What local shop to use for rebuiding LT-1? - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

97ws6 · 03-24-2007, 07:02 PM

My LE-2 Setup is due to arrive next week, i have a spare stock shortblock i would like rebuilt ,so i can bolt on My LE-2 Heads, and install in my car, this way i dont have to rip apart my motor. I was thinking of buying the Summit LT-1 rebuild kit, and having a local machine shop do the machining, and put together the shortblock. Anybody know of a good one?

JSPERFORMANCE · 03-25-2007, 07:50 AM

dont get the Summit kit it is composed of the cheapest parts available, that is why its CHEAP!
We really don't even use "Kits" here I usually pick and choose the best parts for the particular job I am doing...

97ws6 · 03-25-2007, 11:24 AM

Federal mogul bearings, and sealed power pistons and rings, and felpro gaskets are whats in the Summit Kit. Are these cheap? I am trying to put together a reliable rebuilt shortblock for a reasonable price. I am looking to spend 800.00 to 900.00 for the machine work an assembly, and 400 to 500 in parts. If i cant get a shortblock built for that, i will go to Golen and get his 355, or 383 for $2500.00. Chad builds great motors, and has a good reputation. I have put this post up before, and had very little response, i guess nobody gets there motors rebuilt anymore, they must be going with shortblocks.

bubba428 · 03-25-2007, 01:05 PM

federal mogul is really good, so is sealed power, fel-pro is awsome. i thing JS was refering to the heads and performance kits

97ws6 · 03-25-2007, 08:19 PM

Yea i know Summit sells some cheap stuff, but the engine kit looks OK. What local shop can do a quality LT-1 rebuild for a fair price? You know the LT-1 shortblock isnt a whole lot different that the Gen 1 motor when it comes to a rebuild, its my understanding that the crank, and timing set are the only difference.

j0n · 03-25-2007, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97ws6

Yea i know Summit sells some cheap stuff, but the engine kit looks OK. What local shop can do a quality LT-1 rebuild for a fair price? You know the LT-1 shortblock isnt a whole lot different that the Gen 1 motor when it comes to a rebuild, its my understanding that the crank, and timing set are the only difference.

PM unstablebobgable. He recommended a shop to me that's in the area.

JSPERFORMANCE · 03-26-2007, 07:18 AM

I think your expected budget is a bit low either way. The Summit kits can come a few different ways. Sealed power is decent as well as fel pro. You cant really order the pistons until you see how the block cleans up. I also dont know many builders that allow the customer to supply their own soft parts, I know we dont. Every builder has parts that he preferrs to use and when the customer supplies their own it makes the builder have to try to make those parts work rather than ordering what he knows will work. Whoever you decide to use just bring them your hard parts and let them do their thing. If you dont trust them enough to get your parts you shouldnt trust them to build you an engine.

johnjzjz · 03-26-2007, 05:22 PM

almost all the shops owners i talk to at the track i have known for years -- wont assemble a you bring your own parts motor - they will only do the machine work and hand it back to you - to many things can go wrong than the customer wants a guarantee on the whole motor for a couple hundred bucks -- i don't think so -- better find a shop before you start shopping -- jz

JSPERFORMANCE · 03-26-2007, 07:44 PM

that s what I was trying to say... just a little nicer! lol

Bandit · 03-26-2007, 07:50 PM

just buy a crate motor, maybe cheaper.

johnjzjz · 03-26-2007, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSPERFORMANCE

that s what I was trying to say... just a little nicer! lol

it is what it is

njcamaroz2895 · 03-26-2007, 08:49 PM

I am having my LT1 rebuilt and stroked to a 383 with new rear gears stall converter,headers new gm distributor, balanced/blueprinted for under 5 grand, the motor is 3075 complete from a guy in maryland about 25min from delaware memorial bridge, this guy delivers a complete turn key setup with the computer done by PCM for less.If you want his info let me know, my car will be producing about 430hp

97ws6 · 03-26-2007, 08:55 PM

Yea i here you guys, its exactly what i was thinking, nobody wants to do the work, unless they sell you the parts, because they make money on that to. Its not enough to just make money on the machining, we live in Jersey, so now we are talking 2 grand to do a shortblock. I know what the parts cost, and i know what others are charging for the machine work. I am looking to build a 355 lt-1, with LE-2 Heads, and cam. I would like to get just the machine work done, i will assemble it myself, i need the block cleaned and Magnafluxed, punched 30 over, line honed, decked, and cam bearings installed. That should come to $600 TO $700. I will assemble it myself, not a problem. Who here has had this type of work done? Who did the work?

JSPERFORMANCE · 03-26-2007, 08:58 PM

Your estimate is still a bit low.

97ws6 · 03-26-2007, 09:08 PM

Really, this is Golens chinese menu

Block work:

Oven Clean, Shot Blast & Mag Block $80

Bore & Hone Block $300

Deck V-8 Block $80

Align Hone Main Line $150

Install pistons on rods v-8 (8) $40

Resize V-8 rods (per 8) $130

johnjzjz · 03-26-2007, 09:13 PM

the last shop i had in hackensack 15 years ago the town permit to operate an auto shop yearly was 1200 bucks city water was another 250 a year garbage was 90 bucks a month elect was 800 a month oil was 6000 per year year when it was 75 cents a gallon - not counting insurance, hospital plans for the guys, and stupid stuff like that - i guess your right wanting to sell parts as well letting - my kids eat - yep rip off in jersey you bet -- jz

97ws6 · 03-26-2007, 09:20 PM

Hey i didnt say you were ripping anybody off, you said that, 6-700 a day, for one engines worth of machine work ,is 12 to 14000, a month, do 2, and its 24 to 28000 per month, thats 20 working days, not counting Saturday. I know how hard it is to live in Jersey, i have a daughter in college, and 2 grandkids, thats why i dont want to pay 2 grand for one days work!

johnjzjz · 03-26-2007, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97ws6

Really, this is Golens chinese menu

Block work:

Oven Clean, Shot Blast & Mag Block $80

Bore & Hone Block $300

Deck V-8 Block $80

Align Hone Main Line $150

Install pistons on rods v-8 (8) $40

Resize V-8 rods (per 8) $130

Oven Clean, Shot Blast & Mag Block $80

i am not picking on your pal but you might want to know the electric to run the shot machine not counting the steel shot is 35 bucks and the electrolyte for the mag gun is 125 bucks a 5 gallon pail yes it lasts a while --

and it takes a competent guy an hour and a 1/2 to do up a set of rods after they have been cleaned bases ground new bolts installed - not counting weather you put bushings in the small ends and size them as well to spec than both ends are matched in their overall length so the motors deck hight is correct length wise -- well maybe its just the out of control way we do it in jersey -- jz

johnjzjz · 03-26-2007, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97ws6

Hey i didnt say you were ripping anybody off, you said that, 6-700 a day, for one engines worth of machine work ,is 12 to 14000, a month, do 2, and its 24 to 28000 per month, thats 20 working days, not counting Saturday. I know how hard it is to live in Jersey, i have a daughter in college, and 2 grandkids, thats why i dont want to pay 2 grand for one days work!

i am also not a young guy - but my retired shop labor rate is 2800 per week on avarage - you pay for talent in the real world -- not excuses -- jz

97ws6 · 03-26-2007, 09:40 PM

Again i know how much it costs in New Jersey, so whats going to happen, everybody is going to go out of town, and buy a shortblock. If i have to spend 2 grand for machine work, and assembly of a shortblock, i may as well just buy a shortblock, have you seen Golens warranty?

JSPERFORMANCE · 03-27-2007, 06:06 AM

In my experience you always get what you pay for. Shops that have a lowball price sheet usually either half ass the work or call you later and say things like "the generic prices dont apply to your engine because of ****". Do what you want but jz and I are just giving you advise based on our experience.

Pampered-Z · 03-27-2007, 01:08 PM

Below is what was on the invoice from 2002 for my stroker. it was done by Nutech in Ohio, but Nick is no longer open??? But I don't know if the prices would change if they didn't do all the work? Also, I dropped over 5G's total with all the parts I bought.

Bake/clean and wash block - $50
Mag block - $50
Bore and Hone block -$75
Install 4 bolt main caps - $75
Deck block - $50
Clearance for stroker - $125
File fit rings - $50
Balance assembly - $250
Assembly Rotating assembly - $200
Misc - install freeze plugs, cam bering etc - $50

I don't see balancing in your budget?

As far as the budget for parts, I think you need to look more at cost. Without looking and internals such as bearings, piston, rings, Just a straight cam install on an LT1 gets expensive. You need to either go GM extreem duty for $250 or go double roller and electric water pump (still about
$250) With an LE2 your going to need to spin the engine to 6400 RPMs, more then you want to push the stock single roller chain. All the seals and gaskets will run you close too, if not over $200.

jwscab · 03-27-2007, 04:15 PM

these guys certainly seem to be jumping down your throat for what is probably a couple hundred dollars in error, IF you are assembling this yourself.

I would say your estimates are close, for machine work and soft parts. Maybe a couple hundred more depending on the shop you go to.

realistically, the summit kit is just fine. If you happen to have the pistons in hand, then sure, the machine shop can make sure the bores have the best nominal piston to bore clearance. Otherwise, there is nothing wrong with the rings, the bearings, or the gaskets. The pistons, if you get forged ones, are just a little heavy, but are good if you ever plan to hit it with spray.

I use a machine shop guy down near Mt Holly, but I don't actually know the name of his shop! his name is Gil. I have also used martyn motors with no major problems. The yellow pages will get you what you need, if you can visit the place, all the better.

If you aren't sure what you are doing, it is usually best to have an experienced guy assemble it for you, there are some fine details that need to be paid attention to, but if you have the drive, its easily accomplished.

there are a couple of good points so far here though....a better timing chain might be worthwhile.

it seems like everyone goes to shortblocks these days. its due to either not knowing enough about it, or just not caring but having the cash. sometimes, its not enough space to build an engine, the list goes on. of course, don't forget all these fast racer types that scare you into thinking if its not super forged billet splayed 18 bolt-main titanium girdle that it won't last on its way to the local convenience store....

johnjzjz · 03-27-2007, 06:53 PM

wow now i have been told the truth --the guys who do work for nothing and no one remember the name of the shop are the real ones to use -- yep i got it -- AND now i know the reason we spend hours in the staging lanes waiting for the debris to be cleared - i have always heard the term - from whats his name shop -- i stand corrected - jz

njcamaroz2895 · 03-27-2007, 07:07 PM

I found a great mechanic in Maryland , believe me I researched the entire NJ and NY area, prices were very high for a modest LT1 rebuild ,remember if you have the motor out of the car you might as well build it the way you want before it goes back in instead of a half ass job and then spending more money later because it is not fast enough or breaks down.But everyone up here charges you for just opening the hood and looking at your ride.
My guy uses the same exact parts as some of the locals up here but doesn't get greedy with profit and he does it all trans,gears,etc...