Any scrap dealers here?
I was wondering why motors cost so much more these days?

How much has the price of metal changed since 1992?

To my understanding, a new 400lb ls3 costs around 6k and a new 500lb l98 went for 3k.

Those numbers may be way off, but I just wanted to give this thread a chance to educate me.

Cheers and thanks for not flaming.

 

I would assume it has more to do w/ inflation and design costs rather than the weight of an engine. Look at houses. In 1992 a 100k house is now worth 300k in 2007, 3 times as much. Not to mention at 436hp(08 Vette w/ opt exhaust) it makes nearly double the hp.. So the LS3 is a steal by that reckoning...

2 L98`s 245hp+245hp= 490rwhp
1 LS3 430hp= 430hp

 

http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0001519.html


When you think about it though, as mentioned above....its not bad at all when you consider the quality and power you get for the money now.


If we used currency, that was actually backed by something physical, and not credit....we'd ALL have some really really fast cars!!

 

you need to consider engineering and development costs. I dont know much about the l98, but the those costs most likely already been covered.

 

How much has labor and overhead gone up in the past 15 years?

 

Take a iron head/block engine to a scrap yard. Have it weighed out, and have them hand you cash for it.

Now do the same with aluminum.

Plus labor, technological advancement, and manufacturing costs play a giant role.

 

I was just going to make that point.

 

also with inflation, something that cost $3000 in 1992 would cost almost $4300 in 2006... so it's not that much cheaper.. the rest of the difference would probably be materials