Replacing my LT1
 

Soo I got the news today after I had to get my Trans Am towed to my uncle's shop after all the miss firing and flashing check engine light drama..

The motor seized...

But down to the point...

Suggestions! Any suggestions on where to get a new motor, or should I rebuild it etc etc etc....

Anything would help I am a little confused. I am doing my research too but I'd like to hear your suggestions/stories.

Thanks!

http://www.ellweinengines.com/Ellwei...Kit/355Kit.htm

if your block is trashed, i'll have one to pretty much give away in a month or two. there are always shortblocks in classifieds too, usually for real cheap. it all depends on your budget and what you want from the car.

Theres all differnt ways to go about that.. What do you want it for? You could drop another stock one in or if the block is good build that **** up.

I will tell you all more on the condition of the motor when I get to the shop tomorrow.

Craigslist. You can find complete Lt1's on there for as little as 300.00..

Ok I have made up my mind. I want a crate engine... Stock replacement. Suggestions on companies???

from what i have seen, you get overcharged for a crate lt1. you could try looking at a jasper rebuilt but that will probably be a little high too. how bad is the carnage or is it too much work to want to salvage anything?

You could probably find another LT1 Car for the price it is for a Crate or Jasper motor.. I would buy a LT1 Car, Pull the motor then sell the car and get most of your money back.

You may want to research the crate engines as well. From what I've read in the past, crate engines are usually assembly line engines that had issues and had to be pulled and repaired for whatever reason. Don't assume a crate engine is a brand new engine.

With parts store crates (Recon, etc) I've heard stories of them coming with mismatched heads, only one hole bored over with a special piston, and refused warranty claims if you open the engine yourself.

I would just have a local shop rebuild it using stock parts. You could do it for half the cost of a crate engine. ****, I'd even do it for you. What kind of budget are you looking at anyway?

yeah and some crates tighten your crank and pistions down with impact guns!

what does a LT1 crate engine go for? i couldn't find any at my usual sources.

i do have a 96 impala SS LT1 motor... iron heads but shortblock would be the same, only 6,609 miles on it...

i would be willing to sell the shortblock.
For just the block with the rotating assembly, oil pan, camshaft and timing setup for $700.
(no heads, no starter, no opti, no waterpump)

A Jasper LT1 goes for something ridiculous for like $6,000.

Pick up that shortblock, throw your aluminum heads on it, and that's the most cost-effective solution by far.

wow, i thought they were better then that! you could get an ellwein build for that much.

i am just curious if there is any head or valve damage. if not, i'd definitely just throw the top end on a used or freshened up short block and save a ton. i'm sure there are people around who can help too if you want to save on labor.

There is a 94 T/A for sale on here right now for like 3700.00. It has a Built LT1 in it already. Could buy it, Swap the motor into your car and then sell that car and get most of your money back. Just a suggestion.

Here is also another motor I found on Craigslist.
http://southjersey.craigslist.org/pts/2069073382.html

The head is warped. Car had a head go on it. The motor is filled with coolant.

thats what i was wondering. well what is your realistic budget and goals? do you simply just want to put a stock motor together or do you want to do a small cam and maybe some head work?

Stock i guess since cam and head work sounds alittle expensive...

Well you've gotten some pretty viable options. What are you thinking?

Well, We are currently looking for an LT1 engine (from another car) with low miles. So far... Nothing found.... Such a PITTA .... Gonna check the guys at fbody world (the link slow v6 gave me) and see if they got anything with low miles. but the last time i looked on there site that LT1 engine you linked me to seems to not be listed... On there site

Low miles is tough to find on a car thats at the very least 13 years old.

i'd go with a short block and drop your own heads and cam into it.

See this:

Check Ebay as well. There is a 4th gen junkyard up in Bensalem PA just north of Philly. I cant remember the name of it but they have tons of 4th gen parts and might have a low mile LT1.