What should I do?
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Supreme Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,275
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From: Andover, NJ
Car: '88 Trans Am GTA; '84 Trans Am
Engine: L98 350TPI; 5.3 LSx built
Transmission: N/A; T56
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9 bolt; 3.73 10 bolt
What should I do?
I was setting the timing after fixing my pickup coil and was still having problems trying to get it to run right. So I reset the distributor, dropped all the way in, and I saw when i cranked it that I wasn't getting any oil pressure whatsoever. Then when I tried to get the distributor out it was a real PITA to get out. Now the dizzy gear is ok, but I have a broken oil pump.....so I'm done with this sh*tty caprice H code LG4 replacement for the L69.
In short the Caprice motor was free, had 80K miles on it, and at the time it was a good idea. Looking back on it now, we should have just rebuilt the L69 from the start. Flywheel issues, clutch issues, and now a broken oil pump after 400 miles. I'm gonna strip the 84 down, redo the brakes, the suspension, do body work and interior work while I figure out what the hell I'm gonna do with the motor.
I had a couple options. One, replace the motor with an L69 Longblock from Napa, drop it in, turn the key and go. Two, rebuild the original numbers matching L69 which still has the cam, intake and a few other things but no heads, crank, pistons etc. So I'll need all new internals if I go that route. Finally, go all out, and drop in a 350 or bigger. Problem I have with that, is I'm better off swapping the T5 for a TKO600 or T56 to handle the power which will require new slave cylinder, hydraulics, flywheel, clutch, and last but not least the driveshaft. Now if a 4th gen driveshaft and etc just bolts right in with no modding then I might do it. I'm thinking 350HP as a nice round number up to 400HP which is still reasonably streetable. So with those options in mind, I am wondering what would you guys do. I originally was planning on pulling the caprice motor for the rebuilt numbers matching L69 and save the T56 and etc setup for another car but why not have fun while I'm at it. But as the caprice motor is a POS I figured why not start early. And yes I did check my sensor connection, its soild and clean.
In short the Caprice motor was free, had 80K miles on it, and at the time it was a good idea. Looking back on it now, we should have just rebuilt the L69 from the start. Flywheel issues, clutch issues, and now a broken oil pump after 400 miles. I'm gonna strip the 84 down, redo the brakes, the suspension, do body work and interior work while I figure out what the hell I'm gonna do with the motor.
I had a couple options. One, replace the motor with an L69 Longblock from Napa, drop it in, turn the key and go. Two, rebuild the original numbers matching L69 which still has the cam, intake and a few other things but no heads, crank, pistons etc. So I'll need all new internals if I go that route. Finally, go all out, and drop in a 350 or bigger. Problem I have with that, is I'm better off swapping the T5 for a TKO600 or T56 to handle the power which will require new slave cylinder, hydraulics, flywheel, clutch, and last but not least the driveshaft. Now if a 4th gen driveshaft and etc just bolts right in with no modding then I might do it. I'm thinking 350HP as a nice round number up to 400HP which is still reasonably streetable. So with those options in mind, I am wondering what would you guys do. I originally was planning on pulling the caprice motor for the rebuilt numbers matching L69 and save the T56 and etc setup for another car but why not have fun while I'm at it. But as the caprice motor is a POS I figured why not start early. And yes I did check my sensor connection, its soild and clean.
