PowerLabs Forged Motor update...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Lone Star State
Wow...
This don't sound to good!!!
This don't sound to good!!!
This guy had an issue with LME to, his pistons looks striking similar to yours, using oil at a rate of 2+ quarts every 1k miles
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...l-engines.html
No I don't beleive the build up on his pistons is due to the pistons compression ratio, in the link above that persons pistons were 11.3:1 in a LS7 build. That engine issue was long resolved if you read the complete thread.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...l-engines.html
No I don't beleive the build up on his pistons is due to the pistons compression ratio, in the link above that persons pistons were 11.3:1 in a LS7 build. That engine issue was long resolved if you read the complete thread.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,599
Likes: 1,224
From: Providing the most proven supercharger kits for your C5/6/7 609-752-0321
As a fan of meth injection, being that it is the key to high HP and pump gas, (and not wanting a flat low end and poor fuel economy from ridiculously low compression) I can assure you from years of using it, when tuned correctly, that you are incorrect Greg.
The rate of airflow at which the meth is sprayed, let alone the ratio of how much is used, there is no way that Sam's engine bores are being washed down from it.
We have many of the fastest Vettes on these boards running meth injection, and doing so for many years of both street and track use. The results/longevity of the builds/and satisfaction of our customers speak for themselves.
Speedy
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,100
Likes: 928
From: Tn
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
congrats LME you just earned a spot on my **** list, dont expect to see many customers out of the chicagoland area, ill see to that
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,163
Likes: 5
From: Houston
As a fan of meth injection, being that it is the key to high HP and pump gas, (and not wanting a flat low end and poor fuel economy from ridiculously low compression) I can assure you from years of using it, when tuned correctly, that you are incorrect Greg.
The rate of airflow at which the meth is sprayed, let alone the ratio of how much is used, there is no way that Sam's engine bores are being washed down from it.
We have many of the fastest Vettes on these boards running meth injection, and doing so for many years of both street and track use. The results/longevity of the builds/and satisfaction of our customers speak for themselves.
The rate of airflow at which the meth is sprayed, let alone the ratio of how much is used, there is no way that Sam's engine bores are being washed down from it.
We have many of the fastest Vettes on these boards running meth injection, and doing so for many years of both street and track use. The results/longevity of the builds/and satisfaction of our customers speak for themselves.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,599
Likes: 1,224
From: Providing the most proven supercharger kits for your C5/6/7 609-752-0321
Sam, being that the compression is 9.8, I would consider taken the short block apart. That is not low enough to cause the issue's your having. Especially the oil build up, somethings not right there.
Best of luck with it, we'll be here if you have any questions.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 0
From: Texas 1,002rwhp/928rwtq
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
Contact Erik Koenig at HKE in Houston. He will diagnose the problem and help you make recommendations to fix the problem. Erik may be backloged, but the results are worth the wait and he is very reasonably priced.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
I have zero interest in taking the engine apart, and even less interest in paying a new shop another 7 thousand dollars to put another one together for me, so I can then spent the next several weekends ripping my car completely apart again and dropping a new motor in. Sorry, I just don't have it in me. This stopped being fun a while ago. Say I did what you suggested: the best case scenario is this: As the summer draws to an end I will have spent a grand total of about 24 thousand dollars to have my car back on the road the way I wanted it: the same car it was before, with a little more power. Even if I could afford to build a whole new engine, I can't deal with the downtime, and I really don't feel like another solo engine swap using hand tools and jackstands...
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 0
From: Texas 1,002rwhp/928rwtq
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
I understand your frustration. MTI in Houston completely screwed up my car after I built my engine. Thank God I used Erik instead of MTI to build my engine. I was ready to sell everything before Mr. Big referred me to Talyor at Dallas Performance and now I am hapy as a clam.
Money is tight and you need the car now, so if it was me, I would buy a cheap used LS2 longblock take and send the engine to Erik. This will enable you to have your DD and save money while Erik has your forged engine. I doubt your engine is a total loss, so it will not take $7K to fix it. I paid less than that to have HKE build my 427 including the R.E.D sleeve work, parts and labor. When the forged motor is fixed, you can sell the LS2 for what you paid and get the long term project finished. Believe me, it is so worth it when projects like this come together.
Money is tight and you need the car now, so if it was me, I would buy a cheap used LS2 longblock take and send the engine to Erik. This will enable you to have your DD and save money while Erik has your forged engine. I doubt your engine is a total loss, so it will not take $7K to fix it. I paid less than that to have HKE build my 427 including the R.E.D sleeve work, parts and labor. When the forged motor is fixed, you can sell the LS2 for what you paid and get the long term project finished. Believe me, it is so worth it when projects like this come together.
Last edited by aTX427; Jun 14, 2010 at 02:05 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
The seals are new, and they look that way too... I'll have the head porter double check that for me though.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
I can see how it might make sense to you from an outside perspective (I.E. Yes, there are not too many other ways I could fix this), but rigth now I am just way too tired and far too upset about the whole deal to be willing to devote that kind of time and money to the car.
It ran "fine" before, it will still run fine after I deck the heads. I'm driving it as-is even if the engine is junk because that is the only option that doesn't have me pouring more money (and time) into the car
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 0
From: Texas 1,002rwhp/928rwtq
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
Sorry, Sam, but there is nothing "fine" about how that engine was running. I would caution you from putting the engine together with additional compression until you fix the problem. Don't waste money on those heads unless they need repair. My car made 905whp on stock LS2 head castings and a bone stock LS2 intake with 9.55:1 compression and 16.5# of boost. Unless you fix the problem, all 10.5:1 is going to do is fail the engine sooner.
Last edited by aTX427; Jun 14, 2010 at 03:50 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 1
From: Eastern PA:ECS Paxton Novi 1500(676rwhp,585tq on stock engine),LG headers, 410's, Corsa Sports, ECS Alky Kit
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I'm really surprised that LME won't do anything for you... Its definitely not normal, regardless of what they say. Sam you are out of money and time... I wouldn't allow them to get away scott free if you were sold a bad motor. Best case you are made whole on the engine, worst case you end up no better off than where you are right now. Most likely you will end up somewhere in between, but at least it takes some of the sting out of it.
Personally I would press the issue further with them on the phone first, then followed up in writing. I'm not saying to throw out the "L" word, just another conversation at this point. I hope it works out for you, I feel for your situation.
Personally I would press the issue further with them on the phone first, then followed up in writing. I'm not saying to throw out the "L" word, just another conversation at this point. I hope it works out for you, I feel for your situation.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,163
Likes: 5
From: Houston
That means doing not one, but TWO more engine swaps... AND I'd still need to spend several thousand dollars. No thanks!
I can see how it might make sense to you from an outside perspective (I.E. Yes, there are not too many other ways I could fix this), but rigth now I am just way too tired and far too upset about the whole deal to be willing to devote that kind of time and money to the car.
It ran "fine" before, it will still run fine after I deck the heads. I'm driving it as-is even if the engine is junk because that is the only option that doesn't have me pouring more money (and time) into the car
I can see how it might make sense to you from an outside perspective (I.E. Yes, there are not too many other ways I could fix this), but rigth now I am just way too tired and far too upset about the whole deal to be willing to devote that kind of time and money to the car.
It ran "fine" before, it will still run fine after I deck the heads. I'm driving it as-is even if the engine is junk because that is the only option that doesn't have me pouring more money (and time) into the car
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 754
Likes: 3
From: port Orange FL
LME at the very least owes you to tare that short block down and find the problem. I know you are very frustrated and you want to give up. At the end of the day it is your decision. I would check with them to see if they would at least do that for you, at no charge. They would have a hard time selling another engine on this forum if they weren't willing to do that. Good Luck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 8
From: Houston TX
LME at the very least owes you to tare that short block down and find the problem. I know you are very frustrated and you want to give up. At the end of the day it is your decision. I would check with them to see if they would at least do that for you, at no charge. They would have a hard time selling another engine on this forum if they weren't willing to do that. Good Luck!
Speedy
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,100
Likes: 928
From: Tn
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
The problem with that idea is he would have to take the time to remove the motor (and be w/o a DD), box it up, pay for shipping, ship it to them, wait around, then do the whole process again in reverse...In addition to that, by the time the motor is back in the car the summer will most likely be all but over and he will have missed out on the best months for driving.