LS1 Rebuild Advice

[pazrs]

Hi All,


I recently scored a LS1 Long Motor for cheap it has a bit of a bottom end knock and I want to freshen it up for a learning experience. Its an early vintage. I'm rebuilding it to standard specs or similar, for now.


There seems to be a few listings for VRS kits, why do these vary? Should I get Felpro or GM or ?
Any advice on valve stem seals? Should I go Viton?
Should I lightly shim valve springs?
Are Melling oil pumps worth the dollars?
What other things should I do whilst its apart, for reliability.
Any other recommended reading?
What other parts should I buy to make use of this exchange rate!


Its going in GU Patrol if that matters.

[ASSASIN]

Buy a 6ltr or 6.2ltr
Will go alot harder and will also probably cost less in the long run

[pazrs]

It only needs a light freshen up and I already own it. Its not going in a race car, I don't want it to smash transfer cases.

[S133LTR]

I would definitely go for GM gaskets over Felpro.. Id go for most things over Felpro.

[Tre-Cool]

if your just rebuilding it to stock specs, just buy what ever gaskets are cheaper.

depending on condition of the internals when you strip it down, just pull the oil pump apart and check for wear, if it's all good. put it back in.

new valve springs like pac 915,918's are cheap from the us. under $200.

[GhostFc3s]

Buy a 6ltr or 6.2ltr
Will go alot harder and will also probably cost less in the long run

Way to fail at reading the op

[eScoRt20]

Way to fail at reading the op

yeah, that ASSASIN guy doesnt know what he is talking about, bloody muppet, what's he think he is? some kind of LS Expert or something? pfft!

[RICEY]

Expert or not he still didnt answer the ops question.

[AGIT8D]

VZ pistons have longer skirts I believe, so they fight the piston slap a little better.. Probably worth a look in if you're pulling it down.

[pazrs]

I'll get full aftermarket slugs if needed. They cheap cheap from US.

[AGIT8D]

Yeah I would too, you said you were building it to standard specs so I thought that might be some handy info for ya

[ASSASIN]

Way to fail at reading the op

Hey i gave the guy an option that is very viable
What did you offer the thread ????????????????

[ASSASIN]

If it is an early LS1 and it has a bottom end noise its probably spun a bearing or suffers from piston slap, If its piston slap the bores will no doubt be scored and need machining if your going to run new pistons. Call a few machine shops and get quotes on a torque plate hone. If its spun a bearing the crank will need to be polished or just try find another crank. If your going to assemble it yourself you will need special tooling like internal micrometres, external micrometres, tension wrench, ring grinder, feeler gauges and so on. The GM gaskets are quite expensive. I honestly would say its going to cost you 3k minimum and a shit load of time. In the quokka last week was a smashed VZ SS Thunder 6ltr for 5k. That gets you a late model 6ltr with a computer and engine harness, gearbox and all the little bits you need. And if your handy with the spanners you can part out whats left of the car and re coupe some coin.
Or you can usually pick up an LS1 with a computer and harness for around 3k for a decent one.

[pazrs]

I already own all the equipment you mentioned.

5k is ten times what I paid for this motor with all accessories.

I was more asking about what specific LS1 bits I should get, or what I should avoid.