MelloYellow

Anything you need to be careful of?
Any specs to watch when a machine shop puts everything together and balances the assembly?

Rod Bolt & Main cap TQ specs?

Do you use the same size as stock LS1 Rod Bearings with aftermarket SBC 6.125" rods that fit the Stock Journal?

TIA!

Terry Burger

iTrader: (4)

Mellow you ask too many questions. Let the shop build the motor, they already know all these details, they don't need someone like you telling them. <img src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" border="0">

MelloYellow

It's gonna be a local machine shop that specializes in cranks. I don't know how much LS1 experience they have. <img src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" border="0">

I'm tired of paying for across country shipping and profit margins. My wallet can't take it anymore. I know all the parts I need..

Terry Burger

iTrader: (4)

Do you know how many motors these shops went through before they got the all bore setup right? <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0"> I hope you have deep pockets... Like I told the last guy, rather than building your own, just buy Tony's old motor.

66ImpalaLT1

Have you considered buying a block thats already been resleeved? I think everything other than that could be done by a decent engine shop.

Eric

MelloYellow

This is a stock bore, new block.

Not an All-Bore, no Re-Sleeving.
Just installing pistons, rods, crank... balancing.. TQ'ing down the main caps, etc..

gwj

Mello, have you picked out a shop yet? Looks like you are trying to get some background info so you know the questions to ask the shop to see if they know their stuff. For all the torque spec and other stuff, why don't you get a set of Helms manuals? It's a good investment, and there is a wealth of info in them.

MelloYellow

Thx, I guess my GM mech can define the Helms specs for me.

Just to clarify. I want to assemble my own engine. I'm going to talk to a local machine shop that builds cranks and balances assemblies. I have all the specs on the separate parts but need to know what to say to the machine shop when they assemble the engine, fit the rings, etc.. I am not working with any major tuners listed on this board.

So I drop off a box with the pistons, bearings, rods, block, caps.. What do I say to them other than put it all together?

[ January 30, 2002: Message edited by: MelloYellow ]</p>

Terry Burger

iTrader: (4)

Generally shops charge $400-500 to assemble a short block like that, for that money they are supposed to file fit your rings, check bearing clearances, fit rods on to pistons, etc.

Machine work (new cam bearings, balancing, deck, line hone, etc) can be as much as $500, depending on the condition of your engine and what parts you use.

IMHO stroker motors are somewhat of a waste of money, and there is no reason for forged pistons unless you will be using some sort of power adder. What are your plans for the car now?

MelloYellow

Thanks guys! I called the machine shop and they were completely knowledgable about the LS1 & all of the above.

Sounds like they'll be taking pictures each step of the way & blueprinting the engine. Will have a full report on all measurements & tolerances.

Looks to cost around $1000 with all the bells and whistles.

MelloYellow

Plans are for 10# with a D1-SC, engine at 9:1.

Y'all have any recc's on bearings?
Just LS1 FedMogul Mains and Clevite Rod Bearings?? He said something about GM using varied size bearings on the saddles sometimes when the engine is new. He would be checking all clearances.. Am learning here.

Just buy him the above bearings, eh? He can do all machining as needed. Think he'll drill the oil holes on the mains & sends out for coating if desired. Same with the skirts.

Reckless

iTrader: (9)

Most reputable machine shops will stock the bearings. There are the same ones that have been used for a while. You may have to get the mains, but the rods and cams are very common.
Todd

Reckless

iTrader: (9)

How much you looking to spend? Why don't you buy my motor? Just curious?
Todd

Terry Burger

iTrader: (4)

[quote]
Sounds like they'll be taking pictures each step of the way & blueprinting the engine. Will have a full report on all measurements & tolerances.

Looks to cost around $1000 with all the bells and whistles.
<hr></blockquote>

I think MMS charges around $600 labor + parts for engine assembly, so $1000 with bearings and balance work sounds about on par. Use your stock rods, and have some pistons made with a slight dish and lower top ringland. The pistons and rings should cost you around $750.

Tuning is going to be tough though; hopefully there is a PCM programmer close by.

MelloYellow

[quote]Originally posted by Reckless:
<strong>How much you looking to spend? Why don't you buy my motor? Just curious?
Todd</strong><hr></blockquote>

Building the motor slowly over time. Want to avoid shipping costs. Can pick up an Alum block at the same price. My costs.. $150 bearings, $750 JE Pistons, $135 rings, $500 Billet 4340 H-Beam Eagles, $550 block including s/h. Going to do somethings with head studs, Custom gasket, main bolts, etc etc. 6.0L Truck heads. All together would probably cost me $2k less than your setup. New bock with no hone, room to re-hone.

Yours is a great deal for many.
Plus, kinda just want to build my own.

Thx Terry. Good to know the costs are in line. The guy at the shop was very knowledgable and was very into documentation of the engine and attention to details/clearancing/specs.

[ January 30, 2002: Message edited by: MelloYellow ]</p>

Reckless

iTrader: (9)

Plan on spending $500-$1000 for what you want. For my last build, had the following done:

Align Hone caps
Cut Crank .010
Rebalance
Check Clearances with micrometer (want to be .002-.035 for LS1 mains)
Hone Cylinders

All that was $500, and I get a discount!

I file fit my own rings and assembled everything myself. I did double check the clearances on the mains using plasti-gauge.

Todd