I am in sort of a bind. Right now, I have three options for whats up next for my car.

- Build up my current 95 LS motor

- Swap interior to ITR interior

- Swap GSR engine

I went to a respectable shop and the owner told me he could build up my 95 LS engine to produce about 190HP. Is any of this correct?? He said he was going to put in new retainers, cams, pistons, rods, port and polish, ect. Initially he said about 3,000 but then he said that it is a sort of pay-as-you-go type of deal where as he works he has to see how much it costs.

My interior right now is that ugly tan leather. I really do want to get rid of it and was thinking about putting the ITR interior in there. I have seen some on the parts trader for about 1000-1500 for front and back seats and door panels. I also have to have the dash refinished, new carpets, etc.

Last option, just to swap a GSR engine in. Again, the shop that would build my original engine said that they could get a GSR with about 40K miles done with installation for about $4,000. Are these prices any good or what?? My friends cousin owns the shop so I know he won't charge me crazy prices or anything.

One last thing, when he said he was going to build up the engine, he would use WEB cams, I have heard of these before, but are they any good??

Thanks in advance for the help!

Just wanted to add, my motor now has 102K miles. Would another option be LS/VTEC?? I still have to build up the motor a bit more right??

-Matt


[Modified by cartel, 12:05 PM 6/15/2001]

 

F-it, if you are already planning on replacing the engine, this is what I would do...
Become a N02 expert! Spend $500, learn your way around the bottle, and do your ITR intieror in the meantime. Then, if you blow up your engine, swap for a Type-R, I have seen $5000 for engines w/ 30,000 miles. I am sure your LS will love the N02, and it will give you another year or so to put mony aside for the R swap.

 

Here is what I think you should do...

You should build up the motor!

The thing you have to decide is "will I ever want to go FI on this motor after its been built up?"

If you want to go turbo, then I would build up the motor now for a turbo application. You might be able to spend a little less on the motor work now and have some spare change leftover to use towards a turbo. You will need more cash for a motor built AND a turbo as $3k isn't enough.


If you don't want to go turbo on the motor, built it up as much as you can with better rods, pistons, cams, port, polish. I would think new retainers is not necessary unless you are going to rev high. I could be wrong about the retainers though...


That is all coming from a race person. Looks are secondary to me...

HTH some.

 

Ive been down that road, and the safest most effective way I have found is a turbo, I mean use the LS engine for what its good for, long stroke, low compression, long gear ratios.... turbo it!~

 

Agreed...turbo for sure. The interior idea is ridiculous, and instead of swapping the GSR engine, you could sell your LS and use the extra $3k saved to buy a GSR with less miles and the interior of your choice

I say turbo, or the trade idea.

 

Would turbo be a safe route with 102K miles on my car now?? Also, what turbo would you recommend?? The Drag 3 is about $3200 and gives really good results.

-Matt


[Modified by cartel, 2:57 PM 6/15/2001]

 

Put a vtec head on it and make it a ls/vtec instantly you have @175 whp. All you need is some good cams and voila. all motor all

 

its not that easy

 

Ls/vtec may not be as easy as it was said here....but it also will not cost nearly as much as a turbo install....and if done properly...will be much more reliable..

Turboing a 102K motor will require you to build it up and replace a few things that you might not be counting on. It's gonna be more than $4K.

GS-R swaps are a ripoff right now....that engine is not worth $4K, it's just supply and demand ! Ls/vtec or an LS build up sounds like the most logical and reliable solution (and cost effective) But if you have the $$ to spend... build up/prep for turbo and slap on a Drag III....or supercharger !!

Hell, got flow? Ls/vtec with lo compression pistons and THEN turbo !!!!


I had to have the most ridiculous suggestion...or it wouldn't be me...

BTW.... 2Dr or 4DR? I want leather.... heh heh heh

 

The interior now is in my 2 door.

-Matt