Minor refresh...waste of money?
Minor refresh...waste of money? I just bought an LS2/T56 dropout from a wrecked 2006 GTO with 71K miles. I feel pretty confident the mileage is accurate. I was given the VIN and found several auction listings for the wreck, which was ultimately purchased by LKQ. The listings confirm 71K miles.
I've separated the trans and as best I can tell, this is the first time the two have been apart. The clutch, ignition wires, plugs, etc. all look to be original.
As I begin to remove the small stuff (exhaust manifolds, engine mounts, etc) I'm starting to wonder if it wouldn't be worthwhile to take it fully apart and bring it to a shop for a clean up? By clean up, I mean tank and hone the block and replace all the bearings, rings and seals. I'm assuming (yes, I know what they say about assuming) that with 71K miles, there should be no need to bore the block or resize the crank or rods. I'm not even interested in balancing. I'm assuming all this would cost the better part of $1K, factoring in main/rod/cam bearings, rings, ARP head/rod bolts and labor.
So, having no experience with LSx engines and not really knowing how the engine was treated or cared for over the past 71K miles, is this a worthwhile/smart endeavor? Or just a waste of time, money and effort?
Tipsy
I've separated the trans and as best I can tell, this is the first time the two have been apart. The clutch, ignition wires, plugs, etc. all look to be original.
As I begin to remove the small stuff (exhaust manifolds, engine mounts, etc) I'm starting to wonder if it wouldn't be worthwhile to take it fully apart and bring it to a shop for a clean up? By clean up, I mean tank and hone the block and replace all the bearings, rings and seals. I'm assuming (yes, I know what they say about assuming) that with 71K miles, there should be no need to bore the block or resize the crank or rods. I'm not even interested in balancing. I'm assuming all this would cost the better part of $1K, factoring in main/rod/cam bearings, rings, ARP head/rod bolts and labor.
So, having no experience with LSx engines and not really knowing how the engine was treated or cared for over the past 71K miles, is this a worthwhile/smart endeavor? Or just a waste of time, money and effort?
Tipsy
Damn...at $560 just for a gasket and bolt kit (no bearings, rings or labor), I think my $1K guesstimate was grossly optimistic.
Tipsy
Tipsy
Yeah, after doing the math, I think it would be closer to $2K by the time all gaskets, bearings, rings, seals and bolts are added in.
I'll run it like it is and spend that money at the machine shop when the engine gives out.
Tipsy
I'll run it like it is and spend that money at the machine shop when the engine gives out.
Tipsy
I would refresh the outside of the longblock since you have it out. Timing chain, oil pump, springs, gaskets etc. Those are all much easier with the engine out vs. in the car, so take that opportunity.
No sense in tearing apart a 71k mile LS2 for new bottom end stuff, it should be good for a while.
No sense in tearing apart a 71k mile LS2 for new bottom end stuff, it should be good for a while.
