Catastrophic engine failure
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 65
From: Rochester Hills MI
Catastrophic engine failure
Just wondering how many people here have had an engine failure where the cost of an engine swap would be less than the repairs to the engine.
What was the mileage and what was the cause of failure?
It would be interesting to know the most common failures among high mileage ls engines so i can perform the best preventive maintenance.
What was the mileage and what was the cause of failure?
It would be interesting to know the most common failures among high mileage ls engines so i can perform the best preventive maintenance.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,970
Likes: 24,705
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I know there have been some hydrolocked engines reported on here. Hope I never have any catastrophic failures on the car.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: Cypress TX
I just busted the valve spring in cylinder 1 last week. Luckily it happened while I had the car idling in my driveway so no catastrophic failure or permanent damage. It did however cost me an upgraded cam kit from the fine gentlemen of EnglandGreen
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,467
Likes: 8
From: 972 and 405
I've been here for a few years and never seen anyone post anything about a destroyed engine. Not an LS1/6 at least. However there have been posts with members reporting very high mileage engines and still going strong. All depends on the maintenance.
-Alex
-Alex
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 469
Likes: 1
From: Heath Texas
What he said. While it's not a perfect motor, I heard mechanic after mechanic talk about how bullet proof these engines are to going Kaboom. Nah not so for all my Wankel RX8 friends.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Just a blown ring on #7 - I was Boosted with H/C, motor was a little old ('98) -
Bottom end rebuild and a hone .05 over forged and all is good now
Thanks,Matt
Bottom end rebuild and a hone .05 over forged and all is good now
Thanks,Matt
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 51,896
Likes: 39
From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
If it is truly catastrophic, the block will be toast. Repair is not an option in that scenario. 99% of engine failures require a new block.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
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
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I've been here since 02 and I can't say I remember any posts of a major implosion of an LS1/LS6 (although Matt just changed that!). dgrant's 300 mile+ engine has to be an example to all although I think it's needed a new head gasket.
Last edited by DeeGee; Jan 5, 2011 at 01:33 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 23,220
Likes: 3
From: HOUSTON
St. Jude Donor '06 thru '15, '19
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 65
From: Rochester Hills MI
This is what i'm thinking. the only thing that would really be catastrophic would be a timing chain failure, which is highly unlikely on a close to stock engine under 250k miles. i love how bullet proof these engines are! This is why i ask this question, because i don't recall hearing about any catastrophic engine failure on an LS engine. You could probably just keep it running forever with regular maintenance!