Time for a new motor? complicated
01-21-2014, 11:04 AM
#1
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: peoria, Arizona
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Time for a new motor? complicated Hey guys,
recently I started blowing blue smoke out my tail pipes. Tried changing the pcv valve, and its still happening. It's not happening constantly, but I can still see it once in a while, and smell it. After asking around, it appears that my engine is near the end of its life. It's an 01 ls1 t/a. 160,000 on the clock. As with anytime when this sort of thing happens, it doesnt happen at the best time. So now I get to decide what to do... either get a new engine, or possibly rebuild mine, so Id like some feed back. I'm also trying to stay within a 5-6,000 budget.
option 1- I keep my motor, have it rebuilt, but stonger. Forged internals, maybe a cam, maybe heads if I can afford it ( even basic 243's are fine with me, and i can port them later). The shop said they could rebuild it, and that it would be bored .30 over.
option 2- replace the motor. I wouldnt mind going with just a stock ls6, and throwing some headers on it, and if I could afford it, a mild cam. Some people have recommended an LQ9, but I dont know much about them, how easy it is to find parts for them, and I feel a bit held back about adding 80-100 lbs to the front end.
So those are my two options. Thoughts?
recently I started blowing blue smoke out my tail pipes. Tried changing the pcv valve, and its still happening. It's not happening constantly, but I can still see it once in a while, and smell it. After asking around, it appears that my engine is near the end of its life. It's an 01 ls1 t/a. 160,000 on the clock. As with anytime when this sort of thing happens, it doesnt happen at the best time. So now I get to decide what to do... either get a new engine, or possibly rebuild mine, so Id like some feed back. I'm also trying to stay within a 5-6,000 budget.
option 1- I keep my motor, have it rebuilt, but stonger. Forged internals, maybe a cam, maybe heads if I can afford it ( even basic 243's are fine with me, and i can port them later). The shop said they could rebuild it, and that it would be bored .30 over.
option 2- replace the motor. I wouldnt mind going with just a stock ls6, and throwing some headers on it, and if I could afford it, a mild cam. Some people have recommended an LQ9, but I dont know much about them, how easy it is to find parts for them, and I feel a bit held back about adding 80-100 lbs to the front end.
So those are my two options. Thoughts?
01-21-2014, 11:48 AM
#4
Well, first things first, find a better machine shop that is more familiar with the LS engines. If the one you've talked to said they'll bore your LS1 out .030", then I would not use them. LS1 engines are not supposed to be taken out that far. They should only be honed maybe .004-.010".
01-21-2014, 08:54 PM
#7
listen to these guys ^^^. but if you have to rebuild it ,get a ls383 stroker rotating assembly .go to Texas Speed to get a idea of what things will cost ,and what will fit into your budget .
Trending Topics
01-22-2014, 03:19 AM
#8
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: peoria, Arizona
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My budget is going to be around 5-6k. The car is daily driven, and rarely launched. I plan to stay n/a, with plans of ported heads in the future. The other shop I talked to today made it seem like the lq9 with a mild cam is the cheapest way to go for now. my friend is coming over tomorrow to help me do a compression test, and to also see how much oil is in the intake
01-22-2014, 09:14 AM
#9
Launching!
Well I would stay with the LS1 or get an ls6 if there isn't going to be boost involved. Because the lq9 might have more displacement but its still heavier cause its an iron block. That's just my opinion though.
01-22-2014, 11:05 AM
#10
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: peoria, Arizona
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thats the one thing that I dont like about the lq9 is the weight. I brought that up to the shop yesterday and he said I wouldnt really notice it if i go ahead and bump up the hp with a mild cam like i asked about. Also, about the boring, I've heard of ls1's being bored 30 over. maybe i got my decimel point mixed up.
01-22-2014, 09:55 PM
#12
I wanted to make sure the builder knew what he was talking abou, so I asked him was he boring it. 030 over he said, you can bore the ls block that much I told him I was just checking his knowledge on the ls block
01-22-2014, 10:20 PM
#13
TECH Resident
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Joliet Illinois
Posts: 966
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would bet valve seals too. Your motor is probable fine run leak down test and compression test like people have mentioned. If it still has plenty of power and still getting good milage it is probably fine. Also lots of folks have more then 160k on there origanal motor. I have 170k on my cammed motor. However if you do need a rebuild I would go with a tms short block. It's for sure under you budget. http://www.thompsonmotorsports.net/i...adj13utbndjqb1
01-24-2014, 05:33 PM
#14
its valve seals or piston rings. when you do your compression test if the compression is low put a little bit of oil in there and do anouther test on it if the compression comes up then its rings if the compression is good then do valve seals.
5-6000k is a pretty good budget if you can do alot of the work yourself. if your not going to go crazy with the engine i wouldnt go fordged cuz u just wont need it. if your gonna run boost or a ton of compression then by all means go forged.
5-6000k is a pretty good budget if you can do alot of the work yourself. if your not going to go crazy with the engine i wouldnt go fordged cuz u just wont need it. if your gonna run boost or a ton of compression then by all means go forged.