Since you guys seemed to miss the point of my last post maybe this one will answer what I want to know . Basically I am trying to find out if it is just a myth that people have had troubles with locally built LT1s. Stroked or otherwise. ALL I want to know is if you know of an LT1 that failed, and what broke. If you cannot answer that, please do not post. So far I only know of Shaun and sandeeps problems which have not yet been diagnosed. I dont have much info on sandeeps though. Maybe you could fill me in on what happened. Bad noises?

Niterider, I suggest you not post ANY replys to my messages. You are starting to irritate me with your post whoring in my threads. And I dont irritate well.
CoryM

 

mine too, rings, valve seals, the builder told me id have ported heads etc. we took the intake off, stock heads. bunch of electrical problems, the coil was on backwards, they didnt even hook up the coolant sensor, i told them my lifters were shot, id need new ones, they installed the old ones back. charged me for a new opti and all they did was a cap and rotor. nevr trust locals!!

 

damn that is ****ty man, just curious but what shop was it?

 

i wont name names, because i did get my money back from non leagal ways but other then sandeep, rickerby and myself i dont think most have gotten our lt1s rebuilt.

 

I find it hard to believe that there isnt a single person out there that hasnt had some success somewhere. This has been an interesting couple threads.

Im so glad I have an LS1.

 

lol, how many ls1s do you think have been rebuilt, wait till its your turn! they wont have a clue what to do

 

I had my engine refreshed - new bearings, cleaned, honed etc - at Cords in Victoria and was very happy with the job.

 

LOl I dont think so man. I havent heard to many LS1 horror stories. 400rwhp is easily done.

 

no what i meant was wait till its time for a local shop to rebuild one i dont think any one has had to yet.

 

So basically all the of the problems you listed 93 formula were done by a hacker. To justify that as a reason why all local builder suck is unfortunately extremely ignorant. Just as i have stated before i will state again there are incompetent people in every trade be it carpentry, plumbing.electrical, mechanical or whatever. It is up too you as a consumer to research and analyze who you choose to do the job. I myself choose to do the work myself cause i know i wont cheat myself and i will do the job right. I have spent many years building this car and a problem i see amongst the majority is too rush in without researching. I on the other hand dont look for cheapest way to do things, i look and pay for the right way to do things. A reputable person will stand by his work until the job is done right. I have helped many people on this board be it on the phone or by actually doing the work. I have lent tools and my time for many years and i will continue to do so. There are many good people locally with many skills and good business sense. It sometimes takes the time too look for them, or sometimes just to ask the right people. My Motor was built by Richmond race engines I have spent a lot of time talking with him and dealing with him. He has been nothing but helpful and he will baffle your mind with the knowledge he has. My original 383 is still the same as it was i had issues with my valvetrain originally which where caused due too bad judgement and rushing on my part . I have since altered my setup severely and have Richmond backing my setup all the way. He has been excellent service wise to me and has also been extremely patient with my build and the amount of time it is taking me too complete my setup. Sandeep might have had some issues but i have officially decided to help him figure them out and i am sure when all is said and done the problem will lie elsewhere and if it doesnt i know Jim Richmond will back it 100%. Shauns motor on the other hand we all unfortuately have the misfortune of nowing was more then likely a bad tune on the initial startup. Sure there may have been other variables but people need to understand how improtant the first hours of a fresh motors break in are. I will not be running the same risks i am planning on running and breaking my motor in on a engine dyno more then likely with a carbed setup just for simplicity sake of tuning in and getting the motor prepped. After that i will patiently alter my dfi till i have it setup the way it is going to be. This will unfortunatley cost me thousands to do but it for one will give me the consciousness of heart of knowing i did it right the first time round.

Later
Mike

 

The first 30 mins the motor runs on start up are the most important 30 mins it'll ever see, but you still have to make sure you drive nice, no load, high revs, lots of DECEL on the HWY etc... Sandeeps problem was they lied to him or took advantage of his lack of knowledge at the time, & they reused the lifters which in turn resulted in lifter failure & since his rockers are self aligning they cam off the springs & some destroyed the springs resulting in a droped valve which luckely just bent slightly & wedged itself in the valve guide, good thing this shows this spring broke at high rpm, otherwise there wouldn't be a piston to talk about Sandeep the valve would have had plenty of time to drop.


Anyways, you can have an LT1 built up nice, just that most people around here don't give a rats A$$, I hear really good things about High Performance Engines, I talked to them personally & they do know their stuff & most importantly sound very nice.

 

This is true . Ill go to a shop that SPECIALIZES in my ls1 if I ever need major work done . I would do the same with the LT1 if I was so equiped . It just makes sence to me . The online sponsors have there reputation on the line . If you have an engine built from a reputable sponsor and it chews itself up you have recourse . Word travels so fast online its crazy and there is pressure on the sponsors all the time . There always being watched . Its harder to go public againsed a local builder . . . . how do you get the word out to enough potential customers to put the squeze on there buisiness . kinda scary

 

true

 

The fact that some one of his rocker nuts broke several months ago and he drove around wouldnt have anything to do with the potential of damagong his valve and what not. If the lifters werent told to be replaced then why would they replace them. Unfortunately $hit happens and stuff fails be it aftermarket or stock. IF you want to blame richmond for that then thats fine i just think it is foolish.

Also Matt I dont want any stupid one word answers so please delete your last useless post.
Thanks

Later
Mike

 

OK guys, I think my question has been answered. So far there have only been 4 failures. One was from a hack doing the work. One was from washing out the rings, and two still havent been sent back to the engine guy for inspection and repairs. Hopefully the last two builders will stand by their work if it is their fault.
Here is the thing that gets me. I have personally broken more engines than that in the past year in my camaro Broke a few rockers, One spun rod bearing (oil pump failed), one deceased camshaft, then this 377 stretched some valves requiring a top end rebuild (not 100% sure but that may have been my fault), now I have broken something else that is making a ton of blue smoke which is yet to be diagnosed.
I dont go around saying that all SBC are junk .
Anyhow, thanks for the input.
CoryM