Well it's that time of year again, not much to do but sit and wait for spring to come. Anyone have any plans for there cars over the winter?

I myself ordered up a set of those new AFR Eliminator heads in 195cc, bought a used ZZ9 cam and picked up some magnum RR. This should be intresting, I never worked on a chevy engine before just done a few 5.0L mustangs head changes but never a cam. Any bets how long my stock bottom end is going to last Hope it does last a little while, kind of want to get the feel of what a real blown TPI engine can do before I start with a rebuild so I know if I want to keep going in this direction.

 

I was thinking of having the differential fixed, but I don't think my friend has enough time during this season to do it.

 

Tony, why not a bigger cam?

 

Spec's are 212/226, lift with 1.6 rockers are .515/.554 and 112 lobe separation.

For the RPM I'am shooting for this cam should do fine since I'am still TPI and really only looking for more of a street cam, plus I have seen some guys on here with blower/turbo cars with same cam and there running 10 to low 11's so can't be all that bad of a blower cam. Also since it was used I got her for $150us and it's like in mint shape, if it can help me get to a low 12 or high 11 I'll be more then happy

 

That is a big difference between the intake and exhaust; which for a boosted engine could be benefical since you you need all the scavenging you can get to compensate for the intake.

The reason I raised the question, a number of guys are noticing that "bigger cams" work very well with boosted engines as well. This myth that you need a short duration wide LSA cam for a blower is coming up false. It's more that a "short duration/wide LSA" benefits from boost than boosted engine MUST have a "short duration/wide LSA".
I think the bigger problem is too narrow of an LSA can result in "boost" blowing right out the exhaust. But a 112 LSA should be just fine.

 

You know I originally was thinking of going with a 220-230 type cam since it would probably work pretty good with my TPI setup but I was thinking maybe a little less HP might be a good thing for now. But then again it's hard to say what would work since the ZZ9 cam did do pretty good back in the day for any long tube runner setup and looking at the numbers you would think it would make a good blower cam with the higher lift and more exhaust duration.

 

When it comes to camshafts I believe in the axiom: "Analyze twice, install once".

Swapping a cam is normally not all that bad, but with these cars, it is a bit of a pain in the butt - especially if you have all the emissions crap and A/C. Some feel it is almost easier to pull the engine.

You may also want to use that as an opportunity to replace certain parts that are prone to wearing out like the starter etc since you will be "in there".

 

I have one of those mini starters I bought years ago when I first went with this t-56 tranny.

Any tips on what to do with my A/C for the cam install? not sure why i still have it hooked up since I think I used it once 4 years ago and it really didn't work all that great but hey maybe some day I'll get it working proper.

BTW rest of the emissions crap is gone.

 

im just going to be buying about 8000 worth of parts this winter, no garage= no work

 

With the A/C, just remove all the brackets but DO NOT disconnect it. Get a second person to help you and swing it out of the front while you slip the cam in & out.

As for the A/C, you can do two things:

1) go to Bellingham WA and have them top it up (unless Freon is now banned, but it wasn't a couple of years ago)...I don't think the "replacement" freon is as effective.

2) There is a "thermostat screw" hidden underneath the two wires going into the aluminum canister/condensor near the back of the motor. Remove the wire connector and look into the connection and you will see a small screw in the middle. You can adjust that screw to make it colder.

 

Yeah that sux, what you plan to get?


Hey Grim thanks for the tips

 

check out my cardomain in my sig, i have all my futur mods listed there, pretty much everything on the list is getting purchased this winter

 

No problem Tony.

The real problem is getting that silly stock one-piece timing cover back on (unless you already have changed the timing chain and had the foresight to install a two piece earlier).

To avoid dropping the oil pan (which is a pain if you don't pull the engine), you will need to cut the corners off the tabs on the timing cover and then use lots of RTV sealant (or it will leak oil).

I just kept trimming a little off the corners until I eventually was able to slip it on. Unfortunatley, I didn't take any pictures to show how to modify the corners of the tabs.
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What's worst, I had a garage when I lived in a Town House complex but they had rules AGAINST doing any car repairs in the underground parking. I was constantly at war with the 'Building Council'

Eventually I bought a two-car garage with an attached house.

 

Yes I heard about this timming chain cover deal in my searches. It will be one of those things I have to see to really understand what's going on down there. I'll make sure I pick you brains if I run into any problems though

 

Wow that's a lot of stuff and a lot of work One thing though, you should spend the extra money and maybe get a adjustable torque arm setup, never know if you might need it.

I do have one question for ya about those seatbelts, mine are in a need of a rebuild how do I go about doing it? Is this something I just order up through GM or was this a warranty thing?

 

I've got a crap load of parts coming in the mail.
AS&M Large tube runners
A/C Delete Pulley(I have a vert)/ A/C delete fan box I have already from JY
Mac STB
Mac headers, Y-pipe, off road pipe, cat backW/chrome tips
QTP 3" Exhaust cut out
Mac rear end girdle/cover
58MM Throttle body(have it already)
255LPH walbro in tank fuel pump
grant steering wheel
I also want to por 15 the under side of the car while I have the gas tank dropped and the exhaust off.
That ought to keep me busy.

 

I'am curious, why the QTP 3" Exhaust cut out? Got some power adder comming?

 

are you still running the 305?

 

Hey Tony,
Wondering how that ATI Supercharger has been working for you? I have an 89 TA that I had purchased new in 1988, now with only 130K on it. I have had it parked for the last four years, so was thinking of this mod as a good start to getting it back on the road. I was thinking of going with the 12 PSI version and replace driveline parts as they came apart

I have a TPI 5.0 with a manual T5, thus have also been looking into the T56 upgrade as well. Where were you lucky enough to find one? I see lots available in the US, but I suspect it would be tough to bring one to Canada.

Thanks for any info.

 

Im saving the work till spring!

Besides, the car is buried under 3' of snow now with a 8' snowbank infront of it.


I think my sled keeps me busy enough for the winter months...

 

well i have a few things on my list..

i just bought some LCA brackets, Moroso Trick Front Springs, Lakewood 90/10 Struts, and a 3/4" Rod End.. i'll be putting all that stuff in, and redoing my topend.. milled heads, smaller head gaskets, small port/polish job on the heads, maybe a little more work on the Victor JR.. the rodend is for the torque arm that i will be relocating to a custom-made crossmember, it was located on the trans and gave WAY TOO much play(wheelhop).. then i will be ordering a McLeod hydraulic throwout kit and installing that.. then i will be ready for the next season.. 11's here i come..

 

First of all welcome to thirdgen.org!!

The blower has been good so far all though they really make this kit for a camaro but with some cutting it fits ok in a T/A. Since you have a 5.0L this is the perfict bolt on for you, those motors are ment to be blown since your working with less cubes all though you might want to start off with less boost just tell you can get a good tune.

As for the t-56 I really can't say I have been lucky LOL this thing has been a pain in the *** from day one, from clutches and reverse problems to it's crappy shifting I would tell people to stay away from it personally. Plus the gearing kind of sucks IMO and 6th gear is usless if you don't have the proper rear gearing for it also. But to answer your question I picked it up in toronto when I was down there, just in the buy and sell.

 

5678TA, I never new Maui, Hawaii had a winter













JK, sounds like your on your way to 11's for sure

 

I got a t56, if your interested pm me.

 

Gotta fix my 1/4 panel.. And perhaps do some POR 15-ing to the inside of the trunk, where the spare tire goes. Other than that, maybe polish up my rims..

 

Tony89GTA, maui does have somewhat of a winter.. it gets a little colder then normal.. but most of the time, the weather is very unpredictable.. its hot one day, then windy as hell the next, then rainy and cold, then hot again.. but it is nice when the sky is clear and there is just a nice breeze.. thats when i go for a cruise.. or just to try and "tune" my car.. haha thanks i've been looking for 11's for a while now.. went threw many motors from all sorts of problems.. i finally got a setup that wants to stay together and wear like a normal engine.. but its low on compression and the cam is f*ckin huge..

 

This is what my Maui Hawaii looks like

 

I wish.. the only snow we have is on the top of the mountain.. and thats only a few months out of the year..

 

Yeah the 305 is still in there for now. It needs exhaust anyway so I thought why not get it now. Then when the 383 goes in possibly next winter it's ready to go.

 

i ordered mine from moderndaymuscle.com and rebuilt them myself

 

Getting mine painted as we speak.

 

What color?

 

This was the beginning of november in our hawaii...

 

I started undercoating 'Black Thunder' today, Got alot done, like the front left wheel well, and half the floor. Looks really clean.. But I still have to go around and paint the rims..

 

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Throw up some pic's not much else to do around here

 

im putting together a 383 with gm's zz383 crate engine, and im rebuilding a turbo 350. along with adding in a few suspension parts.

im guessing ill be spending somewhere near 9000 this early spring.
gotta get it ready before car show season along with street legal nights.

im buying mostly from summit performance, and some stuff will be local.

 

poor guys, down in the lower-mainland all i have to worry about is rain, but i get really pissed when its sunny when i start workin and 15 mins later its pouring. but thats the west for ya!

 

Just picked up some new UMI parts (subframe connectors, lower control arms, adj. pan hard rod and wonderbar). Scooped them up for $ 460.00 CDN. Finally going on the road in the spring after 6 YEARS in the garage collecting dust.

 

and you got yourself an SS hood

 

kinda late on this thread, I never really look in the canada forum, it's always so dead!


I did all my work last year, no $$ left now I am going to put in poly A-arm bushings, and perhaps install my line lock finally. Oh, and re-glue up my headliner. Nothing exciting or fun, so it's hard to motivate myself to do it when its this cold...

 

383 for me.

looking for 390rwhp.

 

I'll second what Tony said. I have a P1SC on my LB9 and love it. Even though I have (That's what I've narrowed it down to, might be wrong) a defective bypass, and am only seeing 6-7psi and not the 13 it should be seeing, I've dropped 1.2 seconds off my ET's, and hit over 300 ft-lbs at the wheels at 2400RPM, and (if you'd believe it) the car chews through less fuel then it did when I'd be trying to catch up with that little motor. It does require a little bit of 'massaging', I had to trim one of the intercooler pipes and roll down the bottom of my passenger side front fender, which really doesn't matter because it's covered up anyway by the ground trim. Other than that, the fuel pump install, bracketry and everything else involved with the install is quite painless.

If you want to know any more, feel free to send me a PM.

 

Just a rebuild on my 305.

 

What size pulleys your running? Also what times and HP you got out of her?

 

There goes the upgrade and insurance money for the car for the upcoming summer...

I wrote off my sled the other weekend, came very close to death! If i had been sitting down when i smoked the colvert i would have been dead, luckily i usually ride standing so i just got ejected and went for a 30ft flight up the trail...


This is what your chassis looks like after trying to move a colvert with your sled @ 70km/h...

 

lol too bad for you dude, i feel sorry for you northerners, how many months does the snow last before you can take your car out on a dry day?

 

yea so here i am this winter and just got my headers, cat-back exhuast system, weiand intake, and a eaton posi. i only have gotten the headers and exhuast on because it's been an average of -12 degrees, sucks exspecialy when i had to custom a Y pipe. But its been fun so far.

 

our seasons are about 6/6

Late oct-early nov we get snow and late march- early april its melting pretty good.



Dont have to worry much about rain or anything in the summer though, its pretty dry up here. Not much precipitation at all...

 

That hunk of metal was a sled

 

Car has ben sitting in garage 6 (yes 6) years........

Things to do this winter/spring;

Install new 305 TPI (35K mile engine)
Rebuild trans with new servos, stall, shift kit
Put on SS hood
Install UMI wonderbar, adj panhard rod, lca's, sfc's
New 16" IROC rims
Replace most of the interior panels. Scored some NOS parts.
Replace entire dash....Not just the pad.
Relocate battery to the back. Bought BMR battery relocation bracket.

GO CRUISING................