Hey guys wats up.

Well my friend called me and he said his brother is sellin his LS1 from his Impala (he did the LS1 swap to it). he said one of the pistons is mest up. What does that mean does it mean the rings r mest up or something is wrong with the rod on that piston. will it be a hard fix or simple (just some new pistons and done). Should I take it, he is asking 500 bucks for it. I am gonna go for, but please let me know if it will be a simple replacement of pistons and rings or maybe the rods too. Thanx in advance so excited, I thought it was gonna take me years to get my hands on a LS1. Do you guys think the cylinder walls are mest up too, will the machine shop charge alot to fix that up.

 

Impalas don't get LS1s....The older Impala SS (94-96) got the LT1, but the Impalas were FWD when the LS1 came out.

 

His brother did a LS1 swap sorry forgot to say that. I seen the impala too. Sorry for not explaining correctly

 

sounds like a blown up motor for $500, i'd pass and buy a running one for $1k or a 5.3L for $300 on ebay

 

Undertaking an LS1 swap is a lot more than just a $500 motor. I suggest reading the stickies to see what you're really in for. I dont think a rebuild on an LS1 would be cheap either since most bolts are TT, you'd want to replace bearings if you are going with new pistons, you'd need new rings, probably a slight hone (provided there isnt any internal damage to the block), etc etc. Then there is the long list of other parts you will need for the LS1 swap.

 

It's going to be really hard for us, to tell you, what happened inside that engine.

Does it sound expensive ... yes.

 

yes i know i have read like most of the stickies and threads on the swap. I am aware of what it will take. If the block is good i plan doin this swap slow. I plan saving up then use it to rebuild it and collect the rest of the parts needed with the saving i made.

 

If the block has a damaged piston it may very well have damaged cylinder walls, connecting rods, and crankshaft, and will deffinitely need an overhaul. There is really no telling how much it would cost to fix it, machining cost alone may cost the 500$ that you are saving on this block.

The only way that I would buy it is if he would tear it down beforehand, he is going to have a hard time selling a unknown condition blown up motor to anybody for 500 bucks, the least he could do is let you pulll the oil pan and survey the damage.It will benefit him as well to know what the true extent of the damage is.

If the seller does not agree to do that, I would turn it down, there is no sense putting yourself at risk to buy a 500 dollar boat anchor, just save and buy a good one, that would more than likely be cheaper in the long run anyhow.

 

My friends brother bought the LS1 and he had his mechanic do the swap on his Impala. When the mechanic finished everything he had to do, my friend said the mechanic turned on the engine and thats when the mechanic told my friend and his brother one of the pistons was bad. I would guess if the engine truned on that would be a good sign right.

 

Bad idea to start with a blown motor. Simply put LS1's are cheap now, since their baby in comparison with newer motors and less compatible with new extremely capable factory parts.

Seen 2 pullouts in the last 3 weeks on LS1tech, one was a LS1/T56 for $1900, and a LS1/4L60e for $1400.

Here's an idea for parts needed to do a piston job:
-Pistons
-Rings
-Machine work to remover wrist pin
-Hone
-Head Gaskets
-Head bolts
-Rod Bearings

Thats at the very least, if you want it nicer you can count on some ARP rod bolts, ARP head studs etc.

Simple fact is LS1's are dated technology now. LS1's replaced by bigger bore LS2's, LS2's replaced by bigger bore LS3's etc.

LS1's were still popular(and cost higher) in 2005-2007 cause LS2's were only avaliable new or like new, and very expensive, LS3's are now top dog, so LS2 prices have dropped like a rock.

Last 5 vette's we did @ work had LS1's Replaced by LS2's or 7's.

Kinda went off topic, but bit of reasoning by LS1's are cheap.

And for the record, i paid $600CAD ($450ish US) for my mint running 6.0L truck motor.