Hey guys,

My New Year started off with a bang! My headgasket stopped gasketing and oil and coolant were burning out the exhaust pipe and leaking from the block... it is going to be replaced next week.

The question is, what do you fellas think would be the best course of action for the new motor and what not?

This car gets driven quite a bit so I can't get too dangerous. I want it to be available when I want to drive it. I'm not willing to rebuild the engine every few months... That said, I'd rather not fork over a ton of money so that I can have the same thing I had to begin with. It seems like getting some extra performance now would be a good time.... although I fear I'd be biting off more than I can chew.

My only solid definite option right now is to get a new LT1 crate from GM and have it installed professionally for a comprehensive $8,000 out the door. That's what a reputable shop has quoted me after checking the engine / heads / etc and pronouncing the engine dead.

Other options that appear to be available to me are:

1. Get something big and new and crazy
2. Get an LS1 and swap it in
3. Get a built LT1 and swap it in
4. Get the engine they say to get and send my broken one off to get it remanufactured with crazy enhancements...

I realize that 1 will cause tons of trouble with the computer, intake/exhaust/heads will all need to be replaced and tweaked... The engine bay would probably have to be reorganized...

I realize that 2 has been done on C4s tons of times, but I haven't seen any personally so I don't know the depth of things that have to be changed...

Any information on this would be very helpful. Decision day is Monday.

Thanks!

 

If it is going to cost $8000 for your car to go back together by a shop...maybe a new Corvette is in order???

A stock rebuilt LT1 will not cost you that much if you do some research and shop around. Engine install should not be that much...

For someone on an ok budget-an LS swap is not for you.

Sounds like the short block simply needs rebuilding or replacement and refinish your heads.

For simple rebuild...half of what you are specifying is more in the cards.

Try searching or buy some books-best weapon for this.

Good Luck!

 

Yeah, it looks like one option you left out is to have your current motor rebuilt/freshened up. Is it that you can't be without your car for that long that it's not on your list of options?

You don't have to go crazy with any kind of buildup. But you should have several paths you can take when you are talking about spending $8,000.

P.S. you'd probably get a lot more advice in the C4 tech section.

 

here's a LT4 for sale on the forum. not sure this helps you but seems like a very good out to me.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...+heads+ls1+lt1

 

My engine ate a main jurnal on my crank this past summer and with me taking swaping out the engine im into rebuilding for about $3,000 including machine work. thats bored 30 over & and balanced w/forged pistons, Eagle crank & I-beam rods, high volume oild pump, new bearings, timingcahin and gears, TPIS ZZ-9 cam, AFR Hydra-rev kit, and Arp main bolt kit
the reason why i went this rout is because for a gm crate engine would of cost me $5,000 and this engine will be stronger than a stock lt-1