Looking for some help from the experts here.

Basically what i have is a LS1 dropped in a 1980 trans am. The motor was put together last year, and maybe has 3000 miles on it. The pistons/rods and crank were replaced last year, also ported heads and a 564 lift cam were added at that time. Long story short the block is cracked, also i am hearing so slight knocking noise from inside the engine. I cant narrow it down but I have heard many LS engines and this does not sound normal to me. So my plan is to order a new block and attempt to re use the rotating assembly, and send the heads out to have them checked.

My question is what should I or shouldnt i re-use? assuming the rods, pistons and crank are in good shape?

 

Hmmm


I would find an Ls engine guy locally and depending on if the rotating assembly is still good you might be able to get it rebuilt for under 1k

The heads should be fine but might as well get them checked out..

Basically you need to tear the whole engine open and look at the cam, lifters, pushrods, rockers, all bearings and see what you can reuse..

 

If you can't find an ls1 block reasonable you could always find a 5.3 block and bore it to 5.7 then just reuse your internals, but start with the teardown to see what is reuseable first then go from there! Good Luck Larry.

 

That cam has way too much overlap (16 degrees) for a small cube engine. It might be ok in a 400+ CID stroker engine, but it's not going to be very street friendly. I would go with one of the cams mentioned above.

 

6-year old thread..... plus NOBODY is talking cams here. You in the right thread?

 

Nope. I must have scrolled down too far.

 

Been there....dun that! LOL

 

I just made this thread a few weeks sgo. I think what happened was the mods merged my old username that i was unable to log in to. Anyway my wife and i have decided we are finished throwing money at this motor. Going to sell it and purchase a LS3 crate motor.