$15,000 for an LT-5 motor?

[Vette73]

Just saw an add on eBay for a 93-95 LT-5 motor for $15,000 dollars....I feel like messaging the seller saying " Ahh,you realize you can get an entire ZR-1 for that price"......I don't know, maybe its me....

[Dynomite]

That would be a crate 405 hp engine with zero hrs.

Your $15K ZR-1 is a high mileage ZR-1 with issues :D

[Karl]

Just saw an add on eBay for a 93-95 LT-5 motor for $15,000 dollars....I feel like messaging the seller saying " Ahh,you realize you can get an entire ZR-1 for that price"......I don't know, maybe its me....

$15k for a motor that has been in a box for over 20 years?

I've seen that eBay ad. Another $5 to $10k you can have an entire car.

I don't mean to sound ignorant but I can't imagine a valve spring or anything being compressed for so long and not needing to be replaced.

I doubt you can just install that engine and drive off into the sunset.

[A26B]

$15k for a motor that has been in a box for over 20 years?

I've seen that eBay ad. Another $5 to $10k you can have an entire car.

I don't mean to sound ignorant but I can't imagine a valve spring or anything being compressed for so long and not needing to be replaced.

I doubt you can just install that engine and drive off into the sunset.

Valve springs, or any other good springs do not incur any fatigue during static conditions which do not exceed yield strength. Fatigue is eventually caused by cycles of torsional motion.

Actually an LT5 crate engine properly stored can be installed and driven off into the sunset, provided they were properly stored & prepped for running. LT5 new crate engines were prepared for long term storage.

I shipped a new crate engine to Japan & the customer had no problems with the engine. Another went to a customer in New Mexico who did not encounter any problems. I know of other instances with the same trouble-free results.

[spork2367]

I think we've got awhile until crate engines are going for 14-15k. Prices on cars aren't going anywhere, so I'm not sure why some sellers decided all of the sudden that crate engines were worth 3k more, a 25% increase over where they had been. Not that there may not be a buyer out there at that price, but I would venture to guess that the majority of the crate engines produced still exist...as crate engines.

While you may not get a low mileage 405 hp car for 15k, you can buy a mid mileage 375 hp car for 18k, do some easy mods to get to 400-410 HP and enjoy a whole car instead of just an engine. Especially since the engine wear in a 50-75k car is going to be nothing of any consequence.

Crate engines don't include an ECU either do they?

That said, a member here thinks their worth that too...

http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=30194

[efnfast]

Good to hear Jerry. I hope he gets every penny for it.

[Vette73]

Here we go....Maybe I shouldn't of said anything.....I can maybe see someone who has some coin to throw around maybe, maybe, powdercoating this and dropping it into an older resto mod vette.....The eye appeal of an LT-5 in a build like that really stands out......I have seen it in a 50's resto mod and it looked great when the hood was popped open....

For someone of regular interest to buy it at that price, to me, is a long shot...Like an OP said earlier, you can pick up a 375 HP Z for a few thousand more and enjoy the entire car.....

[Dynomite]

Just saw an add on eBay for a 93-95 LT-5 motor for $15,000 dollars or Make Offer....I feel like messaging the seller saying " Ahh,you realize you can get an entire ZR-1 for that price"......I don't know, maybe its me....

You forgot to mention the Or Make Offer.

You should be talking about the Offer the Seller Accepts and then you can critique the Buyer :p


95' Crate Engine which will go into my 95 with ZFdoc Rebuilt 91' Trans with Short Shifter sometime when I am short of work :D

http://www.zr1.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=392&pictureid=3250
http://www.zr1.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=392&pictureid=3254
http://www.zr1.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=392&pictureid=3253
http://www.zr1.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=392&pictureid=3251
http://www.zr1.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=392&pictureid=3252

[spork2367]

Here we go....Maybe I shouldn't of said anything.....I can maybe see someone who has some coin to throw around maybe, maybe, powdercoating this and dropping it into an older resto mod vette.....The eye appeal of an LT-5 in a build like that really stands out......I have seen it in a 50's resto mod and it looked great when the hood was popped open....

For someone of regular interest to buy it at that price, to me, is a long shot...Like an OP said earlier, you can pick up a 375 HP Z for a few thousand more and enjoy the entire car.....

Then buy and ECU, if you can find one, for 1500-2000. Or a megaquirt for 2700 (plus tuning costs). Then headers, then a transmission.... I estimate that if you paid 15k for a crate LT5 you'd have over 20k till you had everything you needed to install it.

Or you could buy a car with less than 50k mileage for that same price and have every piece you needed.


The only time I can see the crate engine making sense for anywhere near that price was if I had a 93-95 car with a catastrophic engine failure and I wasn't patient enough to get the original engine fixed. The crate engine is technically not "numbers matching" even though it is an exact period correct replacement. So, it's not like it adds any real value over a rebuild.

[Dynomite]

The crate engine is technically not "numbers matching" even though it is an exact period correct replacement. So, it's not like it adds any real value over a rebuild.

You are saying a Crate Engine is the Same as a Rebuild :p

[spork2367]

You are saying a Crate Engine is the Same as a Rebuild :p

Huh? I'm saying that any perceived value lost in rebuilding the original engine with non original parts (different pistons, liners, and rings, at the least) is probably comparable to putting in an engine that wasn't stamped at the factory with the cars VIN, i.e. a crate engine.

[GOLDCYLON]

You forgot to mention the Or Make Offer.

You should be talking about the Offer the Seller Accepts and then you can critique the Buyer :p


95' Crate Engine which will go into my 95 with ZFdoc Rebuilt 91' Trans with Short Shifter sometime when I am short of work :D

http://www.zr1.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=392&pictureid=3250
http://www.zr1.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=392&pictureid=3254
http://www.zr1.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=392&pictureid=3253
http://www.zr1.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=392&pictureid=3251
http://www.zr1.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=392&pictureid=3252

Drool. I’m sorry but the form factor of this engine vs the Tupperware generation is like a bikini vs a potato sack

[GOLDCYLON]

Valve springs, or any other good springs do not incur any fatigue during static conditions which do not exceed yield strength. Fatigue is eventually caused by cycles of torsional motion.

Actually an LT5 crate engine properly stored can be installed and driven off into the sunset, provided they were properly stored & prepped for running. LT5 new crate engines were prepared for long term storage.

I shipped a new crate engine to Japan & the customer had no problems with the engine. Another went to a customer in New Mexico who did not encounter any problems. I know of other instances with the same trouble-free results.

I concur with Jerry. A GM properly crated engine I have never heard of an issue. A used sold as a “crated engine” you are taking your chances

[efnfast]

Why would the collective "we" who always bitches about the crappy value of our cars, pooh pooh a guy who wants good money for what he has. We should be praising the asking price of this. If "we" on this site don't dictate the value of our cars, who will? The market? We are the market.

[GOLDCYLON]

Why would the collective "we" who always bitches about the crappy value of our cars, pooh pooh a guy who wants good money for what he has. We should be praising the asking price of this. If "we" on this site don't dictate the value of our cars, who will? The market? We are the market.

True but I kind of get it. The reality is YES you can buy a whole car for that kind of money. I never went into this hobby for the money and I will probably WILL my sons my Zs vs. selling them. The engine is worth what the market is willing to pay. If he gets it great. Right? No poo pooing justified.

[Ccmano]

Luv the motor Cliff....
:happy1:
H

[Karl]

Why would the collective "we" who always bitches about the crappy value of our cars, pooh pooh a guy who wants good money for what he has. We should be praising the asking price of this. If "we" on this site don't dictate the value of our cars, who will? The market? We are the market.

I hope the seller gets $15k for the engine. I believe everyone wants to see their vehicle values increase. Especially when compared to it's peers of the '90s.

Hope I didn't sound like a hater!

👍

[spork2367]

Why would the collective "we" who always bitches about the crappy value of our cars, pooh pooh a guy who wants good money for what he has. We should be praising the asking price of this. If "we" on this site don't dictate the value of our cars, who will? The market? We are the market.

I don't know what "pooh poohing" is. People simply stated that his price is high for the market. I don't think anyone is personally offended at his listing price. He can ask 100k if he wants. Plus, he has "make an offer," which may mean he is more realistic, but is shooting for the moon on the buy it now. I think at 12 or 12.5 it would probably be gone. Although that 3k isn't a lot, it is 20% of the total value.

"We," the people who visit this forum, constitute a very small number of ZR1 owners overall. So if "we" ask prices that don't reflect what people are willing to pay, "we" will just be sitting on unsold cars.

If we made up 75% of the ZR1 owners, we could probably artificially alter the value. On our best day, we're less than 10% of the ZR1 market. And most on here own a car or two and aren't in the current buying market. Nor would anyone on here looking for another car want to pay more.

Sellers want more money, buyers want a deal. Sellers do not and can not control the market unless the supply is extremely limited...It isn't.

The crate engine market isn't all that limited either, and it isn't likely to exceed the low to mid mileage car market.

Wish in one hand, you know what in the other and see which fills up faster.

We can't alter the market by simply upping our prices because the commodity we have isn't that rare or desirable. It is to us, but we're current owners, not current buyers.

[EvanZR1]

IF this had been available when I had my motor issue, I would have considered it at around half the asking price. But definitely not for $15K. For that price I got a fully ported 391 closed deck from Pete.

[Corvette95]

I had two crate LT'5 for a long time, one had a GM HOT PARTS tag. When I had to move for work, I sold most of my Corvette NOS stuff, I got 10k each for those. Both stored correctly, even changed the oil, and hand cranked the crankshaft once a year.

[A26B]

IF this had been available when I had my motor issue, I would have considered it at around half the asking price. But definitely not for $15K. For that price I got a fully ported 391 closed deck from Pete.

It really comes down to a difference in the objective.

For you Evan (and most of the rest of us here on the forum) , two factors drove your decision (1) you already had an engine & (2) you wanted more power. I'm with you on that. I built my 94 405 LT5 to a 415 cu in for the same reasons.

Different factors for customers I have sold crate engines to;

(1) Badly damaged engine, working with a dealership (??) The economics to repair are heavily in favor of a complete replacement engine & a new engine trumps the rebuild. Economics drive this decision. Sale of the take-out engine offsets a part of the cost.

(2) International to a country with very strict emissions laws. Cost to rebuild involves round trip shipping the engine to the US. A complete, major overhaul & shipping would likely exceed the cost of the new crate engine and ALL components would be new. Less time & concern.

(3) The custom car builder: With the LT5's unique, exotic look, power is not the major concern and 405 HP is not shabby either. A $15,000 engine is but a small fraction of the cost that goes into building some of these cars. I have had at least a dozen, maybe two, dozen customers putting LT5 engines in all sorts of different cars, from a 40's Packard to Chevy pickups, with every earlier generation of Corvettes, plus Camaros, Chevelles, 55~57 Chevys, etc.
Being here in the US, most do find used engines and leave stock internals or modify, but they have access to builders.

So bottom line..... it all depends on the final objective & what you're starting with. Remember, EVERY single component on a crate engine is brand new, from the clutch fork to the power steering hoses, wiring harness to the drain plug.

[Dynomite]

I shipped a new crate engine to Japan & the customer had no problems with the engine. Another went to a customer in New Mexico who did not encounter any problems. I know of other instances with the same trouble-free results.

Jerry...…..
How much would it cost to ship a crate engine say from New York to South Dakota :p

Also......who are your shippers?

How much does a Crate Engine weigh?
What are its crated dimensions?

[A26B]

Jerry...…..
How much would it cost to ship a crate engine say from New York to South Dakota :p

Also......who are your shippers?

How much does a Crate Engine weigh?
What are its crated dimensions?

Weight, as crated by GM - 739 lbs
Crate size - 43"L x 36"W x 39"H

https://cdn10.bigcommerce.com/s-nkg90o/products/224/images/2490/zr1-2__31339.1539001839.1280.1280.jpg?c=2&_ga=2.146129970.784059734.1550934577-997131189.1537711097

[spork2367]

And here is what a crate motor is currently bringing:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1990-chevrolet/

[A26B]

No, the one on BAT IS not comparable to the 93-95 crate engine pictured in my post. In fact, I think that’s strong money for the engine sold in BAT. You should probably use a photo & specs of the one listed on BAT TO be representative of the price.


Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=90383)

[spork2367]

No, the one on BAT IS not comparable to the 93-95 crate engine pictured in my post. In fact, I think that’s strong money for the engine sold in BAT. You should probably use a photo & specs of the one listed on BAT TO be representative of the price.


Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=90383)

I somewhat disagree. If you had a 1990-1992 car, this engine is the most correct replacement. Since that constitutes the majority of cars, I would say this was a steal.

As far as BAT, stuff on there has been going for stupid money. 1988 4runner with a 3.slow and 255k miles just sold for 14k!!! 2009 Honda S2000 with 91 miles went for 70k.

The Wette Vette motor sat on ebay for a month with no sale at 10k, and went on BAT and brought that in 7 days.

What do you think make this engine worth less? It's a two bolt engine (which is essentially meaningless since there are virtually no failures attributed to cap walk.) It is one of the very few 2 bolt crate engines that wasn't a dyno test mule.

[A26B]

I somewhat disagree. If you had a 1990-1992 car, this engine is the most correct replacement. Since that constitutes the majority of cars, I would say this was a steal.

As far as BAT, stuff on there has been going for stupid money. 1988 4runner with a 3.slow and 255k miles just sold for 14k!!! 2009 Honda S2000 with 91 miles went for 70k.

The Wette Vette motor sat on ebay for a month with no sale at 10k, and went on BAT and brought that in 7 days.

What do you think make this engine worth less? It's a two bolt engine (which is essentially meaningless since there are virtually no failures attributed to cap walk.) It is one of the very few 2 bolt crate engines that wasn't a dyno test mule.

First, let's clarify something; Because it was stored in a wooden box doesn't make it a "crate engine" in the truest sense of the phrase as it applies to new LT5 engines manufactured and specially prepared for storage, specifically for GM SPO use.

OK, here’s what was stated on the BAT auction site, with my comments:

This 5.7-liter LT5 V8 was designed for the C4 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 and remains in a period crate. A handwritten tag and markings on the wood box indicate that the engine was made in 1989 as a pre-production unit. It was previously in the collection of R&K Machine founder and LT5 engine cart manufacturer Rick Kirk.

No real, documented, pedigree on this engine. Handwritten tag & box markings??


The selling dealer acquired the engine in 2018 along with the Wette Vette V8 which was sold on BaT in January 2019. The seller states that the LT5 has been crated and unused since it left the Mercury Marine assembly plant. This quad-cam ZR-1 engine is now offered out of New York State on a bill of sale.

The so-called “selling dealer” actually doesn’t know anymore about the history of this engine other than what he may have been told by Rick Kirk who is now deceased. He has no personal knowledge or presented any verifiable research.

General Motors tapped its newly-acquired Lotus engineering department to help design the DOHC V8 for the C4 Corvette ZR-1. The 5.7-liter LT5 V8 features aluminum construction, 32 valves, and electronic fuel injection. Assembly of the LT5 was outsourced to Mercury Marine in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Not quite right. Mercury did much more than assemble the engines. The did virtually all of the machine work in-house and cast many of the parts right on site in Stillwater.

The seller believes that the engine was never installed in a car. After testing on a dynamometer, it is reported that the engine was stored in the included crate. The video above shows the crankshaft being rotated by hand. The seller has not run the engine and does not know if it will operate. It does not currently contain any oil.

There is no paperwork to support what the seller “believes,” and admittedly does not know if it will operate, only that it “does not currently contain any oil.” Real crate engines were specially prepared for long term storage while at Mercury. Storage instructions for real crate engines required climate controlled conditions. I know for a fact that this engine was warehoused for many years without any climate control.

The handwritten tag describes the engine as a #383 pre-production unit from 1989. The engine stamping is inconsistent with production ZR-1 engines, but includes the #383 designation seen above. No VIN stamping is present on the opposite side of the engine.

All true, but has no bearing on the condition of the engine or exactly what components were used in the assembly of this engine. There were over 3,000 changes made to the LT5 during the pre-production era.

The crate is included in the sale. Made of wood, the box is inscribed with “1989 Pre Production LT5 Engine #383.”

Here’s what is not included with this engine, that actually is included with a new crate engine.

Bellhousing
Clutch
Clutch Fork & Release Bearing
Motor Mounts

But you do get a rusty flywheel as evidence this engine was not stored in climate controlled space.

This engine is a real pig in a poke compared to a bona fide Crate engine.

I do not agree that this engine is a most correct replacement for 90~92 models. I don't think that having a pre-production engine is going to win any Bloomington Gold awards or make the ZR-1 worth any more because it looks more like the original engine. In fact, I would imagine a buyer may pay more for the car with the later 405Hp engine. I don't know that for a fact, just my opinion.

[spork2367]

First, let's clarify something; Because it was stored in a wooden box doesn't make it a "crate engine" in the truest sense of the phrase as it applies to new LT5 engines manufactured and specially prepared for storage, specifically for GM SPO use.

This engine is a real pig in a poke compared to a bona fide Crate engine.


I had a long winded response typed up, but it's unimportant. I work in a facility where we crate and preserve every single engine we build.

When you say "bona fide", that only applies to the crate engines AS RECEIVED FROM GM or an authorized shop. And I guarantee that was and still is GM's definition as well.

After joe blow bought it, there is no "bona fide". You have no idea how it was stored or what was or wasn't done with it. Can you guarantee that crate engine on Ebay was stored in climate controlled conditions? The sticker on the box doesn't mean anything.

And finally, no engine manufacturer (outside of the military) would put a 23+ year shelf life on crate engines. Call GM today and ask what their guaranteed shelf life is on an LS crate engine... With the highest level of preservation we offer, our engine shelf life is 1 year. That is on an engine that costs 55k+. Preservation beyond a year involves priming oil pumps, rotating the engine, etc. Not one LT5 in existence was crated and preserved with a 23 year guarantee.

Every one of these motors is a crap shoot unless you pull the entire thing apart.

Whether or not it was a good deal is more of an opinion based issue. So we can agree to disagree on that.

[A26B]

...............................................Eve ry one of these motors is a crap shoot unless you pull the entire thing apart.

Whether or not it was a good deal is more of an opinion based issue. So we can agree to disagree on that.

At one time, I had about 30 LT5 engines that came from GM. There were all sorts of engines, ranging from Phase II to pre production test engines to active suspension engines to engineering test engines & even the "windo engine" used to diagnose the secondary cam chain failure. None of those engines were prepared for storage & had sat in some dusty warehouse, uncovered, partially disassembled & some still had coolant & oil. So I think from this small sample, we can establish that not every engine was prepared for storage.

I concur completely with you that it is impossible to say whether actual "crate engines" were kept in heated storage.

Viability of Crate Engines
Insofar as storage prep goes; I don't know the details of the prep & have no basis to disagree with your statement about the effective longevity of such. However, I think however effective the storage prep might be after a certain period of time, it would be preferable to a "no-prep" storage.

Along this same line, Crate Engines weren't inexpensive and it's likely some were maintained in heated storage & some weren't. If you spend a lot for something, you tend to take better care of it.

In the same vein of uncertainty, we should consider actual information as it pertains to the activation of actual "Crate Engines," from storage to running condition. The impression I have over the last 17 years or so that I have been affiliated with the ZR-1/LT5 is that there have been no problems with "Crate Engines" when they were placed into service. You tend to hear more about bad news than good news, so I am reasonably confident in the preservation of "Crate Engines" being effective.

Every one of these motors is a crap shoot unless you pull the entire thing apart.
I think its more of a horse race than a crap shoot, with the long odds of a "Crate Engine" being a failure. Right now, I'm not aware of a failed "Crate Engine" having ever occurred. Granted, the quantity of my awareness is a small window compared to the total number, but it beats a crap shoot.

The issue of a guarantee is a no-brainer & I'm no fool to even consider that in my perspective of this discussion.

There is no evidence that we can present that is an absolute regarding the preservation effectiveness (apart from a 23 year guarantee:)) BUT, I do know that the subject "89 BAT Engine" did NOT receive any preservation treatment. No preservation of LT5 engines was undertaken until the end of the 1993~95 engine run was completed in 1993.

I do happen to have personal knowledge of where the BAT auction engine has been since it left Mercury. I have no reason to dispute the hand written tag or the Sharpie writing on the box.

Getting back on track with the origin of this thread, the fact that engine #383 sold on BaT for $9,000, in spite of its auspicious origin & condition, does speak well of the value for an actual Crate Engine being significantly higher. $15,000 for a documented, 405Hp LT5, complete with clutch, bellhousing & motor mounts is a viable amount.

I never meant to imply that the 89 engine sold on BAT was a bad deal for the buyer. It brought good money and may well be worth it. After all, that is the definition of "fair market value." I just used it as an example to compare it to a new Crate Engine, since you brought into the conversation for comparison.

[spork2367]

At one time, I had about 30 LT5 engines that came from GM. There were all sorts of engines, ranging from Phase II to pre production test engines to active suspension engines to engineering test engines & even the "windo engine" used to diagnose the secondary cam chain failure. None of those engines were prepared for storage & had sat in some dusty warehouse, uncovered, partially disassembled & some still had coolant & oil. So I think from this small sample, we can establish that not every engine was prepared for storage.

Absolutely. I'm sure there were a lot that weren't preserved. And there is no guarantee this one for sale was, in fact I would agree that it probably was not.

It does appear to be in rather nice original condition without excessive dust, dirt, discoloration, etc. I suspect it may have been a spare engine for a prototype car. Probably only packaged for short distance transportation with the car in case a spare engine was needed. But that's just a guess.

I concur completely with you that it is impossible to say whether actual "crate engines" were kept in heated storage.

Viability of Crate Engines
Insofar as storage prep goes; I don't know the details of the prep & have no basis to disagree with your statement about the effective longevity of such. However, I think however effective the storage prep might be after a certain period of time, it would be preferable to a "no-prep" storage.

I'm guessing that aside from the crating itself, preservation was minimal. The most sensitive area in engines is the bearing surfaces (contact areas), cam surfaces, and cylinder bores. Assembly lube, or engine oil from a dyno run is adequate preservation for the bearings and cam surface in a sealed area (sealed from atmospheric conditions), and being that these are nikasil plated bores, there is no real necessity for cylinder bore preservation, although they may have fogged them with something.

Along this same line, Crate Engines weren't inexpensive and it's likely some were maintained in heated storage & some weren't. If you spend a lot for something, you tend to take better care of it.

Agreed.

In the same vein of uncertainty, we should consider actual information as it pertains to the activation of actual "Crate Engines," from storage to running condition. The impression I have over the last 17 years or so that I have been affiliated with the ZR-1/LT5 is that there have been no problems with "Crate Engines" when they were placed into service. You tend to hear more about bad news than good news, so I am reasonably confident in the preservation of "Crate Engines" being effective.


I think its more of a horse race than a crap shoot, with the long odds of a "Crate Engine" being a failure. Right now, I'm not aware of a failed "Crate Engine" having ever occurred. Granted, the quantity of my awareness is a small window compared to the total number, but it beats a crap shoot.

And based on the number of low mileage cars that have become drivers after long periods of inactivity, I would say the robust design of the engine, along with some material choices makes preservation a minor concern in the scheme of things. So aside from material defects, I would expect crate engines, even with somewhat questionable storage, to be good well into the future. That's not counting possible leaking around seals that have a finite shelf life.

The issue of a guarantee is a no-brainer & I'm no fool to even consider that in my perspective of this discussion.

There is no evidence that we can present that is an absolute regarding the preservation effectiveness (apart from a 23 year guarantee:)) BUT, I do know that the subject "89 BAT Engine" did NOT receive any preservation treatment. No preservation of LT5 engines was undertaken until the end of the 1993~95 engine run was completed in 1993.

I do happen to have personal knowledge of where the BAT auction engine has been since it left Mercury. I have no reason to dispute the hand written tag or the Sharpie writing on the box.

I actually talked with the gentleman who acquired the items from the Kirk collection, but only in regards to some parts he had.

Getting back on track with the origin of this thread, the fact that engine #383 sold on BaT for $9,000, in spite of its auspicious origin & condition, does speak well of the value for an actual Crate Engine being significantly higher. $15,000 for a documented, 405Hp LT5, complete with clutch, bellhousing & motor mounts is a viable amount.

I never meant to imply that the 89 engine sold on BAT was a bad deal for the buyer. It brought good money and may well be worth it. After all, that is the definition of "fair market value." I just used it as an example to compare it to a new Crate Engine, since you brought into the conversation for comparison.

I understand where you're coming from. The bellhousing and motor mounts are minimal. The surface rust on the clutch is an easy fix. At 9k, the sum of the parts was worth more than the total price, so I think it was a good deal for whoever got it.


However, in the crate motor conversation as a whole...hard to justify 15k for an LT5 when 18k gets you this...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-Performance-Parts-LT5-6-2L-376-ci-755-HP-Engine-19417105/292937524150?hash=item44346fe3b6:g:bgkAAOSwxx1cTzu A&frcectupt=true

[A26B]

However, in the crate motor conversation as a whole...hard to justify 15k for an LT5 when 18k gets you this...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-Performance-Parts-LT5-6-2L-376-ci-755-HP-Engine-19417105/292937524150?hash=item44346fe3b6:g:bgkAAOSwxx1cTzu A&frcectupt=true

:dancing For Sure! Depends on what you want! We don't need no stinkin' pushrods!

Though there are instances of actual need. I shipped a crate LT5 to a customer in Japan. Their import restrictions for automotive are severe. We had to document that the engine was an exact replacement for the year & model of the car it would be used in. Had the ZR-1 been a 375 hp version, it would not have been allowed.

Good talk! take care :-)

[Paul Workman]

Good talk!

Yep!:cheers: