Rebuilding LS3 with no part failures?

[Gachavez]

I have a 2010 2SS M6. As of right now my LS3 has around 115,000 miles on it. Well taken care of, with small bolt ons. I am aware that even at the mileage it has, these engines are very tough and stout, and it does still run perfectly fine. However my question is, would it be feasible to “rebuild” the engine with things like upgraded lifters, trunnions, gaskets, etc to help elongate the life of the engine and prevent problems before they happen or possibly negate some of the mileage? Wondering if it would even be worth the $$$, or time. I plan on keeping the car and driving it hard for a few years longer and would like to ease my mind knowing that it’s not going to blow up every time I head down to Mexico for races. Thank you in advance.

[olblue75]

I’d say you can do a top end refresh with parts mentioned an you be good for another 100k. I’d replace the oil pump an go with a LS2 tensioner/guide.

[morepowerjoe]

I would say your probably fine with your current mileage, BUT if you race it then there are certain things that I would do to ensure longevity. Like you mentioned the rockers are a weak point and che trunnions are a good investment as well as a good oil pump. I would recommend the melling 10355HV with the higher compression spring for sustained high rpm. I would also recommend plugging the oil bypass relief valve in the oil pan. There's a guy I read about that kept rebuilding his engines and swore he was getting trash in his bearings until he plugged it because of the higher rpm that he was running and which can be a double edged sword when running a high pressure oil pump without plugging the bypass valve because when you go over 50 psi the oil bypasses the oil filter and goes straight to the pan. And some racers say that you want all the pressure you can get at high rpm. So that's something to think about. And if your running a different camshaft then you would want a quality valve spring and lifters to go with your trunnions. You may also want to look into some tranny and oil coolers too like the mishimoto oil cooler and the tru cool 40k. Just my $.02

[hunter1660]

Start building another engine on a stand. When you get the goodie out of the current one you will be all set.

[Omega]

I'm my opinion, if it ain't broke...

The only suspect item you have are the rockers which if they have lasted 115K I wouldn't worry too much about. It doesn't sound like you plan on putting a cam in, at which point, you would do new lifters, rockers, oil pump, OEM gaskets and maybe ARP head bolts

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[Gachavez]

Originally Posted by morepowerjoe

I would say your probably fine with your current mileage, BUT if you race it then there are certain things that I would do to ensure longevity. Like you mentioned the rockers are a weak point and che trunnions are a good investment as well as a good oil pump. I would recommend the melling 10355HV with the higher compression spring for sustained high rpm. I would also recommend plugging the oil bypass relief valve in the oil pan. There's a guy I read about that kept rebuilding his engines and swore he was getting trash in his bearings until he plugged it because of the higher rpm that he was running and which can be a double edged sword when running a high pressure oil pump without plugging the bypass valve because when you go over 50 psi the oil bypasses the oil filter and goes straight to the pan. And some racers say that you want all the pressure you can get at high rpm. So that's something to think about. And if your running a different camshaft then you would want a quality valve spring and lifters to go with your trunnions. You may also want to look into some tranny and oil coolers too like the mishimoto oil cooler and the tru cool 40k. Just my $.02

Thank you for your input, I really appreciate it. & I had little to no clue about plugging the bypass valve, that is infact something to think about

[Gachavez]

Originally Posted by olblue75

I’d say you can do a top end refresh with parts mentioned an you be good for another 100k. I’d replace the oil pump an go with a LS2 tensioner/guide.

Appreciate the advice, I’ll most likely do that along with some other ideas. Thanks!

[1JEWLDSSRS]

Originally Posted by morepowerjoe

I would say your probably fine with your current mileage, BUT if you race it then there are certain things that I would do to ensure longevity. Like you mentioned the rockers are a weak point and che trunnions are a good investment as well as a good oil pump. I would recommend the melling 10355HV with the higher compression spring for sustained high rpm. I would also recommend plugging the oil bypass relief valve in the oil pan. There's a guy I read about that kept rebuilding his engines and swore he was getting trash in his bearings until he plugged it because of the higher rpm that he was running and which can be a double edged sword when running a high pressure oil pump without plugging the bypass valve because when you go over 50 psi the oil bypasses the oil filter and goes straight to the pan. And some racers say that you want all the pressure you can get at high rpm. So that's something to think about. And if your running a different camshaft then you would want a quality valve spring and lifters to go with your trunnions. You may also want to look into some tranny and oil coolers too like the mishimoto oil cooler and the tru cool 40k. Just my $.02

Good advice here for sure...

[1JEWLDSSRS]

Originally Posted by olblue75

I’d say you can do a top end refresh with parts mentioned an you be good for another 100k. I’d replace the oil pump an go with a LS2 tensioner/guide.

This is good advice too... I just refreshed my .660 valve springs after 23k on them, everything else was good..