killerbeez

iTrader: (9)

Hey about how much is an average engine rebuild for an ls1? It's rackin up to 130,000 and I think it may go out soon.... I mean it runs great! but still 130k is a lot lol.

1slowls1

iTrader: (1)

At the cost to do that I would spend the little extra and get a bigger engine. already assembled. Like a 402-427

PREDATOR-Z

A little extra??
Are you so rich? please distribute

The difference between rebuilding your block and a 402 will be at least $2500 (and that is budget way)

1slowls1

iTrader: (1)

lol yeah well... Ok how does this sound, look around on ebay for an engine "ls1" with less miles around 4k 5k and buy it then sell his on ebay for like 2,500 sound good.
I prob shoulda said that in the first place.
Then while the newer engine is not in that car work on it, hook it up a little at a time until the old one kicks the can then swap them out.

PREDATOR-Z

So let me get this right:
Sell his motor on e-bay for $2500, then wait for it to break and install his new one??
Dude, think before you express yourself.

Back to the top:
You can get a forged piston shortblock from LPE (Lingenfelter) for as little as $2095 with exchange.

1slowls1

iTrader: (1)

Here lets fix this up a bit.......Ok how does this sound, look around on ebay for an engine "ls1" with less miles around 4k 5k and buy it then sell his on ebay for like 2,500 sound good.

killerbeez

iTrader: (9)

Well I see this place out of Arizona selling 500 hp ls1's for like 3 grand every single week, I think that might be a good option for me!!!

LS1-450

iTrader: (33)

More details please; like they are used, high mileage,...etc..

bichin95redta

If that's RWHP, that sounds REALLY good to me. I'll be somewhere around there when I'm done, and so far, I have around 7 large into my re-build. But that includes a new clutch & billet steel flywheel, forged bottom end, (stroker), AFR heads, F.A.S.T. 90/90, cam, all new gaskets/seals, aftermarket fasteners, etc.

When it's all said and done, I probably could have picked up a good crate engine for close to what I'll wind up spending on this re-build.

gtpvette

iTrader: (2)

I'm looking at freshening up my motor,,, I put this parts list together today from TSP's website:

Main Bearings 80
Rod Bearings 65
LS6 ported Oil Pump 129
Rod Bolts ARP 72
Head Bolt Kit ARP 139
LS6 CNC Heads 999
Cam 380
Pistons 550
Lifters 230
Pushrods 100
Gasket Set 300
Timing Chain - LS2 90

Total 2584

Keep in mind a good portion of the total are the new LS6 CNC Heads and you'll need to add the machine shop work and assembly.

HTH!
Fred

bichin95redta

Holy crap! Except for the heads & oil pump (I went with AFR 225 heads/Melling oil pump), our prices are within a very few dollars of each other, for the parts you list.

gtpvette

iTrader: (2)

bichin95redta,
What do you have in machine shop costs?? I haven't gotten that far in pricing yet..... and I'm still wondering about a crate motor....

Thanks!

bichin95redta

Right now, I just have an estimate. For torque plate honing, clearance-notching the block for the stroker set-up, align-honing, installing cam bearings, and hot-tanking, it's $750.00. After measuring, if it doesn't need align-honing, it's $200.00 less.

I don't blame you for wondering about the crate engine. You can get some pretty wild engines for what I'm spending. A few things to consider, though; SOME crate engines are not fully assembled, and come without stuff like a water pump, PCM, starter, intake, etc. Some crate engines are pretty much turn-key. Also, when you build your own, you put the parts in that YOU want. It's a horse a piece, I guess.

If I had an older model car, and it would fit, I wouldn't hesitate to buy an LS2 crate engine and drop 'er in. These new-generation, stand-alone engine control systems are getting more and more capable, and easier to install, if you want to stick with EFI.

gtpvette

iTrader: (2)

You know I did talk to one guy today,, but I kind of dismissed his prices as I don;t have a lot to compare it to,,, that said this is what he told me:

Hot Tank 50
Install Cam Bearings 25
Bore +.010 150
Deck 80
Line Hone 125
Balance 150
Assemble Short Block 225

Total 805

I'm thinkin that 225 to assemble the short block is pretty cheap and I wonder how the tolerances are checked. I've posted another question regarding machine shops and have a couple of replies so I'll check with them tomorrow.

The motor I have as 39K on it,,, it came out of a wreck. After pulling the manifold I found some water got in the intake and rusted a few of the valves and some of the cylinders. My thought at this point is a +.010 bore will clean it up and hopefully the bottom end is just fine.

In the end,,, I'm hoping for a 420+ HP motor

bichin95redta

Machine shop work, GOOD machine shop work, is not cheap. There are a lot of hacks out there. My very 1st question to the owner/operator would be, "Do you do much work on LS1/LS6 engines?" If he doesn't, go somewhere else. It's not that it takes a rocket scientist to do machining/assembly on the LSx series of engines, but they are different enough, compared to a 1st or 2nd Gen Chevy small block, that it demands a machinist who is experienced in dealing with these engines.

I agree...$225.00 to assemble your short block is unheard of...at least in my neck of the woods it is. Anywhere from $700.00 to 1 large, for what you listed above, would be about the going rate. You're talking precision, close-tolerance work when machining and assembling these engines. That takes some serious machinery, and a good machinist, niether of which come cheap. If you let a hack machine/assemble your block, I don't care what kind of parts you throw in it...you're going to wind up with a turd. This isn't saying that you have to run out and choose the most expensive machine shop you can find, but I'd research this one very carefully, and ask for references.

Oh, I forgot to include balancing in the price estimate I listed. I fully expect the bill to be more than the $750.00 estimate.

LS1-450

iTrader: (33)

killerbeez, Did you see this? Recently, had I not found a new LS6 block assembled by an experienced builder, would have sent my LS1 block to Lingenfelter for the $2095 deal. By the time all the work is done to your motor, you will have spent @ least this much & probably more.

As to the 3k out of Arizona, I'd take a hard look @ what you're getting.

BTW, anyone looking for a core (block), I have one.

gtpvette

iTrader: (2)

I checked that one out,,,, doesn't seem to bad,,, it turns out to be about $1400 or so for machine work/assembly when you subtract the price of the new parts included.

Main Bearings 80
Rod Bearings 65
Pistons 550

Note: no ARP rod bolts

Then of course shipping for your core and the short block. I've got to believe that would be at least 300-400 more (I'm in Fla.) so we're now into it for say $1700-$1800 for machine work and assembly.

I'm going to make some calls today and try to get a handle on what it costs locally.

Thanks!
Fred

Steve Burger

iTrader: (33)

Whatever you come up with double it and you will be getting close. trust me on this one.

gtpvette

iTrader: (2)

Steve,,,,
Not knowing how the machine shop/assembly process works,, is it one of the deals once they get there hards on it the price keeps going up?? I guess my thought would be they give you prices going in and that is it.

Is this not necessarily the case????

Thanks!
Fred

Steve Burger

iTrader: (33)

Gotta add in the cost of fluids, gaskets, better bolts, dyno tune, and so on. Then there is the "while I'm at it" factor. Also, remember the trickle down effect. I now have a strong engine but the trans is tired, the rear is old, "wow, how did those U Joints ever make it" and on an on.

All i'm saying is that once you have the basic package priced out is is just a very optomistic guess as to the final cost before it runs again.