94 LT1 engine rebuild
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
94 LT1 engine rebuild
Well, it looks like a may have a blown head gasket or blown head, etc.
I have about 186,000 & just started seeing the white/blue smoke from the exhaust, white goo on the oil cap, coolant levels going down, funny smell, etc..
When I was younger....I wouldn't mind tackling stuff myself....just don't want to anymore.
How much should I expect to pay to rebuild this LT1?
Sure...I would love to dump things in & change things up...but seriously guys....I just want a fresh rebuild. Nothing more that what's required stock for this LT1.
I've always had beat up chevy's in the past & I love my corvette. It's paid for & other than this or that...it's been a fun car.
From what I can tell....LT1's aren't difficult for any mechanic to work on...it's just making sure they don't cut you short especially with a Corvette LT1.
I'm just trying to get feelers of knowing what to spend....that way when I am out there looking....I know who's pulling my leg.
Thanks
I have about 186,000 & just started seeing the white/blue smoke from the exhaust, white goo on the oil cap, coolant levels going down, funny smell, etc..
When I was younger....I wouldn't mind tackling stuff myself....just don't want to anymore.
How much should I expect to pay to rebuild this LT1?
Sure...I would love to dump things in & change things up...but seriously guys....I just want a fresh rebuild. Nothing more that what's required stock for this LT1.
I've always had beat up chevy's in the past & I love my corvette. It's paid for & other than this or that...it's been a fun car.
From what I can tell....LT1's aren't difficult for any mechanic to work on...it's just making sure they don't cut you short especially with a Corvette LT1.
I'm just trying to get feelers of knowing what to spend....that way when I am out there looking....I know who's pulling my leg.
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 87
I think it's sort of an open ended question is why your not getting responses. At 186k, your engine may have been been running fine before the head gasket blew, but you have a lot of wear on a lot of parts. Your heads should be gone through, probably cam and lifters need replacing, timing set, you may want to bore the block etc, but you could probably get away without doing it if you don't have too.
Several ways to go about it, you could get a rebuilt/assembled short block and rebuild your heads. Or you could pay someone to go completely through your engine and replace everything. I dunno, I don't have the time to try to itemize it all, but I'd guess at $3,000 - $5,000 but probably closer to the higher number to have someone else do all the work and remove/install it, it maybe more too. You could also swap in a used engine that still runs like it should with less miles on it. (probably your easiest and maybe your best route) GM may still sell new LT1s as complete or nearly complete engines, I'm sure someone has them. gm parts direct, scoggins dickey?
Got a manual tranny? Don't forget your clutch/pressure plate and disc should probably be done too. Add another grand for that. No advice if you have an auto, other than to ask yourself why (just kidding about that!)
Good luck
Several ways to go about it, you could get a rebuilt/assembled short block and rebuild your heads. Or you could pay someone to go completely through your engine and replace everything. I dunno, I don't have the time to try to itemize it all, but I'd guess at $3,000 - $5,000 but probably closer to the higher number to have someone else do all the work and remove/install it, it maybe more too. You could also swap in a used engine that still runs like it should with less miles on it. (probably your easiest and maybe your best route) GM may still sell new LT1s as complete or nearly complete engines, I'm sure someone has them. gm parts direct, scoggins dickey?
Got a manual tranny? Don't forget your clutch/pressure plate and disc should probably be done too. Add another grand for that. No advice if you have an auto, other than to ask yourself why (just kidding about that!)
Good luck
Last edited by F1Fan; Oct 14, 2007 at 08:56 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Short block machine work should run about $1,000 if you pull the engine and tear it down yourself. That would include tanking, boring .030 (which may be needed), decking block, honing mains, new cam bearings, oil galleries cleaned, crank turned or polished (depending on how it mikes).
If the block has to be bored, you'll need to buy new pistons, and pay for re-balancing, so that'll add several more hundred $$.
A stock rebuild on the heads should run around $600 for cleaning, new guides (as needed), valve job, surfacing and new springs.
Parts costs depends on what needs to be replaced. Certainly a new oil pump, rings and bearings but if you're in a cost cutting mode, you can re-use the Opti, water pump, damper, etc.
Then you'll need a full gasket set, spark plugs and, maybe wires, and fluids.
You'll save a ton if you pull the engine, tear it down and re-build it yourself. Labor cost will kill you. I did a rather stock rebuild on a 86E L98, bored .030 many years back and, with me doing all the above listed work, it ran just over $2,000
Jake
If the block has to be bored, you'll need to buy new pistons, and pay for re-balancing, so that'll add several more hundred $$.
A stock rebuild on the heads should run around $600 for cleaning, new guides (as needed), valve job, surfacing and new springs.
Parts costs depends on what needs to be replaced. Certainly a new oil pump, rings and bearings but if you're in a cost cutting mode, you can re-use the Opti, water pump, damper, etc.
Then you'll need a full gasket set, spark plugs and, maybe wires, and fluids.
You'll save a ton if you pull the engine, tear it down and re-build it yourself. Labor cost will kill you. I did a rather stock rebuild on a 86E L98, bored .030 many years back and, with me doing all the above listed work, it ran just over $2,000
Jake
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: Woodland California
I did my own. The local corvette shop wanted $6K to $8K depending on parts chosen. The labor to R&R te engine was 28 hours at $100 per hour. I had to replace my LT4 pistons 8X$125 from GMpartsdirect. The fly wheel can't be resurfaced, $975 from GMpartsdirect. Chevy no longer makes, or sells LT1 LT4 engines. chevy also no longer has catalytic converters for my 96, and I can't find an OEM converter. The clutch was $650 from centerforce. These are the most expensive items. The LT1 pistons may be less. The LT4 pistons are unique.My 96 is running well except for the converter, and a cruse controll module that GM no longer sells,and I can't find an OEM one. I didn't have to bore the block, so except for the pistons (cracked by my supercharger) the rest of the parts were reasonably priced. GM parts are several times the cost of aftermarket parts, so the cost may depend on if you want genuine GM parts, or not Hope this helps
Racer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 321
Likes: 1
From: Princeton New Jersey
Short block machine work should run about $1,000 if you pull the engine and tear it down yourself. That would include tanking, boring .030 (which may be needed), decking block, honing mains, new cam bearings, oil galleries cleaned, crank turned or polished (depending on how it mikes).
If the block has to be bored, you'll need to buy new pistons, and pay for re-balancing, so that'll add several more hundred $$.
A stock rebuild on the heads should run around $600 for cleaning, new guides (as needed), valve job, surfacing and new springs.
Parts costs depends on what needs to be replaced. Certainly a new oil pump, rings and bearings but if you're in a cost cutting mode, you can re-use the Opti, water pump, damper, etc.
Then you'll need a full gasket set, spark plugs and, maybe wires, and fluids.
You'll save a ton if you pull the engine, tear it down and re-build it yourself. Labor cost will kill you. I did a rather stock rebuild on a 86E L98, bored .030 many years back and, with me doing all the above listed work, it ran just over $2,000
Jake
If the block has to be bored, you'll need to buy new pistons, and pay for re-balancing, so that'll add several more hundred $$.
A stock rebuild on the heads should run around $600 for cleaning, new guides (as needed), valve job, surfacing and new springs.
Parts costs depends on what needs to be replaced. Certainly a new oil pump, rings and bearings but if you're in a cost cutting mode, you can re-use the Opti, water pump, damper, etc.
Then you'll need a full gasket set, spark plugs and, maybe wires, and fluids.
You'll save a ton if you pull the engine, tear it down and re-build it yourself. Labor cost will kill you. I did a rather stock rebuild on a 86E L98, bored .030 many years back and, with me doing all the above listed work, it ran just over $2,000
Jake
I have not pulled a motor and transmission in years. The last and only one I ever done was a 69 442 where I over heated the motor and smoked the main bearing (dad gave it to me the car and owned it since 1972). I later got a job at a auto parts store, got discount parts and plucked the motor and brought it into the machine shop. There was a transmission shop next door that rebuilt the turbo 400 for $300.
Dad changed the oil religiously with recycled oil every 3000 miles. It miked out and only needed honing and pistons was reused.
Here is the now...
My Corvette has about 120,000 miles.
No mechanical problems with the transmission or engine as of today. However, I want more power particularly in the area of 450 HP. If I rebuild the motor then I should rebuild the transmission of course. I'm considering this as my winter project.
However, I could purchase a used base C6 or Z06 C6 for $30,000.00 to $40,000.00 and be done.
The other option is again upgrade the C4 platform and it will buy me a few years of fun. Then buy a later C6 or used C7.
When you pulled your motor, how high off the ground did you have the car?
If I do decide to do it, what would be the ball park resale value of this 1994 Corvette?
Looking at the kit featured here and it looks interesting.
http://www.vetteweb.com/tech/vemp_10...e/viewall.html
Last edited by SnAkeDr; Oct 6, 2012 at 01:54 PM.
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