I have heard of people doing this kind of thing, and just want to hear some first hand experience. I would think I just need to use LS bearings and seals. I have some LS Eagle stock length rods, and ITR pistons. It seems I need to machine a few thousands from the pistons to fit the rods. Does anyone have any technical insite on this scheme? Also Piston to head clearance, will I be hitting valve? Thanks for any input.

 

Take it to a (good) machine shop to have the clearances checked and the entire bottom end balanced. If you use a LS crank, you need to use the LS rods for the proper stroke in the B18 block. You would need the LS rod bearings and GSR main bearings (since you're still using the GSR main caps). The valve reliefs are deep enough on the ITR pistons so you won't hit the valves.... unless you mill the head, then you have other clearance issues to check.

 

Cool, thanks for the info Newman, but one other silly ? On the LS block I stripped, the bearings had green color marks on them, my parts guy asked about these to order new ones which still have not come -are GSR bearings the same, and is there a preferred bearing color? Im hoping a 1mm head gasket will bring the c/r back down to around 10.8:1, hopefully this will keep the valves back enough. Also, got the LS Eagle rods, and the cranks already been to the shop for balance and polish. My blown rings are itchin for this ****.