LS3 into my 83?
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Joined: Oct 2018
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Car: 1983 Camaro (Oreo)
Engine: 355?
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: Unknown
LS3 into my 83?
I was originally planning a 6.0 swap into my car when I stumbled upon an LS3 engine block out of a 2015 Camaro. It comes with a scat crank and stock pistons/rods. However, guy says the block potentially needs resleeved. He wants $800. Would this be a good deal? I was planning on a stroker motor anyway and would essentially have to start from a bare block on a 6.0 anyway, so I figured this may be a better option? If it is, about how much would I need to invest from the block up to come out at a decent 500hp range? (Seems like a reasonable number? Never looked too much into the LS3’s)
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 13,757
Likes: 560
From: Cincinnati, OH
Car: '90 RS
Engine: 377 LSX
Transmission: Magnum T56
Re: LS3 into my 83?
I was originally planning a 6.0 swap into my car when I stumbled upon an LS3 engine block out of a 2015 Camaro. It comes with a scat crank and stock pistons/rods. However, guy says the block potentially needs resleeved. He wants $800. Would this be a good deal? I was planning on a stroker motor anyway and would essentially have to start from a bare block on a 6.0 anyway, so I figured this may be a better option? If it is, about how much would I need to invest from the block up to come out at a decent 500hp range? (Seems like a reasonable number? Never looked too much into the LS3’s)
500hp in an LS3 is only requires a cam swap and tune (assuming you have headers, etc).
Re-sleeving is not cheap and I would question why does the motor have a scat crank and stock pistons/rods? That's backwards. Does it come with heads? I would pass unless it came with more parts and you can verify the integrity of the sleeves.
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 8
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Car: 1983 Camaro (Oreo)
Engine: 355?
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: Unknown
Re: LS3 into my 83?
500hp in an LS3 is only requires a cam swap and tune (assuming you have headers, etc).
Re-sleeving is not cheap and I would question why does the motor have a scat crank and stock pistons/rods? That's backwards. Does it come with heads? I would pass unless it came with more parts and you can verify the integrity of the sleeves.
Re-sleeving is not cheap and I would question why does the motor have a scat crank and stock pistons/rods? That's backwards. Does it come with heads? I would pass unless it came with more parts and you can verify the integrity of the sleeves.
Joined: Mar 2001
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Car: '89 Firebird
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: T56
Re: LS3 into my 83?
Just guessing but it seems like the guy blew up an engine and kept the stuff that could be salvaged and is selling the stuff that can't.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 8
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Car: 1983 Camaro (Oreo)
Engine: 355?
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: Unknown
Re: LS3 into my 83?
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 13,757
Likes: 560
From: Cincinnati, OH
Car: '90 RS
Engine: 377 LSX
Transmission: Magnum T56
Re: LS3 into my 83?
Vertical marks like that are common so long as you can't catch a fingernail on them. That will clean up with a hone. Your issue will be if the sleeve is cracked or peeling away from the block casting. You'd have to fully disassemble to accurately inspect.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 8
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Car: 1983 Camaro (Oreo)
Engine: 355?
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: Unknown
Re: LS3 into my 83?
So just judging by that picture, probably better to avoid?
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 13,757
Likes: 560
From: Cincinnati, OH
Car: '90 RS
Engine: 377 LSX
Transmission: Magnum T56
Re: LS3 into my 83?
Not necessarily. If your going stroker you will need new pistons and machine work anyways so small scratches are nothing. You really need to inspect every cylinder. A hone and resized piston is normal. A cracked sleeve and junk block is scrap. If you dont feel you have the experience or access to someone who can inspect the sleeves I would pass. However, use the "what if" as a negotiation tool.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 8
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Car: 1983 Camaro (Oreo)
Engine: 355?
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: Unknown
Re: LS3 into my 83?
Not necessarily. If your going stroker you will need new pistons and machine work anyways so small scratches are nothing. You really need to inspect every cylinder. A hone and resized piston is normal. A cracked sleeve and junk block is scrap. If you dont feel you have the experience or access to someone who can inspect the sleeves I would pass. However, use the "what if" as a negotiation tool.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 13,757
Likes: 560
From: Cincinnati, OH
Car: '90 RS
Engine: 377 LSX
Transmission: Magnum T56
Re: LS3 into my 83?
Well, let’s say everything is good and it is just a few small scratches. Is $800 a good price on this or can I do better elsewhere? I’m trying to cut costs where I can, which is why I originally considered a junkyard 6.0 iron block. However, I do understand the concept of getting what you pay for.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 8
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Car: 1983 Camaro (Oreo)
Engine: 355?
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: Unknown
Re: LS3 into my 83?
He doesn’t seem to be willing to come off the price anymore. I mentioned if it did need sleeves it’s a pretty expensive process and his response was “cheaper than buying a new block” so I guess the search continues. Or I’ll just buy a new block
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 13,757
Likes: 560
From: Cincinnati, OH
Car: '90 RS
Engine: 377 LSX
Transmission: Magnum T56
Re: LS3 into my 83?
Resleeving is 2X the cost of a new block, and there are very few shops that do it. A new block still requires machine work when you go with aftermarket parts, often to the sum of what the block cost new. Time to walk.
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From: MidWest
Car: 91 RS/ 99 T/A/ 72 Vette/ 02 Z28
Engine: LSx/ Dart400
Transmission: M6/ M6/ TH400/ 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 4.10's / 3.08/ 2.73
Re: LS3 into my 83?
Resleeving an LS1/LS2/LS3 block for all 8 cylinders will easily cost $2,000 + when done by a qualified shop with the correct sleeves and machines. If it's not done by a top notch machinist that knows what to do, to use cutting fluid, temperature controlled room etc, there is an outstanding chance of sleeves moving, leaking head gaskets and other disasters in the making.
Run for your life from that $800 LS3, other than as a source parts for intake, injectors, fuel rails, coils, coil pack harness, covers, maybe the heads, oil pan and sensors. Fixing the short block will be more expensive than getting a good used LS3/L99 etc for ~$4000 to $5000 by the time it's done.
500 whp, cam & header LS3 is definitely doable.
Run for your life from that $800 LS3, other than as a source parts for intake, injectors, fuel rails, coils, coil pack harness, covers, maybe the heads, oil pan and sensors. Fixing the short block will be more expensive than getting a good used LS3/L99 etc for ~$4000 to $5000 by the time it's done.
500 whp, cam & header LS3 is definitely doable.
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Re: LS3 into my 83?
My 2 cents is to not start down the LS path until you have a good plan. I made the decision to do the LS swap, but I should have done more research. I found a 5.3 aluminum engine for a good deal. It was basically new, but there were surprises that I didn’t prepare for. All accessories, the intake manifold, and the oil pan were removed. It had VVT, DoD, and a 58x reluctor. I had to install delete kits, and the 58x restricted me from the easier to program PCM. Those weren’t deal breakers, but it took more time and money than I originally thought. Decide which engine you want and then go search for the good deal.
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