Well as some of you may know, but I am sure most of you don't, recently due to my own arrogance my 01 SS fell victim to a nitrous hiccup (always use a window switch[&:]). The results were a broken piston and a cracked sleeve in the block. So now I am faced with building another motor (and learning yet another costly lesson). Luckily I was able to find a good used short block assembly through another site, so $600 and a trip to Detroit later I began my build. Since there are so many people doing LS1's these days I figured I might as well share my build up with my fellow forum members. My plan with motor is to get it together for a reasonable cost but not cut corners along the way. I will be reusing the block, crank, rods and pistons. They will all be cleaned and reconditioned as needed. Look for updates as I get the parts (and the money). This is not my first engine build, but I will be getting some help from my friend Troy, who is very knowledgeable in almost all aspects of engine work, also my buddy Erik will helping as well. So read along as the three of us embark on my little journey into the world of rebuilding what is in my opinion one of the most important engines in G.M. history.

 

Here is the block as I got it back from the machine shop. I painted it orange for the sake of nostalgia.

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Here Troy is measuring the piston diameter. This is done along with measureing the bore after the machine work for two reasons. 1.To make sure the piston is the right size and 2. To double check the work the machine shop did, I trust my shop but it costs nothing and is one of those better safe than sorry things.

[IMG]local://upfiles/892/8D09373FBDEB4CE98A3A033CC3965CC5.jpg[/IMG]

Next he checks the bore diameter, its a good idea to check it in a few spots and to check every bore and every piston. After this is done you need to find out what the tolerances for the particular pistons you are using is and make sure you are within specs

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Here we are installing ARP main studs, this in IMO is somthing that really must be done. Stock LS1's use torque-to-yield main bolts, so that means they are one time use. The ARP studs will stand up to dozens of assembly cycles. They are not cheap but last forever and give some added piece of mind. When putting main studs in a block you will need to have the block alignhoned, due to the different clamping forces created by studs.

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Thats all I have for now. Next the crank will go in and be torqued to spec and hopefully the the rings come in and I will put the pistons in.

My running total so far.
Short Block========= $600
Machine work and parts=$610.74
Total with tax..................$1210.74

 

i hope to do an LS1 build up myself but it win't be for quite a while. you mentioned you were useing the stock bottom end, i've heard that the stock crank and rods are very reliable so hopefilly you should have no problems. i hear of one guy that has 900 HP on a stock bottom end. anyway, good luck.

 

Yes they are very good parts for stock. 900hp sounds like alot, I am friends with a guy who runs 10.20's on a stock never had the heads off motor. The reason they are so strong I think is the 6 bolt mains.