... and sell the core to me 
LT4-replace or rebuild?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 123
Likes: 1
From: Yelm Washington
LT4-replace or rebuild?
My LT$ has over 115,000 on it and I am considering replacing it or rebuilding it. If I could get a crate motor that would be the easy out however all SBC have the rear mount distributor and the LT4 of course has the front mounted opti spark. My intent is to incrase performance slightly but have a reliable durable vehicle. Any comments?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 10
From: College Station TX
Is there anything actually wrong with your engine? LTx can go for a lot more than 115K. I know of a Camaro that gets autocrossed regularly in F Stock that has 370K on the original, unopened motor.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 834
Likes: 0
if there is nothing wrong major wrong with the engine. I would just rebuild it. Change the pistons and bore 30 over just to have a new cylnder wall. New brngs,wtr pump, oil pump, rods(maybe), OPTI (definantly), align bore the mains, and deck the heads and block. My build to a 383 with new heads parts cost about 3.3k you can some money for the crank. just remember if you must have the rotating assembly balance if you take my advice and replace the pistons or rods.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 123
Likes: 1
From: Yelm Washington
actually there isn't anything major wrong with it; guess I am just thinking "old school" where when an angine gets past 100K it is time to start thinking about a rebuild or replacement. I recently replaced the WP, opti, coil, fuel pump, filter, etc. Also I was thinking of more HP...
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Sounds more like new school thinking to me. Replace the whole car at 100K or when done with payments, whichever comes first.Old school thinking is maintain it properly, and if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
If you are concerned about the condition of the motor, get a leakdown check done on it. I'm 100% sure my motor was in worse shape then yours with half the mileage on it. There's others out there with more miles than yours in better shape.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
engine blows up, buy a new engine. Its cheaper than you think.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Lago Vista TX
Here's some food for thought $3200 long block Lt4:
http://www.sdparts.com/product/12534...roletYLT4.aspx
I was considering this but conversion to LT4 was too much $$ for me. By this and wait til yours blows... Put a Hot Cam in it though!!
Conrad
http://www.sdparts.com/product/12534...roletYLT4.aspx
I was considering this but conversion to LT4 was too much $$ for me. By this and wait til yours blows... Put a Hot Cam in it though!!
Conrad
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,030
Likes: 6
From: Maryland
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 123
Likes: 1
From: Yelm Washington
Oh I am no hurry to spend the $$, but again I was thinking of more HP and a rebuild or replacement would allow that. Of course on the other hand I would just as soon leave it alone and drive it. It still pulls strong and will roast the rubber off the rims (might have something to do with the 4.10's). Based on its condition I am pretty confident that it was at least adequately maintained, but not meticulously. And it does not appear to have been beat too badly. the interior is perfect and the engine fairly clean. It has been worked on (fuel rail covers are missing) but I think this is a result of a left front collision. My only problem right now is that the hydraulic clutch has a slow leak and I have not been able to find it as of yet. I just have to check the fluid once in a while. Just thought I would throw the topic out there and see what came back. I have many other projects that could use the $$ as well. Thanks for all of the feedback.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,705
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Well you could keep most of your money, Have an LT4 Hot Cam kit put in it and some LT headers.. I gained 40 rwp in my 95 and it doesn't hurt the reliability of my dd at all
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,062
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
actually there isn't anything major wrong with it; guess I am just thinking "old school" where when an angine gets past 100K it is time to start thinking about a rebuild or replacement. I recently replaced the WP, opti, coil, fuel pump, filter, etc. Also I was thinking of more HP...
Sounds like yours is strong, keep it running and maybe do a slow buildup on the side if your thirst is for more power.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 123
Likes: 1
From: Yelm Washington