Should I rebuild/build up my LT1 or buy another one. Details inside...

[Bandit_LT1v8]

I just bought a 94 Formula with 221,xxx miles on the body.

But I was told the motor/trans are newer, and have less miles. But they dont know exactly how many miles they have.

I bought the car from it's second owner. The first owner had it until 219,xxx miles. He supposedly replaced the motor/trans, but the second owners dont know exactly when.

The motor runs STRONG for a stock LT1 and it idles really smooth. And the oil, coolant, and trans fluid all look super clean.

And on a Cold Start the Oil Pressure is at 40.

When I put the VIN at Carfax it says 23 records were found, but I dont want to spend $40 to read them. It might say when the motor was replaced, though.

I want to buy a Rebuild Kit just to be safe, I saw one at Summit for $500.

Then I want to do Heads/Cam/Intake/Tune.

Should I rebuild and build up my LT1, or should I buy another one with lower miles, and build it up?

Or, would it be cheaper to find a motor already built or even a 383 and just drop it in?

I am just trying to look for the cheapest/best options.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

[Esoteric18]

Why rebuild if there doesn't seem to be a problem?

[popo8]

Why rebuild if there doesn't seem to be a problem?

I have to agree with tbe "if it aint broke" theory


Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

[Bandit_LT1v8]

Why rebuild if there doesn't seem to be a problem?

Because I want to do Heads/Cam etc in the future and I am not sure how many miles are on the motor.

I dont want to do Heads/Cam/Intake/Tune and then something in the bottom end goes boom! LOL

[firebird_1995]

Don't dismantle it. If you are getting the mod bug, start saving up and hitting the classifieds. There are lots of good deals on there (many good ones on engine parts now). You gotta figure out what you want out of it, then how much you're looking to spend.

[Tyler Wheat]

I wouldn't go through with a rebuild kit if there aren't any problems. It seems that you may be replacing parts with the same stuff that's already there. I feel you may be wasting money with that.

If you're wanting to go with H/C/I, I'd buy a block and build it fresh to keep your current motor as a spare and go wild with it if you feel the need later.

[Bersaglieri]

I bought a 1995 Camaro for close to what you did. I wanted to eventually do a heads, cam, and intake upgrade. If it'd hadn't had an oil pressure problem I would have never rebuilt it. Lot's of fast cars running around on stock bottom ends.

That being said, search my rebuild thread and it'll give you an idea of what's involved. There is no reason to buy a stroker kit, new crank, rods or pistons unless you absolutely need them. All you need for a good rebuild is machining costs, gaskets, rings, and bearings. Unless you found a bag of money in your backyard the stock stuff works pretty damn good.

All I can say is research, research, and research.

[Bandit_LT1v8]

I got to see the carfax on my Formula, and it didnt say anything about the motor being replaced/rebuilt.

Does that mean it probably was not?

Would it run this strong if it really had 221,xxx miles on it?

I guess I do have to rebuild it if I want to do heads/cam.

[95ImpySS]

I seccond the build an engine on the side, then swap in idea. Makes the most sense to me.

You need to figure out a budget. Since that is what will determine how much power you can make and how long it will last. Keep in mind, modding is a slippery slope. You build up the engine, then you need, a tranny, then you need a better tire, then you need a rear, the list goes on and on.

There is a good chance that the engine was never touched. These engines can run for a VERY long time if maintained and not abused.

I would start pondering a budget and see then add up what its going to cost to do a H/C build right.

[CamaroGirl]

I seccond the build an engine on the side, then swap in idea. Makes the most sense to me.

You need to figure out a budget. Since that is what will determine how much power you can make and how long it will last. Keep in mind, modding is a slippery slope. You build up the engine, then you need, a tranny, then you need a better tire, then you need a rear, the list goes on and on.

There is a good chance that the engine was never touched. These engines can run for a VERY long time if maintained and not abused.

I would start pondering a budget and see then add up what its going to cost to do a H/C build right.
what this dude said.

[Sahara54]

95impySS, is absolutely correct. If I could do mine over, I would have tossed new head gaskets and lifters in and been driving around gathering parts. I can tell you that having your car torn down for awhile hurts motivation but this site helps with that...alot.

[CamaroZGuy]

I seccond the build an engine on the side, then swap in idea. Makes the most sense to me.

You need to figure out a budget. Since that is what will determine how much power you can make and how long it will last. Keep in mind, modding is a slippery slope. You build up the engine, then you need, a tranny, then you need a better tire, then you need a rear, the list goes on and on.

There is a good chance that the engine was never touched. These engines can run for a VERY long time if maintained and not abused.

I would start pondering a budget and see then add up what its going to cost to do a H/C build right.


this! budget is the main problem! if you pick up a spare short block you can start building at the pace your budget allows. and when trying to lay out a budget dont cheat your self! est. heavy on stuff...i know my orginal budget was about $10-12k thinking i could get my build done for that....well with in the first month or two of it that got blown away....im now closer to 22-25k when done.

[Esoteric18]

carfax doesnt record something unless it was in the system. like a dealer or shop did the work. car fax would say my car is a stock v6 with an auto. whereas its now a lt1 m6.

[Bandit_LT1v8]

I was thinking over the next year or so I would save up and slowly buy all of the parts that I need for my motor. Because I have no where to put a short block, I live in an apartment.

I was going to buy the engine rebuild kit, heads, cam, gaskets, parts, etc... And then once I have EVERYTHING, pull my motor out, build it up, and drop it back in.

In the meantime, I will keep driving my car the way it is, and buy all of the parts slowly, and once I have all the parts, gaskets, and everything, then I will build it up.

That would also save me the $500 or so buying another short block.

Does that sound like a good plan or no???