Another build thread Options

[rr97cmaross]

So after getting the motor apart this is what was found. Had I not been looking to drop weight off the nose I would have rebuilt this pig and been on track again already.......Damn, next time I'll pull the motor apart BEFORE buying a new one.

This is what the thrust bearing looked like, no issues there right.....

(IMG:http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz195/silentmover1/ThrustBearingdamage.jpg)

And a shot of the crank. This is the thrust bearing surface which has approx 1/16 of material removed courtesy of the bearing lathe and where the metal chips came from. A pedal stop will be fabbed with the new motor. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif)

(IMG:http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz195/silentmover1/P1010027.jpg)

[rr97cmaross]

So I'm finally in a position to start working this again....some significant life challenges delayed the progress a few months. Finally picked my new motor up, the lm4. The build included a rediculous set of custom JE pistons on stock rods, ARP rod bolts, stock heads pocket ported with larger ls1 intake valves, one piece pushrods with stock style rockers, camaro pan with improved racing's baffle and ARP head bolts, and COMP cam. All in all I'm not sure this was the most cost effective way to go, mainly because of the silly pistons. Even with 42k on the motor some of the pistons were flattened and getting 5.3 pistons proved just about non existent; mainly options to get the compression up to a decent level (LT was 12.6, this one is a full point below). Still have to source a ls1 intake, injectors and fuel rails, computer and either modify the existing or get a new harness. So far ill be using a vette front drive and ARH headers. Thanks to Alan for the contact at tpis which offered many recommendations. Pics and more to follow......

This post has been edited by rr97cmaross: Dec 10 2011, 11:22 PM

[rr97cmaross]

Ready to put this one in the car! LS1 intake, fuel rails, injectors and throttle body. I used the truck (04 buick ranier) harness and spent a minute or two elongating or shortening damn near every wire in the harness. Since the LM4 was originally a drive by wire motor, I added the IAC and TPS sensors to the harness. The computer will be coming from Carolina Auto Masters and we're using and 04 GTO PCM and MAF. I certainly isn't the prettiest harness ever made but it should get the job done.
(IMG:http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz195/silentmover1/IMAG0045.jpg)


I used Mcleod's modular bellhousing with the lt1 t56. No major issues with it but I had to cut a "window" out of the motor plate for clearance around the oil pan rail at the rear (You can just make out the cut to the lower left of the clutch; plate painted black where the coating was ground off), and clearance the starter area for the headers.
(IMG:http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz195/silentmover1/IMAG0041.jpg)


I went with the corvette front drive and found an issue trying to mate the HP hose to the PS adapter due to the proximity of the pulley. The solution came from a box of parts my dad had from his car (a Doug Rippie ex WC camaro) that used the factory stub out from the pump with a -6 nipple welded on. The alternator will be mounted on the lower passenger side of the motor using the AC belt grooves on the damper.
(IMG:http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz195/silentmover1/IMAG0042.jpg)

Still have to figure out what I'm gonna do for a cooler. I'm thinking the snazzy new low profile adapter Improved Racing is releasing is the way to go.......

[StanIROCZ]

So I'm finally in a position to start working this again....some significant life challenges delayed the progress a few months. Finally picked my new motor up, the lm4. The build included a rediculous set of custom JE pistons on stock rods, ARP rod bolts, stock heads pocket ported with larger ls1 intake valves, one piece pushrods with stock style rockers, camaro pan with improved racing's baffle and ARP head bolts, and COMP cam. All in all I'm not sure this was the most cost effective way to go, mainly because of the silly pistons. Even with 42k on the motor some of the pistons were flattened and getting 5.3 pistons proved just about non existent; mainly options to get the compression up to a decent level (LT was 12.6, this one is a full point below). Still have to source a ls1 intake, injectors and fuel rails, computer and either modify the existing or get a new harness. So far ill be using a vette front drive and ARH headers. Thanks to Alan for the contact at tpis which offered many recommendations. Pics and more to follow......

What was the issue with your stock pistons?

The 5.3 should make nice #'s for AI.

[rr97cmaross]

So I'm finally in a position to start working this again....some significant life challenges delayed the progress a few months. Finally picked my new motor up, the lm4. The build included a rediculous set of custom JE pistons on stock rods, ARP rod bolts, stock heads pocket ported with larger ls1 intake valves, one piece pushrods with stock style rockers, camaro pan with improved racing's baffle and ARP head bolts, and COMP cam. All in all I'm not sure this was the most cost effective way to go, mainly because of the silly pistons. Even with 42k on the motor some of the pistons were flattened and getting 5.3 pistons proved just about non existent; mainly options to get the compression up to a decent level (LT was 12.6, this one is a full point below). Still have to source a ls1 intake, injectors and fuel rails, computer and either modify the existing or get a new harness. So far ill be using a vette front drive and ARH headers. Thanks to Alan for the contact at tpis which offered many recommendations. Pics and more to follow......

What was the issue with your stock pistons?

The 5.3 should make nice #'s for AI.

Good numbers is what I'm looking for with this, the ls architecture is great and I'm excited to finally have one. The stock pistons, 4 of them, were out of round. It seems running these motors hard before everything is heated up causes some piston rock issues. That said, I didn't NEED new pistons, but I wanted the compression up and I didn't want to have to replace anything in the shortblock except bearings.