The 150k miles LS1 block in my 2002 Camaro is done!

​​​​​Looking for a budget donor - either a full pullout or just a block to rebuild with the top end LS1 parts.

What should I look for and be willing to spend? This is a daily driven car, not looking for crazy performance. A little cam chop to compliment the longtubes would be nice.

 

Any idea as to what caused it? Try any local wrecking yards for a takeout?

 

blown head gasket perhaps, rod chipped up block

Yes lots of cheap truck pullouts... but what do I get? 5.3, 6.0? Analysis paralysis!

Does my old LS1 accessories, heads, intake etc swap over to truck engines?

 

Aww **** that sucks. You mentioned you didn't want to get too rowdy, so see if you can find a LM7, that way your LS1 heads and intake will work. Like all this stuff, you can go as far as your wallet will let you, but I'd throw a cam and a converter at it too (if you're auto) and go have some fun.

 

And if he keeps it at 5.3L, the intake and heads will feed it better than they did the LS1. Move the cam over too, or get a new one with similar specs. You will need to drill a hole on the front of the block for the alternator bracket, but it's an easy do, with plenty of how-to pointers on the interweb.

 

I'm a fan of bigger is better. I'd look for a genIII 6.0 at a local junkyard. Everything will switch over easy peasy. Refurbishing them is also cheap.

 

Not funny but the No. 6 did the same thing to me after 150K. Powdered rods and hyper-u-crapped it pistons suck!

I say build it better, stronger and faster.

 

OP I see you're in TX so hit me up and maybe we can work something out on a new build.

 

Another vote for a 6.0, mild cam and converter

one thing not mentioned here what is your budget? If you only got $1000 then a stock 5.3 is gonna be your only option.
Other wise figure in adding an extra $1000 over whatever a 5.3 will cost you to do a 6.0........... ROUGHLY

 

What happened sucks.

Car-Part can be helpful looking for junkyard motors sometimes. Looked like most wanted $2,500 to $3,500 for a ~150k mile LS1 in my area. The truck motors are probably a much better value at those prices.

I'd definitely go for an LQ4/LQ9 w/cam upgrade if possible.

 

Definitely on a budget - ideally I would just get a donor short block and reuse everything from old engine

 

1800+freight about 300 estimated 141K miles

https://www.ebay.com/itm/25496134085...emis&media=SMS

 

You close to Abilene. Got a good running modified 5.3 I pulled out of my Chevelle.

 

A Ls1 will cost about the same or slightly more than a Iron 6.0
Though you may gain a little power by going to a 6.0 (and using the LS1 heads) it will be offset some by the added weight of the iron block.
Only way I would even consider a Iron 5.3 is if its the ONLY option you can afford.

 

problem seems to be 5.3 are plentiful, and 6.0 are sought after.

 

Hyperutectic pistons usually fine with an accurate tune. So are the powdered metal rods. I'd have to say that these failures are very uncommon, and if a rod breaks in half, even a forged piston is unlikely to survive.......

 

Yeah okay tell that to another LS1 engine with a snapped connecting rod. Why don't you explain to me why the No. 6 rod gave out on a stock LS1 engine with 150k? Went out to start it one morning and clackity clackity! The powder rods suck and if your going to the effort to build an engine then put forged internals in the damn thing.

 

I just looked, and ask- IS there block damage? I'm assuming there is, but there is no mention beyond the snapped rod.

 

I can pretty much guarantee there is block damage because OP's rod snapped in half just as mine did and beat out the bottom of the sleeve also damaged the No. 5 connecting rod and piston assembly and even cracked the side of the block. Oh and the camshaft was toast too due to all the carnage.

 

Yes I didn't get good pictures - but the block itself is done. Lots of visible damage around cylinders base - and that's just what I can see.

Seems like I really just need a short block.