oldirty2k

iTrader: (1)

I have a 2000 ls1 with 199k miles. This is not my only car, but I drive it at least 3 or 4 times a week rain or shine. I might go to the drag strip twice a year, I also just went on a mountain cruise and enjoyed that very much. Only thing I didn't like was seeing the coolant temperature rise slightly, but not enought to be concerned. I want to do a mild cam like a G5x1 228-232 or a 224-230. I will be using stock 243 heads with new springs and getting headers also. The car runs pretty solid and doesn't burn any oil or smoke. puts out 337whp and 334tq. Oil pressure hot idle is 22-28 psi. Current mods are:

LS6 Intake
powerbond udp
vararam
borla street catback 2.5''
LS7 clutch and flywheel

Question is, would you just run headers and get a tune or rebuild or find a new bottom end before installing different heads and cam? The lifters, pushrods, and oil pump will be replaced if doing the cam. The motor is the original and has never been apart. Thanks

Goat2NV

iTrader: (19)

I wouldn't do it, was in your position a couple months ago. Did heads and cam on a high miliage motor and spun a bearing while tuning it. Installing a LQ9 now, which only cost me $200 more than my heads and cam setup. Good luck with whatever you decide.

bgblockelcamino

iTrader: (9)

i have had heads cam on my 200k+ motor for 2 years now. i am expecting it to blow up at some point but still running good. my motor was pretty well maintained its whole life it appears. but like stated it can/will blow up so if you do heads cam prepare for worst case scenario.

Josh18Fan

iTrader: (2)

I'd suggest doing a rebuild or finding another bottom end to play with. Your oil pressure seems a tad low already, possibly indicating bearing wear. Better safe than sorry, in my opinion.

oldirty2k

iTrader: (1)

thanks for the replies, Ive heard more than once to get another bottom end or rebuild. Ill probably just do the headers and a street tune and then wait till she goes! At least if she does I will have all my bolt ons at that point.

ausls1

yeh that's what i'm doing with my ls1, its done 195km's (121+miles i believe), i'm going to do mild cam, new oil pump and possible heads, when the bottom end goes, i'll put a stronger bottom end in then.

disc0monkey

iTrader: (10)

its the revs that will kill it...your getting a cam your going to take past 6500. how often is the question.

these motors seem to live forever with stock rev limiter

BlackScreaminMachine

iTrader: (17)

IMO you can do anything you want. JUST be prepared that IF/WHEN the motor decides to eat itself that you MAY have to re-buy everything or close to it. WHICH is another investment.

ae13291

iTrader: (8)

your rising coolent temp problem may be a clogged radiator

98z8uup

iTrader: (7)

I seen guys do a cam only on a 60,000 mile car and blow the eng. So its up to you.

Damian

iTrader: (89)

I do about 2-3 cam swaps a year on cars with 150-180K. Haven't had one blow up yet.

hellbents10

iTrader: (10)

We tune quite a few 150k+ mile cars and trucks with cam swaps with no issues. The only one I remember having a problem was a 98' car a long time ago.

ausls1

yeh the cam i've got works between 1800rpm and 6200rpm, iv heard from Holden mechanics in Australia about ls1's snapping cranks and spinning bearings when bassicaly brand new, so all depends, as long as your not revving it out to 7,000rpm every time (depending on cam specs) should be ok id say.

oldirty2k

iTrader: (1)

guess its a half and half decision. The radiator is fine and the only reason I said anything because I was running the car hard for about 30 minutes straight going uphill. It cruises around 198*F stock t-stat. Again thanks for the replies everyone.

fccs

iTrader: (26)

It just depends on how good the engine was taken care of. Mileage really doesn't matter, im not sure why people ask this question. If I had a car that oil was changed with like amsoil every 3k miles, not beat on much and the car had 150k on. I would trust that more then a car with 20k miles that was beat on everyday and had normal oil changed twice in its lifetime. It's common sense really and your motor can be in great shape yet always a chance a bearing can go up in the rpms. I would say go for it if you knew it was taken care of and just keep in mind you may need money for a motor down the road. I'm almost at 108k, got my car at 70k, and did cam swap at 90k. I beat on it often but car is taken care of with maintenance it needs often and on time.

Blorton

iTrader: (2)

Do a leakdown on the motor to get a real answer. I found double digits loss in one hole before doing my swap and decided to postpone it for a new engine.

1FAST02FORMULAHAWK

iTrader: (8)

How many of the 199K have your put on the car? More so, how much of the PM have you done and has it been done on time. If the PM was done regularly, then id say that your chances of blowing up are about the same as a lower mileage engine. PM goes a long way for internal longevity.

camz28arro

iTrader: (12)

I would just be lucky that the car is still going and start saving for a built 408 for when it does go.

01SS99red

iTrader: (6)

I would only put a cam that makes good power in the mid rpms to not rev the motor to 6600-6800 with that kinda mileage. good luck

Chrome355z

iTrader: (1)

1) Do a compression/leakdown test.

2) New Radiator/T-Stat

3) The G5x1 you can shift at 6,200 / 6,500 rev limit

4) Ported LS6 oil pump to get more oil in there.

5) LS2 Timing Chain

I think with doing all of this you will be fine. Now if you notice some problems with a compression test then I would hold off. Might not be a bad idea to put some LS7 lifters in there if you are going to be pulling the heads for added saftey.