It's alive! Really!

[rrubel]

Today marks a milestone... I picked up my Vette from the mechanic after the latest (and hopefully LAST) round of engine work. While my wallet is quite a bit lighter, hopefully this'll see the end of the problems.

Quick recap: 24 months ago, I begin on a dark journey towards the elusive goal of more power. I begin by picking up a SuperRam and 219 cam at a good price (someone else who gave up and fell by the wayside). Then 6 months later (after being laid off and finding a new job 2 months later - sucks because I had time but no money) I bought heads, valvetrain, retro lifters, and what I thought was the rest of what I needed to complete the quest. Not so... while installing the new cam, I found broken pistons and rings in my stock motor. Panic! Took the opportunity to purchase a roller short block so I could return the retro lifters (at almost $500!) and beef up the bottom end. Got everything together on a stand last summer, took the Vette to have the engines swapped, and found massive vacuum leaks. Got replacement parts from Lingenfelter (someone goofed when packing the runners) and installed them. That vacuum leak was masking ANOTHER vacuum leak. Also had a leaking fuel injector. Try to fix the remaining leak; find it's beyond me. Take the car in a month ago and learn that the heads are cast wrong and need major re-work. So off they come again. Also got my headers coated during the downtime. Heads come back, extra material welded in and re-ported. Look good. Car goes back together. Headers won't mate with heads right. ARGH! Worry about that another time. Mechanic gets car together, STILL has vac. leak. Pulls intake AGAIN (must be getting REALLY good at SuperRam install by now). Fixes leak. All is well. Car runs!

Ok, quick summary wasn't very quick.

However, picked the car up today and it's smooth (or as smooth as a 219 cam can be), it sounds great, and it feels like it's got some power (can't push it until the new engine's broken in). Haven't installed Jeff's prom yet (this weekend) and need to put the C5 brakes on the front (if they'll clear my wheels!), then do some interior work.

Don't care if there's a hurricane tomorrow - I'm taking the Vette to work!

Actually, I have to - my Outback is now in the shop getting some much needed suspension work done... So car this year, between all three of our cars, I think I'm sending my mechanic to Hawaii.

Thanks for the help along the way, those that have given it. What a long strange trip it's been...
[RICHR]

 

[Hrtbeat1]

Congrats Rich,

Just in time to have fun. I'm willing to lend Jeff a hand with your chip. He helped Punch and me SOOOO much, just trying to return the favor. I know Jeff is a busy guy but he went out of his way to help. Thanks again Jeff.

What heads did you end up going with?

 

[rrubel]

Jeff thinks this latest one might be golden; I'll pop it in this weekend and see.

I still have these #$*(&*#$ Pro Toplines. Supposedly they flow really well, but they were just NOT right. The intake ports were too high - I posted pix in an earlier thread. I'd have loved to get a different set, but I've dumped a couple K more than I expected into this project and I'd hit my (and my wife's) limit.
[RICHR]

 

[Ken]

What a long strange trip it's been.

It ain't over Rich; it's never completely done.

Congratulations and enjoy it!

 

[WhalePirot]

It ain't over Rich; it's never completely done.

Congratulations and enjoy it!

Amen, he says from under the car! (I think that color is Pope-Purple).

You will get some enjoyment, probably, before something surfaces. GVradually, the bugs are stomped, but time-outs help!

 

[Edmond]

I'd have loved to get a different set, but I've dumped a couple K more than I expected into this project and I'd hit my (and my wife's) limit.
[RICHR]

Yeah, then she'd end up hitting you.:L

It's good to see that you're finally getting the car running like you want to. Mad Mic promised a run against me if I ever make it out to MD. Can you soften him up for me?

 

[rrubel]

Pfff. By the time you're out this way, Mic will have that 388 in, or whatever the "motor of the month" is for him .

I was planning to re-tighten some of the bolts this weekend per recommendation of someone on CF, and I've got a coolant hose (upper radiator) that's leaking at the radiator so the clamp may not be on right. Then I have to put the new chip in, and play with the timing... no, I guess it never WILL be done... but hopefully the money outlay is over.
[RICHR]

 

[G Winter]

Did you use ther spring clamps or the screw type? With the screw type and new hose you always need to re-tighten after a couple warmups.

 

[Moonunit 451]

Pfff. By the time you're out this way, Mic will have that 388 in, or whatever the "motor of the month" is for him .

I was planning to re-tighten some of the bolts this weekend per recommendation of someone on CF, and I've got a coolant hose (upper radiator) that's leaking at the radiator so the clamp may not be on right. Then I have to put the new chip in, and play with the timing... no, I guess it never WILL be done... but hopefully the money outlay is over.
[RICHR]

Geez Rich, I've been so messed up for the last 6 mos. I didn't realize you had had so much trouble. I'm sure surprised to see that you've had someone else doing so much of the work on the car, must be costing you a mint.

Happy to see you're getting close And as far as there always being something more, this has been probly the best luck in my entire life with my rebuild, the car hass been a flawless joy since I changed the RR's over a year ago (knock on wood)

Oh yea, and as far as the cam goes, it should run like a top. Very little noticeable difference in idle from stock, in relative terms. The 219 is NOT (or should not be) a loper. If it is, then you still got other issues IMHO :ugh

 

[atmmac]

Congrats now break the motor in fast and see what its really got.

 

[sothpaw]

Jeff thinks this latest one might be golden; I'll pop it in this weekend and see.

I still have these #$*(&*#$ Pro Toplines. Supposedly they flow really well, but they were just NOT right. The intake ports were too high - I posted pix in an earlier thread. I'd have loved to get a different set, but I've dumped a couple K more than I expected into this project and I'd hit my (and my wife's) limit.
[RICHR]

Good, glad it's buttoned up. Now, once it's broken in, When can I get my test drive?

And for that matter, what about the 1/4 mi? You'd better have that thing broken in by June 18 for Cecil County. I want to see it against a C6.

 

[rrubel]

I plan on driving it to work all next week, weather permitting (did have it in the rain this AM and it was fine). I've about 200 miles on the motor so far so I'm getting there...

Moonunit, I think some of the roughness is the near-stock chip and the timing not being 100% yet.

And it did cost me a LOT more in labor than I originally intended - probably close to $2k (thank God for decent tax refunds).

WRT the radiator hose, it's not a new hose nor clamp, but I think the internal spring was caught under the clamp. I re-arranged it last night and it seems to be holding. The shop looked at it this evening and thought it was tight as well.

Sothpaw, you can get a test drive when it's broken in and I'm satisfied that high revs won't break anything. I'll see if I'm ready for Cecil, but I'd rather do a FATT at Summit Point...

One thing about spending all this $$ on the Vette - a $200 bill for my Outback is almost laughable! Now, anyone know where I can get a cheap throttle position sensor for a 96 Subaru Legacy?

[RICHR]

 

[Mad-Mic]

Pfff. By the time you're out this way, Mic will have that 388 in, or whatever the "motor of the month" is for him .
[RICHR]

debating about putting in the 400 and punching her to a 406 or putting the 388 in the vette. i still have an 88 350 roller shortblock sitting at the shop also....lmao in all honesty i'm most likely going with the 388 since its already built. you guys know i'm never satisfied so more than likely sooner rather than later i will put the 150 shot on her . hoping to have some cashola for new tires in a few weeks then a set of heads and the motor goes in hopefully by june or so.

Rich i'm glad you finally got her back! i can't wait to see her! now can we start data logging my car?.....hehe

 

[nyernga]

debating about putting in the 400 and punching her to a 406 or putting the 388 in the vette.

And to think, MY biggest choice is whether to use paper or plastic....

I still say you should swing by Lockheed Martin and pick up an F-22 Mic...

Len

 

[rrubel]

I still say you should swing by Lockheed Martin and pick up an F-22 Mic...;

You haven't looked in his basement parts storage area lately, have you?

Mic, Raytheon called... they want their Patriot missile motors back...

Mic, if you have some time tomorrow afternoon we can get the cable and laptop hooked up.
[RICHR]

 

[Edmond]

Pfff. By the time you're out this way, Mic will have that 388 in, or whatever the "motor of the month" is for him .
[RICHR]

But Rich, by the time I make it out there, I will be rolling in something much faster as well.

 

[rrubel]

But Rich, by the time I make it out there, I will be rolling in something much faster as well.

And both of you will be leaving me in the dust... There's so little more I'm doing with this car, and none of it after this final tuning involves making it faster - mostly just making it STOP faster.
[RICHR]

 

[Edmond]

And both of you will be leaving me in the dust... There's so little more I'm doing with this car, and none of it after this final tuning involves making it faster - mostly just making it STOP faster.
[RICHR]

Hopefully, with our agency growing this year, I want to jump into something at least LT4 fast. Of course, I'm talking about stock LT4 and I would never leave it stock!

 

[Mad-Mic]

Hopefully, with our agency growing this year, I want to jump into something at least LT4 fast. Of course, I'm talking about stock LT4 and I would never leave it stock!

you need more umph than LT4 fast

 

[Mad-Mic]

And to think, MY biggest choice is whether to use paper or plastic....

I still say you should swing by Lockheed Martin and pick up an F-22 Mic...

Len

Len,

ONLY if i had the Money!