Snowflake Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 Well just in time for great weather and the track opening I fucked my Trans Am up. The bottom line is I now have to pull the motor and rebuild or set it on fire. I wanna make this a simple as possible but I also only want to do it once and make sure its right the first time. Ive never done anything other than bolt-ons on any car so this to me is going to be a challenge. From what I understand I need a new/used short block and everything I have will bolt right up. I will end up starting a thread in tech once I start pulling the motor but for now I just want to get some ideas on what I need to be doing. Im looking for a short block right now and Im wondering what I should go with LS1/LS6, LQ9, LQ4. What should be the easiest to get and be the best as far as handling power? My car is a 98 A4 and I put down 358rwhp with full exhaust, lid, 243 heads, cam from 01 Z06, and tune. I have since added a BBK intake and 85mm tb but dont know what gains I got from it. Im hoping closer to 370. Id like to be at least 400rwhp when Im done. If I added my same mods to an LQ9or LQ4 would I see any difference in power? If I do the work myself is it possible to keep all this under $2000? Should I set it on fire? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheezle Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 Why can't you rebuild the one you have in the car? I understand spun bearing, if its just that you should be able to rebuild yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted April 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 Why can't you rebuild the one you have in the car? I understand spun bearing, if its just that you should be able to rebuild yours. Im open to all options. I did a lot of reading on LS1 tech today and it just seemed like everyone that had a spun bearing bought a new block or were looking for one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheezle Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 (edited) I've not dealt with the LS series motors, just your older SBC's. Ive seen motors with spun bearings rebuilt before, it depended on the damage caused. I would take the motor out see what damage is done, at the worst you need another block. Did some quick reading and found that these motors are able to be rebuilt, it really depends on how long you ran it after you lost oil pressure and whether you sent part flying in the crankcase. If you turned it off when you lost oil pressure you should be able to get away with a crank, bearings, rings, having it magnafluxed, and line bore at a good machine shop. It all really depends on the condition of the block and the caps as they tend to crack in the saddle when overheated. Here's a site I found some information on: http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/0708ch_block_repair_basics/index.html Edited April 8, 2011 by Oneslow7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted April 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 Thanks for the info. I know I had to have lost oil pressure at some point but by time I noticed the knocking over the fucking loud exhaust my oil pressure was fine and still is. I had read about loosing oil pressure and told a guy that my oil pressure looks fine and he told me "its not bad yet". I dont know? I hope its not that bad because I drove it home about 10 miles once I started hearing the knock. So I need to find out how much to have it rebuilt vs. a used low mileage shortblock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
351mach11647545510 Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 step 1. Tear motor apart and inspect damage. step 2. then decide course of action. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Cranium Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 With my LT1 I never completely lost oil pressure, but I ended up with spun bearings (rod and main). I came to the conclusion that the machine work was going to be almost as much as a rebuilt short block. I chose Golen Engine Service for my short block, they do LS motors as well. http://www.golenengineservice.com/engines/ls-engines/ls-short-blocks/ If you can swing some extra cash for your rebuild you could pick up a lot. They have an LSx 454 with all forged internals for $7000. I know that is a lot more than you are talking about, but they have many combinations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontiacfreak142 Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 Before you do anything, have some one start the car while you watch the crank pulley. The last time my went out, i had crank walk and ended up just really needing a thrust bearing. It was knocking, but i still had oil preasure. If you want some help just let me know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboNova Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 Would not waste money on an ls1 block. for 500 or so you could pick up a complete lq4 local(ohio) sell the heads and harness and what not to break even on purchase. Then spend 2k on gaskets and add ons. or for the 2k you could send the junkyard motor to machine shop and have it all assembled with some new parts and put it in yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 $2000 isn't going to get much, that limits you to a used short block out of a truck IMHO. By the time you buy it and have all the smaller expenses like gaskets, lifters, and such it adds up quick. LS1s are pretty desirable so a good used one might be possible, but might take time to track down. If it were me I'd grab up a LQ4 because they are cheaper and easier to find then a LQ9 and when you put your 243 heads on it will bump the compresion. So long as it has the knock sensors in the valley cover all your stuff should be direct bolt on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontiacfreak142 Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 If you want to keep this as cheap as possible and make sure all is good, i can give you my machine shop guys number. He hot tanked, bored the block, put new cam bearings in and had to go over a bunch of other stuff including test fitting everything for me for around 500 bucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave1647545494 Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 before we talk about rebuilding the motor I'd look for basic stuff like a cracked flexplate or a bad harmonic balancer they can both make a noise that sounds like a rod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koolrayz Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 before we talk about rebuilding the motor I'd look for basic stuff like a cracked flexplate or a bad harmonic balancer they can both make a noise that sounds like a rod This^^^^^^^^^^ I has seen cracked flex plates that sounded like a rod was going to come through the oilpan. you can also put an indicator on the balancer and move the crank back and forth to check the thrust bearing. Also check for broken valve springs. A dropped valve hitting the piston can make a racket. Also cut the oil filter and see what is inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 before we talk about rebuilding the motor I'd look for basic stuff like a cracked flexplate or a bad harmonic balancer they can both make a noise that sounds like a rod Yeah I forgot all about this, the flexplate was the first thing I broke on my Camaro, and it did sound just like a rod was broken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboNova Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 Guarantee for 2k you could build a 6.0 for his car. Hell have the heads checked, buy gaskets and new valvetrain with a used or rebuilt truck block and let it eat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chadz89GTA Posted April 9, 2011 Report Share Posted April 9, 2011 $300-$600 5.3L Mod. Best mod ever then spray the shit out of it. See Sig. PS: Welcome to the Blown 98 LS1 Club also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTQ B4U Posted April 9, 2011 Report Share Posted April 9, 2011 Go drinking with Ray, get him plastered, swap motors without him knowing and never mention anything to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koolrayz Posted April 9, 2011 Report Share Posted April 9, 2011 Go drinking with Ray, get him plastered, swap motors without him knowing and never mention anything to him. I dont know about that but i bet he could find enough shit laying around my shop to build a motor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTQ B4U Posted April 9, 2011 Report Share Posted April 9, 2011 I dont know about that but i bet he could find enough shit laying around my shop to build a motor. Ha ha! Sounds like an offer to help you clean up the place a bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted April 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2011 If you want to keep this as cheap as possible and make sure all is good, i can give you my machine shop guys number. He hot tanked, bored the block, put new cam bearings in and had to go over a bunch of other stuff including test fitting everything for me for around 500 bucks. Im confident we will be seeing each other during this process. before we talk about rebuilding the motor I'd look for basic stuff like a cracked flexplate or a bad harmonic balancer they can both make a noise that sounds like a rod This is the stuff I need to hear. Thanks and I will check these things. Guarantee for 2k you could build a 6.0 for his car. Hell have the heads checked, buy gaskets and new valvetrain with a used or rebuilt truck block and let it eat As bad as it is, Im kinda getting excited about the different possibilities. Go drinking with Ray, get him plastered, swap motors without him knowing and never mention anything to him. Im doubting Ray is a cheap date. I dont know about that but i bet he could find enough shit laying around my shop to build a motor. Probably more than 1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted April 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2011 Yeah I forgot all about this, the flexplate was the first thing I broke on my Camaro, and it did sound just like a rod was broken. I wouldnt mind a similar build as yours. Not the same, but similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted April 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2011 $300-$600 5.3L Mod. Best mod ever then spray the shit out of it. See Sig. PS: Welcome to the Blown 98 LS1 Club also Got any info on your build? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted April 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2011 This^^^^^^^^^^ I has seen cracked flex plates that sounded like a rod was going to come through the oilpan. you can also put an indicator on the balancer and move the crank back and forth to check the thrust bearing. Also check for broken valve springs. A dropped valve hitting the piston can make a racket. Also cut the oil filter and see what is inside. Will do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontiacfreak142 Posted April 9, 2011 Report Share Posted April 9, 2011 let me know if you need any help today, ill be around the house playin with cars anyway lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted April 9, 2011 Report Share Posted April 9, 2011 let me know if you need any help today, ill be around the house playin with cars anyway lol yeah this, I'm just sitting here and I'm right around the corner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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