Walmart is not to blame here.. but good luck getting a new engine in the car.

 

I don't think Wal-Mart is to blame either. I should have checked the filter before I put it on. My mistake.

And just FYI, I've been turning wrenches on cars since I was 13.

I'm actually pretty excited about this. Its just pushing me to do something I was already going to do... UPGRADE! I need more power! Make me some offers everyone. I want to buy an engine already built. It can be stock or high output.

 

Well it's a little confusing when the title of your thread is "Wal-Martcost me an LT1 today.... " Nothing personal it just appeared away, especially when people reply telling you what you can get out of it.

 

This happened to me with my Caprice two years ago. I was at Advance Auto buying the Purolator Pure One for my car and didn't open the box to see if the filter matched the box. I got home, took it out and SHOULD have noticed that Pure One filters aren't white. I also should have looked at the number on the filter. I didn't. I filled it with oil and screwed it on the adapter and I noticed that the filter was not as wide as it should have been. But I figured maybe it was a Pure One thing. I filled the car with oil, and started it up, eyeing the oil pressure gauge as usual. It took a few seconds to come up and when it did, it hovered around 20psi. I looked under the car and oil was going everywhere, so I shut it off. No damage done because it actually had plenty of oil pressure for idle and never dumped all the oil but I was pissed. I called up the store and yelled at them and I think I got the correct Pure One out of it.

 

That was the funniest thing I have read in a long time, I laughed so hard I nearly cried. Good luck building the engine. I kinda know how you feel about the "glad it happened so I could upgrade" thing, cause I spun a bearing in nov. of last year. I drove it down the interstate to a friends house (had to stop due to heat issues). Then I drove it on home, in all it was about a 50 mile trip................that was it for ALL my bearings. But I was happy as hell because I knew I could explain to the old lady how I HAD to have all those parts in my sig.

 

Check for GP and there are a couple engines on eBay.

 

What is GP?

BTW, I found an offer for a 355 lt1 that ran 10's on NOS and runs high 11's w/out. This motor comes with all accessories. He will sell me the motor and install it for $2400. Is this a good deal? Oh, and it was just rebuilt. Guy said he built it, put it in, then put a 383 in it.

Honestly, I don't even know whats wrong with the motor I have. When I start it up from a cold start it taps really bad for a about one second. After that, if you listen really hard you can hear the tapping. If you rev it up, you can hear it more. It took it to the local mech. and he said he thought it was a connecting rod. I thought it was more something in the heads. A friend of mine told me it was a push rod, not a connecting rod. All I know is, it still pulls pretty well, but it knocks. And its really stumbly at low rpms. How do I know for sure what it is?

What I'm trying to get at.....

If I have to get head work, that's $700 to take the heads out, and get em ported + $200 for the internal parts. Then I would get headers while it was in. All together it would come to around $1200. Right? Plus I would still have a bottom end with 115k on it.

On the other hand, I can get a stock or HO LT1 for $1000-2400 installed with no miles. I'll let you guys decide for me since I can"t make up my mind

This guy says I can run this 355 w/the factory 3.42's. Is this true?

 

Post more details about that 355. That deal sounds too good to be true, and things like that generally are.

 

I would never buy a motor built by someone unless it was someone i trusted or was friends with. There is just to many things that you have no idea if it was done right or not.

 

Group Purchase

 

Ditto, i always opent he box and make sure the filter in the box matches the part number ont he box.

 

just for example..the cost of my engine being 'rebuilt' and then upgraded a bit..was about $2700...if this engine is really that nice..(I.E. new parts..remachined fresh..stuff that hasnt sat around for awhile to collect rust..) then its a GREAT deal. But like mentioned before..USUALLY when something is too good to be true..it is Unless..you dont need the car daily..and you can get it in WRITING EVERYTHING including parts numbers (and brands) of what he installed with prices of EACH piece, the amount to install (labor), what his warrenty coverage is (usually someone will do like a 12 month/ 12k mile warrenty on privatley built motors..mine did). I had problems with my guy..he put in a "big CRANE cam and 1.6 RR's"..and all that stuff..but never mentioned the actual specifications and stuff..so I have no idea how to tune my motor Im currently in despute with him cause he 'cant remember' everything..and doesnt think he can come up with reciepts for all parts. I do know its fast.much more than a stock Z28 and havent timed her yet at the track.
Like I said, its a good deal IF he covers EVERYTHING in writing, then ask him if he covers it to be rebuilt if it blows due to parts (and not your neglegence of maintinence). Also make sure he covers it to be towed if it has to be to be fixed. Learn from others mistakes..the parts in my car are working great...it has ***** of freakins STEEL and my only problem is I cant plant the power down (stock rear w 3:42's). BUT..I cant tune it without knowing what I have exactly. Good luck..sorry its so long but just keep in mind the reprocusions of not getting it in writing! (I mean EVERYTHING in writing..date you dropped it off..his quote on how long it will take him to swap..even..will he cover he electrical swap for sensors and new O2 plugs and stuff..think of everything)
By the way, if you ask of all this from him and he has a problem or diverts from the question..its bogus. He shouldnt have a problem at all covering his 'good work' if its infact..good. And the warrenty shows good faith in his work. If he wont give you an exact parts list with numbers...dont do it. He may have some 'used-shady' parts in the motor you'd never know until you drive away or something happens and you tear her open.

 

Can one of you direct me to an engine that you know for sure is a good deal from someone trustworthy?

 

I picked up my 46,000 mile CC306 cammed engine from Texas for 600 dollars + 185 shipping. I guess I just got lucky... had to replace the valve springs but everything seemed to be ok when it arrived.

It was a 94 complete from intake to oil pan. Was posted on LS1tech in for sale section. I say hunt around a little.. if you can afford the 2400.00 go ahead.

 

Wall-Mart didn't ruin your engine,mechanic error got it.