Engine Block Cracked

[Pranav]

I'd defer to Michael but I don't think anyone here will care enough to to stop you

The iron heads are a disadvantage across the board and if it gets you running faster to drop it in as is I'd just go for it

Try find another lt1 w aluminum heads later and get it setup the way you want to drop in later

[y5e06]

Finally got time to square away the shop and organize. Put the my 1995 donor LT1 car on the lift and started tearing into it.............IRON HEADS!!!! My bad I didnt think to check that the LT1 in a Z28 Camaro had Aluminum heads.....DOH. WTF. Anyways. I dont think the rules will allow me to run it like that since it wasnt ever a factory setup in a camaro. Thoughts?

I have a set of aluminum LT1 heads you can have. they need a refresh. I never used them just always had as a spare and never needed. they're located south of austin

[64GunPilot]

I have a set of aluminum LT1 heads you can have. they need a refresh. I never used them just always had as a spare and never needed. they're located south of austin

I will take you up on that offer for sure. PM'd!

[Sook]

I have heard the T5 doesnt handle LS too well. Im sure I'll end up with a T56. Its the easy button. I saw an LT1/T56 combo on for $3500. Was thinking about it. But I already have this 5.3.

If anyone sees or knows of a reasonable T56 forsale please let me know!!

You may know this already but just in case, the LT vs LS T56s are different.

- Josh

[Supercharged111]

You may know this already but just in case, the LT vs LS T56s are different.

- Josh

I think I priced the parts to convert one last year at $600, but it's a full teardown to do it.

[Fbody383]

I think I priced the parts to convert one last year at $600, but it's a full teardown to do it.

some will say you can just pull the front plate and swap it and the input shaft. We're in the camp if you're pulling it apart look at everything and shim it anyway. Since we starting shimming 2-3 thou tighter than factory we've had fewer issues.

[39PitCrew]

some will say you can just pull the front plate and swap it and the input shaft. We're in the camp if you're pulling it apart look at everything and shim it anyway. Since we starting shimming 2-3 thou tighter than factory we've had fewer issues.

And don't forget to marinade the blocker rings.

@David:
Do I remember right that on one rebuild we had some issues measuring for shims because usually the trans was dry but on that particular one there had been trans fluid in it and we kept getting different readings on the dial depending on if we spun the shaft or not? If I recall, it made 1-2 thou difference in the measurement.

[64GunPilot]

So, after a complete teardown of my junkyard 5.3 I've measured the bores after ball honing. Im 0.0015 out of round (1.5 thousandths) and the piston to wall clearance is about 0.005. New standard pistons should bring it down between 0.002 - 0.003 but thats the best Im gonna get before having to go full bore and upsize and rebalance at the machine shop.

Anyone here think 0.0015 out of round is a problem? New pistons (hypereutectic) and send it?

[Supercharged111]

I think you should have left the pistons in the holes, checked a couple of bearings for copper, and sent that lump. There's plenty of money to spend elsewhere in the swap. They usually out down around 275whp junkyard fresh.

[64GunPilot]

I think you should have left the pistons in the holes, checked a couple of bearings for copper, and sent that lump. There's plenty of money to spend elsewhere in the swap. They usually out down around 275whp junkyard fresh.

I don't think this engine was gonna last very long based on what I see. I can tell you a cam lobe was eaten by a bad lifter, cam bearings were shot, and the heads had some exhaust bolts snapped off. So thinking the eaten cam metals might have damaged the lower end bearings, I decided a full teardown was in order. The lower end was amazingly in like new condition.

So thats where Im at. Full bore, or just slap in some new stuff and send it or does anyone think original pistons with 5 thou PTW clearance is ok? Send it?