1996 Camaro Z28 LT1 Project

[birdie2000]

Not being rushed and having a controlled environment with familiar tools will go a long way to making it easier.

[alone_and_insane]

Ordered the replacement piston today. Next I gotta pick up an engine stand and get the head to the shop for repair.

[alone_and_insane]

mmmm....forged goodness

[alone_and_insane]

Big day yesterday! Three of my friends came over and gave me a hand finally getting the motor out!





Clearly safety was of the utmost importance:


And finally out!


So glad these guys came out to help, now I can really get going with this!

[alone_and_insane]

So quick question about driveshafts...would a driveshaft from an LS1 T56 car work with an LT1 4L60e car?
[MENTION=193]meissen[/MENTION] [MENTION=254]JoeliusZ28[/MENTION] [MENTION=1504]mcalus[/MENTION]

[JoeliusZ28]

Yep, interchangeable.

[meissen]

agreed

[alone_and_insane]

Progress tonight! Got the engine on the stand, got a good amount of the front suspension stuff off for POR-15



Looks like I need a new upper shock mount

[FASHOOTER]

Perfect time for an aftermarket k member

[alone_and_insane]

Not in the budget right now, unfortunately. If not for student loans and medical bills I would be doing all tubular everything.

[JoeliusZ28]

If you do get tubular stuff definitely leave the stock upper LCAs. Theyre by far the strongest and really isnt any weight savings.

[alone_and_insane]

Bit of an update:
[MENTION=1248]birdie2000[/MENTION] hooked me up with a set of upper control arms (thanks Jim!!!). We started tearing the motor apart. Popped out the piston without issue. One of the piston rings actually seemed to be welded to the piston, so I'm gonna need a new set of rings. My friends convinced me to remove the other head, just in case...and it's a good thing they did. It looks like the same kind of debris that must have been in the intake manifold also got into the #1 cylinder. The damage wasn't nearly as severe, but it was bad enough that I'm probably going to have to replace that piston and get that head repaired, as well. I'll get pics up when I get a chance. There are 2 deep indentations on the piston, 4 similar indentations visible on the head.

The K-member and front suspension is now completely apart. I just need to buy new bushings and wire-wheel and POR-15 everything. Might also get a new rack and pinion, as I had a couple different alignment shops say mine was no good. My power steering was basically nonexistant at low (/parking lot) speeds.

I have one quick question, are the ARP head bolts torque to yield? i.e., are they reusable, or do I need to get new ones?

This dumb thing will never be done.......

[birdie2000]

Yes, the ARP head bolts should be reusable. Main reason I bought them.

If you're not picky on brand, I have pretty much every front end bushing/component brand new in the box that I'm stuck with. I'll let 'em go cheap.

Also, check Rock Auto for a Delco rack & pinion. I think I bought mine for a hair over $100 a while back and had brand new tie rods on it IIRC.

[alone_and_insane]

That would be great, thanks Jim. What brands do you have? I haven't purchased any yet, I was gonna get Energy Suspension stuff.

Also, I was looking again at the piston you linked me to before so I could buy another, and it says it's for a Gen 1 SBC.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sl...6f20/overview/

Are you sure that's right?

[birdie2000]

They're Falcon brand, stock replacement rubber. Nothing special. I don't need to sell them, just don't need them either, lol.

LT1s use SBC rods/pistons as far as I know. I'm nearly positive that's the correct piston but I'm no engine builder so I can't say for 100% sure.