Engine Rebuild Gen 3 or Gen 4 Engine?

Seems those ones in the pics have had considerable labor put into them already... Most likely that's because they had issues that needed to be repaired. If I were you I'd buy one from a wrecker that was tested and has no issues with 30 day warranty that was pulled from the car with everything still connected, which will not only save you a huge amount of time, but will give you more options in terms of spare parts. These guys did a Prius engine swap in 6 hours with that type of engine:

 

As long as you know what was rebuilt in there and what was not. Have you thought about a JPM used low mileage engine? I have no opinion on the G3 vs G4 but as I understand, some amount of modification is needed to make the G4 fit?

 

I would want a 2015 gen3, ideally rebuilt. Too much mix and match trying to use a gen4 block with a gen3 control system, intake, egr and exhaust.

 

Some have reported as low as $3k to as high as $7.5k for a rebuilt installed. The highest included a new short block.

 

I'm more than familiar with the process of buying rebuilt engines and the people you pick to buy a rebuilt for a rare engine is essential... But after a near a decade of being on PriusChat you're the first post I can remember seeing showing interest in buying a rebuilt engine rather than a ridiculously cheap low mileage salvaged engine.

If there are other links on here that I've not seen that are sharing what you're doing please post them. But in general Prius are everywhere and there's so many of them on the road that a low mileage healthy engine is only $500 range and a rebuilt for comparison costs how much? It must be three times that amount? How much is the price you'll pay?

 

I don't think the idea is to find a car sitting in a junkyard and pull the engine. I think the idea is to find a low mileage Prius that was running great until the rear end got smashed by some moron who didn't realize the light was red.

A downside is that the engine may have 15K miles on it. An upside is that you know it was built correctly in Japan and was running fine until the rear clip got totaled. With a rebuilt you are relying on the expertise of whoever rebuilt it to have done so correctly and have everything at the correct torque and specs.

But in direct answer to your question, "to save thousands of dollars."

 

I don't think the $1,700 is getting you a rebuilt engine. Perhaps it is necessary to spell out what a rebuilt engine is by your definition and compare it to their definition. My guess is $1,700 gets you an inspected short block, inspected head and a bunch of new gaskets. Maybe new valve seals. Around here its $500 just for head machining. I would want new rings, pistons if its an early gen3, bearings, tensioner, timing chain and a discussion about pumps and cleaning of egr and similar parts.

 

A clean EGR and intake is not details on a rebuild... Valve grinding precision and equipment they use to grind down the head, as well as what they're doing with bearings and rings is what defines rebuild quality.

When I swapped my Subaru engine long ago the folks who did the rebuild primarily re-built Subaru engines for small airplanes, where the tolerances are much more strict than for a car. As in if the people doing the work have a huge shop with a neighboring machine shop than it might be quality work. But if not a recently wrecked low mileage Prius that a wrecker pulled the engine out of is going to be the most cost effective.

And keep in mind, when Toyota Stealership replaces a new engine, their preferred method is a low mileage used engine, not a rebuilt one and my friend who owns a taxi cab company can get that for $5K from them. So it seems reasonable you can get a low mileage used engine for under $1000 and installation for around $1500 depending on who the mechanic is.

 

Finding a legit 15-30k engine is like finding a unicorn, especially if it was built in 2015. The JDM engines everyone talks about have no way to verify year much less mileage. Granted the average junkyard engine may have an attached car for providence and may be an option for a $4k car. But I like the idea of a fresh 200k powerplant that provides more certainty of reliable transport as I glide tens of thousands of miles through rain, sleet and snow to say nothing of withering 95f days in the middle of nowhere.

 

My dealer installs new short blocks and a rebuilt head along with new timing chain, tensioner, egr and pumps. Cost about $6k if no other components are replaced. With a guarantee. I have seen these jobs go to $7.5k at the dealer.

 

What is the warranty on there engine/work? And it sounds like that is a "Hybrid Shop," that you have found? Do they have any former client's that you could talk to? And I would say the fact they "offer to deep clean the EGR system," points to their knowledge of these cars and what the deal is.

So it seems like they could do the Gen 4 option if you chose to do so. It has been done on here and it works. I can't find the thread I just read that said "Job Done," but I did find this thread that mentioned the couple of tweaks needed.
Gen 4 Engine into Gen 3 Prius Partial Guide | PriusChat

And it looks bending the EGR pipe and swapping a couple of wires for the egr plug? Now I don't know but they should. Ask them about those two point's and you will know if they can do the swap.

And a rebuilt vs new? Well some companies have been "rebuilding engines," since cars have been around. It's nothing new and no big deal when guy's "rebuilt back to spec," and that
is what they do. Me and my machine shop are a first name basis.

They luv'd our 2000 Daewoo Nubira. GM Eco Tech 4 sigh first 16 valves bent, not my fault. Then 8 valves bent my bad, then the rebuilt tranny went out again after being rebuilt, two years earlier? Sigh those are just the high point's but there was more. My wife finally had the POS hauled away before I ... "tried again to fix it," But I digress ...

That sounds like a "smallish scale shop?" So of course there prices are gonna be a bit higher? But if you wanted numbers to work with, these guys' are a National Chain LKQ, in the past but something new now?
LKQ Engine, Rebuilt Engine Toyota and Toyota Transmission Remanufactured, Rebuilt Engines And Rebuilt Transmissions For Your Cars, Trucks Engine, Diesels Engines, Boats Engines

And they charge 1295.00 for a rebuilt motor plus shiping about 150 to 200 bucks. And then if you have to pay to have it installed? Around 2 Grand is not unusual?

So the 1700 price has to be for a used motor, plus install? Not a bad price for a Gen 3, the EGR thing is still an issue. And doubt the $1700 includes "Deep Cleaning the, EGR System," if they even know what that is?