Daily Driver Advice!

[ccracin]

Ok, here is a glimpse into Chad's luck! 2 months ago I purchased a 2002 B4C Z28 with 72K miles on it. I just wanted it to run back and fourth to work in and maybe have a spirited drive here and there. It ran great, no issues. No noise, rattles, misses, smoke etc. I mean 72K on an LS1 is not much at all. Before I bought it, I checked the oil. Clean and no smell. Looked like it was just changed. So I ran it a couple weeks and checked again. Good level, still clean, no smell. So I think all is well. A couple weeks ago I drove it to work as usual with no issues. I parked it in the lot and at the end of the day I go out to go home. I hit the key, it turns over, and just as it went to start BANG, SHAKE, (Me : ****!). Locked up solid. I get it home on the trailer and jack it up and find a nice window in the side of the block just in front of the starter. I haven't down anything since. I was as you can imagine pissed! I have no idea what happened. The only thing I can think of is it developed some kind of coolant leak and hydrauliced a cylinder.

Anyway, What to do now? I obviously have a junk block, oil pan, and at least 1 rod and maybe the crank. At this point I have not been able to find a drop out with similar or less mileage. What do you think an LS1 with 75K or less miles is worth? I only need the long block or even a good short block for that matter. Re-manufactured long blocks seem pricey for a stock engine. As I said this is just a daily driver work car. Anybody have any ideas?

I tried to talk Dad out of the Wegner LS415. No dice!

Any ideas or suggestions are much appreciated.