Rebuild now or later?

[SergSC]

Engine still going after nearly 40k, but its maybe drinking oil, whatever the quantity is from max to min is what it drunk on a return trip from Glasgow to London... not sure that actually qualifies as binging on oil...

Anyway, the question is, do you wait till it pops/brakes, or do you do the rebuild in anticipation of the inevitable?
Prob really stupid question but is it generally a lot cheaper to rebuild before breakdown or symptoms than after? I'm keen on upgrading to 4.3+ but half of me just wants to see how long it will run for with no rebuild!

[natben]

I don't think there is much different in costs between doing it now or waiting until/if it goes pop.
If you are happy driving it as it is keep doing it and put a few quid away for the cost of the 4.3 rebuild and inevitable other items you will want at rebuild time.

[Basil Brush]

Max to min on the dipstick is 1 litre.

[SergSC]

I guess that is not too bad oil consumption then. I did about 840 miles all in.

I could swear I can hear the difference between min/max though. I hope it didn't get low enough to do damage. The oil was just touching the very tip.
Although I watch the instruments like a hawk and always listening out for unusual noises like a paranoid maniac, I should have re-checked oil at some point half way during the trip. So I'm pretty f***d orf with myself for that...

Other side effects of the trip were:
Engine mount is done for (lasted about a year I think). I already had a very slight engine mount related rattle on cold startup, but pretty sure the 2hr long queue on M6 killed it with heatsoak... gear knob was unbearable at times. Already have new mounts from Racetech that are allegedly be the best/latest version. They look noticeably different material to the ones I previously got from tvrpower. Hopefully this "latest" "best" version lasts longer.
The engine fan relay got stuck On on arrival, re-seating it sorted it out, but will replace anyway.

[SumoGreg]

I had my 3.6 rebuilt as a 4.3 at 44k miles. There wasn't anything wrong with the engine, it was just my need or greed for speed...I was pleasantly surprised that the original engine was in pretty good condition and was happy that I didn't wait for problems to develop, because it could have been a long wait.

With regard to costs and waiting for it to go bang or go out with a whimper then I would just say that depends how well lunched it is. If the engine is well knackered, then there may be some extra costs. It is probably best to get in touch with Dom at Power if you go down that route and he can talk you through potential problems. Mine has done almost 6,000 miles since the upgrade, not a hiccup and I am VERY pleased with the engine.