist

 

I buy and sell all on craigslist in atlanta area. RUN THE VIN TAG first. these are stolen verry easily with a simple tool. your best bet is to save up a moderate amount and put a wanted ad on craigslist that you want to buy a motor. tell them that you want to see and hear it run, a test drive is never bad.

the motor shop is guaranteed.

you just have to know how to conduct your business

 

I just bought a motor off craigslist, we'll see how it runs after i swap it in

 

LS full swap shipped with run warranty 2500

 

To the OP, you'd have be insane to spend $1200 on an LS swap, from anywhere. You could pick up a B18C1 GSR swap for around $2000. Spending anymore then $700 on an LS swap is retarded.

When I say swap I mean everything is included in the sale to install and run the motor.

 

craigslist is an iffy place for me. I usuallystick to buying from friends..

 

i would ask him to pull the head off so you can take a look at valves, pistons etc. also if you have the oil pan pulled you can take a look at the crank rods and piston skirts. if there is any problem with spun bearings etc it will be noticable. id say give it a shot and a good inspection. im sure you will be surprised what you get.

 

i hate craig'slist. some dude sold me a fckd ls tranny. be careful!

 

run VINs, compession test it, etc. all the basics.
if you were closer, i would get you an LS(b18a1) with everything
for $450.
includes motor, tranny, ECU, Wireharness, P/S pump and A/C compressor.
pulled from a running DA

 

go for craigslist if you plan on building it up anyways

 

i got raped for z6 300
a z6 for 80
just cant trust people there

 

Whoa!!! If you are gonna pay 1200 bucks for an LS you're smocking crack!!

Use Craigslist, just talk to the persona along time about the motor.
Ask a lot of questions and look for changes in the description.
Think of it as an interrogation.

$500 seems about average for an LS.