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Help with C5 LS1

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Old Sep 6, 2012 | 07:33 PM
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Default Help with C5 LS1

This is my first corvette so I am a noob entirely. I just purchased a 2000 C5 that has been hydrolocked. It was taken to a shop that told the previous owner they would have to do an engine swap. It doesnt appear that any inspection was done to the engine besides spark plugs removed. I need advise. Should I put the time into pulling the motor apart and rebuilding or should I just purchase a replacement?
Other questions:
If I decide to swap engines, should I pull the front clip off the car and remove the engine that way or pull the body off the chassis?
If I just rebuild, what are inexpensive performance gains I can add and what are signs I should look for that the engine needs more than just a basic rebuild?
Does anyone have and websites they can direct me to that will give step by step instructions on the removal of the motor? Any video links?


Thanks for all the help you guys can give. Steve
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Old Sep 6, 2012 | 07:40 PM
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Hit up ebay and craigslist first. I see all kinds of millage LS1's going for around 1,500 lately. I think a clean slate is a good idea.
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Old Sep 6, 2012 | 07:42 PM
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Just curious...how much did this hydro-locked Vette cost you?
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Old Sep 6, 2012 | 07:43 PM
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Originally Posted by pryopenur3rdeye
just curious...how much did this hydro-locked vette cost you?
$3k
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Old Sep 6, 2012 | 07:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Bushhawg
$3k
Wow! Thats a hell of a deal!!! Salvaged?
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Old Sep 6, 2012 | 07:46 PM
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Originally Posted by NukeC5
Wow! Thats a hell of a deal!!! Salvaged?
Indeed. Which is why I jumped on it. It's super clean otherwise with a Borla exhaust already.
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Old Sep 6, 2012 | 07:47 PM
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Originally Posted by NukeC5
Wow! Thats a hell of a deal!!! Salvaged?
Not salvaged. Missed that before.
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Old Sep 6, 2012 | 07:58 PM
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Originally Posted by bushhawg
$3k
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Old Sep 6, 2012 | 09:39 PM
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$3K is one heck of a deal. If it were me, I think I would just drop an LS3 into the car - you'll still be ahead in the long run.

The engine normally comes out by dropping the cradle and taking it out from the bottom. But, some have removed it from the top.

Here's a file that describes what one owner did to get it out from the top:
Attached Files
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Old Sep 6, 2012 | 10:33 PM
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Thanks Vetteman Jack. The link helped tremendously. Now to decide what to do motor wise. Lol
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Old Sep 6, 2012 | 10:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Bushhawg
Not salvaged. Missed that before.
Depends on IF you would be satisfied with 350 hp. or want more. Either way I'd pull the motor down and find out what is wrong with it. It probably just bent a rod or two maybe broke the pistons, maybe even bent the crank. But if the block is good you can put a stroker kit in it. Good luck on your build.
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