Any recommendations for motor supplier?

[Zedn]

I am buying my motor and gearbox with this years tax return and have started to research for suppliers.

I am after an LS2 (L98) or an LS3. I am not fixed on either motor yet as it will depend on what is available and the prices. So far been given a rough quote of $5500 for LS2 and $13000 for the LS3. I was expecting to pick up an LS3 for about 6-7k but if its 13 i am much better to get the LS2.

Can anyone recommend any suppliers? Sydney is good, but im happy to pay for freight if its cheaper.

Cheers.

[stiffy]

Hey Liam,

I used WASP ( World Automotive Surplus Parts ) I think they were called in Melbourne. They are still around and have the advantage of warranty. They keep the ECU until you are ready to start the car ( the warranty starts then ) great people to deal with. I purchased a L76/T56 A/C power steering, clutch, bolts engine mounts etc etc. Most importantly you need the engine loom and ALL pulluys as they are much more expensive duying them seperately.

STIFFY

[Wazza]

This link might be worth a look as well....

LS3 @ $6,950-00.......( Of course that's the starting point....needs other "bits" as well )

http://holmart.com.au/online/prod2085.htm

Cheers,

Warren

[Zedn]

Thanks Warren, thats what i was basing my expectations of price on, but the price is a year old and the prices seem to fluctuate on availablility as a lot are surplus holden stock.

Stiffy,

I was going to make up my own wiring loom and buy an E38 ecm with the holden base tune and get security removed. I was going to give someone like Sideshow a call and see what they can do in the engine management area.

Any chance you can remember what you paid? sounds like buying it all together would be a reliable solution and probably cost effective. Maybe PM me the details?

Cheers.

Liam

[Aussie Mike]

I bought my crate motor through Eagle Auto parts. I believe they have a shop in Sydney now too.

http://www.eagleautoparts.com.au/eng_chev_gmcrate.htm

Cheers

[sideshow]

engine prices are up the ass these days
we sold our last ls3 about months ago
now very hard to find in australia

recently priced up an l98 and found ls2/l98 motors are up near 6000 to 6500
eagle sell ls3s fo close to 10grand
add 2 grand for electricals and a grand for starter alternaotr psteerign pump etc etc
gets expensive

just beware when buying ecus from holmart or ballarat holden
we used to find the tune was not 100% spot of for a converison type motor
a std holden tune which they used to flash in works but we used to find afew minor probs if u used that ecu in anything but a std commodore that it came out off we have had to reflash some of them and afew cobra customers have had to pay twice for a flash/tune

[sambo]

Zedn, keep your eye on the classifieds section of the LS1 forum. I picked up my engine accessories and cats on that site for next to nothing. Also sold my factory headers that way and discovered other cheap contacts like SpeedInc where I ordered my low profile sump from. I saw a bloke wrecking a complete VZ on there the other day. Well worth a 5 minute check every morning while you're having your coffee!

[New Rocket]

Zedn, I got my engine from PrestonMotors (parts sales) in Dandenong 1300 559 58 .Ask for Kevin Newell he will have what you are looking for.

[Zedn]

Sideshow,

Thanks for the reply, you guys are on my list as a place to talk to. Do you think its worth while waiting to see what happens with the prices? I dont really need the motor right away as i still have other things i can do. Is it a supply and demand issue or is it US dollar? I have noticed the prices seem to fluctuate a lot over the last 12 months.

Sambo,

Thanks for the tip, i will start monitoring it.

New Rocket,

Thank you also. I see you have an RCM also. Do you have any pics of your build? Not too many people on here with RCM kits, so there arnt too many pics around.

Liam.

[sideshow]

the motors are getting hard to get these days
and i dont think big holden in australia have any surplus motors any more
just some dealers might still have some from when they bought them cheap awhile ago

and remember very big holden in usa prob wont have as many surplus motors now that they have gone thru bankruptcy and stuff over the past year

maybe search on ebay seen some good buys on there
make sure u get warranty thou even thou they are brand new should be ok but good to have warranty also research about some older 6lts were sold with problems but id expect them to be gone by now
prestons holden were ok when daniel was there we bought alot fo stuff thru them
not sure on new guy there but u really need to sit down and tell the person tuning yr ecu what yr overall outcome is and what u want to work with the rest of the car as 99% of tuners and holden dealers have no idea on what tune to run and what ecu u need
all they are good for is drive in drive out late model commodore tunes

06 to 08 is similar then after that they changed and later ones makes things more difficult
basically the holden dealer sells u the matching bits to suit yr motor but in the end it doesnt mean it will work ok for yr situation so make sure u ask the person a million questions

[Zedn]

Thanks Sideshow,

I have been watching ebay, there is an L76 on there that has been relisted a couple of times, but i would prefer the L98. GM Motor sport have a couple as well, but so far the estimate i got for $5500 for LS2 seems like a goer.

I was going to ge the ECU sorted out from someone like yourself who is experienced with conversions and can do the correct tune. I need a holden tune that will pass emmisions with no AC, no immoboliser (am using VK column so was going to use aftermarket immob), no ABS/brakes, keeping MAF. Is that complicated?

I was hoping that because the LSx transplants are so common now it would be a straight forward tune, but then again i suppose that most dont need to comply with current emmissions.

If i can find myself a cheap E38 (depending what motor i get) do you guys do the unlocking and tuning of these to suit what i have mentioned above?

Cheers,

Liam

[Modena]

$5500 for an LS2 sounds like a good buy to me

[Krait]

Hi Zedn,

I bought my LS2 and peripherals from Kevin Newell at Prestons at the end of '08. He was very easy to deal with, as was Sideshow.

Cheers

[benny s]

Zedn, i used Preston Motors as well,i worked with Kevin for a few years and he is good to deal with.As for computer and loom Sideshow is the man to see i was amazed that you just plug it in, power it up, bit of fuel and hit the key everything works

[Beejay]

I think it is a good idea looking at a wreck for a near new engine. I can understand the nice thought of having a brand new engine in your car, but realistically you are paying though the nose for these things when you factor in all of the extras.

There are near new engines to be purchased if you do the research!

Ben

[NASSTY]

Good to see some chevy motors in a few more RCMs

[stiffy]

Liam,

I purchased my engine when the 6 Litres were very new ( nearly 3 years ago ) and got everything included, tranny, clutch, slave/master cylinders, fly wheel, power steering, A/C compressor all accessories, loom, ECU remapped and 12 Months OR 20,000K warranty delivered for $15.5k INC G.S.T.

you should be able to get it for under $12k now as you donr need the power streering or A/C stuff. And they are considered OLD

STIFFY

[Zedn]

Originally Posted by stiffy

Liam,

I purchased my engine when the 6 Litres were very new ( nearly 3 years ago ) and got everything included, tranny, clutch, slave/master cylinders, fly wheel, power steering, A/C compressor all accessories, loom, ECU remapped and 12 Months OR 20,000K warranty delivered for $15.5k INC G.S.T.

you should be able to get it for under $12k now as you donr need the power streering or A/C stuff. And they are considered OLD

STIFFY

Yeah, thats about the value that i have put in the budget for it. I have spoken to some other suppliers since posting this and it seems there is a trend of people saying there isnt much around.

I think i will go with first price i got of 5.5k, i can get a box for about 2.5-3k and have been quoted $600 for a mapped ecu (2nd hand) plus a couple of hundred for a wiring kit that comes with all plugs, wire and instructions to make it my self. If i get out of it all for under $10k i will be laughing.

[Zedn]

Originally Posted by NASSTY

Good to see some chevy motors in a few more RCMs

Yep, im going to the dark side. Should fit nice in the RCM if people can fit those big ford engines in.

[Sloth]

I purchased my LS1 and T56 from Eagle Auto in Melbourne. They were excellent to deal with, and gave 12 months warranty from the date i first started the engine which from memory was about 12 months after i paid for it. Wish i could say the same about my PCM and harness supplier..