nascarnate z28 future ??'s

[wasjo6431]

Meh, even so. I had my short block hot tanked, bored .040 over, crank polished 10/10, all new main and cam bearings, reassembled for $1200. Water pump for under $100, gasket set for $200. So even if machine work is necessary, it'd be around $2000.

I had mine Fluxed, Hot tanked, Rehoned to .042 New cam bearings. rotating assembly balanced for under 500 and put it together. But im a Gen 1 SB

[ThreeHonks]

gen 1 SB gets machined the same way an LT1 does.

[JoeliusZ28]

Meh, even so. I had my short block hot tanked, bored .040 over, crank polished 10/10, all new main and cam bearings, reassembled for $1200. Water pump for under $100, gasket set for $200. So even if machine work is necessary, it'd be around $2000.

and how much did the valve job cost? On nates engine I would be assuming it needs both that and the machine work, and hope to be surprised if it doesn't.

If he went with the same cam and headgaskets as you have, you could just flash his pcm. That brings the cost of a tune down. Headers aren't included in this, nor is the rest of the exhaust. A low mileage LT1 and gaskets can be had for $800.

1) He has OBD2

2) I won't give my tune to anyone until its right. I guessed at wide open throttle and aparently nailed that, part throttle is still way lean.

[SoulTerror]

Now I'm definitely not assuming this is THE answer to everything as the ad is rather vague, but i still think it qualifies as a counter example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/01-Su...Q5fAccessories




I do not disagree, but they really arent going for much less than 5.3s or even LS1s nowadays. Nate is interested in reliability.... and even as a die-hard LT guy I have to admit LS motors offer that in comparison.

That's less then I paid for my LT1 with 140k miles.

[s.reef]

lq4...you can get a LOW mile complete (engine, computer, harness, etc) for around 1k. You would need a trans, k member, and some f body accessories and exhaust. Probably over 2k but getting a lot for your money. If your serious about spending some money on a 5.3 engine why not spend a little more and get a 6.0

[kammi10]

lq4...you can get a LOW mile complete (engine, computer, harness, etc) for around 1k. You would need a trans, k member, and some f body accessories and exhaust. Probably over 2k but getting a lot for your money. If your serious about spending some money on a 5.3 engine why not spend a little more and get a 6.0

find one thats not real high miles for that price... not gonna happen...

i paid 1500 for my 30k mile LQ4 with the computer and thats it... keep in mine i had a few sensors to buy, an intake b.c the truck one wont fit under the hood, Throttle body, oil pan, accessories, your looking at an easy 12-1500 bucks right there...

[MP81]

One of our alumni got his LQ4 engine with trans and computer for $600, the man knows how to haggle.

[nascarnate326]

Good discussion.


I think that after reading all the comments, keeping the LT1 is the best choice. I may have to do a spreadsheet of all the costs just to see what it comes out to. I dont want a massive cam and I dont have "goals". I just want about 300 RWHP, cam'd, and something that is faster than what I have now.

My motor isnt a complete dog, it just doesnt run as strong as Joels or Kyles cars did(dont even give me the 95 crap joel ). I think part of this is because I have 50k plus more miles, and something electronic is failing. Its hard to accurately describe, but sometimes it just doesnt run right until its HOT. Kind of feels like its running on 6 cyl or something. I always let it warm up though...well usually. Once its warm it runs great. I wish someone would race me over here. The car hangs with kyles WRX and pretty well with a '10 GT.


I dont plan on doing anything until next spring at the earliest but I wanted to have some kind of direction. I loved spencers car and thought I would get more information. Thanks for all the posts everyone.

[JoeliusZ28]

you should be able to get close to 300rwhp with a stock engine and a good combination of bolt ons. You won't hit it though. But point being I'd be shooting higher than that if you are going to spend the money on a cam.... I'm closer to 400 than 300

I think the best thing you can do is put $500 in the bank and start practicing your haggling skillz. Get a low mile LT1, 5.3, or 6.0... but whatever it is... STEAL IT. Don't pay market price when plenty of people buy engines for much less all the time. Once you have an engine, planning will fall into place or you can decide to sell it for profit and go a different route!

[s.reef]

Agree with Joel. Sit on the money until you get a good deal.

[kammi10]

One of our alumni got his LQ4 engine with trans and computer for $600, the man knows how to haggle.

yeah and how many miles did it have on it?

[ThreeHonks]

Good discussion.


I think that after reading all the comments, keeping the LT1 is the best choice. I may have to do a spreadsheet of all the costs just to see what it comes out to. I dont want a massive cam and I dont have "goals". I just want about 300 RWHP, cam'd, and something that is faster than what I have now.

My motor isnt a complete dog, it just doesnt run as strong as Joels or Kyles cars did(dont even give me the 95 crap joel ). I think part of this is because I have 50k plus more miles, and something electronic is failing. Its hard to accurately describe, but sometimes it just doesnt run right until its HOT. Kind of feels like its running on 6 cyl or something. I always let it warm up though...well usually. Once its warm it runs great. I wish someone would race me over here. The car hangs with kyles WRX and pretty well with a '10 GT.


I dont plan on doing anything until next spring at the earliest but I wanted to have some kind of direction. I loved spencers car and thought I would get more information. Thanks for all the posts everyone.

I like this idea, but it is absolutely impossible to account for everything, there are always many unknowns (what if something breaks taking it off?) (What if you find a used part for cheaper?) (What if you find necessities taht need to be replaced taht you didnt think would?)

I cant list them all and trust me, whether its a 5.3 or a LT1, you WILL run into unaccounted for costs.

But I can tell you that when swapping to an entire different engine and transmission you will have more unaccounted for costs then just rebuilding what you have.

[c0ncEpT]

I agree with keeping the LT1. While I am a major LS1 junkie it just doesn't make sense to try a swap when your on that tight of a budget.

Plus a decent bolt on LT1 would make close to 300. I would be shooting for 360+ if I were you. That is unless your one of those guys that just wants a cam for the sounds

[MP81]

yeah and how many miles did it have on it?

I don't recall - but good luck finding a deal like that with any amount of miles on it.

[meissen]

I think you're going in the right direction, Nate. It's awesome how everyone on this site tells people not to do an engine swap from v6 to v8 and now everyone's doing a 180 and saying do it.