Rebuild or buy new crate motor?

[ssxcytmnt]

My car has 290,000 miles and has been running fine until now. The engine has a knocking sound and the ses light is constantly on for knocking. I took it to a good friend who builds chevy race cars and he said it was a internal problem and with so many miles, it would be better to either rebuild the motor with all new parts or purchase a new crate motor from the dealership. I plan on keeping the car for a very long time. What are the pros and cons of rebuilding vs a new crate motor as far as price, performance, and anything else you can think of? Ive never had a car this long to require an engine over haul. Thanks a bunch for any input.

[wileyCoyote]

congrats - sounds like you've done well to get that mileage! if it were me, i'd probably look at a crate engine, but that's mainly because i don't have the skill and equipment to DIY a rebuild.. another factor is how often you need it, or can it be down for a long time?

[Z28_Driver]

If you have the time, some mechanical ability, and a friend or two to help muscle parts around go fro the rebuild. Its a lot of fun and a very rewarding experience.
Figure probably 2 weeks, maybe a month between removal, teardown, machining, assembly, and install. Assuming you work on it most days after work and weekends. Can you have your car out of service that long?

[SMWS6TA]

OP, fyi...

LS6 crate motors are getting harder to find. Some genius at GM decided to stop producing them instead of the LS1. So now any left in stock are going for a premium.

LS2/3's will fit in our cars but they require more stuff and work then a LS1/6/LQ9 swap.

[JayTA98]

if it is an A4 and you have the money , rebuilt your tranny as well. That's alot of miles. I hope my car goes that far as well.

[oldmano2z]

I got an ls6 crate before they got gone . long block ls1 crate cheap. i think they stopped the ls1 block in late 01 or 02 . so i think the ls1 crate is ls6 block with ls1 heads and cam.it seems to me firebirdjones is a knowledgable person would you care to elaborate on the issue??

[cammed goat]

OP, fyi...

LS6 crate motors are getting harder to find. Some genius at GM decided to stop producing them instead of the LS1. So now any left in stock are going for a premium.

LS2/3's will fit in our cars but they require more stuff and work then a LS1/6/LQ9 swap.

And LS3s are expensive to boot. The dealership that replaced my LS1 wanted 10 grand for the motor/labor. YIKES!!!

[SMWS6TA]

you know with the cost of LS3's I think it may be better to just get a LSX.....

[cammed goat]

you know with the cost of LS3's I think it may be better to just get a LSX.....

^This.

[transamtom]

Here are some crate engines and they have free shipping until the end of May.

http://www.slponline.com/browse_list_site.asp?SPC=enp

[Ripinator]

My car has 290,000 miles and has been running fine until now. The engine has a knocking sound and the ses light is constantly on for knocking. I took it to a good friend who builds chevy race cars and he said it was a internal problem and with so many miles, it would be better to either rebuild the motor with all new parts or purchase a new crate motor from the dealership. I plan on keeping the car for a very long time. What are the pros and cons of rebuilding vs a new crate motor as far as price, performance, and anything else you can think of? Ive never had a car this long to require an engine over haul. Thanks a bunch for any input.

Did an "ls6 crate engine" search and came up with the following:

http://store.gmperformanceparts.com/...alerResult.jsp

Don't know if the engine is available from all the dealers listed, but that should give you a place to start.

Rip

[SMWS6TA]

Did an "ls6 crate engine" search and came up with the following:

http://store.gmperformanceparts.com/...alerResult.jsp

Don't know if the engine is available from all the dealers listed, but that should give you a place to start.

Rip

linky no worky

[Ripinator]

linky no worky

Sorry. . . Try this one,

http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/En...1268&engCat=ls

and then click on "Shop Now"

Rip