The build begins...with pics.
The build begins...with pics. I'm currently helping a friend of mine that just recently blew his car up (2001 Black Trans Am WS6 M6 with full bolt ons, Stage 2.5 Precision Racing 5.3L heads, and a Torquer V2 cam).
First I pulled the drain plug to see what kind of fragments were to be found on it.
Didn't look too good but I wasn't expecting this when I got into the motor...
So basically the total damage report is the crank is garbage, one completely shattered rod, 2 broken pistons, a broken brand new LS2 timing chain, and a badly scarred block, and possibly a scarred cam. Pretty sure the block cannot be used, but questionable. Hopefully the bottom end came apart before the timing chain broke so that the valves are fine in the heads, I will find that out when I pull them tomorrow.
First I pulled the drain plug to see what kind of fragments were to be found on it.
Didn't look too good but I wasn't expecting this when I got into the motor...
So basically the total damage report is the crank is garbage, one completely shattered rod, 2 broken pistons, a broken brand new LS2 timing chain, and a badly scarred block, and possibly a scarred cam. Pretty sure the block cannot be used, but questionable. Hopefully the bottom end came apart before the timing chain broke so that the valves are fine in the heads, I will find that out when I pull them tomorrow.
HOLY **** 
That's probably the most messed up engine I've ever seen. What did your friend do to manage that sort of damage? Did he nitrous then downshift or was he running too much boost or what? The block may be salvageable but with that much internal damage I would just get a brand new long block and swap over what's still good from the top end. I can't wait for you to clean it up a bit so we can get some pics of the cylinder walls.
That's probably the most messed up engine I've ever seen. What did your friend do to manage that sort of damage? Did he nitrous then downshift or was he running too much boost or what? The block may be salvageable but with that much internal damage I would just get a brand new long block and swap over what's still good from the top end. I can't wait for you to clean it up a bit so we can get some pics of the cylinder walls. The mods that were listed are what was in the car when it blew. New plans are budget permitting but whatever it is will be forged. That is definitely the worst motor that I have seen. The inside is complete and total carnage. He says he didn't hear anything out of the ordinary he was just flying down I-26 on the way to the beach and it just cut off. I don't see how he didn't hear all of that going on. Tore into it today, I got a few more pics to upload.
The carnage continues...
Every valve in the heads is bent or warped. Crank and cam both magically seized. Cam is wiped out and will not come out of the block with a 5 pound hammer and a huge chisel. Block is scrap.
The carnage continues...
Every valve in the heads is bent or warped. Crank and cam both magically seized. Cam is wiped out and will not come out of the block with a 5 pound hammer and a huge chisel. Block is scrap.
Last edited by WhiteIrocZ; Jun 9, 2008 at 02:29 PM. Reason: added pics...
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**** crawling on your back 
. That's some heavy duty carnage there. Good luck with the build. 
The block will wind up at the scrapyard for beer money. There is no way to tell whether the timing chain let go first or not, but I doubt it. I have never seen just piston to valve interference cause the rod to explode.
I think the plan is forged 347. We found a block ready to assemble with machine work done and a good stock crank, a set of diamond forged pistons, and 4340 forged rods for a decent price. Gotta come up with a camshaft, new timing chain.
There isn't any visible metal shavings in the HV oil pump, you guys think it would be ok to flush it out and reuse? That would save a dime or two.
I think the plan is forged 347. We found a block ready to assemble with machine work done and a good stock crank, a set of diamond forged pistons, and 4340 forged rods for a decent price. Gotta come up with a camshaft, new timing chain.
There isn't any visible metal shavings in the HV oil pump, you guys think it would be ok to flush it out and reuse? That would save a dime or two.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 317
Likes: 3
From: TX
In 2006 my first 6.0L looked almost identical to that engine. The #5 and #6 piston and rods were in pieces, trashed cam, crankshaft and put a hole in the side of the oil pan. I was just passing a car at about 4500 rpms when I heard what sounded like marbles being thrown about in a pan, then it locked up. I think it was connecting rod bolt that let go, motor had 124000 miles on it.
I definitely wouldn't use the oil pump if it was my build, but just thought I would get some opinions. I believe what happened was the rod cap broke. A piece of the #6 rod cap is what has the cam jammed. The car only had 76,xxx miles on it, but they were hard miles. The rod would have put a hole in the oil pan, but the splash guard in the oil pan caught it.
Nah thats not a 93 Cobra, that is a 90 GT with chrome 93 Cobra wheels on it. It is my dad's daily driver. It will be a clone one day though.
Nah thats not a 93 Cobra, that is a 90 GT with chrome 93 Cobra wheels on it. It is my dad's daily driver. It will be a clone one day though.
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,524
Likes: 1
From: Western Burbs of Detroit
Damn thats a lot of damage.
+1 on the lift outside. She's a little rusty, but I hope she's trusty.
In all seriousness, good luck with your project. It looks like you got some long hours ahead of ya. Hopefully you can salvage something. We'll be waiting for updates.
GOOD LUCK !!!
.. Good luck on the build..