I know this is a strange place for this question, but I have no idea where to put it.

I found a short block LS1 for $250 close to where I live. It has 70K miles apparently. The heads are for sale too for the same price.

I have never built a motor b4 but want to find something I can sssslllooowwwllyy work on over the next year or two. I don't want to spend much since I am really spending $ on my 386 that my car has now. I really just want the block. Then I would get it machined and checked. All that.


Good idea, or stupid and just buy a new block? Thanks for any input.

 

What year is it?

 

Acctually didn't say. There was just a pic of it. Didn't look special though. Can't tell anything from the pic. Kinda low res too.

I know there is a dif in year, but it is huge? Would there be some years that I want to totally stay away from?


I am trying to contact the seller but have yet to get a response.

 

2001-up had more material for rebuilding, 1998 hardly any, is what I understand. LS6 better than LS1, etc.

 

Wow, thanks. I had no idea. I will look into that. I will def only pick it up if it is from a newer car. Thanks!

 

in my book ALL ls1s are gods gift

 

No dought they are great motors, but if I can't get a nice bore and hone, then it might as well be a paper weight.

 

The earlier LS1 didn't have very good bay to bay breathing. If you are really wanting a good one, look for the ones with the cast in slots in the base of the crank mains. These will deal with high rpm crankcase pressures much better than the earlier versions. Also look for the block with the machined oil passage opening at the rear of the block, it's better than the ones with the small machined holes for rear oil passage. Usually both of these are on the 99' and later blocks. Also see if the heads have perimeter bolts or a center bolt design. A few real early LS heads had the perimeter design. It may help you date the block a little easier. Good luck!

 

Thanks for the tips!

 

This makes no sense.

The major changes in the blocks were

1998 only LS1 blocks had a much smaller cylinder sleeve that only tolerated a .005" hone

1999 Redesigned cylinder sleeves that allowed for a small bore, up from .005" in 1998 models.

1999-02 cars had a different PCV system with the valve located to the side of the intake manifold this fixed the oil consumption problem on the '98 models.

and 01-02 A small percentage of 2001 and 2002 LS1s actually had LS6 blocks which had a different part number and a darker metal cast but were still all aluminum

There weren't any cast iron put anywhere in these motors save for the cylinder sleeves, which can be replaced if needed when the bore is out of tolerance and can't be bored any more.

 

All of what you said is correct, but I didn't say anything about these changes. I am just trying to help him date the block. There were changes other than those you have listed and what I listed. I just picked the ones that could be easily seen. Lets not make this into a pissing contest over who knows what! All of what I said is true, and all of what you said is true, it's just the ones I picked can be easily distinguished between early and late blocks. The LS engine has been in constant revision sence inception.

 

Ok, here is an update. The motor is out of a 2002.

This is part of the add:

1) ls1 short block 70k needs light rebuild, 200.00

2) ls1 fully loaded heads 30k mint , 250.00
comes with valve covers, fuel rails.

Should I say that I will give him like $390 for both?

I want to make a serious turbo motor out of this. Should I even bother with the heads? Can these things get worked over to be good, or should I look for some used LS7 heads or something like that?

I have no idea. I am just getting ito the LS world right now.

Please fill me in.
Thanks.

 

Grab the block if it's an 02' but I wouldn't mess with those heads for that price. You can get a set of lightly used 243's for close to that price.

LS7 heads will not work in that bore size.

If you are making a turbo motor I would use the block and the factory crank (the factory crank has been known to be good up to 1000hp), get forged rods and pistons, and try to find some used aftermarket heads with a thicker deck and a 68-72cc chamber. If you are really patient you can grab a pair for less than a thousand bucks on LS1Tech or Craigslist and they will make a hell of a lot of power and be reliable with your turbo setup.

 

Kick ***. Yeah I am going to be super super patient. I want to build this motor over the course of a LEAST 2 years. Just on my spare time. Kinda like how Tim Allen buit that hot rod in home improvment. Took like 6 seasons, haha.

I have a 350 RWHP motor now that is a gen I block motor, in the future I will want more when I get another DD car. So I might as well start jumping on good deals now.

Thanks for the advice. I will pick it up this weekend and tear it down and post pics so you guys can tell me what you think.

Any good LSX motor building books out there? Just curiouse. I will google, but maybe you guys have the inside scoop on something.

 

I was just in Needham a few weeks ago - my parents live in Weston, MA. I was bummed I didn't see a single third gen anywhere. I guess I didn't wander around enough

 

Haha, well mine is hiding in my garage for the winter now. Come spring time and I work on her all weekend long in the driveway. Not uncommon for fellow car guys to swing by and see what I am up to. Allways a good time.

Later,

-Dennis

 

I would have thought that any LS1 block would have been worth $250 USD. The block alone is probally worth a little more, the only thing that really isn't cool about the LS1, is the fortune you would be spending to get heads, pistons, blah blah.

 

yeah, well I think I will be able to find stuff sorta cheap since I have no time table that I need to finish it in.

I mean, I am sorta used to spending a lot on a motor. The only other motor I have ever bought is in my car now and is a fully forged 383 with a BIG hyd roller cam. That set me back 6300, I am pretty sure I can get the LS1 done for about that, even including the turbo.

 

Dennis, you may have seen some of my before posts but I had a large cube small block in mind for my cars future. I remember seeing somewhere that I think "Warhawk" blocks can be punched out to 427?? I have to do more research but how big can you punch a GM LS series block too?? If its something close to 427 I'd be interested in getting one of those blocks.

 

Right now there is a 454 small block. It's a 4.155 bore and 4.185 stroke.

 

wow

 

I wouldn't mind one of the older Pontiac 400 blocks. If you build them just right, they're pretty strong! A buddy of mine has one down the street, he was dumb enough to buy from Kragen Auto Parts here in Cali. He's blown the motor twice already ^ ^ and is now in the process of suing Kragen for his $3000. Kinda lame.