LS1 engine sources.

keith5700 · Post by **keith5700** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:03 pm

Just a quick intro. I posted a few weeks ago saying I had a funny noise in my small block Chevy. Anyway it turned out to be a split in one of the cylinder walls. No idea what happened yet but the long and short of it is I need a new block and pistons, etc.

So I thought maybe this would be a good time to scrap this engine and box completely and upgrade to an LS engine. My engine has a nice injection setup and Vortech supercharger and a nearly new Tremec tko 500 box, so that lot ought to bring in about £4k.

I've been looking around casually in the UK for a few weeks but there seems to be only one available at the moment, that £3750 one on ebay, which has been re-listed twice, and has no pics attached.

I've searched on here and Bill Shurvington was talking about importing cutouts last year but seen nothing since. Is there somewhere obvious to try which I've not come across yet, or would I have to try importing one myself, which I'm not too keen on really. Thanks.

Boosted LS1 · Post by **Boosted LS1** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:37 pm

Do a lot of research and then import what you need from the US. LS1's are old hat but should be cheaper. Look for ls2's as a long engine package and then use a retrofit ecu. Ebay usa is a place to get started but only deal with a proper trade outlet.

HairbearTE · Post by **HairbearTE** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 11:22 pm

Follow the links for 480hp of LS3 fun! And all for around £3.5k + shipping and taxes, figure on some more for starter, alternator + other odds and sods (ecu?..) but it's still a steal even after all the extras.

http://www.v8forum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3308

Eliot · Post by **Eliot** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 6:59 am

Thats going to be closer to £5k after shipping + taxes.

Its something like engine$+shipping$+ukduty£+ukadminfee£+vat£

Isn't rosco bringing a container over? - he posted the other week.

r2d2hp · Post by **r2d2hp** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 7:16 am

Hi Keith,

Have a word with Rossco as he can do some really good shipping deals from the US

See here >> http://www.v8forum.co.uk/forum/viewtopi ... highlight=

keith5700 · Post by **keith5700** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 7:32 am

Thanks so far, will follow the links when my gaffer clears off.
Should have said tho' that tha £3750 ebay one was for a low miles engine T56 box/ecu/loom package, not just the engine.
Would go and see it but I'm a couple of months away from getting the cash together.

keith5700 · Post by **keith5700** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 11:52 am

As Eliot says, that LS3 crate engine is going to be £5000 to get to my door, plus ecu and starter and then a gearbox. It's far too much.
Just want an LS engine/T56 gearbox package complete.
Will start trawling US ebay.

HairbearTE · Post by **HairbearTE** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 6:13 pm

Such a combo does occasionally turn up in the uk too, like in 2001 when I wrote off my 2000 Z28

Keep an eye on ebay.

plastic orange · Post by **plastic orange** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 6:14 pm

I got a complete cut out LS1 with auto box, wiring loom, prop, gear linkage etc for £2600 delivered to my door. This was a 1998 engine with lowish mileage - plus it was guaranteed good.
pm me and I'll give you the importers number.

Pete

Post by **demo2** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 3:14 am

Pity OZ is so far away as cheap as chips here, and the ls2

Robrover · Post by **Robrover** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 5:22 am

Quite a few of them here in breakers yards as they were fitted to 5.7 Holden Commodores (and Monaros). Shipping may be costly though.

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 8:37 pm

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CHEVY-LS-GEN-IV-6 ... .m14.l1318

Mark

kiwicar · Post by **kiwicar** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 5:36 am

That is a bargin, makes my 383 gen 1 build look and expensive white elephant

Mike

Eliot · Post by **Eliot** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 7:43 am

indeed - but feels risky dropping 3k and the praying your goods turn up.

keith5700 · Post by **keith5700** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:58 pm

Eliot, I feel a bit the same really, if there's a one percent
chance of it not turning up then I don't know if it's worth the risk.
I mean it's a load of cash to lose, and I'd be paying it off for years.
Plus it still needs ecu and probably other bits too. Still if it was
already in the UK and I could actually see it with my own eyes
I might be tempted with it.
It looks great and makes my 383 look a bit old fashioned now.

Another thought, probably stupid, would be to buy an accident
damaged Monaro, there's one on Pistonheads at the mo for
£4700, and take out what I want, and then sell the car on,
or strip it.
Don't know if the rest of the car would make a grand?