LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

LE2 Top end, do I need to refresh bottom end?

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Old May 1, 2010 | 10:03 PM
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Default LE2 Top end, do I need to refresh bottom end?

I was in touch with Lloyd Elliot, and I'm thinking I'll go with his LE2 setup for my '94 M6. Horsepower/Tq #'s are what I'm looking for, and the cost is in budget.

With my motor now, I've got 190,000 KM (roughly 120,000 miles) on it. Do I need to refresh the bottom end before I upgrade the top end? If so, what do I need to refresh?

This car will basically be a street ride, not see a lot of track time (if any).
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Old May 1, 2010 | 10:15 PM
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i would, you need to spin it pretty hight to get the power out of it

you dont need to, and people make it just fine - but your taking a big risk

i did a stock rebuild, stock crank - scat i beams - sealed power hyper pistons, mainly because i got the parts cheap and i spent my budget on bolt ons, top end, and valvetrain components

it all depends on your budget really, stock crank with forged 6 inch rods and forged pistons would be a great setup. and if you got the cash spring for the forged stroker crank

keep in mind that the little things really add up quick, and you need alot for a build like this, what is your total budget?
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Old May 2, 2010 | 02:40 AM
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If you are on a tight budget I would at least do rings, bearings and a new timing chain.
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Old May 2, 2010 | 03:50 AM
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I wouldn't do a damn thing to the bottom end
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Old May 2, 2010 | 05:50 AM
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Originally Posted by gregrob
I wouldn't do a damn thing to the bottom end
+1 just let her rip
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Old May 2, 2010 | 08:57 AM
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If it aint broke, dont fix it!
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Old May 2, 2010 | 09:15 AM
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If you have had the car a while or know how its been taken care of I wouldn't worry about it. You could also do a budget stroker for around 2k parts and labor and get your compression up to where lloyd likes them to be. On the oher hand, I have seen lt1's spin rod bearings after just a hot cam install... Its a crap shoot IMO
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Old May 2, 2010 | 12:29 PM
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i wouldn't touch it
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Old May 2, 2010 | 12:58 PM
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Do it if you're prepared if it blows up. Not to scare you but if it's your DD or you don't have the money for a rebuild, don't do it. If you do, put the new top end and see how long it lasts. Could be 5 minutes or 50,000 miles.
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Old May 2, 2010 | 01:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Z28Roxy
Do it if you're prepared if it blows up. Not to scare you but if it's your DD or you don't have the money for a rebuild, don't do it. If you do, put the new top end and see how long it lasts. Could be 5 minutes or 50,000 miles.
thats a great way to put it
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Old May 2, 2010 | 01:36 PM
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Just do it and if something does happen make it bigger and better !
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Old May 2, 2010 | 03:04 PM
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The car has 190,000 Km on it, I'm the second owner. It's been taken care of, with a bit of fun, of course... It's not a DD, just a summer fun-car. So, I think I'll keep the budget-friendly approach going, and just install the LE2 top end, and giv'er ****. We'll see how she goes!
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Old May 2, 2010 | 03:12 PM
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Mine spun a bearing after a hotcam install with 80,000 miles on the motor. Have had plenty of lt experience, sometimes you get dirt in the wrong place I'd have money saved up to redo the bottom. I went stock crank 6"eagle SIR mahle power pack LE2 set up
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Old May 2, 2010 | 03:18 PM
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Well theres slow factory cars and then theres bullet proof factory cars that take so much abuse and make great power you'll just have to find out.
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Old May 2, 2010 | 03:25 PM
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My car is the emotional bitch that rolled off the factory line... She's tempermental, moody, bitchy, and occasionally, f**king awesome! Maybe I should rebuild the bottom end too, just to make sure...

Where are you guys getting your bottom ends?
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Old May 2, 2010 | 03:49 PM
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you can get a budget eagle 383 rotating assembly off ebay for like 800 bucks. Figure 800-1000 for machine work. Whatever you decide to do, talk to Lloyd first because he can tell you the best compression ratio your le2 top end will like best. End up with one of the 430rwhp lt1's!1
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Old May 2, 2010 | 03:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Dadic 78
My car is the emotional bitch that rolled off the factory line... She's tempermental, moody, bitchy, and occasionally, f**king awesome! Maybe I should rebuild the bottom end too, just to make sure...

Where are you guys getting your bottom ends?
Talk to LE. I would avoid the cheap rebuilds on Ebay. You should build it once and build it right so you don't have to worry about building it again. I think LE would recommend a 355 stroker rebuild. That is what I am going to be eventually doing.

Just realize that once you start building the car with that power on your m6, your 10-bolt is likely on borrowed time. I would recommend getting a rear-end girdle as a starting point for your rear just as added security until you end up dropping the money on a new one
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Old May 2, 2010 | 04:05 PM
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Originally Posted by udlose99ta
you can get a budget eagle 383 rotating assembly off ebay for like 800 bucks. Figure 800-1000 for machine work. Whatever you decide to do, talk to Lloyd first because he can tell you the best compression ratio your le2 top end will like best. End up with one of the 430rwhp lt1's!1
I'd trust a 120k mile short-block before I trusted budget Eagle cast crap.
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Old May 2, 2010 | 04:06 PM
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Originally Posted by RamAir95TA
I'd trust a 120k mile short-block before I trusted budget Eagle cast crap.
x2, x3, ..... x(infinity).., Facebook: Like
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Old May 2, 2010 | 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted by RamAir95TA
I'd trust a 120k mile short-block before I trusted budget Eagle cast crap.
the important part of this sentence is the word "cast", alot of people used eagle forged cranks with no issues, but there not the best mind you.
but many people have broken the cast units under minimal stress, and you would be better off stock

Last edited by dangalla; May 2, 2010 at 05:11 PM.
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