formula137292

I'm doing a little planning ahead. I have about 100000 miles on my 97 bird and am debating on whether I should drop a new engine in or rebuild my LT1. The LT1 still is running fine but showing signs of high mileage (oil leaks..etc.) I'd like to keep the car emissions legal. Any suggestions on which option is better? If rebuild is the way to go, does anyone know a quality garage that can rebuild an LT1 in the Washington DC area?

Thanks everyone.

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

100k miles is just broken in! If you've still got good oil pressure and good compression in the cylinders, I would just complete the superficial fixes (seals, etc). Where is the oil coming from?

Countless people do heads/cam installs on stock bottom ends with 150k+ mileage.

caldercay

Not sure about engine builders in the DC area , but if you need a tattoo
artist, I have a couple of recommendations

Seriously, my 95 auto has about 160k and is still running very strong.
The 95 M6 has 80+k miles and feels brand new. The auto has zero issues
with regards to the engine - I feel lucky in a way. Last year, the Kooks,
FLT tranny, and Yank went in and it all works well with the orig engine. I'm
sure I have quite a few miles left on the engine.

Why is it you feel the need to update the engine?

ben77

iTrader: (1)

I agree with these guys. I've just hit 111k on my 95lt1 and am just now starting to do work to it because I finished my other project. These are strong motors if you treat em well.

buffman

iTrader: (9)

174k here

9sec93

iTrader: (67)

100k is nothing for an LT1. just fix your leaks and use the rest of the money on mods. my car with 200k on it was just as fast as others i drove with 50k.

hitmanws6

iTrader: (20)

mine had 195 K when it let go. just dont be reckless with it and you will have a lot of life left on it. just save up to do a rebuild when you need it

CamaroRacing12

iTrader: (5)

yea man mine just hit 100k and i plan to keep racing her for at least 3 or 4 more reliable years

oh and 9sec93 what wheels r thsoe in ur sig pic? i like em

blk94z

Mine is at 115000 and runs fine. Got a friend here that has over 200000 with no problems.

formula137292

Thanks for the responses everyone. I'm glad to hear that the LT1 sounds like a strong engine. I have done some simple fixes with this car (ie. alternator, MAF, cat back exhaust, etc.) but no major engine work. I was just unsure if it was a good idea to start putting money into engine mods when its now at 116000. Thanks for the advice.

In regards to the oil leak, it looks like its coming from the front crank seal. I see its wet in that general area. When I park for a few hours, I can see a small oil spot about the size of a coffee can lid on the ground.

Z-RATED94

iTrader: (6)

The size of a coffee can lid in a couple hrs. and you consider that small? Makes one wonder how much your losing while driving the car.

hawk584

iTrader: (1)

don't fix what isn't broken?

Badazz 97 TA

iTrader: (18)

fix the leaks. Just do one thing at a time. Eventually you will get it all taken care of. Dont look at it as one big job. Do one or two things in a weekend. Learn how to do each specific job, do it, then call it day. then tackle a few more problems the next weekend.


some of the jobs may take longer then others, but you wont feel overwhelmed doing it one at a time


oil leaks areas:

-front a rear intake manifold(most common problem w/ LT1)
-3 seals in the timing chain cover(probably what your experincing with it dripping on the ground)
-Oil pan gasket
-Valve cover gaskets
-Rear main seal

1nicez28

iTrader: (7)

Right around 100k my drivers side head gasket went pop. Keep up on the maintence and the cooling system and it will last another 100k

pillarpod

Mine has 150k and still raises hell, and still pretty sexy too

marc97taws6

iTrader: (6)

Mine is at ~105,600 miles and still runs strong. Just fix your oil leaks and keep up proper maintenance and don't drive it like a mad ape on crack and it should last much longer. Heads/Cam and start saving up for a rebuild.

Save up $20 (one time going out to eat and maybe a Starbucks too) a week and in 2 years you'll have $1920 for a rebuild. How hardcore you want to go on the rebuild is up to you.

maddog05

you peobably have two leaks and the worst is the intake manifold. All LT1's seem to have this problem and there is a step by step process to seal it properly on this and other boards. The cause is poor design and the cure is elaborate. It is simpler to just keep topping up the oiil and put paper or cardboard under the car. When you replace the engine take the advice in the board processs to assemble the intake with the block. Also, synthetic oil makes the leak run faster.

jetblack93

mines at 145k i fixed same leak at 112k it still runs strong

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

Perhaps you can elaborate on the elaborate fix.

96Formula6spd

iTrader: (7)

Yeah if the car is running good leave it alone. My ran great till I overheated it and 8 months and 8k miles later it blew a head gasket. Car has 156k on it. Still does since I just got it back running.