rebuilding the LS1?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 257
From: Oklahoma City OK
i did some research on this company after the azzclown called me a moron, seems they have many unhappy customers, he did me a favor.
Southwest Engines , do not use them!
below is the holes reply
ok moron
Thank You,
Parts Department - ext.3
_________________________
Tel. 866-319-1058
Southwest Engines , do not use them!
below is the holes reply
ok moron
Thank You,
Parts Department - ext.3
_________________________
Tel. 866-319-1058
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 65
From: Rochester Hills MI
Nobody is going to be able to do a cylinder hone or mill the deck and heads in their garage. Have a machine shop do the hone, and check the deck and heads for flatness. Everything else is cake, and can be done at home. Get a service manual, and there are plenty of how-to's.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 17,336
Likes: 8
From: Maker of Sharp Objects, AL - Roll Tide
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
St. Jude Knife Maker
Thanks, I am in no hurry, I am hoping mine will not be to damaged, I will see after I pull it. I responded to the guy at Southwest motors that 46K was too many miles for me but thanks, he replies back " OK moron" Now I would buy a bolt from that azzclown, what kind of way is that to do business? I for sure looking at letting engalnd hook me up, just not sure what yet.
My current motor has 435 RWHP , I want to at least be there, if not a tad more....
My current motor has 435 RWHP , I want to at least be there, if not a tad more....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 949
Likes: 34
From: La Junta Colorado
Nobody is going to be able to do a cylinder hone or mill the deck and heads in their garage. Have a machine shop do the hone, and check the deck and heads for flatness. Everything else is cake, and can be done at home. Get a service manual, and there are plenty of how-to's.
I have honed 3 SBC in my garage and 1 in my kitchen.
Rings seated fine in all of them. Just need a good drill.
Aluminum heads do need to go to a shop to be surfaced.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 949
Likes: 34
From: La Junta Colorado
each is his own... I raced one of the engines for years.
It all depends on why you are rebuilding it. If a cylinder is scored then yes a machine
shop is need. I think a drill with a good high quality hone will do a very good job and
last for years.
It all depends on why you are rebuilding it. If a cylinder is scored then yes a machine
shop is need. I think a drill with a good high quality hone will do a very good job and
last for years.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 427
From: Dunedin Florida
I disagree with that..with anything if you take your time and pay attention with what goes where..the ls1 is really a simple push rod v8 motor...there are plenty of how to's and books one can buy plus not to mention the forum...and who know's along the way you might learn a few new hidden talents along the way..
I watched my brother who has never installed a cam on anything with very little knowledge install a cam in his 2002 Camaro Z28 with the LS1....not only did he do it right, the car runs amazingly well with zero issues..he took his time and he pay attention to what went were...
I watched my brother who has never installed a cam on anything with very little knowledge install a cam in his 2002 Camaro Z28 with the LS1....not only did he do it right, the car runs amazingly well with zero issues..he took his time and he pay attention to what went were...
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 0
From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
Eg...
EnglandGreen....seems the most practical way to go. He knows your engine, and you're right there, (wish I were). Good luck....
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 249
Likes: 14
We have everything from stock replacement to all forged stroker motors with a HUGE selection of blocks, crankshafts, rods, ect in stock. If we dont have it on the floor we can build it in 10-21 days in most cases. We have up to a 1 year unlimited mileage warranty on our motors and our customer service is 2nd to none. Feel free to call us if you need any help with your new motor.
Thank you,
Kyle
972-853-0518
Thompson Motorsports
Thank you,
Kyle
972-853-0518
Thompson Motorsports
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
i did some research on this company after the azzclown called me a moron, seems they have many unhappy customers, he did me a favor.
Southwest Engines , do not use them!
below is the holes reply
ok moron
Thank You,
Parts Department - ext.3
_________________________
Tel. 866-319-1058
Southwest Engines , do not use them!
below is the holes reply
ok moron
Thank You,
Parts Department - ext.3
_________________________
Tel. 866-319-1058
lot of junkyards have this problem. the good ones have an easy return policy but some sure don't. in most cases those guys don't have the first clue as to the condition of the engines they are selling. a good yard will provide cylinder leakdown numbers showing you what you're buying.
i would be leary as hell buying any engine based on miles. people lie, clusters get swapped and you have no clue how the miles were put on even if they are accurate.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 79
From: pueblo co
I agree to a point... But you still have the whole top end to deal with as well as all the accessories on the front of the block... Not to mention the machine shop will do all the work and tell you what size of items to order.. Its pretty simple.. Like I said.. With anything as long as one takes their time.. Building engines are easy.. Esp the ls engines!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 409
From: Portland OR
The goal of a ball or flex hone is to break the glaze. You don't use them to size the cylinder. They are very effective for new rings in a used bore.
As far as decking, you would only deck the block if it were damaged, or for some reason out of square with the crank. My guess is stock, they are just fine, cleaning only needed. Careful cleaning if an alum block. Also, the pistons in these engines stick up above the deck on average of .007". So if you deck one, better cut very little or you will be looking for thick head gaskets.
As far as decking, you would only deck the block if it were damaged, or for some reason out of square with the crank. My guess is stock, they are just fine, cleaning only needed. Careful cleaning if an alum block. Also, the pistons in these engines stick up above the deck on average of .007". So if you deck one, better cut very little or you will be looking for thick head gaskets.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,194
Likes: 146
From: Houston Republic of Texas
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14, '16
We have everything from stock replacement to all forged stroker motors with a HUGE selection of blocks, crankshafts, rods, ect in stock. If we dont have it on the floor we can build it in 10-21 days in most cases. We have up to a 1 year unlimited mileage warranty on our motors and our customer service is 2nd to none. Feel free to call us if you need any help with your new motor.
Thank you,
Kyle
972-853-0518
Thompson Motorsports
Thank you,
Kyle
972-853-0518
Thompson Motorsports
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 174,312
Likes: 1,217
From: Here
Pilot of Beer Force 1
Tampa Regional Coordinator
CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Organizer St. Jude Fundraiser
I believe in the Beer Fairy
Speaking from the perspective of BTDT
yes it is $$$$ but looking at the big picture if you plan on keeping the car it is still less than a years payments on a new one.
your LS1 block is probably toast and the internals probably have some issues so....
do what I did....ask yourself...."self what do I want to do with this car?"
Answer: I want a dependable driver with some power at least what I had before.
How much do I want to spend?
Answer: (in your head) as little as possible but you know that won't work jackass so suck it up
Answer: my options are GM crate motor can be had for about $6K depending on which one and it can be dropped in with a warranty..the LSX376 is nice and is ready for FI if I want to do that
Answer part2: buy a new LS6 block and go with forged internals and have it built with a nice cam for about the same $$
I did option #2 and it allowed me to keep my Maggie and I picked up some HP.
Good luck Bill....its never easy
your LS1 block is probably toast and the internals probably have some issues so....
do what I did....ask yourself...."self what do I want to do with this car?"
Answer: I want a dependable driver with some power at least what I had before.
How much do I want to spend?
Answer: (in your head) as little as possible but you know that won't work jackass so suck it up
Answer: my options are GM crate motor can be had for about $6K depending on which one and it can be dropped in with a warranty..the LSX376 is nice and is ready for FI if I want to do that
Answer part2: buy a new LS6 block and go with forged internals and have it built with a nice cam for about the same $$
I did option #2 and it allowed me to keep my Maggie and I picked up some HP.
Good luck Bill....its never easy
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 23,220
Likes: 3
From: HOUSTON
St. Jude Donor '06 thru '15, '19
yes it is $$$$ but looking at the big picture if you plan on keeping the car it is still less than a years payments on a new one.
your LS1 block is probably toast and the internals probably have some issues so....
do what I did....ask yourself...."self what do I want to do with this car?"
Answer: I want a dependable driver with some power at least what I had before.
How much do I want to spend?
Answer: (in your head) as little as possible but you know that won't work jackass so suck it up
Answer: my options are GM crate motor can be had for about $6K depending on which one and it can be dropped in with a warranty..the LSX376 is nice and is ready for FI if I want to do that
Answer part2: buy a new LS6 block and go with forged internals and have it built with a nice cam for about the same $$
I did option #2 and it allowed me to keep my Maggie and I picked up some HP.
Good luck Bill....its never easy
your LS1 block is probably toast and the internals probably have some issues so....
do what I did....ask yourself...."self what do I want to do with this car?"
Answer: I want a dependable driver with some power at least what I had before.
How much do I want to spend?
Answer: (in your head) as little as possible but you know that won't work jackass so suck it up
Answer: my options are GM crate motor can be had for about $6K depending on which one and it can be dropped in with a warranty..the LSX376 is nice and is ready for FI if I want to do that
Answer part2: buy a new LS6 block and go with forged internals and have it built with a nice cam for about the same $$
I did option #2 and it allowed me to keep my Maggie and I picked up some HP.
Good luck Bill....its never easy
lot of junkyards have this problem. the good ones have an easy return policy but some sure don't. in most cases those guys don't have the first clue as to the condition of the engines they are selling. a good yard will provide cylinder leakdown numbers showing you what you're buying.
i would be leary as hell buying any engine based on miles. people lie, clusters get swapped and you have no clue how the miles were put on even if they are accurate.
i would be leary as hell buying any engine based on miles. people lie, clusters get swapped and you have no clue how the miles were put on even if they are accurate.
Last edited by mojo1; May 18, 2013 at 07:25 AM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 691
Likes: 19
From: Los Angeles
Don't be scared.
If you can rebuild a gen 1 small block, you can do an LSx. It's an engine. They are all essentially the same. I freshened mine up last summer, honed it with a drill in my garage and cleaned up the surfaces of the block and heads with a large wet rock. Even flycut my pistons myself using the LS1 tech sandpaper method for the new cam. I did drop off the rods at the machine shop to get resized for ARP bolts, however. Anyway, it's been daily driven for about 8,000 miles since and spun up past 7k rpms without any problems.
If you can rebuild a gen 1 small block, you can do an LSx. It's an engine. They are all essentially the same. I freshened mine up last summer, honed it with a drill in my garage and cleaned up the surfaces of the block and heads with a large wet rock. Even flycut my pistons myself using the LS1 tech sandpaper method for the new cam. I did drop off the rods at the machine shop to get resized for ARP bolts, however. Anyway, it's been daily driven for about 8,000 miles since and spun up past 7k rpms without any problems.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 23,220
Likes: 3
From: HOUSTON
St. Jude Donor '06 thru '15, '19
Motor is out,finally, I will pull the heads in the next week or two to see what it looks like. Sooner or later it will make its way back to englandgreen. It was actually pretty fun pulling it, the only hold up was the top 2 bolts on the housing, man they were hard to get too, finally was able to up to stick an air ratchet up there and get them out. 
