I built GSR may be really nice, however you cannot deny that the ITR shortblock from the factory is an nice peice.
Its not cheap, true. I spent $2800 from my source here. I wasnt looking for the least expensive way out of my spun crank bearings. I agree with you, you can make a GSR block perform well with the right internals. Example: for about $800 you can get forged stuff, spend another $500 for machine work to close the deck and bore to 82mm, another $700 for a tech buddy to build it with the proper bearings and rings, rod bolts, head studs and bearings, gasket/refresh kits, new belts, tune up stuff should run about another $500. To make this system last, knock retard modules, proper AFR tuning and the like would be needed. Another $500 + time on the dyno. After this, you will have a nice setup... it wouldnt be hard also to add in the oil cooler found on the ITR block and 94-97GSR. Mine was a 99 so add another $150 for it and may as well install a new oil pump for happy lube purposes $150. Since I am on the stock computer still, revs are not my primary concern yet... however this setup could see 9K easily. More than likely be somewhat reliable as well. So lets total it up:
$3300 +/- 200 bucks done well and built for no worries. See... I dont see anyone "saving money" here. I also bought a new GSR head as my bearing surfaces were galled along with my exhaust rockers being also galled up a bit. I took my lumps on my last setup, learned alot and alot of what not to dos.
On this one, I want it to be a reliable 185-220 whp setup using ECU, exhaust, cam and tranny tuning to accomplish the speed goals I have. I dont need to be the fastest, I only want to run well and run strong. As I learn, I can trick things out further.
Anyone want a GSR shortblock for $500?
Still good:
oil pan, windage tray, block stiffener, 3 rods, 4 pistons
bare block, water pump 40K
damaged:
can possibly save the crank but doubt it
rod where it spun the bearing
main bearings
reused for new ITR block:
98 + GSR water pipe, made copper T fitting for oil cooler
sensors