Hi this is my first time on here was just looking around and thought maybe somebody could help me out... I have a 2002 Camaro Z28 all stock... The engine just started making some weird noises and I want to rebuild the engine.. So if I have no previous experience with engine removal or anything, I have done things like changing water pump, radiator, oil and stuff but never anything complex like taking the engine out... How hard is it to rebuild the engine myself if I just get a Service manual and go through it by that...
Also does anybody know of anywhere to get the rebuild kit for the LS1 5.7 L /350 engine???
or any suggestions on a low priced mechanic shop in Orange County, CA that I can get this done at???

 

With your experience I would have it done by a shop. It is not a easy job. I had my car dyno tuned at superior automotive in Anaheim http://superiorautomotive.com/about-...automotive.htm. They know what they are doing when it comes to building ls1's.

 

The LS1, which is 346 cubic inches, is NOT the engine to learn on. Rebuilding the engine is something that's cost effective only if you can do the work. If you pay someone to machine and assemble the engine, it will cost as much as a complete short or longblock bought outright, and it will take weeks of downtime.

Find out what's wrong with the engine before you throw money at it.

 

Good advice.

 

I almost disagree, I don't know about the machine shops there, but I was only quoted 800 to rebuild my ls1, as long as I had the parts and had the engine torn down to the block. 800+600 parts=1400. now new gaskets and fasteners arent included. They wanted like 2700 if I just dropped off the whole engine.

And as long as you have moderate experience with cars and doing stuff like dropping a transmission doesnt scare you, and you have an engine hoist, then you'll probably be able to do the removal and reinstall yourself.

I would NOT attempt the actual rebuild yourself.

 

$800 for machine work and assembly

 

yeah? why is that crazy?

 

The price is comically low. I think there was some miscommunication going on. Either you don't understand what he said, or something was left out. If that was the actual quote and was totally complete, then the machinist probably thinks he's working on a 350 SBC. Price shopping machine shops...

Numerous people have rebuilt their engines, parts and labor usually end up around $2200-$2500. I found the same when I looked into for my engine. For another couple hundred, you can buy a forged shortblock, with warranty, by someone with lots of experience with the LS1.

 

you're probably right, since my quote for just bringing them the whole thing was close to what you said. And I did what you said, i bought an engine from texas speed instead, only to find out the warranty doesnt seem to apply to a faulty reluctor wheel, they refused to pay labor to remove what they sold me, so that warranty is doing me no good. They claim that since it works its not their fault even though the best tuning guy in town says hes 100% sure its the reluctor wheel.

 

I don't know the details of that, but NOBODY warranties labor if they didn't do the work. As for covering the parts? They should, and I bet they will. But you still haven't PROVEN failure yet, have you?

 

idk man, you cant be more than 99% unless i tear it down. but I have spent over 600 from lots of experts and different shops to tell me its the reluctor and only the reluctor that can cause the issue, which can only be remedied with batch-fire mode.

all im saying, its kind of an a-hole move to be presented with the evidence and refuse to front the shop bill. it all could have been avoided if they didn't sell me faulty hardware. It was not an installation error, it was their quality control error and i don't want to have to pay for it so I flame them when I can just to warn people about what can happen when you get a "good deal" on a complete long block LSx.