What to do now

[Decadence75]

So. I spent the last few years collecting parts to install into my LS1. FAST 102, NW 102, FAST lid, LS3 rails and injectors, Racetronix pump, 243 heads with stage 2 CNC work from TEA and a grind from Martin Smallwood clocking in at 230/234 .629/.612 112+2.

Now my problem is... I came into possession of a 6.2 aluminum shortblock that dropped a valve and borked all the pistons. I am torn between finishing what I started or building a 418 out of this new block which will mean a good deal more money for a dip then rotating assembly.

I know the 418 will make much more HP even with the same top end I planned for the LS1. But I honestly never take my car to the track or race it. It is something I pull out when I want to go for a ride and feel free from all the bull. I love the sound of my current GMPP HOTcam and don't really know what I should do at this point since I am not a track fiend.

Advice?

[SMWS6TA]

been there. mine sat almost 2 years in my garage while I sourced parts. I got to tge point I wanted it built so I could ride it again.

To be honest hard choice. If it's something that you can knock out under a year I'd wait. If it's going to take longer to finish (money) then I'd go ahead and get it up and running so I could enjoy and save up for the other build.

[Decadence75]

been there. mine sat almost 2 years in my garage while I sourced parts. I got to tge point I wanted it built so I could ride it again.

To be honest hard choice. If it's something that you can knock out under a year I'd wait. If it's going to take longer to finish (money) then I'd go ahead and get it up and running so I could enjoy and save up for the other build.

It would likely be well over a year before I could get the engine built. Getting the LS1 kitted out was what I was kind of leaning toward. Because honestly, I am not even sure that I need anything more beefy than what it will be able to provide.

[SMWS6TA]

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested in that short block but to be honest I can't right now. I have several big things coming up over the next yr or so and I just can't divert funds away to something that I would put to good use. Plus my wife would kill me.

[Decadence75]

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested in that short block but to be honest I can't right now. I have several big things coming up over the next yr or so and I just can't divert funds away to something that I would put to good use. Plus my wife would kill me.

Oh, I understand. I sold my 6.0 iron block to pay for half of this one haha. Same here with the big things. My house A/C went out last week and I don't really have the 10K it's gonna take to replace it. So I am living with an average of 77-80 degrees inside the house right now. That really burns when I have to go do work in the blasting cabinet. Not to mention I really wouldn't feel right selling off a block to someone that I am not 100% sure about myself. Like I said, the vehicle it came out of dropped a valve and pieces of it bounced around damaging most of the cylinders. I need to tear the engine down and have the block dipped and tested to make sure it is sound. But after that I just might put it up for sale, haha. Who knows. Because at this rate getting a 418 rotating assembly, cam, probably new injectors, heads, rectangle fast 102 would take me a few years more than likely.

At this point instead of making a super powerplant maybe I should save money for a new rear end (original 10bolt with the original 3.23 gears), thinking Strange S60. Not to mention I probably need to get the T56 beefed up, prolly send it to Jason at Texas Drive Train Performance.

[Decadence75]

Middle of the night so bad lighting but at least 4 of the cylinders have substantial damage. Just hoping the sleeves are ok.

[DarrenWS6]

As tempting as that sounds, I would pass and stick to your original plan. You have collected everything and your close to being all ready. And as you mentioned, beefing up the other areas like the 10 bolt definitely come to mind vs rebuilding a 6.2L that you could always purchase later down the road if you wish.

[tberg725]

Being stuck in this position all the time between the fox body, street glide, trans am and my truck it's always a bummer having to chose, BUT sense you dont have the funds right away I would just hang onto the block and get your car together with the ls1 its gonna be fun to drive and make pretty good power then just build the ls3 and make it into that 418/427 as time and the extra cash allows �� that's the way I go about it