LS7 >>> BAD Experience with **LATE MODEL ENGINES**
02-23-2009, 03:03 AM
#201
Drifting
I posted a link on LS1Tech, it was deleted because instead of being a relatively constructive discussion as it was here, it became a spitting match and went 180 degrees from where it was suposed to go. I guess the thread I posted there pissed off a local sponsor that specialized in mail order engines, he accused me of targeting his business and it escalated from there. The reality is that this really had nothing to do with him, but in his ignorance he took it personal, then many members got in there and started to bash him. Then later that same day one of the moderators deleted it from the NW section where I had posted a link to this thread. I found it amusing, it went from a few hits to darn near 60 in a matter of 30 minutes, far more than this one had in the first few days.
Maybe he should have demanded that they take it back, but don't forget that this issue went miles and months past their WRITTEN warranty because after repeated calls, he was told to just keep on putting miles on the engine.
There was a conference call between the OP, LME and the machine shop in Portland doing the work. We already know the outcome of that conversation. Incidentally this machine shop in Portland is a family run business that has been in business for over 50 years. It is not the run of the mill production rebuilder shop. This shop is equipped to do even the most complex machining operations with the latest equipment. They not only are capable for performing the run of the mill every day jobs but also the ability to rebuild any of the late model engines today and from yesterday. I have seen them rebuild engines in concourse restoration jobs including old Mercedes Benz, Dussenberg, Packard and other really old stuff. while the really old stuff isn't real technical as compared to some of the new stuff, parts that are presently able to be purchased often has to be machined. Take for instance on one job, they had to build a water pump on some old engine for Rio.
Yep, opinions are like A**HOLES, everyone has one and sometimes they stink
Maybe he should have demanded that they take it back, but don't forget that this issue went miles and months past their WRITTEN warranty because after repeated calls, he was told to just keep on putting miles on the engine.
There was a conference call between the OP, LME and the machine shop in Portland doing the work. We already know the outcome of that conversation. Incidentally this machine shop in Portland is a family run business that has been in business for over 50 years. It is not the run of the mill production rebuilder shop. This shop is equipped to do even the most complex machining operations with the latest equipment. They not only are capable for performing the run of the mill every day jobs but also the ability to rebuild any of the late model engines today and from yesterday. I have seen them rebuild engines in concourse restoration jobs including old Mercedes Benz, Dussenberg, Packard and other really old stuff. while the really old stuff isn't real technical as compared to some of the new stuff, parts that are presently able to be purchased often has to be machined. Take for instance on one job, they had to build a water pump on some old engine for Rio.
Yep, opinions are like A**HOLES, everyone has one and sometimes they stink
I think this is a fear everyone has when spending high $$$ online... Its not about getting the best price or service, its about getting the best help when a problem goes wrong. The biggest problem for most people, is there isnt someone local.
Your only about 3 hours from me, thats why I was asking
03-02-2009, 12:03 PM
#202
Le Mans Master
Thanks for the heads up i was going to have LME build me a forged 403 ls2 short block! WOW! Im going to get (Xtreme horsepower) in dallas to do my build it now! they have already started my build! they have a state of the art machine shop.there automotive machinests are asae cert. lets hope it goes well they installed my c5 procharger and dyno tuned it great! thanks and god bless,scott
03-02-2009, 12:22 PM
#203
Are you an attorney by chance? Just curious... I would guess that you are based on your writing style.
By the way this snipet was put quite well:
"To emphasize, I do NOT want to hear from satisfied LME customers. In my view, a good product or the rendition of satisfactory services are normal expectations. Customers pay to attain these expectations. There is nothing special about normal results."
I couldn't agree more, and good luck with a resolution!
By the way this snipet was put quite well:
"To emphasize, I do NOT want to hear from satisfied LME customers. In my view, a good product or the rendition of satisfactory services are normal expectations. Customers pay to attain these expectations. There is nothing special about normal results."
I couldn't agree more, and good luck with a resolution!
03-11-2009, 11:31 PM
#204
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Nov 2005
Location: Houston 06 C6 Ysi SC 402 fgd TX
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I just had a 440 built by LME through England Green.
It is using one quart in about 200-300 miles w/ castrol 10w30 dyno oil.
I am not too happy about this.
This morning I put 15w50 synthetic in there as I am planning to road race. Hopefully, it will not burn as much oil.
I spent a fortune on this build.
What should I do?????
I am not trying to bash anyone or stir the pot, but should I be concerned with the consumption? Will the consumption get worse?
It is using one quart in about 200-300 miles w/ castrol 10w30 dyno oil.
I am not too happy about this.
This morning I put 15w50 synthetic in there as I am planning to road race. Hopefully, it will not burn as much oil.
I spent a fortune on this build.
What should I do?????
I am not trying to bash anyone or stir the pot, but should I be concerned with the consumption? Will the consumption get worse?
I'm late coming into this thread. I live in Houston and had considered using LME to build my engine a year ago or so but they had a long lead time at the time...Glad I went with A&A now
Last edited by drivinfast; 03-11-2009 at 11:56 PM. Reason: add quote
03-14-2009, 12:16 PM
#205
Burning Brakes
Fallen, you are going to road race that engine!!!!! You blow it on a road race course, and take out cars around you, you really will be in deep. What does your car look like so I can avoid you on the tracks around houston
I'm late coming into this thread. I live in Houston and had considered using LME to build my engine a year ago or so but they had a long lead time at the time...Glad I went with A&A now
I'm late coming into this thread. I live in Houston and had considered using LME to build my engine a year ago or so but they had a long lead time at the time...Glad I went with A&A now
Please educate me.
I was under the impression that while it burned oil, that was more on an inconvenience than anything else.
Thanks.
Also I would like to hear from people that have built a bunch of thse motors as to what they think. (thanks in advance).
Last edited by fallen; 03-14-2009 at 12:19 PM.
03-14-2009, 12:55 PM
#206
Team Owner
While my car burns oil (and it still does even with the thicker oil) what makes you think it would have a catostrophic failure?
Please educate me.
I was under the impression that while it burned oil, that was more on an inconvenience than anything else.
Thanks.
Also I would like to hear from people that have built a bunch of thse motors as to what they think. (thanks in advance).
Please educate me.
I was under the impression that while it burned oil, that was more on an inconvenience than anything else.
Thanks.
Also I would like to hear from people that have built a bunch of thse motors as to what they think. (thanks in advance).
03-14-2009, 02:34 PM
#207
Burning Brakes
I will get in touch with LME next week and see what they have to say. I will report back to this post.
This motor has already come out of the car twice (possibly not due to LME's fault) and I have spent an awful lot of time on this build when I paid for a turn key install.
If in fact there will be a catastrophic failure down the line, the motor will have to come out again, and obviously I will not road race it.
However, if it is an inconvenience, I am not sure I have the time to have the motor pulled again.
I also don't know what the tuner/original installer would want to do.
I have spent a ton of money here and will not spend anymore.
BTW-the car has 4034 miles on the new build and does not smoke a lot. The car will smoke if it is driven lightly for a while (30 miles) and then you get on it hard.
This motor has already come out of the car twice (possibly not due to LME's fault) and I have spent an awful lot of time on this build when I paid for a turn key install.
If in fact there will be a catastrophic failure down the line, the motor will have to come out again, and obviously I will not road race it.
However, if it is an inconvenience, I am not sure I have the time to have the motor pulled again.
I also don't know what the tuner/original installer would want to do.
I have spent a ton of money here and will not spend anymore.
BTW-the car has 4034 miles on the new build and does not smoke a lot. The car will smoke if it is driven lightly for a while (30 miles) and then you get on it hard.
Last edited by fallen; 03-14-2009 at 02:41 PM.
03-14-2009, 02:46 PM
#208
Burning Brakes
I will work on one.
05-08-2009, 11:57 AM
#209
Burning Brakes
Sorry for the delay.
After using 50 weight the car still burns almost a quart in 300 miles.
So about two weeks ago I drove the car down to LME and spoke to Bryan and Pecos. Pecos concluded that the car must be burning a little bit from each cylinder and that this was probably caused by the fact that the car was not tuned properly during break in.
LME agreed to take the motor back and fix the issue for free.
The problem is getting the motor pulled. I have been quoted 2000 for labor, which seems fair. Note that I will not go back to Gulf Coast/EG.
Also, others have recommended that I have the motor pulled and sent to HKE in Houston. According to the recommendations I received, the gentlemen there is an expert in fixing ring issues.
However, according to some, he does not operate on a fixed schedule. I was told that he would need my motor for at least a month, which is something I will not agree to. However, I did not speak with him directly so I do not know if this is the case.
For now I will continue to drive the car. I was told by Pecos that the oil burning issue will not lead to other problems.
After using 50 weight the car still burns almost a quart in 300 miles.
So about two weeks ago I drove the car down to LME and spoke to Bryan and Pecos. Pecos concluded that the car must be burning a little bit from each cylinder and that this was probably caused by the fact that the car was not tuned properly during break in.
LME agreed to take the motor back and fix the issue for free.
The problem is getting the motor pulled. I have been quoted 2000 for labor, which seems fair. Note that I will not go back to Gulf Coast/EG.
Also, others have recommended that I have the motor pulled and sent to HKE in Houston. According to the recommendations I received, the gentlemen there is an expert in fixing ring issues.
However, according to some, he does not operate on a fixed schedule. I was told that he would need my motor for at least a month, which is something I will not agree to. However, I did not speak with him directly so I do not know if this is the case.
For now I will continue to drive the car. I was told by Pecos that the oil burning issue will not lead to other problems.
05-08-2009, 02:31 PM
#210
Burning Brakes
Just sopke with Erik and HKE. Looks like I may use Erik.
I am so glad I paid almost 20k already for a turnkey motor install and had nothing but trouble.
I am so glad I paid almost 20k already for a turnkey motor install and had nothing but trouble.
Last edited by fallen; 05-08-2009 at 02:33 PM.
05-08-2009, 02:47 PM
#211
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Dec 2005
Location: North Western Connecticut
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that's about as bad as it gets!! I went through something like that many years ago and it's the main reason I've never done heavy duty engine mods after that experience. Spent a pile of hard earned money for a POS engine!! It never ran right and finally puked after about 6 months..... I can really sympathize with what you've been going through...
05-08-2009, 04:09 PM
#212
Race Director
Really throws a wrench in the "engine mods to do" list. But it does open my eyes. Sorry you're going through this BS.
05-08-2009, 04:16 PM
#213
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Oct 2008
Location: Beverly Hills, MI
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I am really sorry to hear of your troubles. Turn-key this is NOT. I would be livid as I am sure you are also. Best Wishes and I hope for a good solution for you.
05-14-2009, 09:28 PM
#214
Burning Brakes
OK spoke with Erik at HKE and he was very helpful. 
I checked the rocker bolts for the intake rockers and guess what no teflon sealant/threadloc. Sealant is ABSOLUTELY necessary on these bolts because the protrude into the intake port on a TFS 235 head.
I used permatex sealant and put everything back together. Hopefully this cures the problem.
I checked the rocker bolts for the intake rockers and guess what no teflon sealant/threadloc. Sealant is ABSOLUTELY necessary on these bolts because the protrude into the intake port on a TFS 235 head.
I used permatex sealant and put everything back together. Hopefully this cures the problem.
05-14-2009, 11:59 PM
#215
LME blew it. Google " LME engine " and within 6 posts it leads to this post. Lack of customer support and short sightedness is costing them dearly.
Last edited by 123vette456; 05-15-2009 at 12:02 AM.
05-15-2009, 12:52 AM
#217
Safety Car
Member Since: Jan 2007
Location: San Antonio Texas
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It isn't about how right you do things. It's about when things go wrong, how do you try to make them right. The moral of this story is, read and comprehend.
And if you need a further example of how to do it right, in the face of when things go wrong, take a look at forum vendor MGW. I have. He knows how to make things right and KEEP his customers, and make new ones just from his word and deeds.
That's the real story of a businessman.
And if you need a further example of how to do it right, in the face of when things go wrong, take a look at forum vendor MGW. I have. He knows how to make things right and KEEP his customers, and make new ones just from his word and deeds.
That's the real story of a businessman.
10-10-2009, 12:00 PM
#218
Drifting
Aw hell. I just found out that my tuner is getting my engine built by LME. It's already been shipped to to the tuner and should show up this Tuesday, so I'm pretty much committed.
I like to hope for the best, but quite honestly I'm feeling pretty nervous about this after reading this thread. I know my tuner will stand behind it, but who the heck wants their car tied up for months with engine tear downs? But if that sucker uses oil, it's defintely going to get yanked out and sent back. I spent WAY too much money on that sucker to be paying for a major headache.
So what exactly is the CORRECT breakin procedure for a built motor?
I like to hope for the best, but quite honestly I'm feeling pretty nervous about this after reading this thread. I know my tuner will stand behind it, but who the heck wants their car tied up for months with engine tear downs? But if that sucker uses oil, it's defintely going to get yanked out and sent back. I spent WAY too much money on that sucker to be paying for a major headache.
So what exactly is the CORRECT breakin procedure for a built motor?
10-22-2009, 02:30 PM
#219
Advanced
Member Since: Jan 2004
Location: Houston tx
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OK spoke with Erik at HKE and he was very helpful.
I checked the rocker bolts for the intake rockers and guess what no teflon sealant/threadloc. Sealant is ABSOLUTELY necessary on these bolts because the protrude into the intake port on a TFS 235 head.
I used permatex sealant and put everything back together. Hopefully this cures the problem.
I checked the rocker bolts for the intake rockers and guess what no teflon sealant/threadloc. Sealant is ABSOLUTELY necessary on these bolts because the protrude into the intake port on a TFS 235 head.
I used permatex sealant and put everything back together. Hopefully this cures the problem.
