Crate LS2 for $3850....kinda fishy.

[66 BADBOY]

I don't have time to post the pics right now, but the ad says:

New in box LS2 engine. Can be used in many vehicles. Replace a newer cars engine, or do a retrofit into an older car. Engine makes 400 horsepower, and 400 lbs. of torque stock. With a cam only possibly 450 horsepower. With a cam and little head work close to 500 horsepower. Stored in a heated and de-humidified garage. In perfect condition! Hard to find new, and way cheaper than the engines for sale on ebay that have been beat on. If near the area I may be able to deliver.

Shows two pics of it in a cardboard box. Looks like the box was made for it. But don't these come on a pallet and in a wooden crate? Great price, but man, it seems fishy. Could it be stolen? Wish I knew it was a legit deal, it's only 45 minutes from my house and I'm looking to go with an LS2 for my car.

What would be the right questions to ask to make sure its not stolen?

[anmesm58527]

uh, the obvious would be to ask him where he got it, like what vendor sold it to him, or did he find it in the "back of a truck"

[66 BADBOY]

uh, the obvious would be to ask him where he got it, like what vendor sold it to him, or did he find it in the "back of a truck"

I know I can ask him anything, but he can say "anything". I'm looking for advice on what kind of documentation proves it. I know if he bought it as a crate from a store, he'd have a receipt. But what if he bought it out of someone else's garage?

What I'm saying is I know a store receipt is real obvious, but if he's not the original purchaser, then what? Cars have VIN tags, and you track them at the DMV. Engines have serial numbers, but how do you track them?

[vincef]

Hard to track a everyday, common LS2..... worth asking where it came from and why they were selling..... but I would not press the issue too much.

[NovaRich]

Buy it. :yes:

[new2novas]

^^^^ditto....is that actually that good of a price though, if it was around 2k i would question it

[anmesm58527]

I know I can ask him anything, but he can say "anything". I'm looking for advice on what kind of documentation proves it. I know if he bought it as a crate from a store, he'd have a receipt. But what if he bought it out of someone else's garage?

What I'm saying is I know a store receipt is real obvious, but if he's not the original purchaser, then what? Cars have VIN tags, and you track them at the DMV. Engines have serial numbers, but how do you track them?

well what i meant was if you ask him and he comes back with a fishy answer like "oh i bought it from a friend" or if he comes back with "oh i bought it from joe's engine shop, here's the recept and all the documentation." yes he can "say" anything, but asking him may confirm or deny any worries. it prompts him to be truthful, or to lie more.

as far as documentation on a crate motor, very little, probably only the original seller and original buyer would know. assuming it is a "crate" and not butchered out of a car. if it was taken from a stolen car, etc. the engine and car should be linked, though only the dealer/chevrolet would know.

as far as you being worried that someone is going to come up to your door and say "that motor was stolen" and being able to prove it, yes that documentation does exist, but unless the motor was stolen from the factory, or out of a car, it is extremely unlikely.

[The Big Al]

get the serial number EIN: off engine (not the casting number), call your local police department and they can check the theft data base. If it's a stolen engine or out of a stolen car it will pop up.

Al

[tvnl]

if it's a new crate motor I would think GM would have records also. Normally the serial number is stamped down low on the block drivers side I think....

[66 BADBOY]

Thanks for the comments guys.

The seller got back to me. He bought it as new from a newspaper ad. Intended to put it in his Camaro, but plans have changed. He had it "inspected" last week and it was determined the engine was actually run before because the "inspector" found an oily residue in the intake. Figured it had 1000 to 3000 miles on it. So now the price is $3150 or best offer.

No thanks!!!

[tvnl]

I know GM runs some of their engines on a dyno. They are nto actually fired but they get spun to check for problems. The 2 572's i've done both had some oil in the pans and metal from the rings seating in so I wouldn't assume it's been installed just because there was some oil in it. They did however come in woden crates, something to look into. Might just make for a better deal!! I would go look at it, write down the numbers, check with GM to make sure it was legaly sold and see if it looks like it's actually been installed in something by checking for evidince around the bolt holes. I doubt anyone would go through the trouble of firing it up if it wasn't installed in something.... If it was installed before I would say stay away, why would somebody pull it back out and sell it as new if it wasn't?

[66 BADBOY]

Here's the pics from the ad:

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o248/1BADII/ls21.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o248/1BADII/ls22.jpg

I wish I knew EXACTLY what to look for as far as engine problems. If this were legit, I'd say its an awesome deal. BUT....why is he selling it and not using it? Maybe I'm always pessimistic, but the first thing that comes to my mind is that he's trying to dump it because something is wrong.

[The Big Al]

Here's the pics from the ad:

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o248/1BADII/ls21.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o248/1BADII/ls22.jpg

I wish I knew EXACTLY what to look for as far as engine problems. If this were legit, I'd say its an awesome deal. BUT....why is he selling it and not using it? Maybe I'm always pessimistic, but the first thing that comes to my mind is that he's trying to dump it because something is wrong.


Who has it??

Where is it?

[1966RAT]

Try this. http://detroit.craigslist.org/pts/738179820.html

[tvnl]

Go look at it!! You said it's only 45 minutes away I doubt it's ever been installed in anything and if it has it should be obvious when you look at it. For the money I would have to check it out. What do ya have to loose by taking a look other than an hours and a half of driving and some gas?