OKay, got a 98 t/a m6 with 94k miles on it. was bone stock when i bought it 10K miles ago. only has cai and catback. trying to keep it lost cost. it's a DD and has to stay reliable. Well, the engine has a knocking noise every now and then. i can hear a popping noise in the tune for tailpipe every couple of seconds. i changed the plugs and it went away for about a minute then came back. so... figure time for build. I was thinking about going with a LS6 crate cause i could always s/c it later on... or rebuilding the engine as cheap but with upgrades. Patriot LS6 heads s/c friendly cam for if i do s/c it and crank with bigger stroke to increase cu. in.
Open to suggestions. Please remember I'm in the military, I'm not a doctor lol money is limited.
Thank you...

 

Rebuild what you got. Forged 347 shouldn't be TOO much.

 

What about just getting an LS6 crate? I see them go for $4000 on ebay? sometimes less...

 

You could pull your motor, get forged 347 pistons/rods, keep your stock crank (as it's good to 1k hp anyways) and send it to the machine shop for much less dude.

 

but the money i'd be paying to upgrade heads/cam ect. wouldn't i being spending as much? I'm not doing to work myself.

 

nah an ls6 crate motor is great only if you wanna spend money for stock performance and zero miles. Forging the thing maybe pistons and rods, keep the crank if you can and maybe some nice heads or cam or both while you have the thing apart and for less than the crate youll have a huge jump over stock and basically a new motor

 

btw the ls1 is a slightly lower compression motor which would be a little better(safer) for power adders, especially with forged pistons

 

if you are trying to stay smog legal then the largest you want to go with a cam is a 224/224 on 114lsa. I am a little confused by your post as to how you know your motor is toast and needs to be built.

 

schwanke engines has ls short blocks for a good price.I would do a ls 383 with a rotating assembably from a vendor.I have seen ls6 crate motors for $3250 from SDPC.

 

okay so here is what i've been thinking. Stick with rebuilding my LS1 with 4 inch crank for a 383 and use patriot LS6 heads new i just need to know if i should get complete forged rotating assembly and what cam to use...?

 

most rotating are forged,check TSP for pricing..if you are on a budget consider some stock 243s for $400.if you get used 243s do a valve job and install good springs.you need a cam with - over lap to pass emissions.contact Patrick-G for a that is legal and will make great power .

 

i really just was going to get the ls6 assembled patriot heads for $1300, 4 inch crank $1000, plus ls6 intake, new injectors, bearings and rings, gaskets, ect.
should i have to buy forged rods or pistons?
ALSO, can i go with larger crank? whats the biggest i can go with stock LS1 block?
thanks