i don't know anything about rebuilding but i am mechanically inclined. i have a 92 LS that has 161K miles and would like to pick up a used engine to build for turbo with the works. this will be a long term project cause of budget. i can't afford to buy all the parts at once. anyway, know of any books, manuals, or sites that will have step by step info pertaining to building a LS? also, i live in the LA area. can anyone refer me to any shop/s or person/s that might have hook ups to good prices on almost everything...shocks, sprints, engine components, turbos, etc? Thanks

 

I have heard that many people swear by their Helms manual. I could not live with myself if the motor I build blew up so I just paid someone to do it for me.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by i_see_red &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i don't know anything about rebuilding but i am mechanically inclined. i have a 92 LS that has 161K miles and would like to pick up a used engine to build for turbo with the works. this will be a long term project cause of budget. i can't afford to buy all the parts at once. anyway, know of any books, manuals, or sites that will have step by step info pertaining to building a LS? also, i live in the LA area. can anyone refer me to any shop/s or person/s that might have hook ups to good prices on almost everything...shocks, sprints, engine components, turbos, etc? Thanks </TD></TR></TABLE>

If you live in LA, you're going to need a carb exempt turbo kit, like Greddy, to pass emissions.

 

i've heard greddy kits are no longer carb exempt. anyway, i'm more interested in building a engine right now. the turbo will be later...way later.

 

Yeah, it says on the Greddy website, that they still are on most of their kits. I dunno.

About the engine, if you are mechanically inclined, I would read up on the subject, a lot, and see whether or not you think you could do it yourself. You need a "no ****" assessment, you can't be cocky about it, and say "I can do it". You really need to look at what you are capable of, and if you have the tools, and the place to do it.

 

Umm, This really isn't rocket science. I for one say get on the net, get you some books, search everywhere, and start trying to build. The only thing I am lacking is the space. You can always buy tools and parts as money comes available. I personally am in the market for an Integra or Hatch with a B18 swap to start piecing together my first turbo kit.

Whats the worst that can happen? You spend money and blow an engine you built. Live and learn.

 

i agree with you guys about reading up. that's why i've signed up to these forums. i'm also going to pick up a helm book. but there are so much info out there that a beginner like me won't know what's good or bad. all the specs start to get confusing after awhile. well, atleast for me. i love working on cars but building a engine will definitely be my biggest task yet. i've recently installed headers on my 4Runner. with limited help and tools, it took me 4 days!! installing headers to the 4Runner makes installing headers on a integra or honda seem like a walk in the park. hahah...it was a killer but loved every moment of it. i believe building a engine will be better and the result will be more satisfying. thanks for all the suggestions and help so far.

 

Whats the worst that can happen? How about $500+ in the hole? Sounds bad to me.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CompanyFlow &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Whats the worst that can happen? How about $500+ in the hole? Sounds bad to me. </TD></TR></TABLE>

amen, i'll leave the trial and error with the cheaper mods

 

you can get the helms manual online....

 

my eventual goal is to turbo the LS. what kind of upgrades/mods should i do to make the engine stronger but still smog legal?

 

Go take a class at a commuity college and get the helms manual. There's alot more to just assembling a motor you also have to understand why things are the way they are. plus you need alot of tools if you want motor built properly, i.e. micrometers, calipers, bore scope, straight edge etc... Plus you'll need to know what to send to machine shop, Its cool if you want to build your own motor cause your on a budget. But keep in mind the cost of tools and parts.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by i_see_red &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">my eventual goal is to turbo the LS. what kind of upgrades/mods should i do to make the engine stronger but still smog legal?</TD></TR></TABLE>

thats the problem..fast and legal dont usually come together, esp w/ hondas...

youre not going to get a fast car and still be smog legal..

and youre motor build will depend on how much power you want to make..ie under 300 you could do w/ a refresh rebuild on stock pistons and rods...you want 600 whp youll need sleeves and forged internals...

plan first, build later...save $$$ and headaches

 

thanks for the help. yeah, i'm planning it right now. it's just that there's sooooo much info out there! trying to filter everything out is though. for a beginner at least.

 

im with ya man. im planning my build now and then going to be building it myself with help from a friend.

 

personally, i would start with reading everything you can here on HT

and start off with some safety for your car, - new rotors, brake pads, suspension, strut bars, all the filters/fluids .... those are all easy things to do, not too much $$ and will be needed if upgrading the motor and give you a feel for the car

 

all the basics i got under control. suspension (springs, struts, sways, strut tower bars), audio, headers, intake, throttle body, cams, etc...got those under control. my first car was a 92 civic coupe. i did all the **** listed above by myself...nothing to brag. i even had the stock engine turbo charged with the first generation carb legal greddy turbo kit. right before i sold it i had it swap for a b16a. however, i didn't install the kit or the engine swap myself. so this time around with my 92 LS i would like to do it on my own from beginning to the end...except for the boring, stocking, and stuff, of course. i'm in my 30s. recently i felt like building a import. that's where all this started. i picked up a 92 LS in good condition so i figure i'll try to build it on my own.