Need engine rebuild, any tips?
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Teching In
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 31
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From: bay area, CA
Need engine rebuild, any tips? I have a 1998 z28 with original engine. I plan on rebuilding the engine and would like to know what are good rebuilt kits that aren't too expensive and I'd like to buy a little better-than-oem pistons. looking to be at 300-750 dollar range.
help.
help.
I don't think you'll be able to do it with that budget. I haven't ever looked for anything other than forged pistons for one, but I don't think you can get different pistons and stay in that budget. Once you start going with aftermarket pistons you really need to balance your rotating assembly because of the different weight of the new pistons. Some people say you don't have to if you aren't spinning the motor over 6000rpm's, but I haven't tried it, I've only done research on it. Most aftermarket pistons that I have seen are for a little bigger bore and require some block work too.
Is the motor trashed or is it still running? How much power are you going to be pushing through it? A stock ls1 will reliably handle 550rwhp for quite a while with a good tune. How many miles are on the motor? You could do a compression test and see if the compression is good, then go from there. I'd say just go through everything real good once it's torn down, maybe swap the rings, rod/main bearings and the cam bearings if they need replaced. You may get in there and everything look good, or it could be that it was getting ready to let go on you.
There's by far better people in here to get advice from than me and maybe someone will chime in with some pistons that they know you can use or better advice. Either way, good luck and hopefully it works out in your pocketbooks favor.
Is the motor trashed or is it still running? How much power are you going to be pushing through it? A stock ls1 will reliably handle 550rwhp for quite a while with a good tune. How many miles are on the motor? You could do a compression test and see if the compression is good, then go from there. I'd say just go through everything real good once it's torn down, maybe swap the rings, rod/main bearings and the cam bearings if they need replaced. You may get in there and everything look good, or it could be that it was getting ready to let go on you.
There's by far better people in here to get advice from than me and maybe someone will chime in with some pistons that they know you can use or better advice. Either way, good luck and hopefully it works out in your pocketbooks favor.
Piston Weight Hi, thanks for the interest.
The piston weight can be LESS, just not greater, must all be equal.
They will be close (less weight) though as the RPM increases the need for "overbalance" also increases.
Then there is the amount of oil inside the crown that adds to weight requirement.
There could be a C.R. requirement that you have not stated as of yet.
This could add weight to a lite piston.
The good news is there is NO cost to increase bore by .003" to allow a low
cost hone, NOT a Bore Job.
When you use a King bearing, you have better quality, correct size, low cost.
Lance
The piston weight can be LESS, just not greater, must all be equal.
They will be close (less weight) though as the RPM increases the need for "overbalance" also increases.
Then there is the amount of oil inside the crown that adds to weight requirement.
There could be a C.R. requirement that you have not stated as of yet.
This could add weight to a lite piston.
The good news is there is NO cost to increase bore by .003" to allow a low
cost hone, NOT a Bore Job.
When you use a King bearing, you have better quality, correct size, low cost.
Lance