$15,000 for an LT-5 motor? - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Vette73 · 02-09-2019

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 · 02-09-2019

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

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

Karl · 02-09-2019

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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....

$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 · 02-09-2019

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl

$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.

GOLDCYLON · 02-10-2019

Quote:

Originally Posted by A26B

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

Dynomite · 02-24-2019

Quote:

Originally Posted by A26B

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

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

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

A26B · 02-24-2019

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dynomite

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

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

spork2367 · 02-10-2019

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 · 02-10-2019

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

Vette73 · 02-10-2019

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.....

02-09-2019	#1
Vette73 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Brooklyn ny Posts: 1,045	$15,000 for an LT-5 motor? 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....

02-09-2019	#2
Dynomite Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Dakota/California Posts: 3,788	$15,000 for an LT-5 motor? That would be a crate 405 hp engine with zero hrs. Your $15K ZR-1 is a high mileage ZR-1 with issues __________________ Left Clickable links -Solutions- LT5 Modifications/Rebuild Tricks Low Mileage ZR-1 Restoration 1990 Corvette (L98) Modifications LT5 Eliminated Systems LT5 Added Systems LT5/ZR-1 Fluids 1995 LT5 SPECIFIC TOP END REBUILD TRICKS Last edited by Dynomite; 02-09-2019 at 03:15 PM.

02-10-2019	#8
spork2367 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: PA Posts: 879	Re: $15,000 for an LT-5 motor? 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

02-10-2019	#9
efnfast Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Dunbarton NH Posts: 7,275	Re: $15,000 for an LT-5 motor? Good to hear Jerry. I hope he gets every penny for it.

02-10-2019	#10
Vette73 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Brooklyn ny Posts: 1,045	Re: $15,000 for an LT-5 motor? 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.....