This winter my car is gonna be off the road for 4 months so I think i wana do some work. I am thinkin about pullin the motor and replacing the rings. I was gonna buy the Diamond set for my stock pistons. My car smokes and burns oil like a bitch and i want this problem fixed. I am mechanically inclined and have been workin on cars and bikes for a while now, but i havnt done any internal motor work other than valve lash adjestments on a DOHC car. Anyways, I was just wondering if this would be a job I could do on my own in my basement throughout the winter. I wanna hear some feedback from experienced LS1 guys that have dug into this. I have a good unerstanding and knowledge of how to do all this, i plan on taking it slow, and doing it right. What will i need if this is even practical to do on my own. Thanks a lot guys

 

To do it "properly" No.

Get the short block done professionally and assemble the rest/

 

P-Z I agree. I build these things alot and they are not even close to sbc's. LS1's are way more tricky and delicate.

 

whats my cheapest way of doing this then?

 

If you do not care about matching numbers, get a shortblock from HPE, then like I said above reassemble all the stuff on it.

 

f- that. do it yourself. do your research, get it machines PROPERLY if necessary, and take your time.

 

Both suggestions are actually OK. I went DIY with lots of Q&A on this site. The motor is running great ( other than tuning but HPT is on the way ). I added up my receipts recently and maybe saved a few hundred bucks over a built short block.
If you don't want anything more than stock I'd DIY. If you are thinking bigger HP numbers or the like you can't go too wrong with the aftermarket. The LSx motors are becoming very popular and prices are reflecting it, ie coming down.
Good luck! Lete us know how things go.

 

I really appriciate all the input guys, trying to figure out what i wanna do. I just wana eliminate my oil consumption problem by replacing the rings. Thats all i wanna do, the motor will be out all winter for me to work with. why have them do all the work? whats there left for me to assemble? Please clarify, sorry if i sound like an idiot. I wana be pretty much stock internals for now, i wnated the Diamond pro select rings

 

Well in the same situation all I was saying is that your cost/benifet ratio goes down when you aren't buying a large amount of parts as well. If all you need is a quick hone, some rings, maybe bearings, and ARP rod bolts...do it yourself. I will be when mine goes south <knock on wood>

 

For a stock rebuilt, bearing in mind the power levels are low, no added stress, yes, you could do it.

Is the motor out of the car? Have you checked the bores? or anything elsefor that matter?
Because if you haven't, you actually do not even know what parts to buy.
what if you find out that a hone is not enough? or you have a scratch in the bore? Or that one of your pistons has a hairline??
It is all speculations untill you take that motor appart, THEN make your decision.

Of course IF it was me and I go through all the pain of taking the thing appart, I would make sure I get it internally balanced and blueprinted.

 

what does balancing and blueprinting involve? what would a shop charge?