I know the feeling! Are you getting some time/motivation to start working on it again?

 

You bet! I have the AFRs dialed in almost perfect. Going to do more pitot tune tuning to try and get it to 11.5 at wot. Been cruising a lot lately. How’s your project coming along?

 

Glad to see you two guys are still working on and enjoying your whips.

Actually, I'm glad to see that you two guys still have your whips..

- Rob

 

Nice car...

 

Thanks Rob I'll be in the market soon enough for a twin disc clutch. Not sure how much longer the Centerforce DF can hang on. Cant really ring out 4th on the street. Just too damn dangerous. But a blast none the less.

 

While there has been almost no progress on the cars, this past month has really moved me towards a full hurricane recovery. Pole barn has been replaced. Red shed that blew away has been replaced with an EF4 capable new shed. In my quest to get spray foam insulation for the new shed I ended up talking myself into having the shop and the house done. So when all is said and done, I will have tons of new storage space and the shop will no longer be a storage unit and more importantly it will no longer be a sauna in the summer. The AC can't keep up with 96 degrees outside and no insulation. Hopefully with all of these projects winding down, more room in the shop and being able to have 74 degrees to work in I will get busy with the cars soon.

Today the Iroc actually started up and drove from the shop over to the pole barn. Making room in preparation for the spray foam guys next week!

I'm in "hold my cash" mode until I see where things are going in this country. The Iroc is definitely the cheapest path forward so I'm going to press on with the LS project. Definitely won't be replacing it with any GTRs for the foreseeable future!

 

Wanted to share some inspiration with you guys. Mine has been sitting too, but I've been slowly starting to resurrect it as time is allowing me. Drove out to South Bay Injectors last week in Long Island NY and had them service my fuel injectors. They really are incredible, and I am not just saying that because they are sponsors. Also drove out to S-K Speed Racing Equipment in Long Island and picked up a new AEM 340 in tank fuel pump. Fuel filter is new, but an off the shelf part from Auto Zone. Installed a 3-Bar MAP sensor and changed the parameters in the bin. Engine still has some chops (lope) left after all this time. Need to work on tip in some more as I need it more crisp, as you can hear it holding back in the short clip when I blip the throttle. The idle is hanging a tad too afterward, still need to minimize that. But overall, it's alive...

- Rob

 

Nice work Rob! I love my in tank walbro 450 lph pump. I'm at it's limit thought. Need to upgrade this winter. I haven't done any research on what the largest in tank pump that is E85 compatible. Your car is so close! I have the MSD 2 bar MAP in the car now but I do have a 3 bar ready for it. It's still very conservative on timing. There's probably another 75-100 HP left in timing alone at this boost level. I will bump it up more once I upgrade the fuel pump. Cheers!

 

I got mine appraised the other day. $21,900.. Unfortunately I have over $26k into it.

I drive it to car shows and ice cream joints. Covid ruined any plans of racing this year.

-- Joe

 

Joe, that's unfortunate. How does it run otherwise? I've been just back road cruising and tuning. The local track should open soon though. Hoping to get my timing dialed in. I'm at only 21 degrees at WOT and 12 PSI.

 

Hon honestly it's the most reliable combo I've ever built. It drives really nice around town and makes plenty of power, doesn't overheat. I think the track is open now but it's like 90° out. It may try to get some track time in the fall when it cools down. Too damn hot to be wearing a fire jacket!

-- Joe

 

We’ve been having the same humid *** weather here as well. Waiting for it to cool off. I should really start tossing the idea around about welding in a cage this winter... Glad it’s up and running!

 

I like the location of the BOV in the first pic. I ordered a new one two days ago, coming in from Florida. Old setup had it down by the FMIC. Thinking of installing it right at the bend of the ninety degree tube off the throttle body, partially facing the battery and radiator. Would definitely like to see some walk around's from you guys whenever possible. Finally had mine out on the street last night tuning. Slowly getting there again...

- Rob

 

Nice work Rob! I'll try and get a walk around vid tomorrow or Sunday. I love how the turbine housing and my dynomax muffler really quiets it down. If it didn't reek of Ethanol people would never know. I'll keep you posted on the vid.

 

I think we should do that, it will give a good jolt to this sub-forum. Can get a walk around done this weekend as time allows. I know Joe can squeeze one in. Steve, well, his turbo Iroc has been relegated to his poll barn waiting on an LSX transplant. Hundred bucks says you will wind up doing that swap yourself Steve...

- Rob

 

i turned it up to 18psi today.... pulled like a raped ape. But.... I wound up popping a head gasket. I should be up and running again soon. Sort of bummed out. It was running hard. I’ll keep updating this.

 

Yeah, I've been taking it easy myself for that very reason. No more than 15* of timing above 10-psi, but I won't be seeing 18-psi like that anytime soon. We'll start up a new walk around thread soon, no worries, definitely take your time with the fix. On a side note, my new BOV just got here literally a few minutes ago, can't believe it took this long for the mail to get here. Any other day it would have been here at ten in the morning. But I digress. Will keep you guys updated with my progress as well...

- Rob

 

Looks like a nice piece. I'm at 21-22 degrees timing at anything above 10 psi. It's weird though... I was doing some test hits on the country roads by my house and I pulled third to about 110 mph and pushed in the clutch to coast and brake. It just shut off. I let it cool down and it cranked over fine for the many times I tried restarting it. Then all of a sudden it turned over and thud... Radiator is full. Oil looks / smells good. I wonder if it's the plugs.... They are NGK 7's (too hot for what I'm doing but that's all they had in stock) I ordered some 10 heat range, a much colder plug that I need. Any ideas? I run the MSD Digital 6AL-2. So it pulls timing where I want it. I got it towed home and didn't really mess with it... Just bummed out. Let me know your thoughts.

Zach

 

My t-trim only makes around 8psi on my 412". It pulls good.

I'm thinking of maybe trading it in for a self contained quite drive over the winter. The whine is starting to get to me.

-- Joe

 

Keep it Joe!

 

We must be getting old lol. I went with an E-Force Supercharger from Edelbrock for my 6th Gen Camaro for that very reason lol. The younger guys were trying to talk me into an Overkill setup that comes with a Vortech, but I am just not into that anymore. To deal with hearing a constant blower whine for a few extra ponies is just not worth it to me anymore, especially in a daily. The quieter the better as far as I am concerned...

- Rob

 

Rob, see above. Do you think it just dumped fuel past the needle and seat? I pulled the plugs and quite a bit of fuel pored out of #6.

 

Zach, it sounds like it was flooded following that test hit. When you coasted and when it shut down on you, it sounds like the excessive fuel was able to be released from the chamber because of the speed of the engine because it was still moving, but when you came to a stop, it could only turn over so many times until it locked up from the excessive fuel. You need to pull each plug to check the electrode of each, because if the fuel was that excessive, the electrode could have collapsed and closed the gap entirely. Now it's the matter of inspecting the carb, and figuring out why the fuel is not being metered, and just being allowed to pour in like that. Even if the plug(s) weren't firing for whatever reason, the fuel would have to be extremely substantial for it to shut down on you like that. Pull all the plugs and inspect their electrodes for the proper gap and to see if any collapsed. Check the wire on that number six spark plug, make sure it is firing (I'm sure it is). Then finally the carb. Get a fuel pressure gauge on that regulator and see if pressure just drops after a starting attempt...

- Rob

 

Thanks Rob. Plugs all look good. I’m thinking a piece of crud kept the needle and seat open. I have my new plugs on the way. I also ordered BPL Viton .150 needle and seats. I think this will solve the issue becaus they’re bottom feed units. I’ll keep you updated. Then we’ll get the video thread going. I think that’s a great idea.

Cheers

 

The e-force doesn't whine?

Vortech makes a v3-ti trim so in theory it should be quiet but make the same boost.

Although after borrowing my buddies 10 wheel dump truck to haul asphalt this weekend I can't hear much at the moment.

-- Joe

 

It's on a 3.6 with essentially no resistance, with stock intake tubing to stock closed element filter. Save for a "slight" whine under hard acceleration as RPM's increase, at idle and part throttle you don't even hear it. The Vortech's have that constant chopping air and gear sound. Would drive me insane, especially as a daily. At one time I would have loved that sound, but not anymore...

- Rob

 

Well, I got it somewhat back together. I'm just waiting on my cold plugs and my BLP Viton needle and seats. .150. This shouldn't happen again. Should be able to try and fire it up this weekend or early next week. I'm balancing a few projects right now but the car is probably most important. I'll keep you guys updated.

 

Quick update for you guys. Self explanatory though lol. Happy with the way it came out...

Needs to polish it though.

- Rob

 

Looks good Rob. Very similar to mine. What turbo are you running again? I changed oil, installed 4 plugs... the other 4 should be here tonight yet. I also got my BLP bottom feed N/S .150. I’ll get all this wrapped up by Monday or so. Too bad it’s over 100 degrees here and humid.

 

Never really heard a v3 in person but im told they are quiet with the helical cut gears.

I've thought about a blower for my 6.0 truck for towing.


-- Joe

 

Thats funny, my buddy and I were tossing around the idea of putting a BW S480 on my 2500HD for the same reason. Doesn’t seem like a bad idea.

 

Right! I'm on the fence. Part of me want's a new diesel, but I have a dump body on the truck, it's a 2012 and has 93k. I just wish it had more power for towing. Between the weight of my enclosed trailer and the wind, it makes it hard to climb the hills of NH on the highway.

-- Joe

 

I bet it does! A diesel would be nice for your application. Try a turbo or blower and see how it does? That dump box must be nice to have. If your 6.0 only has 93k I would go for it. I’m at 185k and still tossing the idea around. It still runs great besides the small RMS leak. I e never been out in NH or that neck of the woods, but I bet it’s beautiful to cruise. Out here in WI I have some really nice scenic routes I cruise. But it’s all relatively flat.

 

Well, I put colder plugs in it and drained all the fuel out of the cylinders, installed .150 Bottom Feed N/S and it's back up and running! Runs really well. I need to lean out the idle, just waiting for it to cool off. As of now, the idle is at 12.4 a/f. I like it at 13.5ish. I can probably get a video walk around tomorrow or Tuesday after all my doc appointments. Cheers!

 

Great job! Looking forward to the walk around...

I'm still looking for a freaking vacuum source for the BOV. Was thinking of pulling the charcoal canister's pressed in fitting (manifold vacuum, not timed) on the side of the throttle body, and tapping in a vacuum fitting. This way the vacuum line will be relatively short in distance. I was going to "T" into the fuel pressure vacuum source, but I've always been against that. We'll see though...

- Rob

 

I run a vacuum manifold distribution block. Works very well. I have 5 different ports I use out of the 8 total. Something to look into perhaps?

 

My bov vac line runs to the throttle body.

-- Joe

 

I own a few houses so I'm always moving material around or whatnot, so the dump is nice to have. 10 years ago I had a turbo diesel but when I went to buy a new truck in 2012 I didn't want to deal with the diesel additive so I went gas. Big mistake!

NH has lots of hills and mountains, greenery, etc. Great for motorcycle rides and cruises.

On that note, I took the firebird out last night to get ice cream. It started running weird and I smelled fuel. Opened the hood, and the fuel pressure guage blew off. Like the male fitting was threaded in, but the gauge portion was gone. Was squirting fuel at the bottom of the hood. I'm actually surprised it ran as good as it did considering such a huge leak on the pressure side. No fires too!


-- Joe

 

Manifold vacuum port though, I hope. Not sure how many ports aftermarket throttle bodies are equipped with, but I am running the stock throttle body, with the three being; CCV,, EGR and Charcoal Canister. Canister is the only full vacuum source in my case...

Also, had my first kill, A BMW M4 rolled up on me as I was tuning on the highway.

Very proud of the old girl...

- Rob

 

I'll be honest, I don't know the 'original configuration' as I don't think I've touched an emissions controlled thirdgen in 20 years. But I know at least one has full manifold vacuum, and boost. One is I think a 'fresh air' or something.

-- Joe

 

The car needs more tuning but it cruises great. Need to lean out idle more. (12.5-12.8) I like to see mid 13s. Cruise is perfect. WOT is far to lean. 12.7 I saw at full boost.... working on that now.

Anyway, here is a walk around of the car. My back and hip are really messed up so it may be a little shakey. Can barely walk.

Edit. How do I upload a video from my damn iPhone

 

Still running the carb, right?

-- Joe

 

Correct. Holley 650DP. Set up for E85. Tuning this morning. I have everything set. Just want to richen it up a hair at target boost. Been adjusting the pitot tube which helps. I’m still at 11.8+...

I have a walk around video. For some reason it won’t post. It’s on this too smart for me iPhone.

 

Have a website like youtube host it, then attach the link to it in this thread.

To quickly update mine, I didn't bother tapping into the stock throttle body as it is the original SD throttle body that came with the car. The plenum and the rest of the TPI system on the other hand came from an earlier setup that I had modded years ago, so I grabbed a brass 1/4" vacuum fitting and tapped it into the plenum back by the fuel pressure regulator. BOV sounds wicked. Will try to have another video up soon.

Really need to start updating the brakes soon, that might be next on the list....

- Rob

 

I agree on the brakes. Still running the stock replacements. This winter I need to start thinking of a rear end QP 9” and a cage. Money’s tight though due to my health. I’ll see what happens.

 

I'm still running a carb in my bigger speedboat. Every year or so I have to rebuild it. Every year I say I'm going to convert it to EFI but I never get around to it.

I reached out to a company today (that I've delt with in the past) for about $850 they will rebuild my t-trim and swap the straight cut gears for helical "quit" gears. I think I may do this. Quiet it down a bit, plus new bearings + seals can't hurt.

I'm running stock size rotors, not even slotted or cross drilled. I am running speedway larger bore calipers. Brakes on my thirdgen are perfect. Car makes plenty of vac for the assist too. I did buy a new aftermarket booster.

I took my C4 out the other day for the first time in 2 years. (built a new engine, zf6, rear end, etc and then it just sat in the shop). Really dig that car. Might be a good candidate for a turbo down the road lol.

Upload your video to youtube then just embed the URL here. That's what I do.

-- Joe

 

I’ll give that a shot. Nice to hear about the Vette. I don’t see how turbocharging it would be a bad idea. Haha. Cool to hear you can swap to the helical gears.

 

Trade that C4 in towards a newer 6th Gen Camaro and be done with it, whether V8 or V6...

Keep the third gen though...

- Rob

 

Lol, I'd probably trade a 6th gen Camaro for a box of Klondike bars. The only Camaro I'd ever really be interested in it's probably a 67, and even then I think I'd prefer a 67 Firebird if I was going to buy another fbody. I like Corvettes.

I've got the third gen insured for 22K through my antique insurance company. It's not bad for driving to car shows and stuff, for the right money I'd sell it because I have no love for it but I don't need to so I'll continue driving it.

I think maybe next spring it's going to be time to build a new shop at the house. I've had to pass on several projects in the past year - 32 Fords, t-buckets, etc simply cuz I don't have the indoor storage. That needs to be a priority.

-- Joe