ls1 problems
 

I'm kyle, I got a 2000 trans am that's been built a little. The other day it started to knock which sounded like a lifter knock. As far as I know if it's a lifter, the performance will suck but it ran fine. Then I was getting onto the highway and stuck it in fifth gear and it died. Smoked rolled through the consul and now it won't start. I've asked around had people look at it and most people i've talked to said they think it's a started because it clicks when trying to start it. I'm stumped and want some more opinions, costs, and good shops

Did you check the oil? I doubt it has anything to do with the starter considering it died while the car was running, along with smoke pouring into the cabin...Try to drain the oil, I hope you didn't run it dry and seize the motor.

What he said check the oil level first. If the oil level is low Try to turn the motor by hand if it dosen't turn over easily or turn at all then you might have seized up the motor. Im not an expert though so thats just my opinion. if it's seized up that would be why the stater motor is clicking its trying to turn over an immovable object.

Motor is seized. Time for a swap.

Yep, somebody screwed something up during your build. You shouldn't have driven it if the motor was making noise.....time for a new motor.