xssive

iTrader: (123)

So far, I have gone for the most budget forged buildup possible,

Here is what I have found-

Lunati 3.903 bore forged pistons and Lunati RIngs- 580$ for everything
Scat SBC Hbeams with ARP rod bolts- 320 shipped
Machined Block from AP Engineering (core refund of 550$) - 1200$

JZ'sTA

iTrader: (23)

Sounds like a good setup.
What size are those rods? 6.125?
Also how did you get Launti pistons and rings for 580?
Normally the Pistons are that price by themselves plus another 175 for rings.

xssive

iTrader: (123)

Yes, the rods are 6.125. I got the pistons through Tbyrne for 440 and the rings are 139. They were on sale...

JZ'sTA

iTrader: (23)

Nice, where did you get the rods?
Also what is the difference between SB Chevy rods and the rods made for LS1's.
I have just started looking into the different ways to do a built bottom end.
Is there a lot of machine work required? I am going to use the block out of my 98 TA. It has 24000 miles on it and I blew a piston. Time to rebuild and this is looking like a very good idea.
Thanks

xssive

iTrader: (123)

I got the rods from CNC Motorsports. They sell on ebay all the time... The difference between the sbc rod and ls1 rods is the offset to center the rod on the piston pins. The sbc rods are not centered on the pin, but there are hundreds of people running this combo with no problems.


For the block, I would just do a cleanup hone on the cylinder bores, or you could bore them out to 3.903" or 3.905". THose are the most common piston sizes .

JZ'sTA

iTrader: (23)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...473343925&rd=1
This is something very similar then?

I believe 3.905 is the most you can go on 98 blocks.
Thanks for the info so far.
Got the brain waves kicking into gear.

DenzSS

You need to do more than hone the cylinders. These blocks typically need to be aligned bored, honed, and decked to be actually square.

JZ'sTA

iTrader: (23)

This is what Thunder racing suggested I do as well.
They said not all LS1's are the same and you defentially need to check and recheck everything.

JZ'sTA

iTrader: (23)

Another question. If you were to use the stock rods or aftermarket rods that were stock size and a stock size aftermarket piston then would there be less machine work?
Couldn't you just pull one set and drop the new stuff in?

DenzSS

You can, but frankly you'd be better off just keeping with the stock engine.

Machine work is 95% of building an engine. Skipping that will get you nowhere.

DenzSS

Yup. They are dead-on. From what I've seen, they all need machine work. Some are better or worse than others.

nikejr16

I was thinking of rebuilding my stock block it currently has 121,320 on the clock. Do you suggest AP Engineering or is there anyone locally in the bay area that does good block machining.

chino_man279

iTrader: (7)

IMO, you cannot beat the pricing and the customer service that AP Engineering has. They are a top notch crew, very knowledgable as well. My 370 short block was built by them and appears to be an "A" quality job....

The blocks do need more machine work than just a hone. If the rest of the tolerances are not right, the whole motor will be smoked regardless of forged parts or not....

onyxxtreme

iTrader: (4)

why do people always say 98's can't have the bores machined out past 3.905" ?
I talked to the guy at Diamond pistons and he told me all years are the same as far as how much you can bore them out
I remember a few people a while back on here, saying the 98's couldnt be bored out past 3.903, while the 99+ could go to 3.905, which turned out to be BS