corvette L98 swap
#201
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Car: '88 Formula, '94 Corvette, '95 Bird
Engine: LC9, 355" LT1, LT1
Transmission: T5, Zf6, 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.42, Dana44 3.45, 3.23
Re: corvette L98 swap
sure, joe, i'll pull one off today and see. What color were the valve covers in '90? What is the difference between '86-'87 engines and the '90? as for the ports being round, i thought they were. i didn't really notice their shape while i was tearing down the engine as i was in a big hurry to get the engine in the car because i couldn't leave the engine out side (was going to rain and have very nosey neighbors that like to start trouble). i'm sure hoping these are the 113 heads though.
Cams are different, heads, otherwise they are the same. The 113 heads are a little better than the 128 heads.
-- Joe
#202
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Car: 1988 Trans am GTA
Engine: corvette 350 swap
Transmission: t-5 swap
Axle/Gears: 3.27:1 borg warner 9-bolt w/ PBRs
Re: corvette L98 swap
YES! i have the 113 heads! here's a picture:
Other progress: brake system is all sealed up. just have to bleed it. I also started the car up to see what would happen today. I primed it with the key twice, pushed the clutch in, and it started right up. It stumbled for a second after it started because it was cold, running the 305 chip, and did not have the cold start injector. But it didn't stall out and after that it idled like a champ.
Other progress: brake system is all sealed up. just have to bleed it. I also started the car up to see what would happen today. I primed it with the key twice, pushed the clutch in, and it started right up. It stumbled for a second after it started because it was cold, running the 305 chip, and did not have the cold start injector. But it didn't stall out and after that it idled like a champ.
#203
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Car: '88 Formula, '94 Corvette, '95 Bird
Engine: LC9, 355" LT1, LT1
Transmission: T5, Zf6, 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.42, Dana44 3.45, 3.23
Re: corvette L98 swap
YES! i have the 113 heads! here's a picture:
Other progress: brake system is all sealed up. just have to bleed it. I also started the car up to see what would happen today. I primed it with the key twice, pushed the clutch in, and it started right up. It stumbled for a second after it started because it was cold, running the 305 chip, and did not have the cold start injector. But it didn't stall out and after that it idled like a champ.
Other progress: brake system is all sealed up. just have to bleed it. I also started the car up to see what would happen today. I primed it with the key twice, pushed the clutch in, and it started right up. It stumbled for a second after it started because it was cold, running the 305 chip, and did not have the cold start injector. But it didn't stall out and after that it idled like a champ.
-- Joe
#204
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Car: 1988 Trans am GTA
Engine: corvette 350 swap
Transmission: t-5 swap
Axle/Gears: 3.27:1 borg warner 9-bolt w/ PBRs
Re: corvette L98 swap
forgot to ask this: since i did the auto->manual swap, my power hatch release button does not open the hatch. i think i read somewhere that i have to ground a wire? can anyone clarify this? fyi, just did a search. didn't find anything.
#205
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Car: 1988 Trans am GTA
Engine: corvette 350 swap
Transmission: t-5 swap
Axle/Gears: 3.27:1 borg warner 9-bolt w/ PBRs
Re: corvette L98 swap
Bled the brakes out as best i could solo. i'll hopefully be cruising around tomorrow seeing how she performs.
Also, if anyone could answer my question about the hatch release i'd appreciate it i did search for it but couldn't find it.
Also, if anyone could answer my question about the hatch release i'd appreciate it i did search for it but couldn't find it.
#206
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Car: 85 Trans Am
Engine: 98 Vortec 350 LT1 Cam w/ TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 3:27
Re: corvette L98 swap
On the manuals you are only allowed to pop the hatch when the car is off or when the e-brake is pulled when the car is running. I would assume on an auto car you can only pop the hatch in park but I'm not sure. If that is the case then there must be a ground or power feed in the original wiring for the auto shifter that engaged only when the car is in park. Unfortunately I don't have a wiring diagram of the hatch release so I am not sure if you need a power or ground added somewhere. My gut tells me ground but again I'm not sure.
Sooo this post is probably useless to you.
Sooo this post is probably useless to you.
#214
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Car: 1988 Trans am GTA
Engine: corvette 350 swap
Transmission: t-5 swap
Axle/Gears: 3.27:1 borg warner 9-bolt w/ PBRs
Re: corvette L98 swap
Hey, thanks for the interest! I am happy to report the car moves AND stops under it's own power. Unfortunately, the full extent of both of these capabilities hasn't been tested, as i've only used power to move the car in and out of the garage (it sure beats pushing and pulling!).
Currently i am running the 305 chip as my 350 chip doesn't cooperate. Memcals are a pain in the butt. I still have to time the ignition as i never had it dialed in because the car had a smoking problem. turned out to be a loose brake line at the prop valve soaking the header wrap. i took care of it and once this horrid weather passes by (first a hurricane, now it's snowing) i will bring it outside and time it.
In the mean time, i've been concentrating on the interior; installed the console and radio box (gonna fill that with a pioneer AVIC-z110/120 or x920), fixed my fog light switch and converted it to LEDs, and of course the obligatory clean up of crud built up over the last 25 years. I still have to pick up a axle pinion seal because it just flings around gear oil and made a huge mess. I've also been doing some studying on the body board because the old girl DEFINITELY needs a few new coats of paint and i don't plan on doing a rattle can resto. Luckily i have a connection at NAPA and can get some paint for a discount. Never did body work or painted a car before, so i'm going to start slow and start at the back with the rear hatch. once i'm confident with that i'll move to the rest.
Currently i am running the 305 chip as my 350 chip doesn't cooperate. Memcals are a pain in the butt. I still have to time the ignition as i never had it dialed in because the car had a smoking problem. turned out to be a loose brake line at the prop valve soaking the header wrap. i took care of it and once this horrid weather passes by (first a hurricane, now it's snowing) i will bring it outside and time it.
In the mean time, i've been concentrating on the interior; installed the console and radio box (gonna fill that with a pioneer AVIC-z110/120 or x920), fixed my fog light switch and converted it to LEDs, and of course the obligatory clean up of crud built up over the last 25 years. I still have to pick up a axle pinion seal because it just flings around gear oil and made a huge mess. I've also been doing some studying on the body board because the old girl DEFINITELY needs a few new coats of paint and i don't plan on doing a rattle can resto. Luckily i have a connection at NAPA and can get some paint for a discount. Never did body work or painted a car before, so i'm going to start slow and start at the back with the rear hatch. once i'm confident with that i'll move to the rest.
#215
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Car: 1988 Trans am GTA
Engine: corvette 350 swap
Transmission: t-5 swap
Axle/Gears: 3.27:1 borg warner 9-bolt w/ PBRs
Re: corvette L98 swap
hey all,
due to some unfortunate events (no job, unemployment ending), i had to stop progress on the GTA so i can concentrate even harder on finding a job to finish it and of course pay bills said car has accrued.
But as for the latest progress, a friend of mine had a hypertech thermomaster chip for an 88 corvette laying around so i figured i'd test it out. Aside from not starting up good cold (due to not running CSV because of corvette intake) it ran great. Just to double check, the intake manifold for the 90 corvette motor is different than the 305s and all cast iron 350s the F-bodies came with, right? Different meaning the flanges that meet at the heads are a different angle?
due to some unfortunate events (no job, unemployment ending), i had to stop progress on the GTA so i can concentrate even harder on finding a job to finish it and of course pay bills said car has accrued.
But as for the latest progress, a friend of mine had a hypertech thermomaster chip for an 88 corvette laying around so i figured i'd test it out. Aside from not starting up good cold (due to not running CSV because of corvette intake) it ran great. Just to double check, the intake manifold for the 90 corvette motor is different than the 305s and all cast iron 350s the F-bodies came with, right? Different meaning the flanges that meet at the heads are a different angle?
#216
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Car: 1988 Trans am GTA
Engine: corvette 350 swap
Transmission: t-5 swap
Axle/Gears: 3.27:1 borg warner 9-bolt w/ PBRs
Re: corvette L98 swap
update: i had 2 interviews with Firestone last week and it sounds like they want me. They said they would call me Monday or tuesday once the background check came back. no word yet. i called them today but got the machine. Hopefully tomorrow i'll hear from the district manager.
In other words, things are shaping up, hopefully, and am plotting my next moves with the car. It's bitter cold here in the north east and it gives me less hands on time, but more time to think. i've found suppliers for the interior headliner, paint for the trim panel that goes between the hatch and the headliner, seat recovering kit, and i've been very vigilant on Ebay looking for a pioneer avic-x920bt or x930bt multimedia GPS unit.
I'll keep you all posted.
In other words, things are shaping up, hopefully, and am plotting my next moves with the car. It's bitter cold here in the north east and it gives me less hands on time, but more time to think. i've found suppliers for the interior headliner, paint for the trim panel that goes between the hatch and the headliner, seat recovering kit, and i've been very vigilant on Ebay looking for a pioneer avic-x920bt or x930bt multimedia GPS unit.
I'll keep you all posted.
#217
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Car: 1988 Trans am GTA
Engine: corvette 350 swap
Transmission: t-5 swap
Axle/Gears: 3.27:1 borg warner 9-bolt w/ PBRs
Re: corvette L98 swap
hello, loyal thread followers! i definitely owe you all an update. here we go...
Today, hooked up a pioneer avic-x920bt. system is awesome. also, it was good to see my power antenna still works. tonight i'm modding the radio pod and faceplate.
last week i got out bid on eBay for a genuine v8 T5 inspection cover. i'm going to see what i can do with this v6 cover i mistakenly bought.
two weeks ago, replaced rear axle pinion seal. BIG weight lifted off my mind. noticed trans is leaking fluid out the front. will have to remove it later to replace.
one of these days i have to replace the fuel pump. it's been replaced once YEARS ago so i think it's best to start fresh.
as for the engine performance issue, i'm trying to find a place closer to me that can do tuning for me. the only place i've found yet is corvette paramedics in south jersey.
that's it for now. keep you all posted.
Today, hooked up a pioneer avic-x920bt. system is awesome. also, it was good to see my power antenna still works. tonight i'm modding the radio pod and faceplate.
last week i got out bid on eBay for a genuine v8 T5 inspection cover. i'm going to see what i can do with this v6 cover i mistakenly bought.
two weeks ago, replaced rear axle pinion seal. BIG weight lifted off my mind. noticed trans is leaking fluid out the front. will have to remove it later to replace.
one of these days i have to replace the fuel pump. it's been replaced once YEARS ago so i think it's best to start fresh.
as for the engine performance issue, i'm trying to find a place closer to me that can do tuning for me. the only place i've found yet is corvette paramedics in south jersey.
that's it for now. keep you all posted.
#219
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Car: 1988 Trans am GTA
Engine: corvette 350 swap
Transmission: t-5 swap
Axle/Gears: 3.27:1 borg warner 9-bolt w/ PBRs
Re: corvette L98 swap
Yes I've been real busy with work. 10 hour shifts suck. But also I've been feeling lazy in regards to ripping into the engine. Mainly because the front cover is a pain to remove, but it has to be done.
#220
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Car: 1987 IROC-Z red t-top
Engine: Nothing much
Transmission: I wish t56
Axle/Gears: 9bolt 3.27 4sale
Re: corvette L98 swap
Do/did it back fire threw intake? And if u running. MAP engine with a 305 maf tune and it works. My car ran better too with stock chip and map setup. Does it rev up when u hit the gas. What is your fuel pressure at when u rev it.
#221
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Car: 1988 Trans am GTA
Engine: corvette 350 swap
Transmission: t-5 swap
Axle/Gears: 3.27:1 borg warner 9-bolt w/ PBRs
Re: corvette L98 swap
Sojer,
no it never backfired at all. i am running MAF. concerning fuel pressure and starting, i posted video in this thread about it. please see those links.
no it never backfired at all. i am running MAF. concerning fuel pressure and starting, i posted video in this thread about it. please see those links.
#222
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Car: 1988 Trans am GTA
Engine: corvette 350 swap
Transmission: t-5 swap
Axle/Gears: 3.27:1 borg warner 9-bolt w/ PBRs
Re: corvette L98 swap
to anyone who is still following my build thread, THE CAR IS OFFICIALLY ON THE ROAD! i took it out on the road for the first time in 5 years today and it was great! my only concerns with the car now are still the cold starting and now the transmission is making a whining noise while driving. kinda like straight cut gears, but i've never heard of that on a non-wc t5. i'm running synchromax, but should i try gear oil?
overall, with some tuning she'll be a real runner! needless to say it made me very happy to row through the gears and ripping it around the block. can't wait for more
overall, with some tuning she'll be a real runner! needless to say it made me very happy to row through the gears and ripping it around the block. can't wait for more
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