Rambo's LS6 G35 Build
 

Well my engine is burning oil so I decided to replace it with a new one. I am building a 400+hp LS6. Had this on G35Driver for a while so I thought I would catch everyone up.

So far my build setup is as follows:

1. 01' LS1 Longblock ($650) - Just checked the casting numbers. I have an LS6 block!! About 15% of the blocks in 01 fbodies were ls6 castings. I am excited.
2. 243 heads ($350)
3. Mahle Power Piston Pack ($425 - new bought from someone on LS1TECH)
4. ARP Main Studs - $180
5. Clevite 77 Cam Bearings - $35
6. All block and head machine work, Rotating Assembly Balanced, Main Bearings, Rod Bearings, and ARP Rod Bolts - $1335 (Huck's Machine Shop in Cincinnati, OH - Highly Recommended)
7. ARP Balancer Bolt - $25
8. LS2 90MM TB - $125 new (best ebay find ever!)
9. LS2 Intake and Fuel Rails - $250 (purchased from VAS_33 on LS1tech, going from Z to G)
10. EPS 226 INT./230 EXT. .600 lift custom cam - $400

Total so far: $3775

Just got it up on the engine stand today to inspect...

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-x...s576/Ls1-1.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-y...s800/Ls1-2.JPG

Dirty Pistons:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-r...s576/Ls1-4.JPG

Clean Piston (4 down, 4 to go):
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-b...s576/Ls1-3.JPG

After I finish cleaning the last 4, next step is to press out the wrist pins. I am going to reuse the stock rods.

243 heads from an LS2. I am going to clean these up, polish, and put some high lift springs and comp cams trunion upgraded rockers. I think it will go nicely with a phat cam...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M...10914-2154.jpg

mmm....new pistons!!!!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5...0/pistons1.jpg

Installed new ARP Main Studs today!

Old stock main bolts out.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3...s800/photo.JPG

Dropped in the new studs.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-v...0/DSC_2423.JPG

All done. Ready for the machine shop!!!
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7...25281%2529.JPG

Time for an update.

Total list of things Huck's Machine Shop did for me:

1. Clean Block, Valves, Valve Covers, and Heads
2. Inspect and Deck heads flat
3. Magnaflux Crank, Grind, and polish
4. Inspect block
5. Bore, hone, and match block to pistons
6. Recondition stock rods with ARP bolts
7. Assemble rods and pistons with pressed in wrist pins (THEY DID IT FOR FREE!!)
8. Replace cam bearings
9. Full balance of rotating assembly
10. Ground flywheel (THEY DID IT FOR FREE!!)
11. Furnished Main and Rod bearings

Final machine shop cost with ARP rod bolt, main bearings, and rod bearings: $1335.41

Time for pics:

Freshly Cleaned, Bored, Honed Block:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1...0/IMG_0668.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-B...0/IMG_0670.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-b...0/IMG_0669.JPG

Is that Chevy Red-Orange I see:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1...0/IMG_0671.JPG

Why yes, yes it is:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-J...0/IMG_0680.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i...0/IMG_0679.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-s...0/IMG_0676.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-n...0/IMG_0675.JPG

Fresh Parts!!!
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-l...0/IMG_0672.JPG

Piston Assemblies:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-b...0/IMG_0683.JPG

New Piston Assembly with ARP Rod bolts and MAHLE Pistons:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_...0/IMG_0673.jpg

Freshly Ground and Balanced Crank:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-b...0/IMG_0684.JPG

Cleaned and decked heads:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H...0/IMG_0682.JPG

I also got the fly wheel, rod, and main bearings. Time for short block assembly to begin....

New micrometers for verifying clearances. New bore gauge is on the way!!
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-q.../s640/mics.jpg

JEGS SENT ME THE BORE GAUGE WITH MISSING PARTS!!!! WTF!! (Finally got a new one)

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-y...NG%2BPARTS.JPG

Just bought a piston ring filer and a ring compressor tool. Lets see if they come in with all the pieces;)

http://paceperformance.com/images/M24307115.jpg

http://paceperformance.com/images/M24307362.jpg

Just picked up a new LS2 90mm TB for my build. I will be upgrading the LS6 to alot of the LS2 stuff. $125 bucks new - Ebay find of the century

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-l...k/LS2%2BTB.jpg

OK. Time for an update.

Lower main bearings installed in the main caps.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m.../IMG_00020.jpg

Upper main bearings installed in the block.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w.../IMG_00021.jpg

Erica's first attempt at taking a picture of me micing in the main bearings, pretty cool shot though:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-S.../IMG_00022.jpg

Me micing in the main bearings. .001"-.002" clearance all around. Yeah!!
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-x.../IMG_00023.jpg

All main bearings checked out to .001"-.002" clearance. She is ready for the crankshaft.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-a.../IMG_00024.jpg

A little assembly lube on the upper main bearings.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-h.../IMG_00025.jpg

A little more assembly lube on the lower main bearings.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9.../IMG_00026.jpg

Dropped the crankshaft in!!
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Z.../IMG_00027.jpg

Main caps installed and everything torqued down. She turns freely. Next step is to check end play.
[https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k.../IMG_00028.jpg

Thats all for today. I am still waiting on my ring grinder and ring compressor. Should be here later this week.

New ARP Balancer Bolt is in!! Should be assembling the pistons in the short block this weekend.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-i.../IMG_00029.jpg

Decided 50 bucks was way too much to spend for a piston ring squaring tool. So i made one. Turned out great, not bad for $FREE.99

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-n.../IMG_00030.jpg

Checked crankshaft end play. Looks good. I also finally got the piston rod bolts loosed up so I can start assembly of the bearings

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-q...IMG_00031a.jpg

Time for an update!!

The rod bearings and connecting rod/piston assembly.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-k.../IMG_00035.jpg

Dropped in the rod bearings.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Y.../IMG_00036.jpg

Bearings are ready for clearance inspection. Seven more to go...
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-l.../IMG_00037.jpg

All the Piston/Rod assemblies ready for rings.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-x.../IMG_00039.jpg

My piston ring squaring tool works!!
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-q.../IMG_00040.jpg

Piston ring #3 all gapped up and ready to go.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6.../IMG_00041.jpg

The full piston assembly rings, rods, bearings, and pistons. The whole caboodle ready for assembly.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-N.../IMG_00042.jpg

Piston rings installed.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-L.../IMG_00043.jpg

After a ***** of time figuring out how to get my ring compressor working correctly (wouldnt close all the way) on piston #1 the rest dropped in nicely.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0.../IMG_00047.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-k.../IMG_00048.jpg

Bottom end all buttoned up!
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-a.../IMG_00050.jpg

ARP Rod bolt close up!
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--.../IMG_00051.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-I.../IMG_00052.jpg

All Pistons In!!! Time to find a cam!!!
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C.../IMG_00049.jpg

btw this build is sponsored by budwieser. 5 hrs of working on a motor cannot be had without a few cans of beer.

Great thread

in for this. lookin great!! apparently 1 thing to look out for is making sure you have the right crank position sensor, just a heads up.

glad to see someone local. I'm just up in the Dayton area :) very cool!

good luck w/your build, suscribed' for progress

:D subscribed

very nice!! I would contact patrick G for a custom cam. Shoot me a PM if you want more info.

dang, looks good!!!

Sick build man. Can't wait to see this all finished and running!

sub'd

good luck! looks great so far...very jealous

Sweet another LS swap!

In for updates, in Cincinnati also, have to see it when your finished

Ditto that!! I have the 24X reluctor. I am going to run the E40 ECU so I can run LS2 sensors. I have spent alot of time reading about this.

Thank you for including prices.
It helps gives us noobies an idea of the cost.

Thats the idea. I got the idea from Royal_Ts thead. This way people can compare true costs from the ground up.

If you have any questions prices on swap kits, wiring harnesses, and swap parts PM me. I have a build thread on g35 driver just search my user name. Iv been through the build and can tell you the easy way through it.

Keep up with the cost please

Just got an LS2 Intake manifold from Vas_33 (somehow randomly bought his on ls1tech) so I can use my 90mm Throttle body. I am going to port this one, then some day get a FAST set up down the road.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-g.../IMG_00053.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--.../IMG_00054.jpg

sub'd. Looking good so far:thumbup:

Just purchased an EPS 226 INT./230 EXT. .600 lift custom cam today....2 weeks and counting until I get it!!