From CT to CJ Engine

[drandall]

My T25 1600 CT engine is nearing the end of it's life and showing the cracks with age.
I thought I'd take the opportunity to look into a 2 litre CJ engine. However, asking a few VW places it looks like the cost is coming in at around the £5000 mark, including the whole package...as you'd expect.
Now that seems somewhat extortionate to me...or is that the going rate ?
I am assuming that the CT to CJ is/was a common upgrade but cannot find anything about it.

Any help would be appreciated.

[drandall]

What I didn't mention is that as a novice I fell into the trap of believing the seller's story of his love of VWs, he's got 4 of them, and got ripped off with a crapped out engine...
The rest of the van is great but I'm left with a hefty bill awaiting me.

[dugcati]

5 grand?! BLIMEY! you can get a recon elite engine for around 2K!

What exactly is up with the existing lump? the CT engine is very similar to a beetle/bay engine so the common spares are cheap and plentiful (heads/barrels/pistons etc)

[drandall]

Engine pretty useless, pissing out oil and a nice 'classic' crack in the early CT head !

Can get another CT engine with for just over £2K, fitted, with all tin treated and back to original but was considering CU/CT 2 litre which needs new heat exchangers, exhaust, clutch etc...

Was thinking start afresh and get as much mechanical replaced...which added to the £5K touch.

Not sure if the CT will cause me more problems in the long run.