hey everyone whats up,

i am having a huge problem with the rebuild on my 1987 iroc-z. it has a tpi 350 in it and it is knocking. i am going to rebuild it, but befor i start on it i wanted to get some opinions on how to go about the rebuild. I have contimpated engine kits and machine work and assembling it myself, along with shortblocks, logblocks and crate motors, but i want to do this as cheap as possible while doing a quality job, im looking at about a 1200$ buget. i would really like your oppinions...please help.

thanks BILL

 

Bill,

I'm no expert by any means, but I'm thinking of the same thing for my '89 IROC L98; my plan is to tear the engine down myself, saving a few hours of labor, and then doing as much reassembly as I can after my builder assembles the bottom end. I don't know much about building engines at all - I've never done one, so I don't want to invest this kind of money only to lose it because I screwed something up (I'll screw something up later when I actually HAVE money )

I was quoted a worst-case scenario of $1600, but that was assuming my builder doing all the work - depending on how much you're willing and/or able to do yourself, I think it's possible to meet your budget. I was going to pick up a L98 long block from my local dealer for $1900 (after $400 core), but they don't make new L98 motors anymore - they remanufacture them (according to what I was told).

I'm sure you know this already, but I wouldn't cheap out on an engine build if you want it to last. Hope this helps some.

- 89_IROC

 

thanks 89 iroc i apreciate your input i think i have decided to do some of the labor myself also but have a builder do all the important stuff like the bottom end. thanks again, bill

 

you could probably get this done for the price you're looking for if you don't have to bore the block. If the block is in great shape and just needs a hone, you can re-use your pistons, and re-ring and re-gasket. The bottom end knocking would most likely be a crank turning, which isn't too bad. I've gotten three builds done in the last few months, and paid pretty much around 200-250 for a turned crank, and a rebuilt set of heads combined. A clean/ hone, would be around 100 bucks The gasket rings, etc should be pretty straightforward, summit has a complete kit already for you for a decent price. the last part would be to have your machine shop assemble the bottom end, which I would do myself, so I don't know the going rate for farming out that work. You'd most likely reuse the valve train, unless soemthing is really worn, and the last part of the deal would be the nickel dime stuff, like new hoses, belts, oil, coolant, etc. doesn't make sense to reuse that stuff unless its like a week old.

other than that, if any other parts need to be replaced, add that cost, like cam bearings, etc. if the block needs to be bored, thats another 100-150, then you'd need pistons, which would be 200 or so, then you need to have them hung on the rods, which is like 50.....and or course, if you are planning to upgrade, the sky is the limit, like new cam, heads, etc. good luck!!