When is it enough?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
When is it enough? Two years ago, I had a set up I was real happy with. My stock shortblock was in great shape, had great oil pressure, and didn't burn oil. I installed a H/C set up in my garage that ran great, and put out the numbers I expected. I wanted to put the dry N2O kit back on, so I though an upgraded shortblock would be a good insurance mod. Since the shortblock install, I haven't seen the track once. I use oil and coolant. I have replaced the fuel pump, two sets of lifters, three sets of rocker arms, three sets of pushrods, and spent a ton of money to chase down a mysterious issue that won't allow the motor to make power past 6K. The heads did fine on the original shortblock. After pulling the heads this year for the lifter swaps, I see that the block surface has damage above cylinders 3 and 5. I'm not sure if it's sealing or not.
When does a guy cut his losses and call it quits? I've got a 2 yr old that needs a savings account more than I need a Camaro. I'd just like to find some resolution. Thanks for listening.
When does a guy cut his losses and call it quits? I've got a 2 yr old that needs a savings account more than I need a Camaro. I'd just like to find some resolution. Thanks for listening.
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
From: Texas, dont mess with us!
i would say, get it running properly, make that kickass pass down the 1/4 youve been waiting for. Then sell the bitch and have some good funds for your kids savings account! Thats just me tho, i cant leave anything be with unfinished business.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 14,620
Likes: 17
From: BFE
Originally Posted by koolrayz
I think the answer to what his problems are is in his sig. Its an ARE shortblock. Sure looks like new shortblock time
Is that AGOSTINO Racing? Canada?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
I'm having the short block looked at next week. If it's the shortblock, what should I expect the vendor to do? I'm looking for input on a fair settlement for both parties. 
How can it be proved that the short block is at fault?
How can it be proved that the short block is at fault?
I'd say it'll be hard to get much out of ARE after the SNAFU they've been through. I've personally seen some pretty shady stuff out of them. I'm not going to get into what it was since it was a while back. I also agree its new shortblock time.
Trending Topics
If the motor is 1-2 years old, I wouldn't expect much from the vendor. All you can hope for is some salvagable parts and someone who can actually rebuild the motor the right way. A man knows his breaking point, so you are the only one that can justify when it is time to quit.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
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
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
Originally Posted by max's dad
What gets me is that unless this was a daily driver, or a frequent track car, how would I have know that the short block was garbage sooner than I did?
I haven't heard the reasoning why you replaced the rocker arms/lifters/pushrods so many times but I can feel your frustration, I am in a simular situation family wise and often ask myself if the money I spend on my car shouldn't go to other things but I try to justify it by recalling how many hours I work a week and that I will give this car to my son when he turns 16 (5 years) and he wants it enough that he will try to do well in school and have a good work ethic. I cant afford a new short/longblock now so I am trying to save for new injectors and a new pump to feed my 5177 kit
I wont put 10K on it over the next 2 years) so if it will hold together for 2 years it will be paid off and I will build a forged motor for it then. 
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by ss rally red
I haven't heard the reasoning why you replaced the rocker arms/lifters/pushrods so many times but I can feel your frustration, I am in a simular situation family wise and often ask myself if the money I spend on my car shouldn't go to other things but I try to justify it by recalling how many hours I work a week and that I will give this car to my son when he turns 16 (5 years) and he wants it enough that he will try to do well in school and have a good work ethic. I cant afford a new short/longblock now so I am trying to save for new injectors and a new pump to feed my 5177 kit I wont put 10K on it over the next 2 years) so if it will hold together for 2 years it will be paid off and I will build a forged motor for it then.
I wont put 10K on it over the next 2 years) so if it will hold together for 2 years it will be paid off and I will build a forged motor for it then. you get the idea
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
I'd be willing to trade back with my original shortblock, and call it even. Guess that's not an option.
Short block-$3500
R&R-$1000
Lifters-$400(two sets)
Springs-$700(three sets, seats, retainers)
one spring install-$250
pushrods-$300(three sets)
various gaskets-$300
dyno time-$900
rocker arms-$900(two sets)
and still counting...
Short block-$3500
R&R-$1000
Lifters-$400(two sets)
Springs-$700(three sets, seats, retainers)
one spring install-$250
pushrods-$300(three sets)
various gaskets-$300
dyno time-$900
rocker arms-$900(two sets)
and still counting...
Damn it does sound like it is a problem with the shortblock at this point I would do the obvious tests like compression and leakdown and see what shows up. All I can say at this point is to sit down and think about it, if you give in and just sell it would you be misreable with no outlet for the speed jones 
that resides in most of us on this board? Good luck to you whichever way you decide.
that resides in most of us on this board? Good luck to you whichever way you decide. 
I think for most people enough is enough when their car has more downtime than uptime or they simply run out of funds or interest.
Personally I would save up a few grand and send your car to a good tuner to be fixed. There is no reason that a car can't be fast and reliable ( if done correctly ).
Good luck,
Mark
Personally I would save up a few grand and send your car to a good tuner to be fixed. There is no reason that a car can't be fast and reliable ( if done correctly ).
Good luck,
Mark
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by mdhmi
I think for most people enough is enough when their car has more downtime than uptime or they simply run out of funds or interest.
Personally I would save up a few grand and send your car to a good tuner to be fixed. There is no reason that a car can't be fast and reliable ( if done correctly ).
Good luck,
Mark
Personally I would save up a few grand and send your car to a good tuner to be fixed. There is no reason that a car can't be fast and reliable ( if done correctly ).
Good luck,
Mark
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 743
Likes: 0
From: Foley, Alabama-southern Alabama
If you are"nt happy with the work they done the first time then I wouldn"t go back for seconds.I can feel your pain though,I broke a rear u-joint Sunday and thought ITS NOT WORTH IT!! 
personally i think if someone didn't take the time to do it right the first time, and didn't take the time to make it right after that, why give them the chance a third time around? no, there are FAR too many reputable, dependable, EXCELLENT shops on this board that are more then capable getting your car up and running in the fashion she deserves in a timely manner. not to mention, they will also work with you and treat you the way the customer deserves. futral, hpe, texas speed, thunder racing, just to name a few. i know i left a bunch out but i'm in the south so thats who i focus on(yea yea i'm biased). even today i got top notch customer service from AMS Racing, who stayed almost an hour after closing to help me get my T/A in to get repaired(blown rear main seal). I towed her from Fort Hood, where it broke down over the weekend to their shop in Arlington, near where I live, and they stayed 45 mins past closing w/o an appointment when I called 5 mins before they closed. They told me to expect a call tomorrow with some answers. THATS customer service. Not a fucked up shortblock w/o recourse or expectations of any.
thats not the point i was tryin to get across. my loyalties aren't the subject matter here lol. what WAS the point was that some shops DO go the extra mile to take care of their customers. and yes, i will remember AMS the next time i need a shop to take care of something for my car. i do most of my own work usually tho. i'm just sayin...why head down that path when there's already other proven options??
