Yes, these guys simply do not want to do this job, so they gave you an absurd price and hope you will go away.  Do that!

I'm done with the WBX after four of them, but if I were to recommend one to someone else I'd choose the Go Westy 2.2 engine.  They have done everything they can to make it better, but it's still an obsolete and inefficient expensive piece of junk in my opinion.  I doubt that any of them will last more than 50,000 miles.  I would avoid their bigger engines, because reliability and longevity are in inverse proportion to power. The factory stopped at 2.1 liters for a reason. 

Their 2.2 engine is $4300, plus shipping, crating, and core charges you likely won't get back make it closer to $6000 though.  An experienced VW shop shouldn't charge more than $1500 to install it, but there will be several other items that need to be replaced, adding significantly to the cost.  You don't want to blow up your new engine.  http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=24110&category_id=82&category_parent_id= 

Figure $8000 and up for a top quality job "out the door," and since you live in a Vanagon desert, you may need to drive or ship it to someone who is competent, like Dennis Haynes or Ken Wilford on the east coast.  They may have other engine options for you as well.

You can see why so many of us are opting for a more modern conversion engine. 

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Jack Reynaert
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2015 6:06 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Complete Engine Replacement Cost Estimate

Our friends mechanic indicated that a complete engine replacement was necessary for their 1990 Westy.
The body is in excellent shape, and the transmission was replaced about 2 years ago.

Their mechanic is estimating a cost of $16,000 for the job, which I feel is extremely overpriced.
Seeing that a rebuild 2.1L can be had for around $4000 or less.  Labor should be under $1000.

Does anyone know a good VW mechanic in the Detroit area that could do the complete job for closer to $5000?

This kind of price gouging is why fewer and fewer Vanagons are around!

Can anyone quote a recent complete replacement cost they paid for: motor and labor 2.1L WBX to 2.1L WBX?

Thank you!

Jack