i currently have an STS kit on and had an engine failure (my fault)...pondered doing a 6.0 swap but figured if I'm putting money into a motor I'll just put it into what I already have. Probably won't be a whole lot of PSI in the future, I hope to sometime go to a front mount but probably not for a while...but anyways...wondering what I should all do to my short block..

What pistons/rings?
Stock rods okay?
stock crank okay?
good idea to balance?
what kind of bearings?
anything else I should know????

keep in mind that this won't be that high of a boost build...lookin for around 5-600 hp?

 

Just forge the bottom end!!!

 

I don't have piles of money laying around

 

Try reading the thread "the real cost of FI" If you dont have a pile of money around then your probably gonna blow it up again sooner than later.
CHEAP FAST RELIABLE Pick two and only two thats what your gonna have...

 

6.0 swaps probably your best bet if yur ls1 is already toast. Find a good motor, use the stock crank, put in some eagle rods and forged pistons and put a lil boost to it, will get to 500-600hp without much effort. But like said above, its still not cheap. Fi is never cheap, gotta pay to play

 

Put a 5.3 in it head studs gaskets cam and call it a day much cheaper and proven to be reliable at lower boost levels.

 

All depends on what your goals really end up being. Best bet is to build heavy now so you don't have to do it again when you want more boost. Buy once cry once.

1. Do some searching on that. Lots of good FI pistons/rings out there. I went with Diamond -9.6cc myself.

2. Maybe... But they are a fairly inexpensive upgrade compared to other costs of FI. If you end up going with stock rods, AT LEAST upgrade the rod bolts to ARP 2000s.

3. Stock crank is one thing I wouldn't bother upgrading if you don't plan on touching 1000rwhp. Just have your machinist make sure it checks out ok.

4. Imperative in my opinion, especially when using aftermarket parts. It might work out without balancing, but if it doesn't you can get ready to replace even more ****.

5. I went with Clevites. King also makes good ones. Do a little searching on it and see what you want.

6. Get ready to throw down a metric **** ton of cash. Seriously, take your expected budget and add about 30% right now, and you might have a good lowball estimate. Plan on a cam replacement as yours probably isn't in the best shape along with cam bearings, plus the cost of installation. Not sure if your valvetrain is upgraded but if it's not, make that happen. Lifters, springs, pushrods, head studs, head gaskets, etc... Then add another couple hundred for a complete set of gaskets and bolts for the motor. Keep adding for plugs and wires. Poly motor mounts? Might as well. You'll think of another 10 or 20 "optional" items along the way that you "MUST HAVE!"

Honestly man, there's no reason to cheap out on a rebuild, especially for a planned FI motor. You might save $500-$1000 in the short term, but once the motor gives out again you'll be out another couple thousand doing it right the 2nd time. If you really want a budget FI motor, scrap the blown LS1 and go 5.3

 

What's so great about the 5.3? Wouldn't a 6.0 be better than that?

 

5.3s seem to love the boost even on a stock bottom end. They are also quite a bit cheaper.

 

there is only one bad piston in my LS1 so i figured i could bore them all out and put forged pistons in and new bearings everywhere and what not and call it a day...since i see so many stock motors in that sticky for reliability of bottom end...alot of them are over 500 into 600 pretty easy on stock bottom end...im basically just looking to be a little safer than where those guys are at

 

Yes you can. Buy forged pistons, use the stock crank, a new set of rods would be nice, have the block hone, everything balanced, new bearings throughout and stick an ls6 cam in it. You are not going to break the block at 600 whp. Use ARP fasteners and forget it. Get it tuned professionally and enjoy. I have a buddy with an 04 GTO throwing down 585 to the tires with an auto. Been doing this with the stock 5.7 shortblock for 3 1/2 years now. Rapes it daily. Been through 2 built transmissions, still running strong.

 

This is exactly what I wanted to hear. Thanks a bunch man. That's probably what I'll do but maybe put a turbo cam in it, havent researched those much yet

 

i have priced full rotating assemblys recently from texas speed and speed inc around 1800-1900 dollars. you may wanna go ahead and tear down that motor and check for cracks. i blew mine up recently and could not rebuild it.

 

My vote is with this guy!

 

Yea I also heard the 5.3 is really good for boost from somebody. I have an extra 5.3 ls1 I dont really need it, been thinking about selling it if anybody is interested I would hook up a good price. Also Jak I'd love to hear more about your engine, I am always interested in what lets go when in a stock ls1 just because its fun to know. What happened? How long did you have the blower before your engine got blown? Drive hard?

 

Motor was weak to start with and I put that sts kit on and didn't have it tuned. Like 20 miles on it haha. Knew it wasn't gonna last anyways

 

Engine in my sig has 195k on it with 23k on 9psi with proper tune and driven daily. If mine goes it will be replaced with a 5.3 or a 6.0 with something like an 02 LS6 cam. Cheap reliable and effective as long as I dont get stupid with it. I would suggest the same for you. GL.

 

For your goals the 5.3 would be the most cost effective solution spend you money on good parts that you need not on parts you want just my .02

 

I just HATE the sound of going down in cubic inches. Just doesn't sound right lol

 

I feel the same exact way! I need my low end torque. So then I think about the 6.0 engine and I dont like the thought of the added weight. So then it just ends up, buy the forged pistons & rods for the 5.7 and forget it.