To rebuild or not, that is the question.

[eants]

I have a very tired L-48, over 127K miles on her. Would it be beneficial to take the original engine out, rebuild it, maybe boost hp a little while engine is out, yada yada. OR opt for a nice ready to run crate engine?

 

[Tom73]

Pull the original and store it for future restoration. Then drop in a nice new crate engine that has a factory warranty

 

[Dave L.]

http://www.gmpartsdepot.com/store/product1.aspx?SID=2&Product_ID=1294&Category_ID=63
definitely store the original and go with a crate engine. GM has a very nice 290 horse engine out at a very good price. Go to above link and check out GM# 12499529. We've sold several of these at our dealership with good results.

 

[photovette]

I've had one of these motors for over 2 years and 20k miles--I love it--a lot more than 290hp and about 1/2 the price of a crate motor.

http://www.groomsengines.com/350-chevy.html

 

[Paranoid]

Pull the original and store it for future restoration. Then drop in a nice new crate engine that has a factory warranty

I agree. If you can swing the couple thousand price (I'm cash & carry) by all means I'd go with a crate. Wasn't an option for me and it took 2.5yrs to rebuild myself....yes, alone! :cry

 

[John Kuzman]

Take a look at the engines available at www.paceperformance.com. They are up in NE Ohio.

 

[Jack]

http://www.gmpartsdepot.com/store/product1.aspx?SID=2&Product_ID=1294&Category_ID=63
definitely store the original and go with a crate engine. GM has a very nice 290 horse engine out at a very good price. Go to above link and check out GM# 12499529. We've sold several of these at our dealership with good results.

To replace tired L-48, motor P/N 12499529 does look good ... it looks to be equivalent to a small valve L-82 (it has P/N 3896962 L-82 cam) ... and has 12mo/12Kmile GM warranty on parts & labor... suggest price-shop that P/N around and store the original. Good call Dave .
JACK:gap

 

[GTR1999]

I opt for rebuilding it. 120+ miles isn't a lot for a SBC,but then you probably don't know the history. If you need a rebore then use good parts and change the oil it will last you a lifetime. How many miles do you drive it a year, 1,2,or 3,000? even if you drive it 12,000 year you'll get a long life from it. You'll still have the original motor if you decide to sell it and you won't have another engine in your way at home. Crate motors are good and have their place but that's not the road I'd go with yours.

 

[goingballistic]

I chose a rebuild to a 383 stroker. I pulled the original and crated it. I looked into crate motors and none of them had exactly what I wanted internally, close but not exact. By rebuilding myself I got to pick exactly what I want and how I wanted it done, I also learned a LOT about motors in the mean time ( may be the engineer in me) that wanted to do that part, any way I'm glad I did it.

Bottom of the motor is ready working the top now, heads, intake etc. should be ready to go in by around March an push close to 490HP.........great project with my boys as well, they are learning tons about engines and parts combos.

 

[eants]

What are some expected costs in re-building? I know I will need to get the blocked checked, heads re-done (if I choose to keep them), replace cam…



The old notion of how fast you wanna go depends on how deep your pockets are. Without sacrificing reliability, if I do re-build, how many hp’s could I get out of the little engine that could?



So many questions, so little time.

 

[bradfordsvettes]

TO rebuild it correctly and have all specs like new and performance add ons would cost as much as a crate motor and no warranty. the crate motors are proven combinations that work . if you build one with the wrong part combs the motor may not run as good as the old one. i say crate if you have the money and a lot of options only my 2 cents Steve

 

[GTR1999]

If the job is done correct it will out last any 5 year warranty- as long as you're not racing it,but here are some things for thought.

Current machine cost as quoted to me last week in the NE.Variable pricing because of several quotes received.

block clean $50
deck block $85-125
bore & hone $ 120-175
polish crank $40-60
Grind crank ind index $90- 175
Piston R&R $40- 65
cam Brg's $25-40
Heads 3 angle $100-225
balance $175- 250
Assemble engine $ 250-500
Engine kit from Northern Autoparts under $300

If you can assemble it you'll save a lot plus your engine will not need all of these.

 

[Daryllawman]

I rebuilt my L-82 and it works great......I guess its whatever you like......Crate motors or Rebuilt.....??

 

[bmwgsa]

What are some expected costs in re-building?

I just had my L-83 rebuilt (it threw a crank bearing) -

with cleaning, machining, parts, etc.. it came to $4k.

 

[goingballistic]

I'm up to about $5500 and don't have the pumps and add ons yet, alt etc.

If you don't want to tinker, buy a crate. I chose to do my own, more money but more HP, about 490 calculated, engine Dyno this spring before the block goes in. The prices above are close to actuals I've paid already. If you are worried about $$$$ buy a crate, my first estimate was around $3k, as I dug in deeper I wanted better and better parts, hell if I'm going to do this, I might as well do it right ( at least the story I told the wife anyway )

Parts I didn't consider into the rebuild was an engine stand, tools, hoist etc and a lot of small things that made the money go up real quick. If it's the first time you've done this go and talk to some shops where you live and chat with the mechanics or better yet the owner and tell them what you want to do. Any one who is reputable will not steer you wrong. Make sure you talk to more than one.............it's your money, you might as well get what YOU want.

Good luck, if you need more info drop me a PM and I can forward you a parts list from mine and give you some idea. I also have a 383 crank and CAM for sale brand new, never used, external balance only.

 

[Chuck-75]

Id did ,or am doing the crate route. ZZ-383 w/ bto 200r4, will know this next spring how this combo works after I finish the rear suspension. ,