LT4 Rebuild/Replace Advise
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Joined: Jul 2005
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LT4 Rebuild/Replace Advise
I finally have my shop built and am looking at rebuilding or replacing the LT4 in my 96. It has a spun bearing. I am looking for advise on the best way (and lowest cost) to proceed. I found a a LT4 with 72k miles, asking price of $3200 I could buy. This is a complete engine with all accessories, computer, etc. Seems to not be a bad deal if I could get it for $2800 or so. And I am sure I could pull and replace the engine myself, and would have lots of spare parts.
I am thinking a rebuild of my current engine would cost a good deal more than I have now, and require more skill than I have. Plus I would like to have my original LT4 (131K miles) to rebuild later, possibly into a 383.
Just looking for any other options, maybe a plug and play shortblock, but I have not found anything for a price I could afford.
What would you do?
I am thinking a rebuild of my current engine would cost a good deal more than I have now, and require more skill than I have. Plus I would like to have my original LT4 (131K miles) to rebuild later, possibly into a 383.
Just looking for any other options, maybe a plug and play shortblock, but I have not found anything for a price I could afford.
What would you do?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 285
Likes: 1
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Build what you have. You'll know it's right, and will possibly spend less than the pullout, if you're an astute shopper.
Used engines are always a crapshoot, and a performance one even moreso, unless you know the history. It seems that LTs are among the more commonly abused engines that suffer rod bearing failures...usually at the hands of the maintainence-challenged boy racer types.
Used engines are always a crapshoot, and a performance one even moreso, unless you know the history. It seems that LTs are among the more commonly abused engines that suffer rod bearing failures...usually at the hands of the maintainence-challenged boy racer types.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
You need to figure how much you have to spend on your project. Looks like $2800 is your limit. For that you can remove your engine and send it to an engine builder to inspect your crank and bearing situation. If the block is good you can just hone it out and install new pistons (not the high dollar ones) and rings. If the crank survived the spun bearing, just polish it up and install new bearings. If you buy the donor Vette you may not get what your looking for. If this is your daily driver, buy a junker to get you through the rebuild and then sell it when you're done.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 429
From: Birmingham Al
For me it would be nice to have a spare LT-4 just laying around the shop hard to find one running $28 if you can-get it not too bad ..Go on line make some calls see what it would cost to build yours..It won't take lone to figure it out and see were your at..Make sure you find a good shop ..If a deal is to good ,might not be a deal, lot's of want- to- bes out there..So ask around and find a good shop to do the work will cost more, most try to go cheap sometimes cheap not that good not @ 7000 RPM BOOM.. Not good... Lot's of builds in here just ask...Can't beat the sound of a fresh build motor.. YEEE HAAA..
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
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From: Texas
If you expect this to be under $3k, then the used LT4 is really your only choice. If you get the used LT4 for $2800, and then sell the extra parts...computer, accessories, maybe a few other little things....you'll be around $2500/$2600. Once your new engine is together, you'll be able to recoupe most if not all of the cost by selling the used engine.
If you want to rebuild the existing LT4, it'll be about the same cost assuming you only need to do the bare minimum and you'll be without the car.
Having said all the above, you could always drop the pan on the existing engine and change the rod bearings. Worst case is that you spend a day of your time and about $200 on gaskets and rod bearings. Best case is it's fine to drive for awhile longer while you save for the stroker build.
If you want to rebuild the existing LT4, it'll be about the same cost assuming you only need to do the bare minimum and you'll be without the car.
Having said all the above, you could always drop the pan on the existing engine and change the rod bearings. Worst case is that you spend a day of your time and about $200 on gaskets and rod bearings. Best case is it's fine to drive for awhile longer while you save for the stroker build.
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 725
Likes: 4
From: Plano, TX
You can get a crate motor LT4 from Pep Boys with a 3yr 100000 mile warranty for $2000. Put your intake, valve covers, accessory's and oil pan on it and drop it in. Quickest, safest, and least expensive way to get back on the road. Pep boys sells ATK motors which are used by ford for their factory replacements. It even comes with all the gaskets.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 725
Likes: 4
From: Plano, TX
If your looking for an exceptional stock motor and good resale value. Then look no further.
BTW: The ford reference was only given to show that the ASE/Manufacturer certified dealerships use these motors.
Last edited by 93VettePilot; Sep 5, 2011 at 09:20 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 429
From: Birmingham Al
Thanks,That was a joke nobody puts a Ford motor in a Corvette ,we would come over a night and %^&8 and ^&*9 and #$%^& then do bad stuff..to it... MY LT-4 is getting lone in the tooth and a good short block at that money might be a good start..THANKS...
Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 725
Likes: 4
From: Plano, TX
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65
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I found a mention of LT1's from http://probuiltengines.com/ which says they are available at Pepboys, but nothing related to LT4's, or nothing on pepboys website. Did you talk directly to them or did you see it on their site somewhere? Thanks for info!
You can get a crate motor LT4 from Pep Boys with a 3yr 100000 mile warranty for $2000. Put your intake, valve covers, accessory's and oil pan on it and drop it in. Quickest, safest, and least expensive way to get back on the road. Pep boys sells ATK motors which are used by ford for their factory replacements. It even comes with all the gaskets.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 725
Likes: 4
From: Plano, TX
I found a mention of LT1's from http://probuiltengines.com/ which says they are available at Pepboys, but nothing related to LT4's, or nothing on pepboys website. Did you talk directly to them or did you see it on their site somewhere? Thanks for info!
Last edited by 93VettePilot; Sep 6, 2011 at 01:29 PM.
