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So feeling kinda screwed and could use some advise. (or just condolences, haha)
So I bought a (what seemed to be) well running l99/ls3 from a 2015 camaro with 75k miles. This was going to be an NA LS3 with cam for a swap project.
Well, Pulled the heads to clean them up and for a cam install DOD/AFM delete, of course I find Cylinder number 5 aint lookin so hot.....
From the carbon buildup, my assumption is that it has been running this way for a while, no water leak so no smoke, or sign that there was an issue. The only mod on the car when I bought it was long tube headers.. Cheap ebay kind so I really can see this thing as having had a super charge or turbo setup...The guy I bought it from is "Sorry, very sorry" so that helps a lot.
I am getting mixed feedback on sleeving. One shop said he will only do all 8 with Draton sleeves. I found another who says as long as block isn't damaged, he can sleeve the one cylinder. He needs to first CNC the sleeve out, can verify that block is in good and if so, can resleeve it. But then other sleeves warp from heat, so he will need to hone them all .005 over. So then i need new pistons, balancing, etc $$$$$$. Looking at 2 grand atleast.
Pros, if it works I have a bored out (383ish) with pistons that have valve reliefs. Can then deck heads a bit and bump compression. Run a more aggressive cam.
Cons, would cost close to what a new bare ls3 block costs.
If I go with a new ls3 block, i guess i can keep this l99 rotating assembly, flycut pistons. Still need new rings. So, over $2500 at that point....
So am I basically screwed? I am out a good chunk of change on this one... Does this short block have much value to someone looking to build a sleeved ls3? Appreciate any thoughts, suggestions, or ideas I may be missing.....
I'm pretty sure they either do the two reliefs so piston can be installed either way, or for balancing purposes, or both.
Either way, the pistons are fine, as you can see I cleaned all the carbon deposits off, then noticed, yup, my sleeve is cracked..... Piston are fine though...
Can there be any recourse here? I don't know under which conditions the engine was bought.
unfortunately, I don't think the seller is going to do anything. It was a private party sale. I think i am pretty screwed... I let him know the entire situation. The best he has done is say that he is "So sorry". Insisting he had no way of knowing and the engine was running fine, which it was. Thats the shitty part. Damn thing sounded and was running fine.. No sign of an issue.
Detoxx has a LS9 block for sale on corvette forum for $2500 just saying. I wouldnt waste my time or efforts on that block. For the money there are better sleeved 5.3 options out there.
You might contact R.E.D. Race engine development out in CA. He sleeved a 6.0 block for me so I could bore and stroke it to 427". He did all cylinders with darton sleeves. I don't know if he will do just one cylinder.
I shipped the bare block via a big plastic storage container and he shipped back in the same via UPS.
When I worked for a very reputable machine shop, I was the bottom end machinist and builder. I would have no problem doing just one sleeve. It's not that difficult..I have done single sleeves in many different blocks and never had an issue from any. A powerbond sleeve will work just fine.
When I worked for a very reputable machine shop, I was the bottom end machinist and builder. I would have no problem doing just one sleeve. It's not that difficult..I have done single sleeves in many different blocks and never had an issue from any. A powerbond sleeve will work just fine.
For this ls3 block, a local machinest told me the sleeves on each side will warp from pressing in the new sleeve. So then the whole block needs to be bored. So then I need larger new pistons. But he can do it. Looking at over 2k.
But then I called texas speed and they said you cant sleeve a single ls3 sleeve because the sleeve walls are too thin and you cant more them out enough to make them round again. So you have to sleeve the whole block. Or just buy a new one, well over 2k....
Option 3, find a used l92 / ls3 block for 1k to 1.5k. This option is sounding the best right now. Anyone want to buy an ls3 block with a bad sleeve? Haha
I would post the short block up for sale stating the issue and cut your losses man. Less headaches. That sucks, I went through a similar ordeal and ended up parting out the engine and bought a new short block. Machine work gets expensive.
You might contact R.E.D. Race engine development out in CA. He sleeved a 6.0 block for me so I could bore and stroke it to 427". He did all cylinders with darton sleeves. I don't know if he will do just one cylinder.
I shipped the bare block via a big plastic storage container and he shipped back in the same via UPS.
Thanks for suggestion. It cant hurt to give them a call and see what he says.
Or, if someone is looking to build a stroker darton sleeved block and had a perfectly good block, I would be happy to trade plus cash! Throwing that idea out there too. Haha
I would post the short block up for sale stating the issue and cut your losses man. Less headaches. That sucks, I went through a similar ordeal and ended up parting out the engine and bought a new short block. Machine work gets expensive.
Thats pretty much where I'm at. But if I can find a good bare block, I can at least swap this rotating assembly and all i need is new rings.
would probably be easier to sell this damaged block bare anyway.
Thats pretty much where I'm at. But if I can find a good bare block, I can at least swap this rotating assembly and all i need is new rings.
would probably be easier to sell this damaged block bare anyway.
Would depend on if the other sourced used block would need to be align honed or not. Either way, would like to have the sourced used block checked.
01-27-2020, 05:25 PM
bought an ls3, find out sleeve is cracked 
