Thrown Rod.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Thrown Rod. So lastnight I was getting up to speed granny shifting and all the sudden I hear a knock coming from my engine, so I immediately pull over and pop the hood, I hear this terrible noise as the RPM rose and fell, I knew exactly what it was. I'm wondering would it be better to rebuild it to a 355 forged everything blah blah, or to just scrap the LT1 all together and go buy a low mile LS1 and drop it in.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
I would love to keep it under 5 grand if at all possible. I know a guy thats selling a 98 Corvette LS1 with everything for 2500 with only 9k on it. My goals would be 400hp+ on motor with my LT1. The LS1 just seems like it'd be cheaper for more power and no more damn optispark.
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0
Brett Foote
10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever
Verdad Gallardo Depends. I know I have more than 5K in my current build but thats accounting for building from the ground up including buying a new block and a lot of extra things including stall, shift kit etc. If all you have is a bent pushrod. You could just tear into the topend and rebuild it, should run you right around 2K for everything needed for a H/C build. You have the bolt ons already, id just say add 4.10s.And why is reliability such a huge issue? Are you having that much trouble with the opti?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Ya with some further research the LS1 swap looks like more trouble than its worth, I'm gonna keep the LT1, I just don't like the opti, going through a puddle is enough to kill it, just seems like a bad system. I'm a senior in highschool so I need to do it relatively cheaply.
Having actually had my LT1 when i was in high school ill say this. I bought the car bone stock, added a CAI/muffler. Did a full tune up (plugs, wires, NAPA cap and rotor). Had zero issues apart from my stock O2s going out on me. I have a new Delco opti on my current build with zero issues. Just loctite the rotor screws and RTV the cap so water cant get in it. Since you are on a budget replacing the pushrods and adding a cam/springs/rockers would be worthwhile.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
The one thing I'm afraid of is having to buy a new crank/get it machined, and get the block re machined because I'm sure it scratched the **** out of that cylinder wall. I have no idea how much that will cost. I put an MSD opti on it about 6 months ago. Had a wiring problem and then right before it went it was missing throughout the RPM range. Is it worth it to tear into the block and not replace everything with high performance parts?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Alright so update, when I started the engine about the day before it happened I saw some sparks on the passenger side of the firewall directly behind the head, thought maybe it could be the starter/flywheel throwing sparks up? Also, could this be the noise that I thought was a thrown rod? I have plenty of oil pressure, would a thrown rod mess that up at all?
Theirs nothing wrong with an LT1. Rebuilding it with a decent cam with bolt ons and a tune will have you well over 400 crank hp.
Depending on the shape of the crank, you can have it cut down. new rods, pistons, rings, bearings, oil pump.. the whole 9 yards. it can easily be done for under 5k.
As stated just make sure you do all the preliminary precautions when installing and opti and you should be fine.
Depending on the shape of the crank, you can have it cut down. new rods, pistons, rings, bearings, oil pump.. the whole 9 yards. it can easily be done for under 5k.
As stated just make sure you do all the preliminary precautions when installing and opti and you should be fine.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
If I've spun a bearing will my oil pressure jump around? Plus I'm still really curious how sparks are being thrown up from behind the passenger head. I recently had the transmission rebuilt and flywheel re surfaced, maybe they didn't get a bolt on tight and its causing that noise?
Honestly it doesn't sound like you have an engine problem to me. If you see sparks, I would stop driving the car and have it looked at immediately.
P.s. there's more to an LS1 swap than just the motor and pcm. You have to change the k member, trans, exhaust, etc. When it comes down to money, it's cheaper to rebuild the LT1. Yes the LS1 is a better option, but it's more work and much more expensive.
P.s. there's more to an LS1 swap than just the motor and pcm. You have to change the k member, trans, exhaust, etc. When it comes down to money, it's cheaper to rebuild the LT1. Yes the LS1 is a better option, but it's more work and much more expensive.
