Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Engine build options, what would you guys do?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 15, 2002 | 01:43 PM
  #1  
Taco's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 724
Likes: 0
From: Athens, Alabama
Default Engine build options, what would you guys do?

OK, I have 2 options on my engine.

1) I could just slowly build the engine in the car, as it is, upgrading a little at a time. I have heads on the way, cam on the way, possibly headers and LS6 intake. Or I could...

2) My dad has a crate LS1 with either a bent pushrod or spun bearing sitting in the shop floor. He got in on a trade a couple of years back. Should I just bolt my heads on and put my cam in this engine and swap them out when I am happy with it. If I go this route, I'll probably go with a 382 Lunati Stroker kit, or maybe an Eagle kit if it's available soon.

I know route #2 will be more expensive, but my engine in the car now has 70,000 miles on it, and I think it's past it's prime.

I know you guys won't steer me wrong.

BTW, I'm looking at a Daily driven motor, so reliability is definitly a priority, but so is performance. I would like to go at LEAST 7.50's in the 1/8 if possible, if faster, then that's even better!

thanks in advance guys!

[ January 15, 2002: Message edited by: Taco ]</p>
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2002 | 03:53 PM
  #2  
Taco's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 724
Likes: 0
From: Athens, Alabama
Default Re: Engine build options, what would you guys do?

C'mon Guys, help me out here!!!

Taco
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2002 | 04:16 PM
  #3  
Visceral's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,865
Likes: 2
From: Portland, OR
Default Re: Engine build options, what would you guys do?

well....use what you got. I would:

Put the heads and cam and headers on the engine thats in the car now. Run it like that with all the uprgades you want to pay for along the way.

At the same time, take apart your dad's motor and see what was wrong with it. If you cant do that (there are some tricky things in the bottom end of these motors), have a shop deassemble it (far less $ than reassembling it). Then you will know what you have. Once you have done that, slowly build up the bottom end in the spare motor as you "finish off" the other motor. Try nitrous ;-)

When the motor really does give it up (avoid fire <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0"> ), you can move *all* your other mods over to the spare motor with the bog bottom end. The n2o will also move over to a stronger engine probably really nice....

thats MY guess <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0">

chris
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2002 | 04:28 PM
  #4  
Taco's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 724
Likes: 0
From: Athens, Alabama
Default Re: Engine build options, what would you guys do?

Thanks Man, that sounds like a good idea, except N2O (don't believe in it, sorry!)I may go that route, i didn't think about going that route

Any other suggestions guys???

Thanks again Visceral!

Taco
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2002 | 08:17 PM
  #5  
1dirtyZ's Avatar
8 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,697
Likes: 1
From: the not so stock tribe
Default Re: Engine build options, what would you guys do?

you might as well install forged pistons and rods in the spare motor, you then at least have the option of running giggle gas or boost. if i were you , i might as well as put in the heads and cam too. this way you really feel the difference when you put that motor in.
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2002 | 10:59 PM
  #6  
99 Black Bird T/A's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,637
Likes: 1,499
Default Re: Engine build options, what would you guys do?

A well cared for LS1 past it's prime at 70,000 miles?

I don't think so.

I saw an LS1 this weekend at the dyno that was being beat to death by an idiot owner spraying nitrous, reving on original stock springs to 6,500 rpm and engine had almost 100,000 miles on it. In a N/A run the LS1 was down a little on power only making 289 rwhp in an automatic and cars only real mod was the NOS bottle. With a decent tune up, new valve springs and an aftermarket lid I think it would have pulled 300 rwhp.

With that said, I'd do a compression test and or leak down test on your current engine to make sure it's in good condition. If it's in good condition I do exactly what Viseral said, do the heads and cam and have fun.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:33 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE