Time for an engine rebuild?
03-30-2013, 01:34 AM
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Car: 1989 Camaro Iroc Z
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt Borg Warner/ 2.77 gear
Time for an engine rebuild?
My engine has about 180,000+ miles, it loses about a quart of oil every 2000 miles. lately, it started eating coolant. I think it is time for a rebuild. I was wondering what is the cheapest engine build I can do while getting the most performance? I have a tight budget and I want to get the best bang for the buck.
03-30-2013, 03:15 AM
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Car: 92 T/A 'vert
Engine: Mild .040 over L98 4 bolt mains
Transmission: Mostly stock 700R4, 2600 Vigilante
Axle/Gears: LS1 3.42
Re: Time for an engine rebuild?
A quality rebuild of your current shortblock with a set of 113 heads and a ZZ4 cam, which both can be had, used, for a decent price will net you around 50 more RWHP. Don't forget a tune.
03-30-2013, 09:57 AM
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Car: 1989 Camaro Iroc Z
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt Borg Warner/ 2.77 gear
Re: Time for an engine rebuild?
Here's the reusable parts list, HSR, 1.6 RR's, Crank, Rods, oil pan, valve covers. I was going to get the block machined for $300, buy new heads for $600, buy the LT-4 Hotcam for $250, buy forged pistons for $300, new oil and water pump $150, Gaskets and fluids, $100. Total was $1700, this seems a little too high for me. The goal is at least 330 horsepower at the flywheel. I have a chip burner that I can use for this set up. I want to know where I can cut costs and achieve my goal.
Last edited by IrocRoadRacer; 03-30-2013 at 11:20 AM.
03-30-2013, 10:35 AM
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Car: '91 1LE
Engine: 377 w/Stealthram
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Torsen
Re: Time for an engine rebuild?
You don't need forged pistons for that power level. I think $1700 sounds totally reasonable for another 180k miles of use.
03-30-2013, 11:20 AM
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Car: 1989 Camaro Iroc Z
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt Borg Warner/ 2.77 gear
03-30-2013, 11:23 AM
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Car: 1971 Camaro
Engine: 427
Transmission: TKO600
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Time for an engine rebuild?
Rebuild what you have that will be the best for budget.
Agree, don't need forged pistons, heck, you may not even need to bore the block and thus could reuse the stock pistons, with fresh rings.
What heads are you looking at for $600?
03-30-2013, 12:08 PM
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Car: 1989 Camaro Iroc Z
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt Borg Warner/ 2.77 gear
Re: Time for an engine rebuild?
I was looking at a set of 113 heads with stiffer springs.
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03-30-2013, 12:32 PM
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Car: 1989 Camaro Iroc Z
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt Borg Warner/ 2.77 gear
Re: Time for an engine rebuild?
That would probably be around $400 for the machine work and springs. As long as I can hit that 330 crank horsepower, I will consider it.
03-30-2013, 02:28 PM
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Car: 1989 Camaro Iroc Z
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt Borg Warner/ 2.77 gear
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