CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion

C6 Tech/Performance LS2, LS3, LS7, LS9 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

pulling LS3 and replacing pistons

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 14, 2013 | 01:47 AM
Share
  #1  
acannell's Avatar
acannell
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Default pulling LS3 and replacing pistons
anyone do this at home?

is the factory service manual useful?

what were the hardest parts? any surprises?

did you have to make/buy special/custom tools?

pics would be great.

or links to good threads of this
Reply
0
Old May 14, 2013 | 05:56 AM
Share
  #2  
glenB's Avatar
glenB
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,974
Likes: 14
From: Pinellas Park Fl
St. Jude Donor '08-'09 & '12, '14
Default
If you gotta ask .....
Reply
0
Old May 14, 2013 | 05:57 AM
Share
  #3  
timd38's Avatar
timd38
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Default
Originally Posted by glenB
If you gotta ask .....
Based on your questions, I would out source it.
Reply
0
Old May 14, 2013 | 06:57 AM
Share
  #4  
REDC4CORVETTE's Avatar
REDC4CORVETTE
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 7
From: Lahaina Hi
Default
Hiper puke pistons and powder rods you better be replacing both.
This aint your grandpaws motor.Oil pump set up at the timing chain area can be tricky to set up.
Reply
0
Old May 14, 2013 | 11:50 AM
Share
  #5  
All2Easy's Avatar
All2Easy
Racer
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Missouri City Texas
Default
Source it to a good shop.....save yourself the headache and potential costly learning curve.
Reply
0
Old May 14, 2013 | 02:58 PM
Share
  #6  
HOXXOH's Avatar
HOXXOH
Race Director
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Default
Pulled the LS3, torque tube, transaxle all on jackstands in my garage at age 68, but never again. I'll use a lift next time.
Reply
1
Old May 14, 2013 | 03:51 PM
Share
  #7  
subfloor@centurytrans's Avatar
subfloor@centurytrans
Supporting Vendor
15 Year Member
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 885
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
2019 C6 of Year Winner (track prepared)
Default
Originally Posted by acannell
anyone do this at home?

is the factory service manual useful?

what were the hardest parts? any surprises?

did you have to make/buy special/custom tools?

pics would be great.

or links to good threads of this
If the only reason for tearing into it is to replace the pistons it can be done without actually pulling the block out of the car. I've done it a couple times for various reasons and it is a LOT easier than taking the engine out.
Reply
0
Old May 14, 2013 | 04:39 PM
Share
  #8  
dennis50nj's Avatar
dennis50nj
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
Default
Originally Posted by HOXXOH
Pulled the LS3, torque tube, transaxle all on jackstands in my garage at age 68, but never again. I'll use a lift next time.
68
Reply
0
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 14, 2013 | 08:29 PM
Share
  #9  
glenB's Avatar
glenB
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,974
Likes: 14
From: Pinellas Park Fl
St. Jude Donor '08-'09 & '12, '14
Default
Originally Posted by HOXXOH
Pulled the LS3, torque tube, transaxle all on jackstands in my garage at age 68, but never again. I'll use a lift next time.
Old fart
Reply
0
Old May 14, 2013 | 08:38 PM
Share
  #10  
timd38's Avatar
timd38
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Default
Originally Posted by HOXXOH
Pulled the LS3, torque tube, transaxle all on jackstands in my garage at age 68, but never again. I'll use a lift next time.
I out sourced my engine project....

Reply
0
Old May 14, 2013 | 11:28 PM
Share
  #11  
All2Easy's Avatar
All2Easy
Racer
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Missouri City Texas
Default
Originally Posted by timd38
i out sourced my engine project....

ftw!
Reply
0
Old May 15, 2013 | 01:34 AM
Share
  #12  
Blk 08 C6's Avatar
Blk 08 C6
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 52
From: Honolulu Hawaii
Default
Originally Posted by timd38
I out sourced my engine project....


that's the ultimate tool right there in fact I have one myself.
Reply
0
Old May 15, 2013 | 01:43 AM
Share
  #13  
acannell's Avatar
acannell
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Default
Originally Posted by timd38
I out sourced my engine project....

sh** the whole thing comes out as an assembly? lol!

cmon guys lets get some pics of this happening on jackstands.

did the 68 y/o gentleman take pics of this activity? that would be very interesting.

its not my first engine pull, ive just never done it on the vette. dont need to yet, but im sure i will be rebuilding it in a few years probably for some upgrade or something and id like to prepare my garage for it when i still have plenty of time to get things ready
Reply
0
Old May 15, 2013 | 01:46 AM
Share
  #14  
acannell's Avatar
acannell
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Default
Originally Posted by subfloor@centurytrans
If the only reason for tearing into it is to replace the pistons it can be done without actually pulling the block out of the car. I've done it a couple times for various reasons and it is a LOT easier than taking the engine out.
awesome! any pics?

is it just drop the pan, take the heads and manifolds off? how long does it take to do that?

i guess this is wishful thinking. ill never have to do that unless i get turbos. haha

what happened to your pistons? something under boost?
Last edited by acannell; May 15, 2013 at 01:53 AM.
Reply
0
Old May 15, 2013 | 01:48 AM
Share
  #15  
acannell's Avatar
acannell
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Default
Originally Posted by HOXXOH
Pulled the LS3, torque tube, transaxle all on jackstands in my garage at age 68, but never again. I'll use a lift next time.
im impressed. pictures?

and why did you do it?
Last edited by acannell; May 15, 2013 at 01:53 AM.
Reply
0
Old May 15, 2013 | 02:27 AM
Share
  #16  
REDC4CORVETTE's Avatar
REDC4CORVETTE
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 7
From: Lahaina Hi
Default
I think he was looking for the u-joint grease zerks
Why else would you seperate your car like that
Reply
0
Old May 15, 2013 | 03:30 AM
Share
  #17  
Blk 08 C6's Avatar
Blk 08 C6
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 52
From: Honolulu Hawaii
Default
Id like to see that.try doing it on jackstands.
Reply
0

Get notified of new replies

To pulling LS3 and replacing pistons

Old May 15, 2013 | 07:05 AM
Share
  #18  
SK360's Avatar
SK360
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 242
From: Pittsburgh PA
Default
If doing rods and pistons you really should pull the short block and have a machine shop balance the rotating assembly and hone the cylinders
Reply
0
Old May 15, 2013 | 09:40 AM
Share
  #19  
acannell's Avatar
acannell
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Default
Originally Posted by SK360
If doing rods and pistons you really should pull the short block and have a machine shop balance the rotating assembly and hone the cylinders
is that actually specified for this engine or are you just making stuff up?
Reply
0
Old May 15, 2013 | 10:10 AM
Share
  #20  
SK360's Avatar
SK360
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 242
From: Pittsburgh PA
Default
It's called common sense when replacing major components? Pistons are not bolton parts.
Reply
0



Click for Advanced Search
Reply Closed Thread Share
Forum Jump
Trending Topics

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:11 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE