LS6Vette02

Hi all,

I've been to four track events so far and i'm hooked. However, I cannot ignore the risks involved in this hobby. Therefore, i'll be retiring the Z06 from the track and instead run my 1999 coupe because if something was to happen i'd rather it happen to it. My question is about what to do with the motor. I don't want to blow it on the track, so i'm either going to rebuild it and replace the heads/cam, or get an LS6/LS1 crate motor. I'm trying to get a decent estimate of what each route will run me and decide from there. I'm also open to suggestions. I haven't been very lucky with the search, i'm just wondering if there is anyone else who has been in the same or similar situation that can offer some advice. Thanks in advance!

Bink

LS6 crate motor. Or maybe wait for the LS3.

John Shiels

popped my and ruined everything in was big BOOM. Diff, tranny and engine total loss. Got a crate and did H&C. I would wait for LS3 if you can. Unless you want to build something from scratch. Are you doing engine build personally ?

LS6Vette02

I would rather buy a crate motor if I could afford to go that route, but I was thinking rebuilding the Ls1 might be cheaper and I would be doing it myself. I understand the benefit of having an LS3 over an LS6, but i'm wondering how difficult it would be to do that conversion. I believe the wiring harnesses, computer, etc. are different?

John Shiels

might get better/more info on LS1tech.com Sometimes hard to get your arms around full cost of a project. Research it! I would guess a crate is near 7000. I paid 4900 for a LS6 shipped in 03. You still have a motor to work with I had nothing except manifolds!

Bink

LS3 you would need to change reluctor wheel on the crank. Wiring harness adapters are sold by Katech.

John Shiels

One day i'll make a big big motor! Then everthing else will fail from the power churnning through it or I'll crash

Tires will be gone faster also.

I also need a cage first to be smart.

5.5" clutch is what I really want!

LS6Vette02

Thanks for the info, LS1tech does have quite a bit of information. I'll be doing a lot of research there. Putting a crate motor in sounds nice since I'll be doing the swap during the spring semester and won't have much time to rebuild the motor.

rustyguns

if i was doing what your doing i would buy a low mileages LS6 motor. i see them around all the time from 1800 to 2800 bucks

can't rebuild the to the same level as a ls6 for that much money. but i am usually broke and cheap as hell

John Shiels

you may also have a warranty,

Z07coupe

http://www.golenengineservice.com/html/ls.html

CHJ In Virginia

For my money the LS6 crate motor is the way to go. Factory fresh and very strong. It will bolt right up with no problems. A proper computer flash, tune and you are running again. Second alternative is a used LS6 - watch the forum C5 parts for sale and this section. Can buy low miles used ones for around $3000 or so. This sport is addicting - let the mods begin !!

AU N EGL

the LS3 would have more HP but there are deals on LS6 Create motors if you look a little. ( LS3 you would need to change a few things anyway to make it work with your computer)

Friend of mine bought two LS6 create motors from a dealer in Virgina Beach for $5,000, not each but for both.

So look around.
Good Luck

LS6Vette02

I have seen a couple LS6s on the forum for 2500-3500, but were a little higher on the miles. Looks like a crate LS6 is around 6400 now, but have heard they can be as low as 3000 at times. 5000 for two is crazy! It is tempting to do some radical build on the LS1, but at the point where I am I don't really need anymore power, just something reliable. I am impressed with the LS6 as I have had eight track days and zero problems.

AU N EGL

Look around, by a new LS6 create motor, dont change a thing. Drive it to break the motor in, maybe an oil cooler, then do some suppression mods to your FRC, Seats and harness and HAVE AT IT.

GOOD, FAST AND RELIABLE CAR.

Independent1

From everything I have read these LSX motors hold up very well. Before trying to fix a problem that may not exist why don't you do some test to see what kind of shape the motor is in such as compression/leakdown test.

If your motor is in good shape run it till it drops while researching the various options.

Also, I would go to a forged motor rather than stock. Much better built to take the abuses of tracking your car. You can buy forged 347 short blocks from TSP, SDPC, and others for around $3K.

While your at it might want to add a nice cam/heads/headers to get a little more HP/TQ since you will have the whole thing apart anyway.

ScaryFast

My suggestion is to keep it as-is and spend the money making it robust. You can add a little power while you're rebuilding, but don't go ridiculous just yet.

Replace the bearings and seals, maybe the rings if it's worn in there. Chances are you won't need to do much. When I tore it down my 100K mile LT1 was clean as a whistle inside because it was well maintained, my guess is yours will be also.

Spend your budget on things to make it last forever:

• Bigger baffled oil pan
• Forged crank and rods
• Accusump system
• Coolers, coolers, coolers (oil, trans, coolant)

By making it more robust (and lightweight) inside you can then tune it to rev higher and maybe stretch out the power band a little. Nothing's better then being able to carry a gear longer down straights. In addition, for a track car, you're going to need to spend some money in other areas like the brakes and tires. Don't blow your budget on just the motor. Don't be the guy that everyone laughs at - "typical Corevette driver, fast down the straights, passed by Miatas everywhere else."

Once you make it bulletproof you can spend lots of time behind the wheel. Then comes the most important part - figuring out what you want to do. If you're going to stick to HPDE's, go crazy with mods and have fun. But if you're going to compete in SCCA or NASA you need to pick a class and build within the rules. It sucks to make a 500 hp monster, then decide you want to try your hand at racing but you're stuck in an unlimited class with factory backed cars because you put a new cam in your car...

rustyguns

good advice!

rustyguns

another smart guy!

LS6Vette02

The car has had only one owner before me and he was in his 70's. I know its been taken care of. I've only had it since last summer. I'm starting to lean towards getting either a low mileage or crate LS6 to use for right now. I'll still have the LS1 I can gradually build at my own pace instead of running it until it blows. Time and money is what's against me right now. I doubt i'll start racing anytime soon, just getting as much experience as possible in HPDEs. One of my instructors made a good point that the car, with as much power as it has, is covering up a lot of mistakes, whereas a miata wouldn't be as forgiving. I still want to drive corvettes, but be able to maximize its potential, not take advantage of it. I would like to, however, eventually try some TT with NASA. How would putting an LS6 in the car affect what class i'm placed in?

Since tires were mentioned, I discovered a nail in one of my rears the other day. This will be the third time i've had to replace the tires because of a puncture. It's getting expensive replacing them because some groups don't allow patched tires on track. I've been running the stock Eagle F1s. Should I consider race tires like the V710s that I can trailer to the track and not have to worry about collecting things in them on the way back home? When do you usually make the step up?

Thanks again for the help!