Damaged LS1 on track, looking for options
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 968
Likes: 122
From: Lighthouse Point FL
Damaged LS1 on track, looking for options
I hurt my LS1 on track today. I'm really not interested in wasting time rebuilding this motor. It had 110000 miles. Motor had ATI balancer, new oil pump, LS6 intake, new cam, lifters, springs, valve seals and retainers.
There are several LS1 used motors for sale locally. There are the Crate Motors from Chevy Performance but they are designated as LS3 so I don't know how compatible that is with my 99 FRC. Are there other options for a drop in LS1? IIRC an LS2 would be no problem to install. What are other options that I might explore that will get my car back on track ASAP?
There are several LS1 used motors for sale locally. There are the Crate Motors from Chevy Performance but they are designated as LS3 so I don't know how compatible that is with my 99 FRC. Are there other options for a drop in LS1? IIRC an LS2 would be no problem to install. What are other options that I might explore that will get my car back on track ASAP?
Racer
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 316
Likes: 45
From: Sarasota
I would get a crate LS3. See this article:
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/eng...han-you-think/ I am not suggesting that you stroke the crate motor as they did in the article.
Many other options but for a road racer this would, in my opinion, be the most reliable and you don't have to worry about how a used motor was maintained.
Good luck.
Marc
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/eng...han-you-think/ I am not suggesting that you stroke the crate motor as they did in the article.
Many other options but for a road racer this would, in my opinion, be the most reliable and you don't have to worry about how a used motor was maintained.
Good luck.
Marc
Last edited by marc a; Jan 28, 2017 at 09:36 PM.
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An LS3 would be a good choice.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 79
From: pueblo co
i hurt my motor a while back its a ls6 but same parts when you rebuild...i was thinking about getting a ls3 as well but ended up just rebuilding my ls6 with forged parts instead..biggest reason was if i do any track day's it will put me in a different class. and the tuning needed and wiring i was not willing to do as much...
i got my whole motor and heads redone from a shop in the colorado springs for about 5000 bucks...which was cheaper to me then going with a stock ls3
i got my whole motor and heads redone from a shop in the colorado springs for about 5000 bucks...which was cheaper to me then going with a stock ls3
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 968
Likes: 122
From: Lighthouse Point FL
How long did it take them to rebuild your motor? The only machine shop I trust around here takes forever. I think it took them 3 months to rebuild a SBC for me. It's a terrific SBC blueprinted and balanced, but I just don't want to wait that long for my Corvette to get back on track.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 316
From: USA
I recently cracked number 7 piston and the block on the track. I looked into LS3 but its definitely more expensive, just the motor itself and electronics to make it play with a C5. Not terribly so, but it adds up.
I got a ls1 shortblock from a reputable shop that specializes in that, and reused the heads/other accessories. It was around 2 weeks from order to block arriving on crate if i remember correctly. Sounds like your block is salvageable but you could always sell it off to make back some of the cash. You're looking at around 2800-4000 for a shortblock depending on stock type rebuild or ponying up for forged pistons/rods and some extras.
I got a ls1 shortblock from a reputable shop that specializes in that, and reused the heads/other accessories. It was around 2 weeks from order to block arriving on crate if i remember correctly. Sounds like your block is salvageable but you could always sell it off to make back some of the cash. You're looking at around 2800-4000 for a shortblock depending on stock type rebuild or ponying up for forged pistons/rods and some extras.
Last edited by aaronc7; Jan 29, 2017 at 06:21 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 79
From: pueblo co
How long did it take them to rebuild your motor? The only machine shop I trust around here takes forever. I think it took them 3 months to rebuild a SBC for me. It's a terrific SBC blueprinted and balanced, but I just don't want to wait that long for my Corvette to get back on track.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 968
Likes: 122
From: Lighthouse Point FL
Taking the car to the builder tomorrow. Post Mortem to follow. If the block is good, I may invest in a forged rotating assembly. If block is shot, then I'll re-examine my options.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
LS3 did have on track oiling issues that were not helped by replacing the oil pan with the C5 bat wing pan. That is one of the reasons they added the C6 GS to the C6 product line in 2010. That gave them a race car with a 10 qt dry sump. Most sanctioning bodies wouldn't sanction the C6Z so the LS3 had to be the engine people ran. There are some old threads on this in the autocrossing and roadracing forum. However, I don't know whether search will go that far back anymore.
The best bet is to build an LS6 engine. Along with the LS1 they were super reliable. Your LS1 didn't owe you anything after 110,000 miles including track miles.
I know C5Z track guys who started having problems with the LS7 cars passing them so they added a cam to their LS6s and resolved the problem.
Bill
The best bet is to build an LS6 engine. Along with the LS1 they were super reliable. Your LS1 didn't owe you anything after 110,000 miles including track miles.
I know C5Z track guys who started having problems with the LS7 cars passing them so they added a cam to their LS6s and resolved the problem.
Bill
Last edited by Bill Dearborn; Jan 30, 2017 at 09:57 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 968
Likes: 122
From: Lighthouse Point FL
Went with a shortblock from Texas Speed. New 5.7 block, all forged internals and ARP fasteners. LS6 heads, New 2 piece oil pan and trap door kit. Comp Cams trunion kit.
Just got car back and putting break in miles on it now. Final tune to come.
Just got car back and putting break in miles on it now. Final tune to come.