Getting on the interstate today after work I opened it up, right as I let off I hear something I've never heard before and the engine shuts down. I pull over and all electronics seem to work but the starter just clicks.

After some tests I'm 99% sure my timing chain broke. Towed it to a local reputable shop and just got a call that when he pulled some spark plugs that they were all pretty banged up so chances are that the internals wont be good.

With that said, I'm not in much of a position to spend a lot of cash but I have a brother across seas doing some contract work with the money to loan me to get my car back on the road. Wanting more of a budget build but with these cars I'd rather be put under in owing my brother more than to cheap out and risk more problems.

I know I should wait until the guy pulls apart the heads to really know whats toast but I'm fearing the worse and just want a general idea of when the time comes what I should go with that will be the best route.

I really do not want any more power, car had just a cam and exhaust and thats all I was set with. But if the pistons and valvetrain is toast would most recommend going with a stock drop in motor or possibly build the motor with some nice parts for the same price?

I have an 03 z06, sad because it only has 35,000 miles and the motor is locked. I guess the question is would it be worth dropping another motor in or buying new pistons/rods and rebuilding the head.

Thanks for any help.

 

My opinion. I know, opinions are like aholes and usually its aholes who express their opinions the most.

Borrowing or loaning money to and from freinds and family is not a good idea if you value that relationship and want to stay on good terms with that person. Also if you need to borrow money to fix a car problem then you probably can't afford the car. Now that I'm done sounding like your dad, you should absolutely call and shop around to find the cheapest solution to fix the problem whatever that may be because you're in no position to spend extra money you don't have. Just wait and see what the mechanic says; hopefully it won't be a worst case scenario.

With that said, did you over-rev the motor when it broke?

 

Get a new crate motor and put your exhaust back on it, have it tuned and you'll be good. If you have alittle extra cash put a LS7 clutch in it while the motor is out just so you dont have to worry down the road about a clutch.

 

My brother has always borrowed money from me and slowly pays me back. It's just that this situation is happening as I'm switching jobs and start my new one in a week. So spending a couple grand on a motor isn't something I had saved for.

I'm not exactly sure how it happened. Didn't over rev the motor, happened when I got on it in 2nd gear and as soon as I broke traction, traction control kicked in and I stomped on the clutch, didnt shift just held it because I heard the weird sound and thats when I lost all power.

The car currently has a textralia clutch in it.

 

stock rebuild if the block, crank, etc is salvagable.

 

If nothing is salvagable, crate motor. Long block or short block depending on what, if anything, can be saved.

 

Youre gonna have to pull the heads to see whats going on or use a scope thru the plug opening.
If the plugs are beatup that means theres material inside and most likely heads n cylinder sleaves are ruined. Best thing is probably a longblock w heads since u can take off all the other crap off the old engine. Good luck

 

LS6 crate motors are a bit scarce right now.

 

If he's gotta drop in a new motor he might as well do an LS2 anyway, right? I think I remember reading that the LS2 is a simple drop-in for us since the exhaust manifolds match up(?).

 

Cant get them from GM anymore? I was thinking about buying one to supercharge in my 02 in a year or so.... I hope I can still get one by then.....

 

Ah, what? The motors are scarce to come across now? Anyone know of some reputable websites that may still sell factory motors or carry receipts of all the work?

 

We had a few guys in the Auto-Cross and Road Race forum looking for crate LS6s. Not easy to find. Some of the part suppliers when out of business so production was held up.

Might be easier to find a Caddy LS6 crate then just change the oil pan.

The stock LS6 is the engine of choice for one popular race class.

So look and if you find one buy it.

Does not the LS2 have a different cam sensor position?

 

go to a junk yard and get an LQ4 or LQ9 shortblock!! 350-700 for the shortblock and all the bolt on parts are interchangeable...

 

Having damaged 1 cammed engine due to faulty after market parts, the first thing you should do here is really think about what went wrong with this motor. You don't want to repeat this experience. A stock motor with 35k mi should not throw a timing chain--especially not on the street. Do you have the ATI dampener on there? Have seen chains blown here due to crappy aftermaket dampener's used with the cam build.

Also--you don't want to dump any more money into this then you have to for the not-so-obvious reason of insurance. Take it from me--SUV run over my C4 2 days after expensive rebuild + new clutch--insurance companies won't give you anything for the money you spend.

Find out what's salvageable. If nothing--crate LS2 unless you can find the caddy LS6 mentioned. I think LS2/LS6 heads are same, so if heads only are salvageable, then same deal--crate LS2 shortblock.

I would do these before a rebuild unless the damage is minor and you have the world's best (read: most reliable, highest quality) engine shop at your disposal. Most of the ones here were very much about building drag race engines and not very cost or quality concious. Remember, with the crate engine, there's a warranty in writing. With the rebuild, there's "I'll take care of you". Crate engine is much lower risk if you are talking about short block work with new pistons, decking the block, rebalancing it, etc etc etc.

Good luck

 

fyi

http://www.superchevyperformance.com...p/19210918.htm

 

Awful to hear but you dont want to drop anymore money then you have too, I would see the damage done, get the price quote for the rebuild and compare the pros and cons for rebuild vs crate on whats better for you.

 

If it were me, and you need basically the entire motor, I'd go with a LS3 instead of a 2. I believe they're available as a crate motor with the correct reluctor for our years, but I'm not sure. I know you said you didn't want any more power, but if your present build has bolt-ons, and cam already, that kind of shows where your preferences are. It's your money, (sort of) and try to get the most out of it. I'd rather spend an extra 500-1500 and a much better performer, but that's me. GL.

 

I just liked the sound and how reliable the cammed ls6 motor was. Definitely will have to narrow down the failed part and replace it.

I really wish I had the time and knowledge around lsx motors but I do not. I've built multiple 4g63 motors for my old dsms but those cars are simple and cheap to deal with compared to a corvette.

A crated motor would be safest knowing I have a warranty and all, going ls2/ls3 would be interesting in getting more for the slightly higher price but I have no idea what may be interchangeable and if the shop has a lot of experience in doing a swap.

Just spoke with him and he almost has the engine pulled so I will be making a trip down there soon and hopefully the motor will be apart to see what may be salvageable.

 

Post some pictures of the damage for the rest of us please. We're always interested in weak-link examples.

 

haha, ouch. If I knew to take more picture I would. Only snapped one to send to a friend on my phone. This side is worse than the other. Only one broken valve on the other side along with a broken rod. The side you see in the picture had the most damage.



That valve you see upside down is stuck in the piston. We couldn't pull it off