I guess my back is against the wall....

[vetteboy86]

That sounds pretty good. I really appreciate the offer, thanks. Where can I get that software for future reference. I would like something to hook up to my laptop so the bro and I can use it.

What kinds of things can I look at. I assume I can see spark timing, and air fuel curves. THis sounds exciting.

 

[Vettefan87]

Yeah, I will figure out how to use it...then try to explain it to the brother.... :L

 

[rrubel]

There's a couple pieces of software you can download off the 'net for free or as shareware. The one I'm using right now is call WinALDL. It gives you just about anything you need to know about how the engine is running, from the state of the O2 sensor to the knock count.

The hard part isn't the software or the laptop, but the cable to attach the hardware to the ALDL port. That's also the only issue with the setup that I have - to use it, you'll need to splice in a cable under the dash (I can provide that). To avoid paying $90-$100 for a molded cable and shell that fits the ALDL port, I got a more DIY kit that puts a serial connector in-line under the dash so you can use a cheaper (provided) cable and "translator" on the laptop.

[RICHR]

 

[Edmond]

With the information pulled off from the laptop, you would send it off to a custom chip burner and have them burn a chip to what you'd like to do, right?

 

[rrubel]

You could, if things looked out-of-whack enough. However, it's a good sanity check if nothing else.
[RICHR]

 

[Mad-Mic]

You could, if things looked out-of-whack enough. However, it's a good sanity check if nothing else.
[RICHR]

yes it is

 

[Dr-Pepper]

Hi I have been reading your problem and I think your getting some very sound advice. I also think you need to learn a bit about the small block spend $15 and but how to hot rod the small block. It is written by the pros and you will be shocked how much power you can squeeze out of that little motor. Stick with as much stock equipment as possible a lot of $$$$$ went into there design for power and longevity. Read the book then find a really reliable machine shop and give it a try
Dr-Pepper

 

[vetteboy86]

I actually read the John Ligenfelter on modifying small block chevy engines. I have found this to be a great book. I am somewhat aware of what is going on. I am however unaware of how these mods will turn out. I have a pretty good idea, all I have to do know is work out some fine details.

All my machine work has been done, and the motor should be done by friday of this week if all goes well. I plan on stopping in there everyday this week to check progress, but really to see the motor come together. Hopefully he will fire the motor on a saturday so I can be there when it comes alive, otherwise I would have to play hookie from work.

 

[Edmond]

I actually read the John Ligenfelter on modifying small block chevy engines. I have found this to be a great book. I am somewhat aware of what is going on. I am however unaware of how these mods will turn out. I have a pretty good idea, all I have to do know is work out some fine details.

I read that book as well. It wasn't a bad book but he seemed to be focused on either carburated motors or his Super Ram, neither of which I had/have or planned on getting.

All my machine work has been done, and the motor should be done by friday of this week if all goes well. I plan on stopping in there everyday this week to check progress, but really to see the motor come together. Hopefully he will fire the motor on a saturday so I can be there when it comes alive, otherwise I would have to play hookie from work.

The dream is getting closer to reality. I hope you can report back and say that he fired the motor up for you. And Craig, don't go on the 'net saying that you're going to be playing hookie from work. :L:L:L Your boss may be reading this! :L:L:L

 

[vetteboy86]

No chance of that, the onwer of the comapny I work at is a porsche driver. I asked him for a run, but he wasn't a player about a year ago. No helping him.

However the engineering manager there, and my direct boss has like a 86 928 that is a V8. Something like 300 hp. I will for sure eat him for lunch. His only salvation is the 68 tripower 427 vert he is having restored. He found it in a barn at his uncles estate sale. It had the hard top on it, with 53000 miles. Some people have all the luck and money.

I hope I can see it come to life.

 

[vetteboy86]

I picked up some old parts from the engine builder. I will post some pictures of the pistons as soon as my brother gets home from work.

 

[rrubel]

Please do - can't wait to see them. Heh - I'll send you a pic of the one really bad one I took out of mine...
[RICHR]

 

[vetteboy86]

I took some pretty good ones. Justin wont be home to later tonight I guess. I will have him uplaod them when he gets home if I am still up. Apparently he was the last to use the cable because I cant find the case or the cable.

 

[Vettefan87]

I told you it was in my room...If I can get my notebook fixed tonight, and feel liek uploading and resizing his pictures then I will do so... If not they will probably be up tomorrow unless I am feeling lazy...

 

[vetteboy86]

Well I bought a new belt, and new upper and lower hoses. I am going to check the other coolant hoses when I am there today. I will probably end up replacing them all. Figured I would replace the belt just because.


The car at this point is really nickel and diming me to death. I still need to buy plugs, coolant, and oil. How much coolant does our systems hold. I think I remember seeing something like 9 qts just to fill the radiator. Oh and then there is the 10 quarts of oil, and two filters I need to buy.

I thought about doing a tune up on the car, but that was just done last summer. I will probably do that again in the spring.

Anybody think of anything else???

 

[rrubel]

Dude, if you're changing coolant, oil, and plugs, you ARE doing a tune-up. About all that's left are wires and the distributor cap...
[RICHR]

 

[vetteboy86]

I put accel wires, cap, rotor, and coil on the car last summer. If I were to change that stuff again, that would probably be around 130 or so bucks. I looked at the parts, and they look good, the cap looks good, and so does the rotor. I think the next set of wires I order for the car will be taylors, I put them on my trans am and they made a difference to me.

So I dont know of I will change that stuff right now, maybe in the spring it isn't that hard to do, and who knows I might go with a different product line.


What is the oil change procedure with a new motor, when, how often?

 

[G Winter]

No more than 1000 miles with a light weight oil. Then I would run normal oil and change again after another 2000 miles. Watch your temp very closely, new engines biggest enemy,,, well second to dirt. Also don't run steady RPM for extended time for the first 1000 miles.

 

[vetteboy86]

That is good information. The other shop that rebuilt my brothers motor changed the oil after the first 20 minutes of run time. Then after 50 miles, then after 50 miles again, then after 200 miles, then after 500 miles, and then after 1500 miles.

AT least I think that is what it was. Probably contributed to all the old oil containers in the garage waiting to be taken to auto zone. Was this over kill. I was alarmed that he said we would run the oil the motor was broken in on for about 100 miles, or a weeks time. Is this normal?

 

[rrubel]

It's definitely important to change it after the first 20 minutes of runtime. Then, I was told, at 100 miles and 1000 miles, and then normal intervals after that.
[RICHR]