Bought an LS1, from a local. Looks like it was taken out of a car very meticulously. Complete harness, pcm, everything. It was on a pallet, sitting on a tire. Kinda feels like he bought from a salvage yard.

Knowing nothing about this engine, what are some recommended things I'd be wise to do while it's on a stand outside of the car?

 

Only info I was able to track down is looks like it was out of an fbody, circa 2001.

 

Usually look at lifters, rear main seal and gasket, pull oil pan, check bearings, and if you have it in your budget pull heads and change lifters.
Next up is at least oil pump and timing chain. thats really it unless you want to cam it.

 

What he said, plus I would do a valve job, springs(if you do a cam) and trunion up grade. General clean-up and inspection but I never know when to quit, if I'm gonna inspect bearings, for no more than they cost, I would just replace them.

 

I would fill it with water and oil then start it to see how it sounds, go from there.

 

Just cam it, you know you want to. Then you have another excuse to change lifters, springs and do the trunion upgrade.

 

Great advice. Thanks for all of that. This is my first LS engine. Ive been buying most everything from RockAuto over the years for my SBC 350. Are they a good supplier for LS1 parts? If no, any recommendations?

I think I will avoid the cam upgrade for now. This will mostly be a daily driver, and replacing a tired 190hp SBC 350 that gets horrible gas mileage, so the stock LS1 will be a tremendous upgrade for me just as it rolled off the line.

I did start to clean it up (making a bunch of dum dum mistakes along the way). I just pulled the intake off, cleaned up the funk buildup under there, and will most certainly be replacing the timing chain and oil pump while its on the stand. No matter what, its worth the headache savings of doing it while in the car.

 

Rockauto is also a great place for LS1 parts.

 

A mistake that many people have made is not pulling the heads. I've seen people start LS engines that have been sitting for a while that 1 or more cylinders have filled up with water due to a bad head gasket and hydrolock the engine immediately. Always better to be safe.

 

Im sure we can be competitive with rock auto. Plus they do not carry quite a few of the parts youll need and definitely dont offer tech support like we do.

 

Good Advice!

 

Hi ZERO1, my first task would be to "open" the Oil Filter.

As STATED, replace the Spark Plugs AND post those pictures.

Next inspect the element/can bottom for material.
You could post pictures here for better "tech" ?

When/if your engine is found to be in good condition, I would pic a "tune app"

I like HP Tuners.

A correct tune should allow for 350-400 HP depending on the exhaust system fitted. (OEM components)

Your will SAVE 120+.lbs of car weight.

Lance

 

I totally didnt get you were a supplier here. Awesome!

 

Email me and we can get you goin!

Rpmspeedtech@gmail.com

 

Hi Zero, what is your oil filter report ?

As stated, this gives all here direction.

I too would request inspection of the timing set, add the LS-2 chain guide, fit my Avon Gear timing set AT "split overlap" timing. (good for OEM/custom cams)
I would inspect the oil pump rotors AND "shim" the pressure spring .040"

I would fit a LS-7 Magnetic Oil Pan Drain Plug.

Lance

 

What the others have said and new plugs, plug wires and thermostat. If you keep the stock heads, I would replace the valve springs and valve seals. The stock valve springs aren't that great even with a stock cam. A set of LS6 springs are inexpensive and better than the old tired LS1 springs.

Best of luck with your project.

 

Yeah, as much as I dread the idea of getting that knee deep in this engine, I think that is wisdom. Ill be pulling those off.

 

Thanks Pantera,

Plugs and pics coming for sure. Id love to hear from the deep experience on this site.

Pantera, are you in Santa Ana? Me too.

Im doing a 1981 corvette SRIII frame with a C5/C6 suspension, LS1 T56...blah..blah..blah. I think I bit off more than I can chew...or afford.

Thanks for all the great advice.