Forged Internals vs. New Short Block
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Forged Internals vs. New Short Block Cost-wise, what would be the most budget friendly option? Buying a forged rotating assembly and use your existing LS block OR buying a new block with a forged rotating assembly from a vendor? If I were to guess, the expense of machining your existing block would jack up the costs close to buying a brand new short block.
What if you decided to use the stock GM crankshaft? Would it then be cheaper to use your existing block?
What if you decided to use the stock GM crankshaft? Would it then be cheaper to use your existing block?
In my case it was a better deal to sell my aluminum LS1 block and buy a forged iron LQ9 block from TMS. I used my existing top end and it came with a stock GM crankshaft
The motor had around 80k when it blew. I don't remember exactly, but I wanna say I got around $400 for the block. Took that money and put it towards a fully balance and blueprinted LQ9
Cost-wise, what would be the most budget friendly option? Buying a forged rotating assembly and use your existing LS block OR buying a new block with a forged rotating assembly from a vendor? If I were to guess, the expense of machining your existing block would jack up the costs close to buying a brand new short block.
What if you decided to use the stock GM crankshaft? Would it then be cheaper to use your existing block?
What if you decided to use the stock GM crankshaft? Would it then be cheaper to use your existing block?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
That's really a loaded question because of all the variables. Prices vary by shop and what components you're talking about using. Usually new blocks still need machine work, as most pistons are going to be for an oversized bore. The majority of factory blocks are not torque plate honed, so most machinists will insist on using an oversized piston to hone the cylinder straighter and rounder than they came from GM. Plus you're probably going to pay more for a new block than for an older used block, but you do run the risk of getting screwed with a used block if it's damaged beyond repair.
How would that compare to a new ready-to-order and assembled GM ls2 aluminum block, GM crank, same forged rods, pistons and hardware?
It's going to be more expensive to buy the assembled shortblock. Mainly because the LS2 block is more valuable than the LS6 and because you're probably going to have to pay for shipping the shortblock.
The machine shop local to me will do a stock rebuild with your LS for about $900. You get it disassembled, cleaned, and rebuilt with new rings, bearings, and basic machining. Forged rods and pistons will add about $1100, plus about $250 to balance the crank for the new rods and pistons. Let's call it $2250.
Now try to find a forged rod and piston LS2 for less than $4000.
The machine shop local to me will do a stock rebuild with your LS for about $900. You get it disassembled, cleaned, and rebuilt with new rings, bearings, and basic machining. Forged rods and pistons will add about $1100, plus about $250 to balance the crank for the new rods and pistons. Let's call it $2250.
Now try to find a forged rod and piston LS2 for less than $4000.
Trending Topics
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Houston
It's going to be more expensive to buy the assembled shortblock. Mainly because the LS2 block is more valuable than the LS6 and because you're probably going to have to pay for shipping the shortblock.
The machine shop local to me will do a stock rebuild with your LS for about $900. You get it disassembled, cleaned, and rebuilt with new rings, bearings, and basic machining. Forged rods and pistons will add about $1100, plus about $250 to balance the crank for the new rods and pistons. Let's call it $2250.
Now try to find a forged rod and piston LS2 for less than $4000.
The machine shop local to me will do a stock rebuild with your LS for about $900. You get it disassembled, cleaned, and rebuilt with new rings, bearings, and basic machining. Forged rods and pistons will add about $1100, plus about $250 to balance the crank for the new rods and pistons. Let's call it $2250.
Now try to find a forged rod and piston LS2 for less than $4000.
Last edited by Jason Lester; Jul 24, 2018 at 09:09 PM.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo Thats pretty much the going rate for the Houston machine shops, but it’s the bare bones work needed to get an engine together. As more power is expected, more work will be needed, like cutting the deck of the block for the right surface finish or line honing the mains for ARP studs, the price goes up.
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Thats pretty much the going rate for the Houston machine shops, but it’s the bare bones work needed to get an engine together. As more power is expected, more work will be needed, like cutting the deck of the block for the right surface finish or line honing the mains for ARP studs, the price goes up.
Thanks
I like Nickens Bros in Conroe. Late Model Engines is also in Houston off Brittmore and they definitely know their way around high horsepower LS engines. Above all, I would take the drive up to Dallas and see Erik at Horsepower Research.
It's definitely cheaper to have the machine work done and assemble yourself. It may not be best, but definitely cheaper. If you are not close to a machine shop that could change due to shipping two ways.
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Cost-wise, what would be the most budget friendly option? Buying a forged rotating assembly and use your existing LS block OR buying a new block with a forged rotating assembly from a vendor? If I were to guess, the expense of machining your existing block would jack up the costs close to buying a brand new short block.
What if you decided to use the stock GM crankshaft? Would it then be cheaper to use your existing block?
What if you decided to use the stock GM crankshaft? Would it then be cheaper to use your existing block?
If you are still looking to get either a rotating assembly or a short block built, you are more than welcome to give us a shout, We will be more than happy to grab you some pricing and let you know the best route to take at that point.
Thank you
Dustin
TMS
972-853-2450
dustin@thompsonmotorsports.net
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Thanks for the recommendations. I spoke with Wayne at Nickens Bros, I may have them do it.