ENDLESS GSR SAGA...

I have been considering a few things over the last day. I have made a few posts over the last month concerning my engine rattling under acceleration. My mechanic felt it was anything from a semi-detached sleeve to a rod bearing going to a crank bearing... or any combination of the three. Now, it is so loud I cant run it without feeling like it is going to cough up something. My head was reconditioned back in April, however due to overtorqued bearing caps I seized my CTR inake cam and galled up the exhaust one a bit. I am told my head is garbage yet it has been running for 4500 miles... to this end. If machined, I have yet to come to a conclusion on the usefulness of the cams.

I have been searching for GSR motors today on the web, then made a few phone calls. I figure I'd look into replacing the GSR head... I found one 10K used for $750.

As far as the block, I know of an ITR shortblock that was purchased through the dealer and not ever used... still in the box. The guy is asking $2950 for the shortblock.

If my bearings are toast in the block, chances are I would need a crank, mains, rod bearings, new rods and pistons for my block if it is still sound. I would also still need the head. Chances are... this would not be the last time that I would go into this motor.

The way I look at it is if I need to buy a used motor for cheap and re-fresh it I will still be into it for a chunk of change. My mechanic tells me that he can get it done in about 2 weeks for about $500 bucks if done this way. So, to find a GSR motor...
CHEAP>? Is it possible to get the used longblock for:

1500-2000
pistons, new rings, rodbolts, headbolts, belts, tensioner pulley, water pump, oil pump, bearings, thrust washers, main front and rear seals... gaskets, valve stem seals, LMAs, machine work on head
1250 + 500 labor
down for two weeks or more:

or

$3700 10K GSR head, NEW 2001 ITR shortblock
ARP head studs: $150
stock HG: have one
new belts $100
$500 bucks to pull and install and be done in a weekend.
I would want to install my ITR/portflow valvesprings and Skunk2 Ti retainers
and my ITR intake valves from my old head with new seals.
$250 machine shop labor and seals.
I plan on breaking in and driving on the GSR cams for at least 6months

warranty repair would only come by fraud...
this is my only car and I need to work...

so kinda between a rock and a hard place

I wanna be in a place where I can have a solid motor to mod out, this is where I feel getting the ITR block will benefit me.

thoughts... opinions... ?

 

I would look for a GSR longblock.

You should be able to get one for about $2500 +/- $300. This way you don't experience too much downtime.

Part out your motor. Sell what is good and junk what is not good or build it for the future (I don't know, how long do you plan to keep your car?).

HTH.

 

yea... I been trying to find a used longblock seems like everyone wants
to sell the whole damn swapola these days. A rebuilt longblock is somewhere
in the 3K range after shipping and tax from what I can tell. The guy I may buy
the motor from is interested in cutting me any deal he can for my salvagable
parts. So if I get $500 bucks for my slag, I am cool with it. I.E. rods, pistons,
block cast, stock valves and valvesprings... did I also mention the GSR stuff
is hard to find>?

 

I am going through the same thing...I found a GSR shortblock for $800 and a ITR shortblock for $1500. Other than slightly higher compression I could never see the $700 price difference as justifiable. Other than the compression what is the difference between the two shortblocks?

 

Crank, rods and pistons as far as I know. Sorry to hear your misfortunes Mike, hope you have more luck this time round.

 

What up Mike? We'll getcha fixed soon, atleast I hope so, our tegs miss running next to/against each other man, I feel your pain man, talk to ya later, c-ya

 

found a 94 and a 95 GSR shortblocks with 60-70K for $1350 shipped,
thirty day warranty only thing is the oil pump from my block needs
to be retained to make it work as the 94-97 and 98-01 oil pumps have
this braket for the Crank Fluxuation Sensor... let the learning begin...

 

hey if i still had my GSR block i'd give it to you for free. i think i had 2 of'em with no use for them.

 

thanks for the thought. I am sold on the new ITR shortblock idea. I want reliability with power down the road. cant beat it for 2800 and never ever been used.



I am willing to make the investment.