how many miles is too much
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 36
Likes: 4
how many miles is too much Hi
I know LS engines are great, and have read a fair amount on these. And yes, if you as ask a million questions, you might get a million opinions ..BUT here goes
I built an L92 for a 69 Camaro, pro touring with 120K, junkyard swap..cam change, valve springs, terminator X, no problems, runs great
I am now building a dedicated track car, road race..Lime Rock, Thompson, etc..a swapped Porsche Boxster S with a L92...going mild, cam swap, valve springs, new oil pump, chain, terminator X BUT this engine i am told has 275K on it
I checked some bearings, they look fine. I camera scoped the bores and it looks pretty good, no oil wash . BUT the question how many miles is TOO MUCH?? I am building on a kinda of a budget, and want to get it up and running, and can drop it and rebuild it later. What is the opinion on how much before it should just be rebuilt and not junk yard swapped..I just have to ask you guys out there!!!
I know LS engines are great, and have read a fair amount on these. And yes, if you as ask a million questions, you might get a million opinions ..BUT here goes
I built an L92 for a 69 Camaro, pro touring with 120K, junkyard swap..cam change, valve springs, terminator X, no problems, runs great
I am now building a dedicated track car, road race..Lime Rock, Thompson, etc..a swapped Porsche Boxster S with a L92...going mild, cam swap, valve springs, new oil pump, chain, terminator X BUT this engine i am told has 275K on it
I checked some bearings, they look fine. I camera scoped the bores and it looks pretty good, no oil wash . BUT the question how many miles is TOO MUCH?? I am building on a kinda of a budget, and want to get it up and running, and can drop it and rebuild it later. What is the opinion on how much before it should just be rebuilt and not junk yard swapped..I just have to ask you guys out there!!!
Miles are subjective. Maintenance is key. 275k highway miles is not a big deal on a well maintained LS. Compression test and also a leak down test will tell you everything you want to know. If those both check out…run the **** out of it until it won’t, then fix what broke.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 532
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I would agree, miles are not a good indicator of how worn out an engine is.
The reliable methods would be compression test, leakdown, and bore taper. If you still have full compression and your bore taper is a thousandth or less, you can probably keep on trucking.
On the other side of that argument, if you have the engine fully torn down you may as well get a machined bottom end, especially if you intend to make much more than the stock power output.
The reliable methods would be compression test, leakdown, and bore taper. If you still have full compression and your bore taper is a thousandth or less, you can probably keep on trucking.
On the other side of that argument, if you have the engine fully torn down you may as well get a machined bottom end, especially if you intend to make much more than the stock power output.
Last edited by Kawboom; Dec 7, 2023 at 12:37 PM.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 36
Likes: 4
I got it! I have built a lot of engines in my near 40 year career.....mainly diesel, light, medium and heavy duty.. I have modded small and big block chevys, fords..but LS seems to be formitable engine, with myself not having any experience...
If a customer told me they had 275K on a C-15 Cat or ISX Cummins..I would say engine is fine..A small block with that miles if it made it that far, I would say had at least a timing chain, and be burning oil like a waste oil furnace ..but a LS..Everyone says the same..check a few basics and drive it like you stole it.. What an engine! I will say that my 2015 Yukon 6.2 LT broke a valve spring at 55K Thanks for the info
If a customer told me they had 275K on a C-15 Cat or ISX Cummins..I would say engine is fine..A small block with that miles if it made it that far, I would say had at least a timing chain, and be burning oil like a waste oil furnace ..but a LS..Everyone says the same..check a few basics and drive it like you stole it.. What an engine! I will say that my 2015 Yukon 6.2 LT broke a valve spring at 55K Thanks for the info
Recently had the chance to see profilometer numbers on a high mile (over 250) 4.8. It was down due to a broken valve spring, so heads came off for a head rebuild with new lifters, etc… anyway, cyls were pretty worn, not much ra left, about 10 iirc. Damn thing still posted up great psi after the heads were reworked.
So you're saying the honed crosshatch was nearly gone, correct? If so, the fact that there was virtually no leakdown, with really good compression is no surprise. Amazing how many miles todays well designed engines can go. I'm actually pretty surprised that my modded LS7 has gone over 52,000 miles, and uses virtually no oil....
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TECH Fanatic
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 265
From: Bossier City, Louisiana
For my swap engine, its internals were still very good at 150,000 miles on the engine since it was new but it needed a few external sensors, coil packs and injectors to get it to run right. Change the hard to reach later things now before mounting the motor. The engine is still all good now with almost 18,000 more miles added to its total since 2017.
But let's not talk so much about my 4L60E. It needed a $2100 rebuild a month after dropping it all in.
Rick
But let's not talk so much about my 4L60E. It needed a $2100 rebuild a month after dropping it all in.
Rick
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On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 102
Likes: 17
From: South dallas
My 01 5.3 GMC is sitting at 253k on the original engine and transmission. The oil pan is leaking and I did the valve covers last fall. I drive in the right lane as fast as the person in front of me is going. Oil change every 3000 miles. Doesn't smoke, oil pressure is about 35 to 38 on a warm engine.
but like what was already stated. Mileage is subjective. My truck doesn't even have a receiver hitch. The most work I ever ask of it is taking about 4 pieces of sheetrock home from homedepot.
but like what was already stated. Mileage is subjective. My truck doesn't even have a receiver hitch. The most work I ever ask of it is taking about 4 pieces of sheetrock home from homedepot.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 36
Likes: 4
Amazing that the miles most engine can see now....The heavy diesels we work on now are a testament of that and with these LS engines, as we all know, the old machine shop guys are thinning out, hate to see it go but the advantages where most all of us can build big power, on a budget is great! Like the first flat scree I bought back in 2007, and now, twice the size and 1/4 the price and better quality..Not all tech is is good, but, but it is what it is!