Well this might start some wars but so be it what is the difference between a home built and a sponsor built motor? I mean most of us could assemble one for a lot less than what the sponsors offer so let's hear what ya'll think.

Marc

 

One has a guaruntee on the parts and labor, one doesn't.

 

I would go with a pro due to the fact that they build engines all the time and know how to do it right. Plus a warranty is usually included.

If you screw something up doing it yourself, then its your fault. Thats how I see it.

 

if u do it ur self then u lose that warenty that you would have if a sponsor built it for u. Myself I trust myself and if something breaks then it just breaks and I will have to spend that extra $$$$ to fix the problem.

 

if you've been taught by someone knowledgable and have the tools to do it yourself, I would say go for it. you will never know if you can unless you try. how do you think the pros got where they are?
sure, you might make some mistakes. but that is how you learn.
let me say this. nothing gives a motorhead more satisfaction than taking an engine apart, doing what needs to be done, putting it back together and have it fire up on the 'first try'. it's orgasmic. so by all means if you feel you are capable, go for it.
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

 

There is a lot of personal satisfaction in building a car yourself, plus you save the labor cost which is usually 50% of the bill on car work. If you go out and blow your motor afterwards, the sponsor may not pick up the tab for it anyway unless you can prove they did something wrong. Most of the knowledge you need to build a motor is right in the GM shop manual, and the rest of it that applies only to aftermarked parts you can get that here on LS1Tech.

<small>[ April 21, 2003, 12:12 AM: Message edited by: Cal ]</small>

 

I rebuilt my ls1 starting with a new block and new rings and bearrings. had the heads ported local and chose the hammer cam with mac headers. My own combo and as cheap as I could find it . the only thing I splurged on was getting my headers ceramic coated. I bought a new centerforce duel friction clutch mcloud adj master cyl and all the little nick nacks that turn up for a total investment of $5400. I did have my brother to call when I had a problem to talk me through it. I am very happy about doing it and am very happy on how the car runs for a fully loaded drag radial tire car to run 11.69 at 118.98 with a 1.673 60/ft. on nittos on 16 inch rims. I would do it all over again if I had to.

 

I built my last LS1 motor, but I had lots of help from Barry and Nick at ARE (over the phone). They gave me tips and told me the pitfalls. Turned out pretty well. Still running strong in a friend's car. Best part is you can do a motor for around $3500 with a stock crank.

 

I agree with masterace and sixpack the feeling of acomplishment when you do it yourself is one of the greatest feelings there is. If you LOVE your car and would keep it in the living room if your wife would let you(like me)then you know that it makes your stomach churn just thinking of some mechanic driving your car just putting it on the lift.I don't put all my time and money into my car so someone else can enjoy it.

 

ok so any tips for those who want to build one at home? I have a 5.3 shortblock that i plan on boring to 3.905 with good pistons and rods along with cryoing the stock crank to make it last longer hopefully when all is said and done i will be able to push some good boost to it

marc

 

get a sense of pride and do it yourself.
Hell, i think its fun to work on my car, then i take lots of pictures and i have a scrapbook started.

 

Gonna get mine blueprinted and installed with a warranty and at a fraction of the cost from my mech <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

 

Speedaholics (aka Brent/Brendon Singh) built the motor in my car. I tell you what... I'll put it up against any shop-built motor of the same size. We installed the motor in my friend Phil's garage, and continue to do ALL of the work ourselves.

I wouldn't call Speedaholics a shop per-say, but more of a DBA for two guys that really know their ****. They built a REALLY nasty setup for me that makes a lot of power, and is extremely streetable. I drove it over an hour in Houston IN THE RAIN, and all over the place Saturday night too.

The bottom line is that if you know what you're doing, build it yourself. If you don't know what you're doing, learn. The shops that work on cars do so many single cars, the chance of them putting any more special attention to yours is slim to none. But, on your own car, you can add all the special attention to it that you want.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by MastaAce98:
<strong> Speedaholics (aka Brent/Brendon Singh) built the motor in my car. I tell you what... I'll put it up against any shop-built motor of the same size. We installed the motor in my friend Phil's garage, and continue to do ALL of the work ourselves.

I wouldn't call Speedaholics a shop per-say, but more of a DBA for two guys that really know their ****. They built a REALLY nasty setup for me that makes a lot of power, and is extremely streetable. I drove it over an hour in Houston IN THE RAIN, and all over the place Saturday night too.

The bottom line is that if you know what you're doing, build it yourself. If you don't know what you're doing, learn. The shops that work on cars do so many single cars, the chance of them putting any more special attention to yours is slim to none. But, on your own car, you can add all the special attention to it that you want. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Same here. Thank god for warrenty. Hopefully when i get my heads done it will run with the best of them. To bad its only a 346. Wish I could of went bigger. And I dont know how many people will answer the phone at 2AM to answer questions, more then once. And they stand behind there work.

 

Just made another late night call and brent and the guys came over at midnight to take my car apart and make sure the cam was in right so I can get it tuned this weekend. Hows that for special attention.

Thanks a million

ALbert

 

There is nothing better then doing all the work yourself. I do understand though, that some people just don't have the time, tools, and garage space to do all the work themselves. LS1s are very easy to work on. I dunno of many cars that you can take the motor apart with 6 sockets <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" /> Also, if you do all the work yourself you will only have yourself to blame for the screwup.

Then again there are some people who should not be allowed to work on their own cars. I know some people out there who can't even install a lid or even a MAF housing. ****, back in the day I know of a current sponsor that couldn't install a coil on a LT1. <img border="0" alt="[bang head]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_banghead.gif" />

 

I too chose to build my motor myself. I was able to get the exact componets I want instead of what the vendor uses. I don't think anyone will warrant a motor that is used with nitrous so why pay extra. With the money I saved I bought a sheet metal intake, k member & a arms and a set of eradispeeds. A little know how, good torque wrench and a service manual and you're good to go.

 

Yea, you'll want to invest in some good torque wrench/es with a flex/pivot head. I borrowed a techs snap on and it worked great on the rockers. 6 sockets huh, maybe I'll tackle the cam in mine. I've done 3 sets of pushrods now. Anyone have any experience with the cloyes adjustable timing chain? Says it needs NO mods to work.

 

"The bottom line is that if you know what you're doing, build it yourself. If you don't know what you're doing, learn. "

i like this guy! ;D

personally, im a cheapskate and do everything myself, firstly because i love it. probably because i wouldnt trust anyone to do my motor work but myself. secondly that, if something breaks, i know exactly what it is the first time instead of having to find somone else to fix it for me. call me crazy, but thats the way i've always seen Hotrodding.

 

Great for people that have the time and skills to build an engine.I dont have the time or ability to build an(I could learn)engine.I save money by having a pro build my engine and devoting my time to running my business,something I know how to do quite well.I get professional results with a warranty,parts are biggest expense for Ls1 anyway why not pay a pro to do it right the first time.We have all read post after post about people f-ing up something because of lack of knowledge.If you add up hrs spent time x $30.00 per hr,how much did you save? <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" /> to owners who can do it themselves.