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New to LS motors, need some help

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Old May 7, 2016 | 01:22 AM
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Default New to LS motors, need some help

Hey Everyone,

I am looking at buying an Rx7 with an LS2 motor w/ T56. The motor is not in good shape and will likely need to be rebuilt or replaced.

I'm looking to find the most economical way to get this done by a professional shop, that still completely refreshes the motor. I dont really need aftermarket parts for more power later on, as I have read that the LS2 motor is good to ~500whp in its stock form.

I was hoping you guys could help provide some perspective on what I should expect to spend on having the motor rebuilt by a professional, quality shop that people have used or have a great reputation.

I've also thought about going with an ls3 motor or crate motor, but dont know what all would need to be switched out if the car currently has all ls2 wiring and ecu.

Any help you can provide and the more references the better. Thanks!
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Old May 7, 2016 | 01:19 PM
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Probably better to find a shop close to you and talk to them. Many engine shops will be familiar with rebuilding a LS* engine, and will probably have specific recommendations. Why does the current engine need a rebuild? Is it just worn out, is something broken? The answer would help determine if a LS3 crate engine is economical vs. a freshen up on your current engine.

You don't mention anywhere where you live. That could help, maybe there are those close to you who could recommend (or NOT recommend) local rebuilders. With a screen name of 'bamf', I'd think you're somewhere in western Canada, but you know what happens with you A$$ume.
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Old May 7, 2016 | 03:32 PM
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The motor apparently doesnt hold oil pressure and has a loss of power, and the current owner isn't entirely sure whats wrong with it. He sent a video with it idling it and it sounds fine, but I assume once you get some pressure on the motor it doesnt do so hot. He also said that he changed out the oil and only like a quart of oil made it out and it was silvery. So I assume its some bearing or rings.

I am located in Minnesota, but the car is located in Washington. I've reached out to speed secrets and hope to hear some more from them soon, but just trying to figure out what would be the cheapest way to go about rebuilding the motor w/o compromising its reliability.
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Old May 7, 2016 | 06:48 PM
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I only attempt rebuilds on engines which are currently old and tired, but with nothing wrong with them. If it was a slight rod knock that is also probably ok.

What you don't want is to put a bunch $$ into an engine that already has metal flakes all over the place. Once there is metal floating around getting pushed into all the tight little orifice, there is a much higher risk of having that debris show up later as a problem, perhaps 12k down the road once the motor is out of warranty, of course. It accumulates and may gradually restrict/clog orifice, causing oil starvation. Usually poor maintenance leads to accumulated "gunk" which winds up causing the starvation first... so you wind up with a poorly maintained engine that also has wiped bearing/metal material compounding its already gunked up orifices, places that no number of "deep cleanings" or "hot tanks" or "bottle brushings" can fully remove.
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Old May 7, 2016 | 07:17 PM
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That's an interesting point, and with it likely having some type of fine shavings in it, thats possible I guess, not sure if I have heard that coming back to haunt people after having a block hot tanked though.

Does anyone even sell ls2 crate motors? I seem to only find built up LS2 motors or LS3 crate motors.

Is an LS3 a direct swap from an LS2? Or does it require ecu/harness/whatever else swapped out?
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Old May 18, 2016 | 04:57 PM
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if you want an alternative...........

I have a friend who is selling his RX7 with LS1.
fully running - no work needed.
located in SF Bay Area, CA.

let me know if you would like more info............
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Old May 18, 2016 | 08:43 PM
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FD? Send me some more info about the car. I haven't pulled the trigger on the one I was looking at, and doubt I will at this point.
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