Blown engine - need options

[SS ICE 10]

Hello,

Hope everyone’s doing well. I let my roommate drive my car and go for a spirited drive with my 2010 Camaro. Unfortunately the 4-3 money shift was put into full effect and the engine let go immediately. Towed the car home and let it sit for about a week trying to contemplate my options. I eventually got the car started briefly to see how extensive the damage was. Sounds like we’re running on half an engine. My other thought is letting the car go as a roller.

From your experience should I take the risk and start pulling the motor apart to see what can be salvaged, or write a check and say it is what it is.

Considering that I’m moving in 2 months I’m a bit low on options, should I let the car sell as a roller, if so, what kind of money can I expect for a 82k mile car with a blown engine. 1SS silver ice metallic, stock. Body is 6/10 some dings as someone used it for a daily.

I’ve had it for 2 years and put less thank 2k miles on, just new brakes and rotors, new fluids.

[The_bald_eagle_machine]

If the engine starts and runs... How does it run? Any engine noise? Banging, tapping, bearing noise? You could have fried something electircal. I would investigate a little bit. Pull the valve covers and start the engine again. If all of the valvetrain is moving like it should, the motor might still be good. Check the fuse blocks too. Maybe blew something electrical on just one bank? I'm not a professional by any means, but if you seriously hurt the motor, it wouldnt start, run and idle.

[SlowLS1]

I would fix it if it were me...

Possible it bent some pushrods. I agree that pulling the valve cover off to due an inspection is the next step. Turn the motor over with a 24mm socket on a breaker bar to verify valvetrain moves properly.

I'd advise on not running it anymore until you do that. If you find nothing wrong, grab a car buddy or a trustworthy shop friend be present for the next attempt to start and diagnose the problem.

[SS ICE 10]

Ran for about 10-15 seconds, sounds like it’s running on 5/6 cylinders and smells rich. Assuming valve train definitely has issues. Not sure how I’d start to check for electrical issues? I figured it would be a bit more mechanical than electrical for a mis-shift but I’ve never run into this before.
Don’t have access to a garage at my new house under construction has no garage yet for another year while revised plans get approved and neither does the current one at this time.

In a tough spot at the moment. Should I send it to a shop and eat the bill or sell it as is. Not sure what a roller would even go for.

[gtstorey]

What was it worth before?

[The_bald_eagle_machine]

I think that you will get alot less as a roller with a "blown" motor. It might be worth it to even just have a mobile mechanic come out and do a diagnostic with a scanner before you just write it off. It would be worth the $$ to investigate it atleast.

[Moto-Mojo]

What are friends for? Maybe you should be asking THAT individual how he feels about going Dutch on the bill? Stupid should hurt. But not kill you!

[SS ICE 10]

It was worth 22k two years ago when I bought it to be a weekend track car. Never saw the track in its life due to work obligations. I’d love to have my roommate foot the bill but he’s definitely not in a financial position to do so, already pretty upset about the situation as is, this is one of the many reasons I’m moving out in 2 months and trying to make a decision about this soon.

[The_bald_eagle_machine]

Man, I'd be pretty upset if someone money shifted my car and wasnt able or willing to fix it themselves. I guess that is the risk that you take in letting someone else drive your car though. Sounds like you were already on bad terms with your room mate and then for some reason, let him joy ride your car. I'd definitely get better friends.

That is not why you came to the forum for advice though. Unfortunately the LS3/L99 is kinda what makes these cars special, so with a bad/blown motor you are going to get substantially less money for it. Private sale might be pretty rough, all you need to pull the valve covers is a 10mm socket, 8mm socket, and a ratchet. I would pull the valve covers and look everything over.

Like i said, see if a buddy or friend will lend you a scanner, or have a reputable mobile mechanic in your area come out to look at it. If you were in South Florida I could recommend atleast 3 of them lol.

[ariZona28]

In addition to the visual inspections mentioned above time to pull all of the spark plugs and do a compression test. The results will help determine the extent of damage. Hopefully no piston to valve contact.

[SS_CTS-V]

Pull the valve covers, pull the rocker arms, check for broken valve springs and bent push rods. A single broken spring will make the motor feel like it's running on 5 cylinders and smell super rich. I know, I've done it twice now.

It's a fairly easy process and not super expensive to fix.

[RupertPupkin]

If you're not drooling oil, engines not blown. Send it in for diagnostic and go from there. If the block is salvageable, then the rest is an easy fix. Still gotta play to pay, but it'll be well worth it at the end

[CamaroCracka]

Summit has a 415 short block for $4200, $6200 for GM LS3 long block. When my vert spun a rod I had a 416 built for 7k and installed for another thousand. That included a new clutch and a cam swap.

If I were you, I would start by pulling the valve covers to see what the valvetrain looks like, then drain the oil and look for chunks, then pull the heads and see what is really going on. A blown engine roller with the heads off is the same value as a blown engine roller with the heads on, but it sounds like you might be lacking tools, space and skills.

For future reference, three things you never let anyone borrow are cars, guns or wives.