Price this used LS1 engine...
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Teching In
Joined: Apr 2018
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Price this used LS1 engine... Hey all,
A newbie to LS1 tech, from thirdgen.org.
I might have an opportunity on a used LS1 for a third gen camaro swap, and I am trying to determine a reasonable 'offer'. Here are the details:
- LS1 from a C5 corvette (1999 I think)
- no wiring harness
- no flex plate
- no intake manifold
- probably missing some sensors
- not sure of mileage (still getting info on the engine)
The history is that, ten years ago, the shop swapped out the engine for a GM create engine, on a customers corvette, simply because he wanted an updated or newer engine. The engine has been sitting in the newer engine's crate ever since. The shop claims there is nothing really wrong with the original engine.
Now may dad, who has been doing reconnaissance on this engine, has been going to this shop for well over thirty years, and knows the owners who have owned the shop since it opened. There is a higher degree of trust with these guys.
So, what might be a reasonable offer for this engine?
I see LS1s go on eBay for around $2500.
I know most of the missing bits can be had as original or aftermarket.
After assessing the cost of replacement bits, I am inclined to conclude a reasonable offer would be under $1000.
What do you think?
Thanks!
Robert
A newbie to LS1 tech, from thirdgen.org.
I might have an opportunity on a used LS1 for a third gen camaro swap, and I am trying to determine a reasonable 'offer'. Here are the details:
- LS1 from a C5 corvette (1999 I think)
- no wiring harness
- no flex plate
- no intake manifold
- probably missing some sensors
- not sure of mileage (still getting info on the engine)
The history is that, ten years ago, the shop swapped out the engine for a GM create engine, on a customers corvette, simply because he wanted an updated or newer engine. The engine has been sitting in the newer engine's crate ever since. The shop claims there is nothing really wrong with the original engine.
Now may dad, who has been doing reconnaissance on this engine, has been going to this shop for well over thirty years, and knows the owners who have owned the shop since it opened. There is a higher degree of trust with these guys.
So, what might be a reasonable offer for this engine?
I see LS1s go on eBay for around $2500.
I know most of the missing bits can be had as original or aftermarket.
After assessing the cost of replacement bits, I am inclined to conclude a reasonable offer would be under $1000.
What do you think?
Thanks!
Robert
The last ls1 long block I sold was complete intake to pan and had 125,000 miles sold for $1600. The one before that was a short block with 28,000 miles for $1000. They do seem to sell high on E-bay but when I bought the long block I paid $1,000 and I got the other engine as a short block with heads and intake included but not installed for $500.
TECH Addict
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,180
Likes: 969
Feels kind of $1200 ish...
Offer $1000, let em talk you up, walk if it gets past $1400 or so.
Not so much that it's likely there's anything "wrong" with it; rather, that you know GOING IN, you'll have to buy so much other stuff to re-complete it.
Short blocks in these motors don't "wear out" from miles, like they did in older motors. Abuse and poor maintenance are more of a potential problem generally.
Offer $1000, let em talk you up, walk if it gets past $1400 or so.
Not so much that it's likely there's anything "wrong" with it; rather, that you know GOING IN, you'll have to buy so much other stuff to re-complete it.
Short blocks in these motors don't "wear out" from miles, like they did in older motors. Abuse and poor maintenance are more of a potential problem generally.
Biggest problem is it's been sitting for 10 years. It may be rusted and in bad shape inside. Lifers probably crap, valve springs haven't moved in 10 years so some may be weak from being compressed for so long.
I would absolutely pull the heads off and inspect the cylinders for rust before buying it. Pull the oil pan as well.
I saw my brother and my dad both get screwed on engines in the past couple of years that had sat for a while. Both were complete garbage inside from sitting.
VERY VERY few people spend approx 5k to have a new engine put in for no apparent reason so I would already have a very high level of suspicion. A crate LS1 10 years ago was sky high in price and the install in a vette isn't cheap, probably cost the dude closer to 7k easy. Why would someone want to spend that much to replace a "perfectly good engine". It can happen, but i'd be extremely cautious.
I would absolutely pull the heads off and inspect the cylinders for rust before buying it. Pull the oil pan as well.
I saw my brother and my dad both get screwed on engines in the past couple of years that had sat for a while. Both were complete garbage inside from sitting.
VERY VERY few people spend approx 5k to have a new engine put in for no apparent reason so I would already have a very high level of suspicion. A crate LS1 10 years ago was sky high in price and the install in a vette isn't cheap, probably cost the dude closer to 7k easy. Why would someone want to spend that much to replace a "perfectly good engine". It can happen, but i'd be extremely cautious.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 255
From: Coast of San Mateo County Between Pacifica & HMB
Biggest problem is it's been sitting for 10 years. It may be rusted and in bad shape inside. Lifers probably crap, valve springs haven't moved in 10 years so some may be weak from being compressed for so long.
I would absolutely pull the heads off and inspect the cylinders for rust before buying it. Pull the oil pan as well.
I saw my brother and my dad both get screwed on engines in the past couple of years that had sat for a while. Both were complete garbage inside from sitting.
VERY VERY few people spend approx 5k to have a new engine put in for no apparent reason so I would already have a very high level of suspicion. A crate LS1 10 years ago was sky high in price and the install in a vette isn't cheap, probably cost the dude closer to 7k easy. Why would someone want to spend that much to replace a "perfectly good engine". It can happen, but i'd be extremely cautious.
I would absolutely pull the heads off and inspect the cylinders for rust before buying it. Pull the oil pan as well.
I saw my brother and my dad both get screwed on engines in the past couple of years that had sat for a while. Both were complete garbage inside from sitting.
VERY VERY few people spend approx 5k to have a new engine put in for no apparent reason so I would already have a very high level of suspicion. A crate LS1 10 years ago was sky high in price and the install in a vette isn't cheap, probably cost the dude closer to 7k easy. Why would someone want to spend that much to replace a "perfectly good engine". It can happen, but i'd be extremely cautious.
Engine for more than $20K LOL, so it does happen.
I agree the 10 years sitting is the biggest detriment. I wouldn't touch
An engine sitting that long, expect total remachining and replacing
Everything but Block & Crank.
Offer accordingly.
I pulled a perfectly good 99 LS1 W/152K miles to put in a custom built
Engine for more than $20K LOL, so it does happen.
I agree the 10 years sitting is the biggest detriment. I wouldn't touch
An engine sitting that long, expect total remachining and replacing
Everything but Block & Crank.
Offer accordingly.
Engine for more than $20K LOL, so it does happen.
I agree the 10 years sitting is the biggest detriment. I wouldn't touch
An engine sitting that long, expect total remachining and replacing
Everything but Block & Crank.
Offer accordingly.
VERY VERY few people spend approx 5k to have a new engine put in for no apparent reason so I would already have a very high level of suspicion. A crate LS1 10 years ago was sky high in price and the install in a vette isn't cheap, probably cost the dude closer to 7k easy. Why would someone want to spend that much to replace a "perfectly good engine". It can happen, but i'd be extremely cautious.
One of the LS1's I bought had 25,000 miles and was pulled to drop in a 408 and turbo setup, He kept the motor for years and decided he didn't want to store it any longer.
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People mod almost new cars all the time because to them it's not an expensive hobby. There are plenty of people that buy brand new cars and trucks and mod the **** out of them before they even drive them. Had a guy show up at a local car show. Brand new mustang with less than 10 miles and dropped off to get a complete driveline swap twin turbo's and all. He had more in the swap than he paid for the car.
One of the LS1's I bought had 25,000 miles and was pulled to drop in a 408 and turbo setup, He kept the motor for years and decided he didn't want to store it any longer.
One of the LS1's I bought had 25,000 miles and was pulled to drop in a 408 and turbo setup, He kept the motor for years and decided he didn't want to store it any longer.
I said people don't usually pay THOUSANDS (like near 10k) to put a fresh motor (FRESH motor.... not bigger motor, not modded motor, not stroker motor, FRESH motor) in a car when there is nothing wrong with the old one. Damn near nobody takes a stock motor out to put a new stock motor in, when THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE STOCK ONE THAT WAS IN THE CAR.
The OP said the guy took this motor out to have an "updated/newer" engine put in. That isn't a stroker, that's not H/C/I, it's a stock motor for a stock motor. How many people pay near 10k to take out a perfectly good motor to put in a stock replacement because they want a newer motor...? 1 in a million or less.
YES PEOPLE SPEND TONS ON MODIFYING and doing strokers, and builds, and blowers etc.. That's not is what is being talked about here.
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Verdad Gallardo The OP said the guy took this motor out to have an "updated/newer" engine put in. That isn't a stroker, that's not H/C/I, it's a stock motor for a stock motor. How many people pay near 10k to take out a perfectly good motor to put in a stock replacement because they want a newer motor...? 1 in a million or less.
I don't remember the OP saying they pulled a stock engine out and put a STOCK engine back in? I've always been under the impression that when someone says they updated something to mean they made it better than what it was before.
Hell maybe the guy went with an LS3 or built engine.....It doesn't say otherwise lol After all if you look up the meaning of updated = Make (something) more modern or up to date and improved.
Wouldn't a bigger engine or built engine be considered an improved version of what was in it before therefore an updated engine ?
Well that's your assumption because.....Well we don't know what they meant by an updated engine do we?
I don't remember the OP saying they pulled a stock engine out and put a STOCK engine back in? I've always been under the impression that when someone says they updated something to mean they made it better than what it was before.
Hell maybe the guy went with an LS3 or built engine.....It doesn't say otherwise lol After all if you look up the meaning of updated = Make (something) more modern or up to date and improved.
Wouldn't a bigger engine or built engine be considered an improved version of what was in it before therefore an updated engine ?
I don't remember the OP saying they pulled a stock engine out and put a STOCK engine back in? I've always been under the impression that when someone says they updated something to mean they made it better than what it was before.
Hell maybe the guy went with an LS3 or built engine.....It doesn't say otherwise lol After all if you look up the meaning of updated = Make (something) more modern or up to date and improved.
Wouldn't a bigger engine or built engine be considered an improved version of what was in it before therefore an updated engine ?
