When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
With not paying for the rotating assembly on my alum 5.3 I'm doing my machine shop bill is $2200 . 1/2 studs, line hone, arp main studs etc
well I had to pay for my rotating assembly. And then the motor stuff I need done, the longer this is going to take. Hell, if I had the crank and rods and it balanced, the bottom end would be finished up this evening or tomorrow evening.
I stripped the engine down. Removed the cam bearings. Had to make a to for that. Then I Soaked the block a few times in purple power. Pressure washed it. Ran long brushes through all the oil passages and cleaned everything out. Rinsed. Hoses the cylinder walls down with oil. Then blew it all out with compressed air and let it sit in front of my shop heater for a while.
Them I made a much needed tool. A piston ring compressor. I looked online first to see how much one was. $40 and up. The cheap ones didn’t look tapered. So I decided I have material to make one, why the heck not. It’s probably better than what you buy. I tested it when I was done and made it worlds easier than those stupid ones that are like a band that you compress around it, and cut yourself on. Ugh.
well I had to pay for my rotating assembly. And then the motor stuff I need done, the longer this is going to take. Hell, if I had the crank and rods and it balanced, the bottom end would be finished up this evening or tomorrow evening.
I'm not saying I disnt pay for the rotating assembly. I'm just saying machine shop bill minus rotating assembly is $2200 lol forged ***** expensive. The sbe 5.3 I have now was $89 😂
My 5.7 in my GTO decided to give up on me after a track outing this past weekend, my fault i'm sure. I think I leaned it out too much. O well. Happens.
Welcome to the club! . Good luck with your build.
Last edited by Hardtop Brian; Nov 18, 2019 at 02:26 PM.
I would also do the ARP Bottom end, line honed plus an ATI dampener for your build. Only because you drive the heck out of your car with frequent WOT runs in all conditions.
If it was just a weekend warrior or track car then I wouldn't bother. IMO.
Unfortunately, peace of mind costs money
I would also do the ARP Bottom end, line honed plus an ATI dampener for your build. Only because you drive the heck out of your car with frequent WOT runs in all conditions.
If it was just a weekend warrior or track car then I wouldn't bother. IMO.
Unfortunately, peace of mind costs money
no one in town line hones, I called around and no dice. So, one place said they Line BORE for $350 (ouch). I was told by that same machine shop to just check it and they usually dont need it. I was also told by two close friends the same thing. One of those friends is the ONLY other person besides myself, that I would trust to build me a motor. He builds dozens of LS engines a year.....he does it for a living. I may bring him my bottom end and have him check it for me to make sure.
Another option is I see PRO Comp (speedmaster) sells main studs. My train of thought leads me to this:
I saw a head bolt/stud test. The pro comp studs was about as strong as stock bolts. Pretty pathetic, however, Say I decide to go back with stock bolts, I'd be better with the procomp studs because multiple torque's on the stock studs to check clearances doesnt sit well with me, because , you know....screwing bolts into aluminum. So the studs would take the wear on the aluminum out of the equation, not clamp any better than stock so it may not distort the bores. Or am I just dreaming........
With not paying for the rotating assembly on my alum 5.3 I'm doing my machine shop bill is $2200 . 1/2 studs, line hone, arp main studs etc
That's insane! Hopefully its sleeved for that price. Personally I would never put that much into a stock block, getting too close to much stronger options at that point.
....because multiple torque's on the stock studs to check clearances doesnt sit well with me, because , you know....screwing bolts into aluminum. So the studs would take the wear on the aluminum out of the equation, not clamp any better than stock so it may not distort the bores. Or am I just dreaming........
That has always bugged me too. Your reasoning seems logical. Make sure you lube the tops of the washers not the bottom.
That's insane! Hopefully its sleeved for that price. Personally I would never put that much into a stock block, getting too close to much stronger options at that point.
No sleeves 1/2 head stud conversion is $800 including studs . Then your standard $1200 machine bill .
That has always bugged me too. Your reasoning seems logical. Make sure you lube the tops of the washers not the bottom.
Like under the heads of the nutz? Check.
Hmmmm. I'm tempted to try these. I havent found any info on them....I was just about to start a thread so I can get the usual anwer i'd expect...(in a sarcastic voice) "just buy the arp".....Its easy to spend someone elses money.....I just cant seem to be ok with paying $250 for a stud kits and $350 for a line bore. So $600 just to do main studs! This makes the whole thing just not worth doing. I'm not trying to cheap out on ****, but damn. I'm already way over the original budget. I might just reuse the stock bolts.....Many people seem to do fine with that.
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.
. Good luck with your build. 
