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11:00 AM Fighting a heavy engine and trans with a jack up front that keeps slipping down the smooth tubular K-member proves to be very challenging to line up.
First started the car with the new build on January 26 2010 at 9:00 am. My neighbors had contractors doing work in their garage, and they came out looking down the street wondering where the speedboat noise was coming from...
And so the long road to recovery begins. After over six months of a slumber, it is time to do some physical therapy on the car. Little bits here and there needed tweaking, adjustment, and even replacement due to failure and lack of experience by the builder.
Shortly after starting up the car and driving it only a short amount of time, the Cometic MLS head gaskets I had installed had begun to leak. I pulled the valve covers and retorqued the heads, but to no avail.
I ordered a new set of gaskets, and used the steps of MLS head gasket preparation outlined by FlinGTP (link). I forgot to do this the first time around. These things are very dirty, I was amazed at how many paper towels I had to go through while prepping them for copper gasket spray:
I used the metal Fel-pro problem solver intake gaskets the second time around (Part # MS 98014 T). These can be seen here:
Second Issue:
The transmission finally gave up the ghost, after being rebuild shortly after buying the car in '02. I am led to believe it started going out while it was on the dyno last time before tearing the car down. It finally crapped out when I put it on a dyno again, it only made 106hp and 134ft/lbs as the trans couldn't put the power down.
I trailered it to Amarillo to Precision Transmissions and had the knowing hands of Richard build the trans. This guy has built many amazing 4L60's for F-body customers. This setup should be good for around 600hp and at $1300, that's one heck of a deal.
Third Issue:
I figured out that the valve springs were not going to cut it. With discussion between members here, John at 60?Inclusive and John at SDPC, I went with bigger springs. I went from COMP 105# springs to PAC 130# springs.
Aluminum Driveshaft
Yank Torque Arm Relocation Cross member
TCI Super Street Fighter 3800 stall w/ 2.1 str
4L60E built by Richard at Precision Transmissions in Amarillo, TX
Hayden 1405 trans cooler
Electronics:
HPTuners
PLX Wideband
And for the days I need traction at the strip, Formula twist spokes with a nice set of drag radials:
Things I'm waiting to install are a set of LS6 injectors to deal with the high duty the stockers are seeing.
Put on my Speedline Mistrals after they're powdercoated (originally campaigned on an SCCA World Challenge Camaro) so they're a little rough when I got them. Very rare wheels.
That's about it so far, I'll keep posting in here as new developments take place. Feel free to post away, ask questions, etc. etc.
Lessons learned:
I'm down to only tuning the car, getting the WOT tune lined up, hit the local track to see my times and run it on the dyno again to get some numbers.
After over a year since the project started, I've learned a lot of things and looking back on it, I would have done a few things differently.
1. Buy another engine and build it so I'm not without a daily driver. I rode my bicycle almost full time, racking up over 1000 miles from teardown. This would have allowed me to do the whole build without being without my car and also could have done a fully focused build without trying to get the car done asap.
2. I would not have bought the Yella Terra rockers (YT6333). If I could have found a set of roller rockers that worked under the stock valve covers, I would have used them instead, even if they were $100-$200 more than the YT's as the taller valve covers alone were around $300.
3. I would have had the rotating assembly fully balanced. Had I known how long it would take me to get the build completed, I would have had it taken care of by the local machine shop for that added insurance and just a little more efficient operation.
But I am enjoying the car entirely right now. I have to have fun with it, or else it isn't worth it.
Video of it idling open headers and with full exhaust installed:
Wow man, Im very impressed. Great build, great thread, and thanks for the tips I picked up while reading this, I am going to be doing a cam swap/build this spring, and after watching the video of the first start up, I am even more excited.
:tup::tup::tup:
3M MAFIA ________
| Dynomax Catback | Auburn Posi | 3:42s | B&M Ripper | DIY CAI | PVC Mod |
Next on the list: GT2 Cam| 105# Springs |Headwork| Headers |
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