2000 Z28 engine replacement

[dmleonard]

This might not be the best board to post for this, but I am posting on every board I go to regarding camaros to get as many opinions as possible.  One of my camaros is a 2000 Z28 convert.  I have had it since new and it only has 30k on it. For anyone that has one of these, it has the dreaded piston slap and burns about 1 - 1.5 qts per 3000 miles.  After getting nowhere for years, I moved and got to know the service manager at the dealership near me pretty well.  Long story short - since I had it into dealers while it was still under the factory warranty, he is willing to replace the engine.  I almost feel bad for debating this as most people get nothing for this issue.  My concern is that the car someday increases in value and no longer has the original engine.  I didn't buy the car thinking it would be worth a bunch of $$$ someday, but you never know.  I don't think GM still stamps vins, etc on the engine, but the casting date would obviously be way off.  I have only put about 5k on the car in the last 3 years, so I don't use it that much.   Should I keep the original engine, or go ahead and get the new one?  I did ask about buying the original one, but that can't happen.
Thanks,
Dan

[red69]

In 1973 bought had a new Z-28 that had too much piston clearance. Slapped bad when cold. The dealer pulled pistons, and upon inspection they were indeed out of spec. The zone rep told them to knerlize(spelling?) the skirts of the pistons.
I screemed like hell becuase I wanted a new fitted block. They refused.
Today the car has 16900 miles on it I still own it and I"m real happy to have the original block still in the car.
          Hope this helps Pat

[GaryL]

The skirts were" knurled". Little bumps formed into the poiston. Your engine has 169K miles with those pistons?

[red69]

Wasn't sure of the spelling. The car has 16,900 miles total I didn't drive it much after the first couple of years. Even at 18 years old I wasn't thrilled about the "fix", on the pistons.  But I'm glad I still have the original block!
           Pat

[GaryL]

You are lucky to have the original block, and probably all the correct accessories too. It will clean up nicely when you want a rebuild. I bet that original 30-30 sounds great. I would like to compare the sound with the Crane blueprint version.

[JohnZ]

I bet that original 30-30 sounds great.

Gary, there was no "30-30" cam after 1969.