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Riddle me this: why is a pushbutton manual not an option on the new 'Vettes? Unless I'm missing something, all you really need is a few hydraulic actuators (so let's beef up the PS pump and use it for PS and shifting) and a computer to control them. With the "fly by wire" throttle on the LSx...

Viper? Porsche? No, way. Like many others, if you gave me either of those, I'd just sell it and get a good car (ie, Corvette) Isn't the GT engine going to be hand-built? If so, I don't think it will end up in a car that is not a limited-run (like the GT) Joe

If you want to convert to a TH350 or TH400, you'll need a new crossmember, a new driveshaft (the 700-R4 driveshaft is too short), and a new shifter, to say the least. There are probably some other items that will need replacing, as well. Joe

Some restriction aids low-end torque. The H-pipe will improve low-end, while the X-pipe improves top-end. Joe

Not quite. The effect would be similar, but not on the same level as a properly-designed X-pipe. The X-pipe converges and immediately diverges, without a long section of straight pipe, like the gutted cat would be. Joe

An H-pipe is like a dual exhaust, with a pipe that goes from side-to-side, connecting them. It balances exhaust pulses and improves low-end torque. An X-pipe looks like an X. The two sides connect together, then split again. It improves top-end. Joe

Are you talking about an X-pipe or an H-pipe? If it's an H-pipe, I hear that the correct method is to locate it as close as possible to the hottest point (found, I recall, by painting the pipes then letting the car run a while to see where the paint starts bubbling first). Joe

While drawing hot air is not a good thing, there is much less restriction than stock, so the balance is toward the "plus" side. But, if it was drawing cold air, as well as being less restrictive, then there would be even more benefit. I'm thinking about getting a high-flow closed system, but...

How's this? :) Joe

I've been thinking of doing this. Much as I hate to admit it, I think the General really messed up by not doing the separate solenoid thing. It just makes more sense. Joe

Thanks for the ideas, guys. Yeah, but I don't have the stock radiator, hood, or fan, so those won't line up... :( Joe

There's no release or key. The glass is fixed, just like the windshield. If you want to put something in the back, you tilt the seat forward and put it in through the door. Some 82's had an operable rear hatch. If your car definitely has an operable hatch (look for gas struts), then it was...

I need to make some custom seals for my radiator. Is there any place that I can get foam tape which will work? All that places like NAPA seem to have is weatherstripping foam, and I think that its adhesive would release, if exposed to the heat of the radiator. Joe

Hmmm... how long until we see it as a crate engine? :) Maybe I should re-think building a large-displacement iron small-block, if I'll be able to buy a fairly large aluminum small block, right from GM, in a few years :) Joe

After. That gives you the best possible efficiency, and keeps you from potentially re-heating the fluid (if your external cooler got it down to 150, say, then running it through a 180-degree radiator after that would actually heat it up, rather than cooling it down). Joe

I think some big blocks were set up (from the factory) with ports for an oil cooler. Joe

You can go either way. "Divorcing" the tranny cooler from the radiator means than an overheating car can't influence the tranny fluid temp. But it also means that the fluid will take longer to warm up, in cold weather (may or may not be an issue). Lastly, by eliminating some of the cooling...

As far as I know, it is original. There is a number on one side. I'll clean it off and post the number here. (I don't want you to think it's really dirty - I just got some grease on the side, right where the number is, from when I picked it up after working on the suspension) Joe

Are you talking about the camber struts? If so, some people bend them to align the car. Not a good thing. Most of the major vendors have replacement struts that offer more accurate adjustment than is available with the stock cam system. Joe

If you get sidepipes, they can protect your ankles from burns :) Joe