In need of advice... - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

TheBumblebeeBoy · 07-21-2019, 04:00 PM

So the unexpected happened about a week ago fellas. I started hearing a bad knock coming from the motor and a warning message that read "Low oil pressure - turn off engine". So I took it down to my local Chevrolet to get it diagnosed see what the problem was. The shop called me 2 hours later with some terrible news. He said my 6 year old ls3 with just over 60k miles on the odometer is done and that the bee needs a new motor. I'm still in disbelief about this happening since I don't give it a hard time on the road and only drive it every other weekend and maintenance is always done on time. What do you guys suggest? Not sure if I want to drop that much money to get a new motor put in it but at the same time I wouldn't want to get rid of it. Not sure what would be the best thing to do really?...

Welker2 · 07-21-2019, 04:04 PM

I would probably go with the new engine; a lot cheaper then replacing the vehicle

theflea42 · 07-21-2019, 04:53 PM

I like to browse around for crate engines and stuff. I ran across a stock ls3, 430hp for $7362 here: https://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Per...70416/10002/-1. Summit racing has the same engine for the same price. Those are drop in, ready to run. You might get away with a long block, depending on what happened to your current engine.

That is a ton of money though. But, when comparing that to a new car, 7 grand isn't too bad.

pyroguy · 07-21-2019, 05:41 PM

I would be asking why this would have happened. Who does the oil changes? Hopefully they didn't short you on oil. I also might get a second opinion as it's a lot of money to sink into a car if it doesn't need to happen.

Greenhornet2 · 07-21-2019, 06:05 PM

You can ask your dealer if they will run a policy calculator for you. GM will take into considerationyour GM loyalty and such and come up with an amount they deem fair for you to pay. The dealer can also ask for a waiver of a share amount and do a DMA auth. I would be quite upset at 60k and GM may step up. If they wont run a calculator for you they dont like much, but you can can call CAC and discuss your issue and dissatisfaction. Other than that i would personally rebuild the engine stronger. May not be your thing, then a crate motor is more up your alley.

jcampos · 07-21-2019, 06:12 PM

Sounds like a perfect excuse to rebuild. Hell a rebuild can cost less then a new drop in crate. Take it to a real performance shop and have them diagnostic it. Just IMO, but dealerships suck. Chances are you don't need to throw away the whole motor to buy another. Lots of reusable pieces and parts and to add in the power parts... If it were me I would be taking it to a performance shop other than dealership. Have them tear down find the problem then the sky's the limit from there.

TheBumblebeeBoy · 07-21-2019, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyroguy

I would be asking why this would have happened. Who does the oil changes? Hopefully they didn't short you on oil. I also might get a second opinion as it's a lot of money to sink into a car if it doesn't need to happen.

Local Chevrolet has always done maintenance service on it. I'd hate to think they would half ass their work but than again who knows.

TheBumblebeeBoy · 07-21-2019, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welker2

I would probably go with the new engine; a lot cheaper then replacing the vehicle

My only concern is did I just happen to get unlucky with this one? Or what are the odds of this happening again 60k miles later on the new block I drop in it?

TheBumblebeeBoy · 07-21-2019, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theflea42

I like to browse around for crate engines and stuff. I ran across a stock ls3, 430hp for $7362 here: https://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Per...70416/10002/-1. Summit racing has the same engine for the same price. Those are drop in, ready to run. You might get away with a long block, depending on what happened to your current engine.

That is a ton of money though. But, when comparing that to a new car, 7 grand isn't too bad.

Thanks for the info. I'll definitely be doing some browsing around.

TheBumblebeeBoy · 07-21-2019, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenhornet2

You can ask your dealer if they will run a policy calculator for you. GM will take into considerationyour GM loyalty and such and come up with an amount they deem fair for you to pay. The dealer can also ask for a waiver of a share amount and do a DMA auth. I would be quite upset at 60k and GM may step up. If they wont run a calculator for you they dont like much, but you can can call CAC and discuss your issue and dissatisfaction. Other than that i would personally rebuild the engine stronger. May not be your thing, then a crate motor is more up your alley.

I tried speaking to GM about the issue already and all they able to tell me was " we're very sorry to hear this happened to your car but with your warranty being expired all repair costs are owner's expense."

TheBumblebeeBoy · 07-21-2019, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcampos

Sounds like a perfect excuse to rebuild. Hell a rebuild can cost less then a new drop in crate. Take it to a real performance shop and have them diagnostic it. Just IMO, but dealerships suck. Chances are you don't need to throw away the whole motor to buy another. Lots of reusable pieces and parts and to add in the power parts... If it were me I would be taking it to a performance shop other than dealership. Have them tear down find the problem then the sky's the limit from there.

Rebuilding is starting to sound like the best option. I'll definitely be taking it somewhere to get a second opinion and see what's the best route to take.

Roader · 07-21-2019, 07:41 PM

I’d reach out to a reputable engine builder and see what they quote you.

captaincog · 07-21-2019, 11:17 PM

I would move on. There are other things that will fail unless you are really attached to you ride.

orange devil · 07-22-2019, 12:07 AM

You could always maybe call around at some local dismantlers. I have found some great deals on motors with low mileage.

07-21-2019, 04:00 PM	#1
TheBumblebeeBoy Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS TF3 Edition Join Date: May 2013 Location: Kannapolis NC Posts: 39 View My Garage	In need of advice... So the unexpected happened about a week ago fellas. I started hearing a bad knock coming from the motor and a warning message that read "Low oil pressure - turn off engine". So I took it down to my local Chevrolet to get it diagnosed see what the problem was. The shop called me 2 hours later with some terrible news. He said my 6 year old ls3 with just over 60k miles on the odometer is done and that the bee needs a new motor. I'm still in disbelief about this happening since I don't give it a hard time on the road and only drive it every other weekend and maintenance is always done on time. What do you guys suggest? Not sure if I want to drop that much money to get a new motor put in it but at the same time I wouldn't want to get rid of it. Not sure what would be the best thing to do really?...

07-21-2019, 04:04 PM	#2
Welker2 Ret AF, cancer survivor Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS/RS & 2006 Corvette Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Mesquite, NV Posts: 2,741 View My Garage	I would probably go with the new engine; a lot cheaper then replacing the vehicle __________________

07-21-2019, 05:41 PM	#4
pyroguy Keeper of “THE list” Drives: ABM #832 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: GA Posts: 7,097 View My Garage	I would be asking why this would have happened. Who does the oil changes? Hopefully they didn't short you on oil. I also might get a second opinion as it's a lot of money to sink into a car if it doesn't need to happen. __________________ '10 Camaro 2SS/RS \| Aqua Blue #832 of 3,903 \| Silver Stripes Check out my build thread

07-21-2019, 06:05 PM	#5
Greenhornet2 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS LS3 Whipple Join Date: May 2019 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,925	You can ask your dealer if they will run a policy calculator for you. GM will take into considerationyour GM loyalty and such and come up with an amount they deem fair for you to pay. The dealer can also ask for a waiver of a share amount and do a DMA auth. I would be quite upset at 60k and GM may step up. If they wont run a calculator for you they dont like much, but you can can call CAC and discuss your issue and dissatisfaction. Other than that i would personally rebuild the engine stronger. May not be your thing, then a crate motor is more up your alley. __________________ Whipple 2.9 CAI ID1050x injectors ZL1 Pump JRE FPCM JMS Voltage booster JRE Rough Idle blower cam BTR .660 springs CHE trunnion kit 1 7/8 Speed Engineering Borla Atak JRE scoop 1.5" lowering springs BMR trailing arms and toe links Cradle inserts 704WHP 603WTQ 93 octane

07-21-2019, 11:17 PM	#13
captaincog Drives: 1971 350RS/SS 4sp Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Rialto Posts: 166	I would move on. There are other things that will fail unless you are really attached to you ride. __________________ Camaros currently owned: 1 2013 1LS 6speed.... Blue Ray Metallic now gone and still have my first Camaro made 42 years before: 1971 RS/SS 350 4 speed Teal Green

07-21-2019, 04:53 PM	#3
theflea42 #938 of 1524 Drives: 2013 Hot Wheels Edition Camaro Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: West Virginia Posts: 194	I like to browse around for crate engines and stuff. I ran across a stock ls3, 430hp for $7362 here: https://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Per...70416/10002/-1. Summit racing has the same engine for the same price. Those are drop in, ready to run. You might get away with a long block, depending on what happened to your current engine. That is a ton of money though. But, when comparing that to a new car, 7 grand isn't too bad.

07-21-2019, 06:12 PM	#6
jcampos Drives: 2014 Chevy Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: San Antonio Posts: 821	Sounds like a perfect excuse to rebuild. Hell a rebuild can cost less then a new drop in crate. Take it to a real performance shop and have them diagnostic it. Just IMO, but dealerships suck. Chances are you don't need to throw away the whole motor to buy another. Lots of reusable pieces and parts and to add in the power parts... If it were me I would be taking it to a performance shop other than dealership. Have them tear down find the problem then the sky's the limit from there.

07-21-2019, 07:41 PM	#12
Roader Drives: Camaro Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Alabama Posts: 673	I’d reach out to a reputable engine builder and see what they quote you.

07-22-2019, 12:07 AM	#14
orange devil Account Suspended Drives: 2019 SS 2019 mustang GT Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: California Posts: 1,694	You could always maybe call around at some local dismantlers. I have found some great deals on motors with low mileage.