A good condition NA will range from $50 for a good mate, to about $1200 or so from a wreckers or similar. be aware of the series1 vs series 2 differences , and probly prepare your wallet fro around 500-600 average price. also, ive moved this thread to appropriate area.
Paid $800 for my S1 j-spec NA motor, from a forum member. Add another $1000 for 100k service, injectors ultrasonic cleaned, etc etc etc $1200 for a guaranteed low k's motor with 100k service and those compression figures is pretty much on the money.
You cant. You have to take the sellers word for it. A motor that gleams and twinkles in the light with fresh paint and bling might well have had its arse flogged off it, rattling bearings and broken rings from detonation and be ready to expire yet the filthy dusty heap, laying on its side in the corner of the yard with a rusty old chunk of corrugated iron over it may be as good as new inside.... Sorry, apart from a full stripdown and measure, youll never really know. E
I paid $500 for a very tidy na. Spent about another $400 of basic service items for it. Timing Belt, water pump, rear main, few hoses. Etc. ran like a champ. Ive also sold a vg30det for $550. And that was good internally, average looking externally. But overall jinxed's quoted prices are a good wholesome set of figures.
I paid $400 for my NA motor about 6months ago, was in tidy condition, no issues so far. But I did spend another $400 on service parts etc so really it was about $800. I would drop up to $1000 if it was in excellent condition and didn't need a timing belt etc. At that top end of the spectrum (price wise) you might want to consider a TT conversion :br: