As a result, expect to spend between $500 and $1,500 in labor costs, in addition to anywhere from $500 for a short block engine to $9,000 for a complete, high-performance engine. Remember that depending on the type of engine chosen, you'll need to pay for additional parts to complete the block as well.
Does engine swap increase value?
Compared to a car with an engine that won't run at all, an engine swap will increase, not decrease the value of a car. An engine swap in a car with high mileage can result in an increase in value, if the swapped engine is rebuilt or of lower mileage… but the difference needs to be substantial.
Is it difficult to swap an engine?
Swapping engines is a difficult feat and very dangerous. Swapping engines can be tricky, and not to mention dangerous, if you don't know what you are doing. They can weigh as little as 300 pounds, or more than 700, which leaves a lot of room for error with weight alone.