Alright, I'm planning on building a ls block for a turbo application. I want to use the stock sleeves and run different rods and pistons. My question is this:

I understand the basic concept of putting new pistons in but I'm still a little confused. If I have the block on a stand how do you go about machining the block to fit the pistons? I mean, your pistons have a wall to piston gap so that has to be figured in when machining so basically all the work is done at the machine shop, correct?

After all that is done, all you really have to worry about is rings, bolting everything up correctly and checking bearing tolerances. It doesn't seem like this is really all that difficult of a task, or am I missing something. From what I've read, people say to have someone install them for you and it costs a lot of money. I guess I can see that filing down the rings and checking tolerances could be time consuming so is that where the money comes into play?

Thanks for the help in advance.

 

you cannot machine anything in your garage if thats what your trying to ask.

you NEED to take the block to a engine machine shop and have them bore and hone the cylinders to proper specs for the pistons and rings.

this is where the money comes into play....

 

No, I understand that part of it, but if you're taking your block to them why go to the trouble of installing the pistons yourself when they can do it right there? Does it save you any real money?

 

depends what the machine shop is charging to assemble the engine, it is not hard, just time consuming!!!

my motor we started around noon one day and the motor was ready to go in the car at 4am the next mornin

 

this is the most crucial part of the build up, it might cost u a few extra dollars but having a professional set-up will help in the long run, also make sure they use a torque plate when honing the cylinder walls, also have the crank micropolished and possibly nitrided.