Well I know this guy that is willing to sell me a complete LS1 minus the alternator, starter, coil packs, and wiring. It is out of a 98 T/A and probably has about 60,xxx miles on it. He is offering me a special price of $1000. Does this seem like a GREAT deal or just a good deal. Engine did run when he bought it and has not taken it apart. Any feed back on this possible purchase would be appreciated. I i told the person i would get back to him tomorrow asap.

 

eh.. sounds like an ok deal, if you could know there were no problems and the true milage.. used 60k+ ls1/T56 combos +wiring costs about 3-4grand so sounds like a good deal

 

whats his reason for selling it ?

 

He has had it sitting around his shop for a year or so and was tired of looking at it.

 

It's a good deal but look it over and make sure there is no damage and that you can turn it over by hand with out it getting stuck or stopping. Also check for the oil plugs before you install it. They can be easy to miss!

 

What are you going to use it for?

Depending on your needs, you can build a 500+hp carbuereted small block for under a grand. I know that IMCA circle track racers have a rule which basically limits the engine to about $525, and those guys are putting over 500 to the ground.

If you're going to use it for a street car / daily driver, then I wouldn't go that route, but if you're building a track car or something, you might want to consider some other options.

 

these hold up well. make sure that is all that is minus with the car and no surprises post-purchase.

 

That is pure unadulterated bullcrap. No way can you buy and build any motor to 500hp for a grand.
You misunderstand the IMCA rule. The rule is that if you win a race anybody can claim your motor and only have to give you $525. That rule is to keep money guys frim building maga dollar motors and dominating a class. It still costs many more than the $525 to build an engine for this class but nobody uses exotic or expensive parts because it could be claimed on their first win.

 

Horsepower TV built an IMCA circle track car. They built a naturally aspirated & carbuereted small block 377 which pulled over 500rwhp on the dyno. They said they spent "about $525" on the engine.

That is the extent of my knowledge.

 

Catch the show on a rerun and watch it again. That's not what they said, I watched it too

 

So now that we're hijacking the thread... lol, Whats a more realistic figure, i was thinking more around 2 grand for a good 400crank HP build, with mostly new parts

 

400 crank HP is an easy easy goal. A good tune and a Cam can net you 475 Crank HP fairly easy on an LS1.

 

With stock heads? That's going to be a nasty idle.

 

for 400 crank HP the stock bottom end is fine as long as you stay below/at the 6500rpm range
the stock bottom end is actually fairly strong, the weal spot are the rod bolts.
for 2K and 400+rwhp just do a heads and cam package
using your block and crank I could build a forged 347 short block for about $2500.00

 

No its not. My car has at least 475 crank HP and it does not idle that rough. Yes,it has stock heads.