[Project] Refreshing the spare 98 LS1

[97rs4life]

Alright, time to dive into this spare 98 LS1 engine that I purchased awhile back. Engine has a bunch of top end oil sludge build up but the bottom end looks to be all good from the teardown I did to examine it. I plan to go through the bottom end though and put in all new bearings and check the crank. I was told it ran great when pulled but seeing all the oil sludge in the top end makes me want to check the bottom end out and freshen it up.

Questions though for you LS1 guru's as I am not as familiar with the LS1 as I am with the 3.8 engines in these cars. What kind of things should I upgrade during this rebuild? I know the 98 blocks are considered poor blocks compared to the others out there but I got a good deal on this engine and would like to freshen it up for a future transplant.

I hear that the connecting rod bolts are weak in the 98s so I plan on getting some ARP ones. What other internal parts should I consider upgrading? timing chain, lifters, etc? I have a P&P tb for it and still looking for a ls6 manifold but I want to get the bottom end in order first.

I attached a pic of the engine and also a pic of the sludge in the top end

[Lucky SOB]

Wow, that is some nice sludge!

The nice thing is, since it doesn't have to go into the car right away, you can take your time with freshening it up and possibly re-building it. I look forward to the swap thread! Good luck!

[DETROITMUSCLE]

I would upgrade the rod bolts to ARPs and then have all the bearings replaced, then I would look into a nice oil pump and a new LS2 timing chain. A new set of lifters would be a good investment as well.

[9T8W66]

The `97-98 Blocks have a different Oil gallery configuration then the later blocks and thinner cylinder liners aswell. The rod bolts were upgraded on 2000 up engines. Heads are different mainly due to the perimiter bolt valve covers. and the coils mount individually.
Short block upgraded should be Rod bolts (ARP) Oilpump (LS6) Timingchain (LS2) Stock Cam specs are 198/209 .500/.500 119.5 LSA (same cam used thru 2000)
The `97-98 806 casting Heads have been said to flow less then the later heads but the difference is NOT significant enough to warrant a change to unported heads from another LS1.

[97rs4life]

yea I looked into maybe some 243 casting heads but think I am going to just stick with the 806s and maybe a light port job or just a valve job and call it a day. Don't need to make this engine to radical, just a strong runner. 350-400rwhp would be fine with me

[9T8W66]

Nothing wrong with some 243 LS6 heads except you would need new valvecovers and coil mounting brackets. And 350-400 RWHP is easily attainable with cam only.

[MP81]

My friend said she thought the first picture was a pig, or that it loooked like it.

Good luck and LS1 FTW!

[s.reef]

yea I looked into maybe some 243 casting heads but think I am going to just stick with the 806s and maybe a light port job or just a valve job and call it a day. Don't need to make this engine to radical, just a strong runner. 350-400rwhp would be fine with me

Ive been doing some research on my ls1 build. Like craig said no point swapping stock unported heads to stock unported heads. You might want to think about the 243s though, if i had the money i would get them

[97rs4life]

bump any other ideas or input?

[97rs4life]

Alright I will be sending the heads out to be cleaned up this week. Still working on plans for the block. So far:

ARP connecting rod bolts
TSP ported LS6 oil pump
LS2 timing chain
Stock bearings
LS6 intake
Stock heads
Ported TB


I am thinking this would be the best time to do a cam as well. I am looking at the 224/224 but unsure of LSA yet. I want something that will lope nicely and perform well with the stock heads. Also are the comp 918 springs fine with this cam and what other things will I need to upgrade in the LS1 for the cam?

[JoeliusZ28]

you can go bigger than 224/224 on stock heads ... all what you want though.

[DETROITMUSCLE]

I agree with joel you could go bigger but it really depends on your what your goals are. Remember you'll need a new set of pushrods and while the 918s will work I'd go with the patriot golds in case you want to get a cam with a little more lift down the road.

[97rs4life]

looking streetable power, 380-400rwhp with A4 trans, 3.42 gears, probably a stall of around 3500. Would like nice lope to it.

[9T8W66]

TR 224 should be exactly what your looking for, But a TSP 228R would work nicely aswell. Both can be had with 112 LSA or larger and will work with Comp 918's. Just remember that bigger isn't always better.

[JoeliusZ28]

is he going to make that much rwhp through an auto with just a 224 cam? I could see the lower bound of the goal happening, but 400 not so easily.