LS5 Rebuild Cost
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 82
LS5 Rebuild Cost
My LS5 engine is currently at the rebuilders and I was wondering what you guys have been paying for a quality rebuild. I am talking about a fully machined engine with all dimensions check and properly set up to stock specs. My shop told me to budget $5000.00.
Kevin
Kevin
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 107
Likes: 38
From: Raleigh North Carolina
I didn't have my LS5 completely rebuilt by a shop but I did pay to have the machine work done on the block: magnafluxed, (bored .030), freeze plugs, new pistons attached to the rods and the crank looked over. That was about $700. I had another shop rebuild the heads with new valve guides and hardened valve seats. That was about $1000.
Chad
Chad
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 129
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
I'm currently rebuilding an LT-1 engine.
-Good block and cylinders...light hone and no real machining
-New rings on old pistons
-Straighten and polish crank
-New Eagle forged rods with 7/16" cap bolts
-Full balancing of rotating assembly
-New Strike Force aluminum heads, custom assembled, all PBM valvetrain
-New Comp XR286 Solid Roller cam
-New Comp solid roller lifters
-New PRW Stainless roller rockers with polylocks on 7/16" studs
-New Cloyes timing chain
-New Stewarts Stage 2 aluminum water pump
-New Schumann oil pump
-New ARP stainless bolt kit
-New harmonic dampener
-New bearings
-New FelPro gaskets throughout
-A bunch of other little things
Looking at 500+ hp at 6,500 RPM. We backed off the RPM from 7,000 to run a little less spring pressure and valve lash for durability.
I already have a full MSD ignition and new QuickFuel 650 DP carb.
This complete and comprehensive engine build is costing me about $5,500.
Personally, I wouldn't take an engine to "a machine shop" unless you know EXACTLY what YOU are doing (not them). I'd talk to "an engine builder". May cost a few bucks more, but you will get the engine you want in the end.
-Good block and cylinders...light hone and no real machining
-New rings on old pistons
-Straighten and polish crank
-New Eagle forged rods with 7/16" cap bolts
-Full balancing of rotating assembly
-New Strike Force aluminum heads, custom assembled, all PBM valvetrain
-New Comp XR286 Solid Roller cam
-New Comp solid roller lifters
-New PRW Stainless roller rockers with polylocks on 7/16" studs
-New Cloyes timing chain
-New Stewarts Stage 2 aluminum water pump
-New Schumann oil pump
-New ARP stainless bolt kit
-New harmonic dampener
-New bearings
-New FelPro gaskets throughout
-A bunch of other little things
Looking at 500+ hp at 6,500 RPM. We backed off the RPM from 7,000 to run a little less spring pressure and valve lash for durability.
I already have a full MSD ignition and new QuickFuel 650 DP carb.
This complete and comprehensive engine build is costing me about $5,500.
Personally, I wouldn't take an engine to "a machine shop" unless you know EXACTLY what YOU are doing (not them). I'd talk to "an engine builder". May cost a few bucks more, but you will get the engine you want in the end.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
i had a 454 hot tanked(i know that it's not done anymore, but that's what i call cleaning a block still), fully machined, crank turned, new pistons, cam, oil pump, bearings, flywheel resurfaced, balanced and assembled for $2500. it runs like a top.
