LS2 Engine Replacement or Rebuild
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
LS2 Engine Replacement or Rebuild
My 2006 Corvette's LS2 Z51 Convertible with 165K miles on it. According to my mechanic, "the engine is shot." It is all because the oil pump broke.
I thought these engines were bullet proof.
I am very much a DIY person. Would it be very difficult to purchase a replacement online and install myself?
If this is pretty complex about how much does it cost labor wise?
The other option is a rebuild. Would this be less expensive? I would probably use it as an opportunity to add more HP
It should be noted I have Long Tube Headers and a FAST 102 Intake Manifold with a new engine harness.
I would appreciate any feedback that you may provide. I have had this vette since 2010, picked it up used. It has a high sentimental value to me. Id like to run it till the wheels fall off. I usually do repairs myself where I can as I was much better off financially in 2010. It was my lifelong dream to buy one of these. Its my baby
Thanks,
Tom
I thought these engines were bullet proof.
I am very much a DIY person. Would it be very difficult to purchase a replacement online and install myself?
If this is pretty complex about how much does it cost labor wise?
The other option is a rebuild. Would this be less expensive? I would probably use it as an opportunity to add more HP
It should be noted I have Long Tube Headers and a FAST 102 Intake Manifold with a new engine harness.
I would appreciate any feedback that you may provide. I have had this vette since 2010, picked it up used. It has a high sentimental value to me. Id like to run it till the wheels fall off. I usually do repairs myself where I can as I was much better off financially in 2010. It was my lifelong dream to buy one of these. Its my baby
Thanks,
Tom
Popular Reply
Sep 26, 2019, 11:48 AM
Pro
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 675
Likes: 195
From: Green Oak Township, Michigan
The Engine Is Shot ???? Thats a broad statement.. Heads are not shot....Block is not shot,, unless you drove it a long ways without no oil pressure. Did you sling a rod out of it??? You need to explain exactly what he told you is shot. Manifold, Starter, Balancer, timing chain cover, etc. are not shot. He needs to give you options as to which direction to go. Short block, rebuild, or crate motor. You have to make the decision, its your money. I can tell you one thing........That car is not shot.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 675
Likes: 195
From: Green Oak Township, Michigan
The Engine Is Shot ???? Thats a broad statement.. Heads are not shot....Block is not shot,, unless you drove it a long ways without no oil pressure. Did you sling a rod out of it??? You need to explain exactly what he told you is shot. Manifold, Starter, Balancer, timing chain cover, etc. are not shot. He needs to give you options as to which direction to go. Short block, rebuild, or crate motor. You have to make the decision, its your money. I can tell you one thing........That car is not shot.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,001
Likes: 243
From: Surprise, Az
looks like an opportunity to swap the LS-2 for an LS-3 especially since you love your car and intend to keep it. If the LS-2 isn't in too bad of condition, it could be rebuilt and sold to help offset the expenses. Your long tubes will still fit and you won't need the Fast 102. My only concern would be the ECM so you have your work cut out researching the details but overall it shouldn't be too much more than that.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 968
Likes: 322
looks like an opportunity to swap the LS-2 for an LS-3 especially since you love your car and intend to keep it. If the LS-2 isn't in too bad of condition, it could be rebuilt and sold to help offset the expenses. Your long tubes will still fit and you won't need the Fast 102. My only concern would be the ECM so you have your work cut out researching the details but overall it shouldn't be too much more than that.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,269
Likes: 226
From: Cocoa FL
The Engine Is Shot ???? Thats a broad statement.. Heads are not shot....Block is not shot,, unless you drove it a long ways without no oil pressure. Did you sling a rod out of it??? You need to explain exactly what he told you is shot. Manifold, Starter, Balancer, timing chain cover, etc. are not shot. He needs to give you options as to which direction to go. Short block, rebuild, or crate motor. You have to make the decision, its your money. I can tell you one thing........That car is not shot.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,001
Likes: 243
From: Surprise, Az
My thought is he currently has a wet sump motor. The LS-9, as much fun as it would be to have one, would entail a heck of a lot more work setting up a dry sump system and all of the cooling needed. Even an LS-7 with its dry sump would be a lot more work unless you converted it to a wet sump motor first.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 16,897
Likes: 5,363
From: T-Town WA
2016 C6 of Year Finalist
Not when they don't have any oil going through them.
Due to the sentimental value, and your mechanical ability, the best course of action might be to pull the engine, disassemble it, and find what really does need to be replaced.
Due to the sentimental value, and your mechanical ability, the best course of action might be to pull the engine, disassemble it, and find what really does need to be replaced.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,351
Likes: 2,445
From: Eastern
The LS2 can be rebuilt if the block isn't damaged. That would be alot less expensive than buying an LS2 engine, even used, unless you tear it down, you don't know what your getting. At least if you get yours rebuilt, you know what you have, and it is guaranteed by most rebuilding shop.
My son has an engine rebuilding shop and they have rebuilt many LS engines in the past.
My son has an engine rebuilding shop and they have rebuilt many LS engines in the past.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 968
Likes: 322
I will stay with my original opinion just sell it off. Take the proceeds around $6000 for a 165000 mile questionable C6. $8000-$10000 will you will spend trying to repair add a few thousand more and you can find a perfect uncobbled clean C6.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,100
Likes: 1,606
From: Edmond Oklahoma
A GM replacement engine installed by the dealer will cost about $8,500 out the door. It does not make financial sense to put thousands of dollars in a 13 year old 165K mile Corvette. Unless the engine has major non-repairable damage, do a basic repair and move it on down the line. Go find a nice low mile Corvette in your favorite color.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,269
Likes: 226
From: Cocoa FL
A GM replacement engine installed by the dealer will cost about $8,500 out the door. It does not make financial sense to put thousands of dollars in a 13 year old 165K mile Corvette. Unless the engine has major non-repairable damage, do a basic repair and move it on down the line. Go find a nice low mile Corvette in your favorite color.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,388
Likes: 6,531
From: Melbourne, FL
Threads like these really show who the car guys are, and who the posers are.
I agree with the others, you need more info on whats shot. Worst case scenario, a take out motor is cheapish. Realistically, more than limely you need a bottom end rebuild, use it as a chance to bore it out a bit if the cylinder walls are scuffed up bad.
Oh, and get a new mechanic. This guy doesnt have your best interests in mind.
I agree with the others, you need more info on whats shot. Worst case scenario, a take out motor is cheapish. Realistically, more than limely you need a bottom end rebuild, use it as a chance to bore it out a bit if the cylinder walls are scuffed up bad.
Oh, and get a new mechanic. This guy doesnt have your best interests in mind.
Last edited by FAUEE; Sep 26, 2019 at 09:56 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 968
Likes: 322
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 399
From: ARKANSAS
A GM replacement engine installed by the dealer will cost about $8,500 out the door. It does not make financial sense to put thousands of dollars in a 13 year old 165K mile Corvette. Unless the engine has major non-repairable damage, do a basic repair and move it on down the line. Go find a nice low mile Corvette in your favorite color.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 4,362
From: Chirper Island
The LS2 can be rebuilt if the block isn't damaged. That would be alot less expensive than buying an LS2 engine, even used, unless you tear it down, you don't know what your getting. At least if you get yours rebuilt, you know what you have, and it is guaranteed by most rebuilding shop.
My son has an engine rebuilding shop and they have rebuilt many LS engines in the past.
My son has an engine rebuilding shop and they have rebuilt many LS engines in the past.
We monitored it and it never lost noticeable power, never blew up, but it did get to the point where it was embarrassing while sitting at a light.
At 175,000 miles, we decided to fix or replace. At that time, (2013), rebuilding it, or replacing it with a crate engine were the same price (not doing the labor ourselves). Putting in an LS3 crate engine was practically the same cost, so that's what we did.
Havent regretted it one bit!
1st Gear
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
cost
MY '05 developed a lifter problem at 125,000 miles.
We monitored it and it never lost noticeable power, never blew up, but it did get to the point where it was embarrassing while sitting at a light.
At 175,000 miles, we decided to fix or replace. At that time, (2013), rebuilding it, or replacing it with a crate engine were the same price (not doing the labor ourselves). Putting in an LS3 crate engine was practically the same cost, so that's what we did.
Havent regretted it one bit!
We monitored it and it never lost noticeable power, never blew up, but it did get to the point where it was embarrassing while sitting at a light.
At 175,000 miles, we decided to fix or replace. At that time, (2013), rebuilding it, or replacing it with a crate engine were the same price (not doing the labor ourselves). Putting in an LS3 crate engine was practically the same cost, so that's what we did.
Havent regretted it one bit!