First, I have searched through the forum to find similar threads, but couldn't find anything that was exactly what I'm looking for. I am definitely not an expert with cars, but I like playing with them and I have a couple friends who are really good at making sure I don't screw anything up.

In 2002 (when I was 16) I bought a '94 camaro (3.4L), and dropped the LT1 drivetrain into it (with the help of a couple much more knowledgable friends, two of which are "master mechanics", one with ford and the other audi). I sold that car a couple years later, and bought a '96 trans am. Loved that car, but ended up selling it so I could go back to school. Now I'm out of school, I'm thinking about starting a project, but I'm looking for advice. I'm open for advice for just about everything.

I would like to end up with wither a '98-'02 trans am, or a C5 corvette (I suppose I wouldn't say no to a C6, though). I am thinking about building/rebuilding a LS1 with a T56. I loved the LT1 I had in my old cars, but I've been told I should go with the LS engines. I'm not looking to go crazy with it, I would say ~375-425HP, nothing special (compared to what I see all over on this forum). I don't exactly know what I want to do to the engine yet, but I bet it'll be mostly bolt-ons (I am definitely open to suggestions here).

I'm thinking about buying a junkyard/scrapyard LS1, spending awhile building it, and then buying a car that needs an engine. Have any of you done this? Does it end up being more hassle than it's worth (both price and time)? I have read mixed reviews about getting junkyard/scrapyard engines. I've read that the aluminum LS blocks can easily be messed up at a scrapyard and hard to tell, and that other people just recommend ordering a new crate engine. To be honest, I am not sure what my budget is yet, so let's say something like $3,000-$4,000 for the LS1 and T56 (If it ends up being cheaper than that, great! I'm hoping to have some fun with this, but save money by having me and my buddies do a lot of the work).

If I bought, say, a LS1 from a scrapyard, took it apart and cleaned everything, and then started ordering parts/building from scratch, what are the chances that it wouldn't work (because of it being from a scrapyard)?

 

Just curious,

Why wouldn't you just buy a 98-02 F-body that already has the engine/transmission combo you want already in it?

You can find some pretty good deals on fourth gens if you look and are willing to travel. Granted the vettes will be a hair more expensive.

 

I would not tear down an engine unless you replaced all the bearings and measured the clearances with a reliable dial bore gauge and micrometer.

If you get a used engine that turns over smoothly, just inspect the cylinder walls, install new cam/heads (including supporting items like pushrods, lifters, etc.) and you'll be good to go

 

SinisterWS6, I do not have a problem with buying another f-body and just rebuilding the motor. Now that I'm out of school (and actually making money instead of spending money), I am hoping to start a project in the next few months, and spend some time on it. I would rather end up with a car with lower miles (on both the engine and chassis). I ASSUMED it would be cheaper to buy an engine with higher miles, rebuild it, and put it into a car with lower miles (and it would give me something to do).

RezinTexas, cam/heads would definitely be a couple of the things I would upgrade (other things I definitely want is a flowmaster exhaust and a set of longtube headers). Most of my experience has been with my old LT1, and if I remember correctly people were recommending either a CC305 or LT4 hotcam for a mild cam. And, I remember everyone saying the pushrods were essential for a rebuild.

Again, I am looking for any and all advice. If it would be better (not just time, but also price) to just buy a car as-is, that is fine.

 

Just buy a complete car that has been taken care of.
/thread

 

crazyelf, yes, that is the other option; why do you recommend that?