View Poll Results: What should I do with the motor?
Sell the short block?
1
33.33%
Sell the long block?
1
33.33%
Sell the entire set up, excluding the d1sc
1
33.33%
Junk it
0
0%
Voters: 3. You may not vote on this poll
Help/input needed with motor
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Help/input needed with motor
Hey guys, new here and not the most knowledgeable. But I would love some input regarding a recent purchase of mine. I purchased a c5 corvette with a d1sc and a motor problem. Motor was running when taken out of the car, it was making 700hp prior to the complication. I went into this knowing the risk but unfortunately I was unable to get a parts list at all from the seller. It’s a lq9 block, 402 rotating assembly, Ls3 heads, unsure what pistons, unsure what cam, ls3 heads, Siemens 80lb injectors, ls3 intake manifold with stock throttle body. I recently purchased a a new block, and was looking into selling my entire set up. Whether it’s short block, long block or the complete motor. Need some input. The motor itself does seem to have a score in one of the cylinders but after dropping the oil pan it’s believed to be more of a crack then anything. Another cylinder appeared to have steam in it. The oil pan did show some shavings and trace amount of coolant. Is the short able to be resleeved and sold?
Last edited by Nek41; Nov 29, 2020 at 12:47 AM.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,774
Likes: 24,683
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Moved to C5 Tech.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I was initially going to just resleeve it with darton sleeves but I was worried the turn around time was going to take to long. Issue is, I have to sell it now, and I feel like not to many people want to buy a motor that needs to be sleeved.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 187
From: California
I say just run the ls1 that the car came with there cheap enough make enough power won’t cost ya a total arm and a leg during a rebuild either .....even if it’s supercharged ...personally I like the boost although I don’t have the older d1
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,653
Likes: 633
From: Dallas TX
They are about the only shop in the country I would trust to do Darton sleeves on a block... Just my opinion and I am sure there will be somebody who will take issue with it.
ETA: the other shop I trust for motor builds is HPR(Horse Power Research). They might give you some idea of what to do as far as rebuilding what you have. I also believe that they can sleeve a block with Darton sleeves.
Last edited by rjacobs; Nov 24, 2020 at 03:29 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 187
From: California
Thats why sell off the old set up and still have some money to boot look for a 500-600 $ ls1 engine there’s plenty just laying around ....still he has the S/C which provides plenty of extra go ....really 650 hp is plenty ....for fun fun fun that never gets old the ls1 has no trouble with 8 psi with cheap *** modern day beehive springs from the 243 and up ....but a set from gm and call it done go rip all u want you’ll never blow it up if it’s tuned right ....the ls1 is a die hard aluminum short block ....this is why all the power sport geaea heads stick to true ls1 it’s cheap and made great power and didn’t need much other then some misc valve train components ...I would re sleeve a ls1 before any bored and stroked block
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I wish I had the old ls1, I bought this car with this motor in it with the issues. I actually recently just purchased a Ls3. So I’m looking to sell this whole set up. I was going to use some of the old parts but at this point I was thinking about selling the long block with the injectors and manifold or I could sell the complete motor.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
No one wants to buy a block with an unknown history that someone else sleeved.
And, sadly, I can't think of anyone that's going to want a short block with all the problems you mention.
...but there is always someone
Put up an ad and see if it goes. Otherwise, move on.
And, sadly, I can't think of anyone that's going to want a short block with all the problems you mention.
...but there is always someone
Put up an ad and see if it goes. Otherwise, move on.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,653
Likes: 633
From: Dallas TX
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 187
From: California
Best advice I can give you is to look up your states emissions laws and head to the yard ....there’s piles of c5’& c6’s ls1 ls2,ls3,ls7 & ls9’s all I’m sure would be the best deal on a complete assembly with it all the wiring ect...look at auction sites I’ve seen the c5 auctioned off for under a grand .....just saying even if u get a good or decent engine and scrap the car u still basically got it free 
plenty of dirt cheap way to Frankenstein a ls haha .....there’s so many just collecting dust .......plenty of us forums member have parts laying around .......now wouldn’t it be nice of some one threw someone a bone every once in a while ?
plenty of dirt cheap way to Frankenstein a ls haha .....there’s so many just collecting dust .......plenty of us forums member have parts laying around .......now wouldn’t it be nice of some one threw someone a bone every once in a while ?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,724
Likes: 149
From: chicago area IL.
the block dont have much value but that rotating assembly and the rest of the parts will bring some money but it depends on the condition and brands
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
You must get sleeves done pretty cheap - a known good LQ9 block that's nearly at new limits around here is around $600. At one sleeve you're past that number - so hard to see how it's a "gamble that might pay off". It's not like it's a rare block...
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,859
Likes: 4,658
Darton sleeved an LS1 block once. Good results, but pricey. Dont know your location, but I sent my LS1 to Race Engine Development. NOT CHEAP!!! Steve DeMirjian is the guy you want to talk to. He owns the shop, and co-holds the patent on Darton sleeves in LS applications. He is very knowledgeable, as good, or better than anyone at this. Your location is key. Why? Because shipping an aluminum block to California from Michigan, and back, is not cheap. An iron block would probably be double the shipping cost of what an aluminum block is. I believe a CI block can be dry sleeved at RED, or maybe your local machine shop. You'll have to check. A lot will depend on whether your block is scored, or cracked. Cracked blocks are a whole different scenario. Call Steve, and get his opinion. He's a smart guy. Hope this helps........