Crate GM L31 Pricing

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HopHead357

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Hello All,

I've been thinking about replacing my tired L31 in my '99 K1500 w/ NV4500 for some time with a crate GM L31. I first started looking in 2010 when they were like $1700 and again last year when they were $3600. Well, now I've waited too long and they price is around $4400.

Now it's time to pull out your crystal balls. My question is, do we anticipate these prices coming down some day, or will they keep climbing? Is this some sort of crazy inflated price due to high demand and low production, or is this just where we are at now?

I need to bite the bullet some day. Is today that day?
 

HeavyAsAChevy

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Hello All,

I've been thinking about replacing my tired L31 in my '99 K1500 w/ NV4500 for some time with a crate GM L31. I first started looking in 2010 when they were like $1700 and again last year when they were $3600. Well, now I've waited too long and they price is around $4400.

Now it's time to pull out your crystal balls. My question is, do we anticipate these prices coming down some day, or will they keep climbing? Is this some sort of crazy inflated price due to high demand and low production, or is this just where we are at now?

I need to bite the bullet some day. Is today that day?
If it’s still tired after 12years. Maybe just wait some more and have someone build you one to drop in.
 

HopHead357

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If it’s still tired after 12years. Maybe just wait some more and have someone build you one to drop in.

I've only put about 35K miles on it since 2010. I haven't driven it as a daily since about 2012. I started looking at a crate motor when I did my transmission swap and rebuild the entire suspension. It started to get tired about 20k ago and has since seemingly started leaking oil out of every orifice which I cannot seem to stop. I don't think I'd ever drive it enough for it to get more tired with this motor in it.

I want to be able to use the truck more. Towing, off road excursions, and longer trips, but I just don't trust the motor at all. I have a company car and no other personal vehicles other than this truck. I've toyed with the idea of buing a newer used truck, but I can basically acheive this with the new motor and spend WAY less. And I would get to keep my 5-speed.

I don’t foresee much inflation reduction acting till about 2024…
Yea, and who knows what that'll even look like.
 

HeavyAsAChevy

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I've only put about 35K miles on it since 2010. I haven't driven it as a daily since about 2012. I started looking at a crate motor when I did my transmission swap and rebuild the entire suspension. It started to get tired about 20k ago and has since seemingly started leaking oil out of every orifice which I cannot seem to stop. I don't think I'd ever drive it enough for it to get more tired with this motor in it.

I want to be able to use the truck more. Towing, off road excursions, and longer trips, but I just don't trust the motor at all. I have a company car and no other personal vehicles other than this truck. I've toyed with the idea of buing a newer used truck, but I can basically acheive this with the new motor and spend WAY less. And I would get to keep my 5-speed.


Yea, and who knows what that'll even look like.
Have you looked into a 383? You could just get your current block or a junkyard block bored out and any other necessary upgrades, maybe a cam, heads, longtubes, and a BB tune. You’d probably end up spending less than a crate motor. Though a crate motor is probably less of a headache.
 

HopHead357

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Have you looked into a 383? You could just get your current block or a junkyard block bored out and any other necessary upgrades, maybe a cam, heads, longtubes, and a BB tune. You’d probably end up spending less than a crate motor. Though a crate motor is probably less of a headache.

Unfortunately, I am in California, so I highly doubt that would passed the smog requirements. I spent a good amount of time researching an LS swap, but there’s just no easy way to do it in California.


Pretty much the most headache freeway is just to drop a crate motor.

What's the warranty worth to you?

I love the idea of the warranty. That's aonther thing that's pulled me in the GM crate direction.
 

OutlawDrifter

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I love the idea of the warranty. That's aonther thing that's pulled me in the GM crate direction.

There are other companies that make drop in replacements with warranty. Might be worth some time on the google.
 

Orpedcrow

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Read the fine print with the GM crate, they give a warranty IF a certified installer installs it. Check out west coast engines, they offer a warranty if You do it in Your garage.

 

GoToGuy

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Have you done an actual engine health checkup? What's total compression? What does a differential compression check indicate?
Oil leaks? You do have to do unscheduled maintenance a some intervals. Ignoring routine repairs....
Why and where is it leaking? Replace gaskets and or seals.
GM does or did produce a new replace stock engine at 383 for 96 (vortec) V8's and later. Can't use it in 95 and earlier.
33 more cubic inches won't fail a smog check in California.
That's only 4 and eighth cubes per cylinder. Hardly pushing the limits.
Good luck!
 
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