Rebuild my LS1 or go with a new motor?
01-28-2014, 09:53 AM
#1
Rebuild my LS1 or go with a new motor? Current motor has 10-15% leakdowns and blowing oil out the exhaust. I road race the car, so it sees a lot of WOT and very hot temps. Not unusual to get track temps in the 120-140F range plus the thin air of 6000' above sea level.
Time, minimally, for a rebuild. I'm kinda doubting I'm going to get away with just slapping new rings/bearing in this. I'm looking into 3.905" pistons and getting everything balanced, blueprinted, my cam degreed, etc.
I've been playing with the idea of adding a set of 243 heads while the motor is out.
What I'm wondering is if I'm better off just getting a built long block, as I can probably sell my current long block to a racer as a rebuildable core for $1000-1500.
What do you guys think? Besides Texas Speed and Performance, where else is a place I should consider getting a long block from?
Time, minimally, for a rebuild. I'm kinda doubting I'm going to get away with just slapping new rings/bearing in this. I'm looking into 3.905" pistons and getting everything balanced, blueprinted, my cam degreed, etc.
I've been playing with the idea of adding a set of 243 heads while the motor is out.
What I'm wondering is if I'm better off just getting a built long block, as I can probably sell my current long block to a racer as a rebuildable core for $1000-1500.
What do you guys think? Besides Texas Speed and Performance, where else is a place I should consider getting a long block from?
01-28-2014, 11:00 AM
#2
I would put in some nice pistons, rods and bearings in the current block. A budget set of 243s with a valvejob will go a long way also.
Built shortblocks you're looking at over 4k. Unless the machine shop completely hoses you, you should be able to get one built with parts for around 2k. I wouldn't think a worn down LS1 would command as much as 1500 since all that's good is the crank and block which are worth maybe 6-800 combined.
So in the end, would be cheaper to build your current block...but it would require more downtime than just getting a new more expensive built block.
Built shortblocks you're looking at over 4k. Unless the machine shop completely hoses you, you should be able to get one built with parts for around 2k. I wouldn't think a worn down LS1 would command as much as 1500 since all that's good is the crank and block which are worth maybe 6-800 combined.
So in the end, would be cheaper to build your current block...but it would require more downtime than just getting a new more expensive built block.
01-29-2014, 09:37 AM
#4
TECH Addict
01-29-2014, 09:47 AM
#5
As long as you aren't going to boost it I'd suggest some cheapo scat rods over the stockers and some forged pistons on the stock crank.
I wish I had access to a machine shop here. :-( I'd have to buy a whole balanced rotating assembly from TSP to forge my motor.....That's $2k just for parts. Another $1k in tools. /sigh
I wish I had access to a machine shop here. :-( I'd have to buy a whole balanced rotating assembly from TSP to forge my motor.....That's $2k just for parts. Another $1k in tools. /sigh
