Engine build options, what would you guys do?
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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>
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>
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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
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
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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
Any other suggestions guys???
Thanks again Visceral!
Taco
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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.
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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.
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.