just wondering how much I should offer for a complete(totalled) 88 with an rte?

Check the vin first - 88's didn't have the RTE. If it's an 86/7 w/ the RTE and R151 Tranny/23 spline tcase, then it's worth something. Personally, I'd pay as much as a grand for those three alone, assuming in great shape.

A local guy in Reno just paid $800 for a complete 22RTE with an automatic tranny and t-case. That seems a little high, but not too bad. I'd expect to pay significantly more though if it has the R151F manual and 23 spline transfer case.

Pretty open question with lots of variables. These are the prime areas of concern:

1. Is the turbo wrecked? You have to remove the turbo's exhaust elbow to check -- if there's a crack beneath the wastegate, the exhaust housing is hosed, and you're looking at $600 for a new casting + a $300 rebuild kit, minimum. (Unless you replace with a CT26 or something else, but that's another discussion.) Excess play in the shaft/excess oil in the intake tract are other no-nos.

2. Does the turbo have more than 140k miles on it? Even if the wastegate isn't cracked, the CT20 becomes very suspect above this mileage.

3. Is the exhaust manifold cracked? It cracks on the underside, between the 2 & 3 runners. These are ~$270 from the dealer.

4. Are the timing chain guides broken/timing chain cover damaged/etc. Std. 22RE stuff.

A 22RTE with a good turbo, solid exhaust manifold, good TC guides, complete, etc. is worth $1k or more to someone that knows what they are looking for -- maybe more if the block has never been molested/rebuilt. However, engines in this condition are very rare, esp. in vehicles that are otherwise totalled.

A more common RTE that's been abused and needs a complete rebuild -- e.g., the parts are all there but they are in terrible or at least questionable shape -- may be worth $500 IF IT INCLUDES THE INJECTORS, WIRING HARNESS, AFM/ECU, AND A REBUILDABLE TURBO CORE.

Of course, these figures are for the motor only. The presence of a R151F tranny + 23 spline transfer case adds to the value of the rig.

These motors are rare, but finding one in good shape is even rarer. Rather than try to take a crappy 22RTE and run it into the ground, you would be better off building a purpose-built turbo block; it will hold up much better and won't leave you wondering when it's going to fail. As long as you keep the boost on the mild side, it's easy to do and not super expensive, esp. if you use a CT26 turbo. BTW, "not super expensive" is based on the assumption that you are going to rebuild the block anyway, and can just substitute lower compression pistons in place of the stock RE pistons.

If this sounds like too much work and you would like a complete, drop-in solution, hold out for a really good donor motor. You will be much happier with that than with the first crappy 22RTE you find from a rolled vehicle. Turbo motors see a lot of stress, and turbos are really good at breaking parts, so a turbo motor that starts out tired usually dies a quick death in the new vehicle, especially when introduced to Mr. Heavy Right Foot.

Thanks mosk.
Ive been toying with the idea cause a guy has one he will sell, but not in the market to.
My 22re has about 200K and still runs well. I would like a little more power, but I am not that desperate for it so I want to stick with stock motor and parts.
The only reason I am even considering it is because my father has an 85 p/u with a 22r. He would love to swap and rebuild my 22re and put it in his rig.
I just thought i would take the rte and sell him my re.
But this will all depend on how much.
I am having a hard time deciding if this will be worth the headache.
BTW the 88 is an 87, and has been rebuilt. It is more or less a question of reliabilty and longevity of the rte.
Inversely proportional of course.
Thanks again, it seems this may be a little more than I had bargained for.

I was gonna send you a link from a cool website i found, then I clicked your link by your name and realized it wa the same site. weird.. that would be embarassing. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

This is one of the friendliest car forums I have ever seen. Not much you could do to get yourself embarassed around here.

If the RTE ecu wasn't such a PITA I'd build myself a turbo'd 22RE . I'm hoping to do a 7MGTE (6cyl Supra turbo) swap later this year. -- Matt

And that is the crux of the matter. Ask me, ask Harry, ask anyone else that's gone through this motor -- it doesn't seem like it should be a big task, or necessarily cost a lot of money, but of course, it becomes a bigger project than you realize, and the next thing you know, you've spent $2k or $3k and the $%#*! thing still isn't finished. BEEN there. DONE that, lol.

Which is why I am cautioning you to start this process with a solid motor, as it makes everything else so much easier. Begin with a motor in which you have confidence, either because you built it or because you drove it before you pulled it. A turbo truck with a weak motor (or busted turbo) is a just a rolling lawn ornament. The (harsh) bottom line: If you can't afford to begin with a solid motor, you really can't afford this as a project.

Just my .02 cents, but I paid a lot more than .02 cents for that lesson.

Of course, if you do start with a solid, well running 22RTE, well, you can have a heck of a lot of fun driving it. They are fun little motors, and respond very well to things like a bigger exhaust and, within reason, increased boost. A well running 22RTE with a 3" exhaust and a mild boost increase is a joy to drive. Just be careful -- it's hard to put the boost genie back in the bottle once you let him out. BEEN, there. STILL DOING that <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

-Jeff