Taking the LS Leap

[timuh60]

So, I have been reading this site for a couple of years really wanting to dive in and PT-up my 68 Camaro. I finally decided to take the plung and looked for an LS1 to start with. I finally bought a 98 Corvette LS1 off ebay for $1550 shipped. The story is the engine was a dealer pull out with only 2K miles because of a broken starter mount (that has since been fixed). The guy I got it from bought the engine for a future prodject but never did anything with it. So, after several years of sitting under a table in his shop, he finally sold it (to me).
Unfortunatly, I purchased this engine as I was leaving for yet another year long tour in Afghanistan. It was delivered just before I left so I wasn't able to check it out closely. I did take some pics before I left so I can start finding and buying the needed part so install when I get back. I will also be looking for suspension and break parts to get the car moving (and stopping) in the right direction.
I think I may have gotten a great deal if all is true of the engine. What you see in the pic is what I got. What do you think?

[andrewb70]

Looks good. Stay safe!

Andrew

[dhutton]

I don't think those heads and throttle body are from a 98 so it looks to me like this may have been pieced together. I would have someone remove the heads and pan and take a closer look before investing a lot of money in this engine. Just my opinion.

[1badchevelle]

what he said^ also note 98 are prone to oiling problem and cracks in the block.

[andrewb70]

what he said^ also note 98 are prone to oiling problem and cracks in the block.

I always find it funny when blanket statements like this are made. What does "prone to oiling problems and cracks in the block" mean exactly? There were about 31,000 Corvettes made in 1998. Was there a recall because of cracking blocks or oiling problems? Maybe the "oiling problems" were due to poor maintenance or the use of the wrong oil? I do believe Mobile 1 was recommended. Maybe the blocks cracked due to over heating?

My point is that its dangerous to make grand generalizations based on a few incidents which had questionable causes, or worse, internet hearsay.

Andrew

[subtlez28]

1st of all I agree with Andrew. 98s have a bad, mostly undeserved wrap. My 84 is getting a 98 LS1, so I hope we are right!

I don't think those heads and throttle body are from a 98 so it looks to me like this may have been pieced together. I would have someone remove the heads and pan and take a closer look before investing a lot of money in this engine. Just my opinion.

I agree with dhutton also. 97 and 98 should have perimeter bolt valve covers (not the center bolt type pictured). That is no big deal though as 98 heads are nothing special. What are the cast numbers on the corner of the heads (3 digit)?

I also agree w pulling the pan (I assume you will change pans anyway). I would replace the rod bolts quick w ARPs or Katechs as they are cheap insurance.

Thank you for your service!

[timuh60]

Thanks for the observation guys. I know you can find some great deals on ebay and at the same time taking a huge risk. I did attempt to buy a 69' Camaro on ebay a few years back when I was in Germany. Long story short, The guy hijacked someone's profile, listed it, and I bought it (bank to bank wire). I get word from the true owner of the profile and was able to have the police freeze his account before he could withdraw the funds. Happy ending, got my money back 6 months later. So I know you can get burned.

That being said, how can i tell if this was pieced together? I did take pics of the numbers on it before I left. Is there a place I can look up the numbers on them. Here are a few pics of the numbers on one of the heads, back of the block, and the white stickers on the engine. The numbers on the back of the block are 64906 and 1X5118157. Thanks for your help.

[subtlez28]

The 853 on the head designates that is a 99-01 LS1 head.

Maybe it is just a 98 short block.

Here is a link that can help you decode part #s:
http://chevythunder.com/LS1%20compon...ector%20ID%27s

[brans72]

looks to be DBW not DBC also.

[Taman]

My friends 98 vette had zero problems until the wall jumped out in front of him in turn 5 at Road America. Transferred the engine into a 200 Vette that had a blown motor. Been beating on it for years.

[1badchevelle]

I always find it funny when blanket statements like this are made. What does "prone to oiling problems and cracks in the block" mean exactly? There were about 31,000 Corvettes made in 1998. Was there a recall because of cracking blocks or oiling problems? Maybe the "oiling problems" were due to poor maintenance or the use of the wrong oil? I do believe Mobile 1 was recommended. Maybe the blocks cracked due to over heating?

My point is that its dangerous to make grand generalizations based on a few incidents which had questionable causes, or worse, internet hearsay.

Andrew

Well it was enough of a issue for GM to make changes for the 1999 and newer blocks so I don't think it was hearsay. I am not saying they are not good blocks but they had issues that were corrected. If I had a 98 block I would use it as well but I would just take note and know what to expect. So don't crucify me for just trying to give him a heads up. I did not have the info in front but I can look it up. I found this out after I bought 3 98 block. I think that is why they tend to be a bit less that the 99 and newer.

As front what I can see he has a lot of work in front of him trying to find out what year block and head they are from. Good know what other things were replaced.

[timuh60]

looks to be DBW not DBC also.

Aren't 98' Vettes suppose to be DBW?

Would it be better to switch to a DBC throttle body since I don't have the matching accelerator petal?

[timuh60]

I do appreciate all the help you guys are giving and welcome any past experiences you have with this engine (whatever year it is ) so I know what to expect. Like I said, I am not home and still have a while before I am so you have already saved me a big headache and money by pointing out my problem.
I have wrote the guy I bought the engine from and hope he comes clean with what I really have so I can continue with my plans of searching for the many parts I need to install it when I do get home. I will let you know if he does. I still like to think most people in the world are generally honest and don't want to intentionally screw over others.

[dhutton]

It is going to take a lot of money to piece together the rest of this. You can buy a reasonably low mileage complete 98 LS1 with all accessories, wiring, ECM and transmission for around $2000.

[timuh60]

I emailed the guy I bought the engine from and this is the reply I received from him:

"The engine may very well be a "99". I got it thru a friend whose son worked at a Chevy dealership. It has never been apart, to my knowledge, and was removed from car under warrenty because of broken starter boss. It was represented to me as a 2000 mile engine, and I had no reason to believe that it had much more than that."

I wish I could verify this. I guess I have to wait.

[timuh60]

It is going to take a lot of money to piece together the rest of this. You can buy a reasonably low mileage complete 98 LS1 with all accessories, wiring, ECM and transmission for around $2000.

You are right, I may be able to find a complete assemble for a good price. The one thing that I wouldn't get from that is being able to learn more about it by having to piece it all together myself. That is part of the fun. I only have basic mechanic skills (change oil, shocks, breaks, etc.) but I think it will be lots of fun and more satisfying the more I have to do when it is done. I have already learned a ton reading in the past month.

[brans72]

98 was a drive by cable engine not drive by wire.

[andrewb70]

98 was a drive by cable engine not drive by wire.

All c5/c6 Corvettes are DBW. All F-bodies are cable.

Andrew

[93Polo]

My friends 98 vette had zero problems until the wall jumped out in front of him in turn 5 at Road America. Transferred the engine into a 200 Vette that had a blown motor. Been beating on it for years.

Ex GF now has over 150k on her '97 LS1 and it is running fine.

Yes most 97-01 LS1 had their own little things they are known for but for the most part they are great motors. 99-01 tended to burn oil due to low tension rings.

With the said my '00 burned about a qrt betwen oil changes when stock after heads and cam it may burn a quart after beating on it for a day in the mountain. Heads and cam went on at 60k and the car has over 100k now. As Andrew said don't worry about the mass generalizations.

I would be tempted to pull the heads and intake just to see what it looks like, the motors are not hard to work on