Engine Rebuild - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

LS3Kook · 12-10-2025, 09:52 PM

Long story short, I had a valve seat drop and cracked a piston and put a hole in my head. Now I'm trying to decide the next steps.

I have a build in mind but asking for recommendations, definitely don't have a unlimited budget but I'm willing to spend around 5k or a little more on the build not including dyno/tune. Currently I have a tsp stage 3 NA Cam with ls7 lifters, kook headers and a couple other minor things (installed around 15-20k miles ago).

I'm currently looking at the TSP H-Beam Rod and JE LS3 No-Balance Piston Combo - No Balance w/ LS3 Crank with Brawler LS3 Style CNC Ported Cylinder Heads w/ TSP .660" Spring Kit and Titanium Retainers. Has anyone used either the heads and or piston/rod drop in set. I know it says no balance required but just seeing if anyone has run into any issues with them.

I also plan on eventually boosting the vehicle haven't decided between turbo, pro or supercharger yet but I'm thinking of going with the Cleetus McFarland "Bald Eagle" LS3 Boost Cam just because I can run it NA until I can boost it in the future

Also plan on getting bigger injectors Aswell intake/throttle body, currently looking at the fast lsxr intake

Honestly just putting this out there to see if anyone has any recommendations for the build or if I should take it in another direction. Appreciate any input

CamaroDreams76 · 12-11-2025, 04:59 AM

So the motor really isnt in that bad of shape and the damage is purely to the piston and head? Theres no major scoring to the cylinder wall? No cracked skirts or anything?

Id trust Texas speed they'll stand behind their product.

Skip the FAST intake manifold. BTR Trinity is showing better results on LS7s than a ported MSD. Bang for buck go with a GPI rod mod intake. Power is basically the same between a rod mod and a FAST at a fraction of the price.

FASTFATBOY · 12-11-2025, 07:49 AM

How many miles are on it?

Is the cylinder wall or rod damaged?

Moto-Mojo · 12-11-2025, 08:54 AM

So, was this dropped valve on a DD just tooling to and from work or do you beat on this car? Just curious how "bulletproof" this LS engines really are? Hanging around here for 12+ years, that hardly sems the case...sometimes.

LS3Kook · 12-11-2025, 10:45 AM

As far as I can see no scoring or cylinder wall damage, I plan on putting in new pistons and rods all around. Vehicle has right around 120k on it, definitely not babying the car but not tracking it every weekend.

Have kept the car well maintained since purchasing it 5 years ago, has had no major issues prior. The valve seat dropped on start up, have seen its a common issue with overheating but the vehicle has had no signs of overheating.

12-10-2025, 09:52 PM	#1
LS3Kook Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS RS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8	Engine Rebuild Long story short, I had a valve seat drop and cracked a piston and put a hole in my head. Now I'm trying to decide the next steps. I have a build in mind but asking for recommendations, definitely don't have a unlimited budget but I'm willing to spend around 5k or a little more on the build not including dyno/tune. Currently I have a tsp stage 3 NA Cam with ls7 lifters, kook headers and a couple other minor things (installed around 15-20k miles ago). I'm currently looking at the TSP H-Beam Rod and JE LS3 No-Balance Piston Combo - No Balance w/ LS3 Crank with Brawler LS3 Style CNC Ported Cylinder Heads w/ TSP .660" Spring Kit and Titanium Retainers. Has anyone used either the heads and or piston/rod drop in set. I know it says no balance required but just seeing if anyone has run into any issues with them. I also plan on eventually boosting the vehicle haven't decided between turbo, pro or supercharger yet but I'm thinking of going with the Cleetus McFarland "Bald Eagle" LS3 Boost Cam just because I can run it NA until I can boost it in the future Also plan on getting bigger injectors Aswell intake/throttle body, currently looking at the fast lsxr intake Honestly just putting this out there to see if anyone has any recommendations for the build or if I should take it in another direction. Appreciate any input

12-11-2025, 04:59 AM	#2
CamaroDreams76 Tri-County Camaro SWFL Drives: 2013 IOM 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: South West FL Posts: 3,363 View My Garage	So the motor really isnt in that bad of shape and the damage is purely to the piston and head? Theres no major scoring to the cylinder wall? No cracked skirts or anything? Id trust Texas speed they'll stand behind their product. Skip the FAST intake manifold. BTR Trinity is showing better results on LS7s than a ported MSD. Bang for buck go with a GPI rod mod intake. Power is basically the same between a rod mod and a FAST at a fraction of the price. __________________ Just bolt ons........ https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343023

12-11-2025, 07:49 AM	#3
FASTFATBOY Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Mobile Al Posts: 527	How many miles are on it? Is the cylinder wall or rod damaged? __________________ 2015 1SS 1LE, Magnuson 2300 Heartbeat and headers. 550rwhp STD, 535 SAE.

12-11-2025, 08:54 AM	#4
Moto-Mojo Fast Cars and Old Guitars Drives: 2015 2SS RS (L99, baby!) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: N. CA Posts: 4,210	So, was this dropped valve on a DD just tooling to and from work or do you beat on this car? Just curious how "bulletproof" this LS engines really are? Hanging around here for 12+ years, that hardly sems the case...sometimes. __________________ “I don’t want to belong to any club that would have me as a member.” - Groucho Marx

12-11-2025, 10:45 AM	#5
LS3Kook Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS RS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8	As far as I can see no scoring or cylinder wall damage, I plan on putting in new pistons and rods all around. Vehicle has right around 120k on it, definitely not babying the car but not tracking it every weekend. Have kept the car well maintained since purchasing it 5 years ago, has had no major issues prior. The valve seat dropped on start up, have seen its a common issue with overheating but the vehicle has had no signs of overheating.