how many miles before lt1 rebuild?
 

Looks like the injectors just went on my 92lt1, the car has 130,000 miles. Before the injectors went the car was running pretty well but I bought it about 2yrs ago when it had 115,000 so I dont really have nothing to compare it too. I bought the car with the plan of when the engine needed to be rebuilt I would make it a nice stoute 383 with 450-500hp at the crank.

My question is if I were to just replace the injectors how many more miles could I expect to get before a rebuild was needed? and would it be better if I were to just rebuild it now and save the money on injectors because I expect the 383 would need bigger injectors and that way I only would have to buy 1 set insted of 2 sets?

Totally your call, if you arent happy with the power level and have the dough yank it all now otherwise toss some injectors in it and motor on.

Could last you 140k or go 200k its anyones guess.

I wouldn't base when to rebuild an engine on the price of injectors. Injectors are fairly cheap, check with Jon at FIC. I've seen many LT1's with 200k+ miles.

Lt-1
 

I have 280,000 on mine and it runs better now then when I got it 14 years ago. If it's not broken, don't fix it.

:flag:

A leak down test would be the best way to tell the condition of the engine. I have torn down several engines with well over 100K, and you could still see hone marks, the bearings still looked like brand new. Something to be said about changing your oil religiously. But if the engine has had oil changes done when they are suppose to, they can last a long time.

Even a peak thru the valve covers, looking for sludge will tell you alot.

But at the same time, the harder you work it, the less they last.

I have repaired about 50 engines and only one of them died w/o owners help. It was Honda Accord with broken valve spring.
Oil or antifreeze are usual problems.
I read somewhere that people don't change antifreeze and head gaskets get rusty.
Considering most Corvettes have synthetic oil, engines can run, I guess, 300-500K (not talking about race Vettes).
Some Explorer engine died because oil pressure switch was leaking, some Accord had dirt about 1 inch high between valve springs, Mitsu Expo engine died because some moron mechanic replaced distributor and didn't adjust ignition, I can keep going...

thats serious!

I took the original engine in my car apart at near 280K and other than the cam and lifters having problems, (Due to what I believe was caused by a previous owner or friend of attempting a valve adjustment), it looked like it could have run much longer... The cylinders, rods and bearings still look great!

I agree. Get all the value out of it, that it has to offer. I've never had a SBC go less than 200,000 miles, and I work my vehicles hard.

looks like theses engine can go the distance, looks like ill just replace whats it needs and keep on going until. The time comes for some more power:D

change your injectors and have it maintained. 130k is nothing stressfull for a 350 V8.
Double it and then, rebuild the entire car.

Ditto

I rebuilt my 92 LT1 at 155,000 miles. Made it into a 383 stroker. Made me very happy! :smash:

Wow!!!
And here I was thinking I should start thinking of a rebuild at 127,000 miles. Shoot my engine isn't even broken in yet. Great question! :thumbs:

With 130,000 miles, its just getting broken-in. Wait for the sweet spot first. I think that comes at around 225,000 miles.:thumbs:

How long it will last will be based on how well it has been maintained though the years. :thumbs:

Old dude here (well Im sure far from the oldest, in fact not even close I'm guessing). the SB Chevy is a pretty stout motor, and time (and thechnology) has only made it better and better. I know in the 60's 100,000 was considered good, time to move on. that feeling lasted to the 70's and for some even the 80's. lets face it, most people want a new car at 100,000 (if they bought it new). I noticed in the 80's i was seeing more and more cars with 100,000+ and it just seemd to grow more and more from there. Some is oil is alot better, fuel injection leads to less problems with to much fuel (running a car rich is evil), tehcnology has just plain gotten better, better manufacturing, better everything. When you add it all up it adds miles to lifespan. Then you start factoring in cars cost doubling and tripeling, gas prices, foreign cars with $500 to $1500 30,000 mile tune up cycles (its not a knock on um, many hondas had mantiance cycles that when took to the local shop when they suggested where in those prices ranges, do that 3-5 times over the life of your car and it adds up). All that adds up to wanting to save a buck and make it last longer too.

I myslef used to figure 100,000 was pretty much the "safe" area.. since that time I have had and seen many, many GM 3800's with 300,000+ (many are supercharged too!). I have seen alot of SB chevies with 200,000+ (mostly pickups for some strange reason).I personally own a dodge mini van withn 199,000 and it runs prefect and burns no oil and compresion tests great... My olds trofeo had 230,000 on the 3800 and drivetrain wise was perfect, the car..thats another story (electronics where a nightmare). My Northstar is just hitting 150,000 (70,000 of um mine) and has cost me not a SINGLE penny in breakdowns... wish oil change places only charged the extra $ for the extra quart of oil.. but sadly the price for an oil change about doubles when they put in 6 quarts instead of 5.

When I bought my vette i looked for over 2 years. I know i personally looked at and drove at least 10-15 with 150,000 or more on um, and many with 50-70,000 and if i parked some of um side by side I couldnt have told the differnece in ride or engine without looking at he miles.. How i ended up with a heavy used (and im sure abused) 87 that I am slowly piece by peice makeing into the car i should have bought, vette fever and a cheap price dazzled me.

it really all boils down to care, some small amount of luck (you can find a car with 10,000 miles or 5 miles that is junk). I'm a FIRM believer in 3,000 mile oil changes (used to be a 2,000, but in last 10 years added 1000). Preventive maitance.. checking filters, belts, oil and fluids often. Any strange hicups are fixed if they happen more then once. Any strange noise is never left (sometimes a small problem with a 87 vette, but 99% of them are dash and trim rattles).

yep way to long to read... slow day at work :)

282,000 on it now. Just had the rear main seal replaced, not leaking, just had trans out, so why not? I had the oil pan off and the lower end of the engine like it was brand new. Change oil, (Mobil1) every 3,000 or so. Third set of injectors, 4th Opti, 4th W/P and a new timing change when I replaced all the front cover seals at 278,000 miles. I use the A/C all the time and it does get run hard. It always runs better after a race.

Water temps: 173 - 193F, MPH: 20.5 around town and 29.5 on the Highway, with a 700r4.

I enjoy the vette, it was never made to sit in the garage all of it's life.

:flag:

That's pretty good. Mine has 100k less than yours, but it's the same...runs perfect. I don't putt around either, I lay on it when I feel the need just like every other car I've owned. All my specs are the same as yours except I only get 18.8 avg in the city. If I had the CAGS enabled it'd likely be a good bit better, but I tend to rip on it in town.

It's a 92 thang....haha.

I love this thread. I have a 94 with 165,000 and I keep thinking - how much longer can this car keep running this damn good before it needs an engine or transmission? Evidently - a lot longer. Amsoil everywhere however.