12.99 or bust!

[sman]

New lid is coming, ill probably buy dereks. It is my daily, so id like to keep the low end if at all possible. So confused on what to do with all of this.

[JoeliusZ28]

New lid is coming, ill probably buy dereks. It is my daily, so id like to keep the low end if at all possible. So confused on what to do with all of this.

I know what you mean, but im also going to say that achieving a small displacement motor's maximum potential is going to be by letting it rev. The smaller bore/stroke makes it safer to do that than would be with a 5.7L, and youre also moving less air through the heads and intake so they wont be as restrictive for you as 5.7L or bigger. The best way to get both low end torque and overall power is with a bigger bore/stroke. If you want torque with a small CI you will be sacrificing your max power... moreso than if you had bigger displacement. Its always a balancing act, you can never have your cake and eat it too.

[sman]

A little update, we (Andrew-shiv15, Mike-02redcamaro(I think) and I) went to install the SFC's tonight and after getting it in the air and tore apart, we got to talking about Mikes car that he undercoated a while back, and how good it looked. It got us thinking, we have half the stuff off the bottom of the car, and Ive always wanted to undercoat it, now is as good of a time as it gets, lol. Soo, we undercoated the car(which turned out REALLY nice, I was very impressed with myself, lol). Then we moved on to a special something mike broght with him, LEATHER!, he happened to end up with a spare set of seats from his parts car(also did a v6-v8 swap last winter) and Ive always wanted leather, I think the cloth in our cars feels very cheap. So we got those put in and Im very happy with them, extatic is probably more like it, feels like a whole new car now!

Thoughts on SFC's, um WOW, a weird creaking noise in the back is gone, t-tops dont seem to "move" or rattle as much, car feels MUCH stiffer and I feel I have more control over the car now, doesnt feel as big and heavy, feels like a much lighter/tighter car, alot more like a vette actually (which is what i was aiming for).

Mods so far since February....
Cutout
UMI rear control arms
UMI Tubular 3pt SFC's
DMH e-cutout
Mike Ridings 3600 stall(still my favorite thing about the car)
Ruberized undercoat
Leather!!!!!!

I think the car has come farther in the last few weeks than it has in years, really puts a smile on my face.

Pics will come tomorrow, forgot a camera when we were working today, ill snap some in the morning...

Off to bed...

[OIF1VET]

No pics... Failure..... Sounds like you have gotten alot done.. Great job. My car had SFC's on it when I bought it, didn't know our cars flexed soo much without them.. Looking forward to the pics man!

[Fbomb]

I can't really tell much of a difference since I've put my sfc's on but I've only driven it once since, and slowly too. But I gotta tell you there's nothing like driving around a cammed car with plenty of lope.

[Joedashredder93]

wow sounds like you guys accomplished alot. I can't wait till I can afford to do what you have done

[prorac1]

What you need to remember about low end is this. You have a 3600 converter, what IS bottom end any more. Its a LS1, Its a small cubic inch LS1, and you have a good size converter, bottom end dosent apply anymore. When you smack the loud pedal its going to snap up over 3000 rpm and your off and running. Plus after reading this, I think your over thinking this whole thing. IMHO, the first thing I would do is get a stickey set of tires, a GOOD adjustable torque arm, and work on your 60 ft times. Every thing you take off of your 60 ft time is doubled at top end. So if you cut a tenth off your 6o, you cut approx. 2 tenths off your quarter. With my bolt on LT1 car I got it down to a 1.75 60 ft and ran 12.81 @ 106 mph. That kinda run is ALL in the 60 ft timer. Also, I would scale the car just to see what it weighs. Weight equals horsepower and there is a big differance between a 12 second car that weighs 3900 lbs and one that weighs 3300 lbs. My LT1 car full weight is still only 3560 with driver. Hope this all helps, good luck, Eric L

[sman]

Pictures, terrible I know, I just wasnt feeling motivated, and everything's dirty from all the rain and junk we've had, so dont hassle me there

Seats, Im actually very happy with how well they match! I have the charcoal interior, and the seats are ebony. The camera makes it look less apealing, but I assure you, its virtually impossible to tell it didnt come that way from the factory.
4433785612_318cd970.jpg

Undercoat and SFC's. Again I know its all dirty, but it was pouring on the way home last night.
4433784506_8e05c391.jpg

All washed up and ready for a week of awesome weather starting tomorrow! 50's and sun almost everyday!
4433011769_382878e9.jpg

Regarding cam, never thought about it that was I suppose, the stall totally negates my argument for low end power, bravo! So in all seriousness, what should I be looking for then? Should I continue my plan for the cheater, go with the TR224 on 112lsa, or something different all together? Id like to get this stuff ordered in the next 2 or 3 days and tear into it this next weekend maybe?

[shiv15]

lol I wouldnt say I helped with putting any of that in. I was gone by the time you started

[prorac1]

If it were me I wouldnt do a cam swap. Just concentrate on your launches, get the most out of the car the way it sits, than start making more power. You have ALMOST enough mph to eek into the 12s now. I ran 12s @ 104 to 107, so 103 should get you there. JMHO. I dont think you need a cam to run 12s in that car, and if 12s is your primary goal, why make it harder and more work than it has to be. Again, JMHO, Eric L

[c0ncEpT]

Something like a 224/224 .612/.592 111+2 would be sick in that 5.3. That cam would make sick mid range power and still carry to 6500 RPM. Plus a 111LSA with 2 degrees of advance ground in its really going to get the DCR up which is going to help make some more TQ on that 5.3.

[Darren]

If it were me I wouldnt do a cam swap. Just concentrate on your launches, get the most out of the car the way it sits, than start making more power. You have ALMOST enough mph to eek into the 12s now. I ran 12s @ 104 to 107, so 103 should get you there. JMHO. I dont think you need a cam to run 12s in that car, and if 12s is your primary goal, why make it harder and more work than it has to be. Again, JMHO, Eric L

I also think it has a little to do with he "wants" a cammed car...

[prorac1]

Oh, I was just under the impression that he wanted to run 12s. What ever works I guess. Good luck, Eric L

[Darren]

Oh, I was just under the impression that he wanted to run 12s. What ever works I guess. Good luck, Eric L

lol dont quote me but I think I remember him saying a few pages back that he wanted a cammed car as well. But yes I do agree and think 12's is his main goal

[sman]

Nope, while being cammed is cool, I dont want to throw money away if it isnt nessisary. You really need to go for a ride in this to see why it needs a different cam. Theres just nothing up top, ill grab my dyno sheet so you can get an idea.