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Thread: Damaged LS1 engine on just purchaced HSV GTO 2002.

  1. #1
    HZute-efi-VS5L is offline Occasional Contributor to the Forums Last Online: 07-03-2015 @ 11:23 PM
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    Damaged LS1 engine on just purchaced HSV GTO 2002.

    Gday guys and gals.

    I just brought a 2002 HSV GTO coupe. In Mint condition.

    I have had it about a month. When I brought it, it ran very smooth and quiet.

    Last weekend we threw it on a dyno. (local guys to me here in Renmark SA with very good quility service.)
    Mid run it missed and the mechanic shut it down. Turned out it threw a head gasket and filled number 6 and 8 with coolant!

    After a strip down of the heads we found the steel layer head gaskets had been refitted with silicone! So it had obviously been apart before. I rang the guys who done most of the work on it for the previous owner but they never touched the heads. (they are a well know sponcer of this forum) so I trust they are telling me the truith.

    The other thing we found was number 6 and 8 pistions had a chunk out of them. number 8 defiantly happend when it missed on the dyno we believe. Number 6 had been like it for ages!!! All carboned up and not a clear recent break.
    So looks like the previous owner did a dogey. Cheers to him. Now I am up for a full engine rebuild! I gather I wouldnt have a leg to stand on. and its bad luck to me?

    Its currently fairly standard. Genuine trutrac diff. Fully rebuilt 6 speed. Button Clutch etc.
    Engine is stock. With bigger injectors (green top), Billit fuel rails and a raptor supercharger running 7psi (intercooled)

    So because we are rebuilding it I am thinking of doing a few extra mods while we are in there. What suggestions do you have? What mods are good bang for buck?

    I wont change the engine. Even if it costs more I dont care as I want the original engine in the car.

    Cheers!

  2. #2
    cashie's Avatar
    cashie is offline Fair Contributor to the Forums Last Online: 16-01-2022 @ 09:30 PM
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    Re: Damaged LS1 engine on just purchaced HSV GTO 2002.

    "fairly standard" normally doesn't include a blower, especially when talking about detonation.
    Who did the FI tune on it?

  3. #3
    macca33's Avatar
    macca33 is offline Powertrain Control Last Online: 23-08-2024 @ 03:05 PM
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    Re: Damaged LS1 engine on just purchaced HSV GTO 2002.

    Quote Originally Posted by HZute-efi-VS5L View Post
    Gday guys and gals.

    I just brought a 2002 HSV GTO coupe. In Mint condition.

    I have had it about a month. When I brought it, it ran very smooth and quiet.

    Last weekend we threw it on a dyno. (local guys to me here in Renmark SA with very good quility service.)
    Mid run it missed and the mechanic shut it down. Turned out it threw a head gasket and filled number 6 and 8 with coolant!

    After a strip down of the heads we found the steel layer head gaskets had been refitted with silicone! So it had obviously been apart before. I rang the guys who done most of the work on it for the previous owner but they never touched the heads. (they are a well know sponcer of this forum) so I trust they are telling me the truith.

    The other thing we found was number 6 and 8 pistions had a chunk out of them. number 8 defiantly happend when it missed on the dyno we believe. Number 6 had been like it for ages!!! All carboned up and not a clear recent break.
    So looks like the previous owner did a dogey. Cheers to him. Now I am up for a full engine rebuild! I gather I wouldnt have a leg to stand on. and its bad luck to me?

    Its currently fairly standard. Genuine trutrac diff. Fully rebuilt 6 speed. Button Clutch etc.
    Engine is stock. With bigger injectors (green top), Billit fuel rails and a raptor supercharger running 7psi (intercooled)

    So because we are rebuilding it I am thinking of doing a few extra mods while we are in there. What suggestions do you have? What mods are good bang for buck?

    I wont change the engine. Even if it costs more I dont care as I want the original engine in the car.

    Cheers!

    Not good mate, but honestly, last time we heard from you, you were having issues with it (fuel starvation, followed by sluggish performance and a perished / cracked fuel hose) and now you just 'threw it on a dyno' and it went bang??? Were they monitoring AFRs on the dyno run?

    What did you do in the interim, to ensure that fuel system was up to scratch, the car was running properly - safely - and that the tune was also safe? These FI cars have to be set-up and tuned properly - with safe margins - not on the edge, particularly if the fuel being used is not that which they have been tuned on.

    You say the car ran great when you picked it up; up until you had your issue, so how do you blame the previous owner, when he / she may not have known that there was an issue?

    Spray-on Hi-Temp Gasket Silicone is used by some workshops on heads, so it is not unusual.

    Good luck with the repairs, hopefully, you'll get it sorted on the rebuild.

    cheers
    Last edited by macca33; 29-04-2012 at 10:48 PM.
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  4. #4
    boggers007 is offline Fair Contributor to the Forums Last Online: 13-04-2017 @ 05:02 PM
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    Re: Damaged LS1 engine on just purchaced HSV GTO 2002.

    How far do you want to go is the question? Heads off id be putting aftermarkets on, Lifters, Springs, Rockers, Bigger blower friendly stick and obviously pistons to match.

  5. #5
    1BEAST2NV's Avatar
    1BEAST2NV is offline Fair Contributor to the Forums Last Online: 28-01-2014 @ 01:15 AM
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    Re: Damaged LS1 engine on just purchaced HSV GTO 2002.

    chipped pstion can only be from a dropped valve ay......



    I think its dropped a valve at some stage, had the heads pulled off to see the damage, new valve or what eva, cleaned the debree out of the bore and whacked back together, obviously the chip didnt affect it if its been going strong for this long.

    maybe its had some over RPM since then........
    640rwhp of pure awesomeness

  6. #6
    cashie's Avatar
    cashie is offline Fair Contributor to the Forums Last Online: 16-01-2022 @ 09:30 PM
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    Re: Damaged LS1 engine on just purchaced HSV GTO 2002.

    Quote Originally Posted by 1BEAST2NV View Post
    chipped pstion can only be from a dropped valve ay......



    I think its dropped a valve at some stage, had the heads pulled off to see the damage, new valve or what eva, cleaned the debree out of the bore and whacked back together, obviously the chip didnt affect it if its been going strong for this long.

    maybe its had some over RPM since then........
    What do you mean? Detonation will crack/chip a piston (and/or ring lands)

  7. #7
    Kingston_99 is offline Forum Contributor Last Online: 29-09-2014 @ 10:21 PM
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    Re: Damaged LS1 engine on just purchaced HSV GTO 2002.

    383 stroker on the cards?

  8. #8
    cashie's Avatar
    cashie is offline Fair Contributor to the Forums Last Online: 16-01-2022 @ 09:30 PM
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    Re: Damaged LS1 engine on just purchaced HSV GTO 2002.

    Quote Originally Posted by HZute-efi-VS5L View Post
    Gday guys and gals.

    I just brought a 2002 HSV GTO coupe. In Mint condition.

    I have had it about a month. When I brought it, it ran very smooth and quiet.

    Last weekend we threw it on a dyno. (local guys to me here in Renmark SA with very good quility service.)
    Mid run it missed and the mechanic shut it down. Turned out it threw a head gasket and filled number 6 and 8 with coolant!

    After a strip down of the heads we found the steel layer head gaskets had been refitted with silicone! So it had obviously been apart before. I rang the guys who done most of the work on it for the previous owner but they never touched the heads. (they are a well know sponcer of this forum) so I trust they are telling me the truith.

    The other thing we found was number 6 and 8 pistions had a chunk out of them. number 8 defiantly happend when it missed on the dyno we believe. Number 6 had been like it for ages!!! All carboned up and not a clear recent break.
    So looks like the previous owner did a dogey. Cheers to him. Now I am up for a full engine rebuild! I gather I wouldnt have a leg to stand on. and its bad luck to me?

    Its currently fairly standard. Genuine trutrac diff. Fully rebuilt 6 speed. Button Clutch etc.
    Engine is stock. With bigger injectors (green top), Billit fuel rails and a raptor supercharger running 7psi (intercooled)

    So because we are rebuilding it I am thinking of doing a few extra mods while we are in there. What suggestions do you have? What mods are good bang for buck?

    I wont change the engine. Even if it costs more I dont care as I want the original engine in the car.

    Cheers!
    Are you sure number 6 didn't happen with your lean out on the way home after you bought the car?
    Reading that thread, I think to say "it ran very smooth and quiet" before the dyno is a bit inaccurate..

  9. #9
    macca_779's Avatar
    macca_779 is offline One of the Top Contributors to the Forum Last Online: 29-08-2024 @ 11:45 PM
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    Sorry but reputable shop and raptor blower on an LSx don't go together. Check the compressor blades, I wouldn't put it past one being launched.


    iPad 2 HD

  10. #10
    qwigybo is offline Occasional Contributor to the Forums Last Online: 25-09-2023 @ 12:21 PM
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    Re: Damaged LS1 engine on just purchaced HSV GTO 2002.

    wasn't a yellow one from vic was it ?

  11. #11
    Tom333 is offline Account Frozen Last Online: 13-07-2012 @ 09:07 PM
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    Re: Damaged LS1 engine on just purchaced HSV GTO 2002.

    mmmm running it on 95 ron wouldn't have helped

  12. #12
    private9 is offline Occasional Contributor to the Forums Last Online: 09-10-2016 @ 09:40 AM
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    Re: Damaged LS1 engine on just purchaced HSV GTO 2002.

    You play you pay. Plus you've conveniently left out some fairly critical background info....

  13. #13
    Micks is offline Permanently Banned Last Online: 19-12-2021 @ 07:11 AM
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    Re: Damaged LS1 engine on just purchaced HSV GTO 2002.

    Certainly no comeback on a 10yr old engine regardless, surprising it wasn't fully reco'd by this time anyhow!

  14. #14
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    zorro is offline Substantial Contributor to the Forum Last Online: 11-07-2025 @ 02:39 PM
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    Shame it's happened but you can't claim negligence on the past owner or their chosen workshop for what 'may' have caused the issue. Your other thread dropped a bomb on a couple of things which wouldn't of helped either.

    If it were me I'd sell the blower and put the money towards a 383 for your motor as its going to be rebuilt and a tough little stroker will have oodles of torque and deliver it better than your blower
    GM: Has millions of dollars and highly trained engineers.

    Guy in his backyard:
    Has a hole saw.

  15. #15
    255-LS1 is offline Fair Contributor to the Forums Last Online: 24-07-2015 @ 10:40 PM
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    Re: Damaged LS1 engine on just purchaced HSV GTO 2002.

    Quote Originally Posted by macca_779 View Post
    Sorry but reputable shop and raptor blower on an LSx don't go together. Check the compressor blades, I wouldn't put it past one being launched.


    iPad 2 HD
    Agreed they are junk, but any debris would likely get lodged in the intercooler first??

    Oh well as they say you get lemons in everybasket. Did the owner produce receipts for all the alledged work performed?

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