Motor Replacement
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 110
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From: Austin Texas
Motor Replacement
Weighing out my options replacing/rebuilding.
02 z51 with 110k.. has new balancer, new upper and lower oil.. new o ring in oil pump.. full catback exhaust, cai.. new pads and tie rods, new f14 wheels new continentals.. just some of the things I done to her.. lifters probably need replaced, tapping like crazy now. Thought it was piston slap, maybe it is but it’s gotten way worse. Doesn’t fully go away when warm anymore, matches rpm too. Did a flush, different oils etc.. But runs like a champ, no oil pressure issues or metal shavings in oil. Everything looks solid. But she’s tappin away.
considering rebuilding the original motor, dropping a fresh ls1, or dropping in an ls3. Including cam, heads.. Would be hiring a friend to do it as I don’t have the ability to myself. I can work on her but doing all of that correctly, I’d prefer he does it. Just lookin for some opinions regarding best move to make/cost etc
02 z51 with 110k.. has new balancer, new upper and lower oil.. new o ring in oil pump.. full catback exhaust, cai.. new pads and tie rods, new f14 wheels new continentals.. just some of the things I done to her.. lifters probably need replaced, tapping like crazy now. Thought it was piston slap, maybe it is but it’s gotten way worse. Doesn’t fully go away when warm anymore, matches rpm too. Did a flush, different oils etc.. But runs like a champ, no oil pressure issues or metal shavings in oil. Everything looks solid. But she’s tappin away.
considering rebuilding the original motor, dropping a fresh ls1, or dropping in an ls3. Including cam, heads.. Would be hiring a friend to do it as I don’t have the ability to myself. I can work on her but doing all of that correctly, I’d prefer he does it. Just lookin for some opinions regarding best move to make/cost etc
Last edited by lspowah; Feb 6, 2023 at 02:02 AM.
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From: US
sounds like the motor was taken care of, a rebuild would be easiest, cheapest, and least amount of heartache.
If you're going to drop a new motor in it, it's not that much more work to do a ls3. But I'd just do a rebuild.
If you're going to drop a new motor in it, it's not that much more work to do a ls3. But I'd just do a rebuild.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,847
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From: Sleepy Hollow- NJ
If you plan to hold on to the car...rebuild it, do heads and cam and go with forged internals for just a few hundred more $$$. Then when you get bored with that supercharge it. Forging it will let yiu worry less about it coming apart prematurely under boost.
That's what I did and I could not be happier. I also plan to keep this car until I'm unable to legally drive. I'm 48 so it should be a long while.
That's what I did and I could not be happier. I also plan to keep this car until I'm unable to legally drive. I'm 48 so it should be a long while.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Virginia
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I think the best option would be a rebuild. That will be both the cheapest and easiest. It will give you a nice reliable car. Regardless of if you swap out for forged internals, you can always add an A&A kit for more power. I certainly love mine.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: DFW TX
do a little moar troubleshooting before assuming it's new engine time. Pop off the valve covers and see what's to be seen.
I agree though, rebuild with a few inexpensive upgrades would be a reasonable option.
I agree though, rebuild with a few inexpensive upgrades would be a reasonable option.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2019
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From: SW Ohio
I just completely rebuilt my LS6 after my lifters ate the cam and disintegrated a lifter body in the process - valve float was my enemy. I had the block machined (10 over), rods resized, and added forged pistons with rings gapped for nitrous.
All in, after parts (including new cam / lifters, gaskets, bearings, etc) and machine work ($1500), I am at about $3900 in total. I spent about 15 hours blue printing and building the block, and likely just as many putting the motor back in. I work slow and triple check everything along the way so many likely do it much faster. If I were paying someone to build the motor, it would have been cheaper with buying a crate motor. However, with rebuilding your LS1, you have total control on parts selection and retain the aluminum block. Piston selection is currently limited, but icon and manley both sell pistons in appropriate bore sizes.
Your bottom end may be completely fine however. And simply rebuilding your top end could be the best time and money spent. Good luck and enjoy the process - it's a ton of fun.
All in, after parts (including new cam / lifters, gaskets, bearings, etc) and machine work ($1500), I am at about $3900 in total. I spent about 15 hours blue printing and building the block, and likely just as many putting the motor back in. I work slow and triple check everything along the way so many likely do it much faster. If I were paying someone to build the motor, it would have been cheaper with buying a crate motor. However, with rebuilding your LS1, you have total control on parts selection and retain the aluminum block. Piston selection is currently limited, but icon and manley both sell pistons in appropriate bore sizes.
Your bottom end may be completely fine however. And simply rebuilding your top end could be the best time and money spent. Good luck and enjoy the process - it's a ton of fun.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
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From: Florida
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Absolutely need to look into this further. Perhaps do a leak down to see where the ring and valve wear is. If those look ok, why tear the whole engine down?
If it’s just lifters slap some new ones in, add some new springs/HD pushrods and done.
If the cam is done, great time to spec the cam you want, lifters/springs, new heavy duty pushrods, a timing chain (and maybe Melling M295 oil pump).
This is stuff that can be done in a couple of days.
Pro tip: Use the thousands you’ll save and head to Aruba for a few days while the work gets done.
If it’s just lifters slap some new ones in, add some new springs/HD pushrods and done.
If the cam is done, great time to spec the cam you want, lifters/springs, new heavy duty pushrods, a timing chain (and maybe Melling M295 oil pump).
This is stuff that can be done in a couple of days.
Pro tip: Use the thousands you’ll save and head to Aruba for a few days while the work gets done.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,847
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From: Sleepy Hollow- NJ
Good advice above until the Aruba reccomendation. 
If you fly that direction Riviera Maya/ Tulum, Guatamala, Costa Rica, heck even Puerto Rico are all better travel destinations than Aruba.
If you fly that direction Riviera Maya/ Tulum, Guatamala, Costa Rica, heck even Puerto Rico are all better travel destinations than Aruba.
Last edited by Vetteman Jack; Feb 17, 2023 at 10:36 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2022
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From: Austin Texas
Absolutely need to look into this further. Perhaps do a leak down to see where the ring and valve wear is. If those look ok, why tear the whole engine down?
If it’s just lifters slap some new ones in, add some new springs/HD pushrods and done.
If the cam is done, great time to spec the cam you want, lifters/springs, new heavy duty pushrods, a timing chain (and maybe Melling M295 oil pump).
This is stuff that can be done in a couple of days.
Pro tip: Use the thousands you’ll save and head to Aruba for a few days while the work gets done.
If it’s just lifters slap some new ones in, add some new springs/HD pushrods and done.
If the cam is done, great time to spec the cam you want, lifters/springs, new heavy duty pushrods, a timing chain (and maybe Melling M295 oil pump).
This is stuff that can be done in a couple of days.
Pro tip: Use the thousands you’ll save and head to Aruba for a few days while the work gets done.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
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From: Florida
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Can you just put it on a car hauler to your buddy?
Maybe rent a Kia 😂 for a week…
Maybe rent a Kia 😂 for a week…
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2022
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From: Austin Texas
Thread Starter
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From: Austin Texas
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As stated above, a rebuild would be the least expensive way to go and you can spec out what you want in the motor. Good luck - hope it all works out.