I've been thinking about going to a C5 either next year or the following year because the miles are starting to scare me on my 92. A few members in my club tell me I'm better of fixing what I got with upgrades and mods. I was even thinking about a good ZR1 too.

This past year I have replaced the water pump, Opti, custom paint, new rims, tires, alarm system, some weather stripping, 4 rotors and all pads. I currently have 126k miles on the clock on what I believe is a virgin LT1. I won't pretend I know all about rockers, cams, etc... The valve covers do look out of place - they are an ugly brown. I'm told this is factory and that the original silver finish simply baked off with time.

My question is this. Should I start thinking about rebuilding the LT1? I do AutoX the car and I'm thinking about jump from stock class to another class so I can start doing some mods (NCCC). Should I do any engine work while the LT1 is being rebuilt? What about costs? What can be done? I might be able to talk the wife into spending about $5k this year but not much more (I told her I need more like $8k) She likes that figure much better than a $25-30k price tag on a used C5 that I'll probably end up modding anyways. I would hate to spend more $$ on something that is gonna start to leave me sitting in the near future. I only paid $10k on the car to begin with.

I have a 92 LT1 Auto, K&N, the trans if very strong and shows no sign if slipping, my local shop told me the one ???? (some sort of rubber bushing or mounting) looks like its starting to crack a little and wants me to bring it back in again before AutoX season starts up. There are a number of spider small cracks in the front nose piece (no big deal), a very slight oil leak - looks to be coming from the top part of the oil pan which I'm not too concerned with at this time....there you have it - the low down on my problems. Right now she fires up, doesn't miss a beat and purrs like a kitten. I have a feeling she is due for a makeover. I just don't feel like I have 300HP sitting under my hood. I can get very little wheel spin from a dead stop with the traction turned off - this bothers me when I hear others with stock engines spinning off the line forever.

As everyone can tell - I'm not a wrenchhead so all/most of this work will have to be outside.....but I'm learning something new each day! I've only had this Vette for about 1 year now and this is my first. Did I say too much??!! I'll shutup now......

Many Thanks!

 

If want to stay in stock class http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/sales.html has new GM shortblocks for $1650. They say 20 are left, and are offering a deal on an LT4 top end to go with it.

Otherwise it depends on what you want to do. If a compression test comes out OK a LT1 should go 200k miles. If you are road racing and want to mod the car, I would start looking into stroker motors if you are going to rebuild.


[Modified by 93Polo, 4:23 PM 1/8/2002]

 

i just did a leak down test on a buddies Vette this weekend and with his odometer probably around 65K or 70K, he had no more than 2% leak down at each cylinder. I thought that was simply amazing as it shows signs of a very healthy bottom end. These engines will last 150+ without having to open them up.

It all depends on what you want out of the car. I would not invest the money to overhaul the engine just because of the milage. Overhaul it for more power..stroke it or put heads and cam, etc. If there is a problem, fix it otherwise leave it alone if you plan to leave it stock. BTW, I can not light the tires up on my wifes '93 auto but it is simply because of the 2.59 gears and good tires. If you want to light the tires on takeoff, put in taller gears (3.54).

Strap it to a Dyno and see what its got before you say there is something wrong or you feel like it is down on power. And please don't assume it needs to be rebuilt unless you can prove it. Nothing like throwing good money away on an unneccesary rebuild.

For $5K you can have a nice heads and cam package installed I would assume and gain about 75-100 horsepower pretty easily.

Don't be afraid of the miles.

 

Chris, my motor leak 2% with 93,000 miles on it. :)

 

Just goes to show these are some great lasting motors :D.

 

I'm having a pretty nice 383 rebuilt from my LT1 with 134k miles on it for just under $3k :D $5k will get you a LOT

 

With proper maintenance and attention to the problems that arise, your motor has a lot of like left. I have a friend in CA with 208,000 miles on his 92, original owner. With no engine mods or rebuild, stock as can be. These cars are built to last!