Need rebuild kit help, cam kit?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 118
Likes: 5
Need rebuild kit help, cam kit? My 02 LS1 w/T56 catfish sounded like it had bottom end damage after trying to start it last. It would not crank, and I thought I heard a tick the time before I drove it. (it's very loud, open longtube headers, so hard to hear little things)
I have a trusted mechanic who will do the labor, but I need to bring parts myself and send him parts list so he can do labor estimate.
This is a daily driven LS1 with 150k miles and a rough exterior - not a track car but also not a garage queen.
Im looking for what's needed to rebuild the engine, but also interested in a mild / streetable cam kit to go with rebuild.
The longtube headers are the most significant mod. I dont want to replace the clutch or rebuild a stronger transmission - unless absolutely necessary. Again, daily driven car - not going to be dropping the clutch or redlining. I just want a little cam lope if it's not going to be significantly more expensive as part of already necessary rebuild.
Thank you for any links or referrals. A cost estimate would be helpful with any build suggestions.
I have a trusted mechanic who will do the labor, but I need to bring parts myself and send him parts list so he can do labor estimate.
This is a daily driven LS1 with 150k miles and a rough exterior - not a track car but also not a garage queen.
Im looking for what's needed to rebuild the engine, but also interested in a mild / streetable cam kit to go with rebuild.
The longtube headers are the most significant mod. I dont want to replace the clutch or rebuild a stronger transmission - unless absolutely necessary. Again, daily driven car - not going to be dropping the clutch or redlining. I just want a little cam lope if it's not going to be significantly more expensive as part of already necessary rebuild.
Thank you for any links or referrals. A cost estimate would be helpful with any build suggestions.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 468
From: Seattle
Honestly man, with 150K on the clock, when you have the cam out, if theres any bad looking wear on the lobes, you might want to think about taking off the heads and replacing the lifter trays. Those things at that age can become brittle, loosen up and let the lifters walk around a little bit. New plastic trays are less than 30 bucks for a set of 4.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 118
Likes: 5
Yes I was imagining a full tear down and rebuild
Honestly man, with 150K on the clock, when you have the cam out, if theres any bad looking wear on the lobes, you might want to think about taking off the heads and replacing the lifter trays. Those things at that age can become brittle, loosen up and let the lifters walk around a little bit. New plastic trays are less than 30 bucks for a set of 4.
LS1Tech Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 1,522
From: Ohio, Georgia, Nevada, Texas
OP,
Here's a list of LS1 engine rebuild kits we offer. This gives you an idea of what's available and what it will cost you. One thing to consider is the cylinder walls and crankshaft. You might need to have the cylinders honed out .005" requiring oversize pistons. The crankshaft journals may also need to be machined which would require undersized bearings. For that reason, we'd recommend having the engine torn down first. Then order rebuild components in case you need oversized pistons or undersized bearings. It may take longer but you won't have to worry about returning parts because you need a different size.
We've got a Pro LS cam for you as well. From what you've described we like our SUM-8715R1 "Ghost" cam for your combo and goals. Specs on it are .600/.575, 222/234, 115+3 with -2* of overlap. The specs and valve events are well matched for a mostly stock LS1. It's designed to be smooth and easy to get along with. You can get a noticeable lope out of it with a low idle speed. This cam will provide a nice power increase but have excellent driveability at the same time with your M6.
Here's an example of the idle with the Ghost cam in an LS1.
You'll need better springs to go with that cam. We recommend our .600" lift beehive springs for the Ghost cam. If you're one for added insurance you can go with the BTR .660" lift dual springs. Pushrods should be upgraded as well. With the Ghost cam and the use of stock rocker arms we recommend using a pushrod length checker, but in most cases, a 7.400" or 7.425" pushrod will work. It's particularly important to check pushrod length if the cylinder heads have been milled. If you wanted to check for pushrod length and don't already have a pushrod length checker we offer the Trick Flow TFS-9501. For the pushrods, we would recommend a minimum of a 5/16" Chromoly pushrod with a .080" wall thickness. You can typically find a set of 16 for around $100.
As theunderlord pointed out it's a good idea to replace not only the lifters but the lifter trays as well. We'd recommend LS7 SUM-HT215-16 lifters or Morel 7717 SUM-HT217-16 lifters. These are both included in lifter and tray kits.
- SUM-HTLSKIT2 for the SUM-HT215-16 lifters
- SUM-HTLSKIT3 for the SUM-HT217-16 lifters.
Let us know if we can be of any further assistance. We'll be happy to help!
Here's a list of LS1 engine rebuild kits we offer. This gives you an idea of what's available and what it will cost you. One thing to consider is the cylinder walls and crankshaft. You might need to have the cylinders honed out .005" requiring oversize pistons. The crankshaft journals may also need to be machined which would require undersized bearings. For that reason, we'd recommend having the engine torn down first. Then order rebuild components in case you need oversized pistons or undersized bearings. It may take longer but you won't have to worry about returning parts because you need a different size.
We've got a Pro LS cam for you as well. From what you've described we like our SUM-8715R1 "Ghost" cam for your combo and goals. Specs on it are .600/.575, 222/234, 115+3 with -2* of overlap. The specs and valve events are well matched for a mostly stock LS1. It's designed to be smooth and easy to get along with. You can get a noticeable lope out of it with a low idle speed. This cam will provide a nice power increase but have excellent driveability at the same time with your M6.
Here's an example of the idle with the Ghost cam in an LS1.
You'll need better springs to go with that cam. We recommend our .600" lift beehive springs for the Ghost cam. If you're one for added insurance you can go with the BTR .660" lift dual springs. Pushrods should be upgraded as well. With the Ghost cam and the use of stock rocker arms we recommend using a pushrod length checker, but in most cases, a 7.400" or 7.425" pushrod will work. It's particularly important to check pushrod length if the cylinder heads have been milled. If you wanted to check for pushrod length and don't already have a pushrod length checker we offer the Trick Flow TFS-9501. For the pushrods, we would recommend a minimum of a 5/16" Chromoly pushrod with a .080" wall thickness. You can typically find a set of 16 for around $100.
As theunderlord pointed out it's a good idea to replace not only the lifters but the lifter trays as well. We'd recommend LS7 SUM-HT215-16 lifters or Morel 7717 SUM-HT217-16 lifters. These are both included in lifter and tray kits.
- SUM-HTLSKIT2 for the SUM-HT215-16 lifters
- SUM-HTLSKIT3 for the SUM-HT217-16 lifters.
Let us know if we can be of any further assistance. We'll be happy to help!
