1996 Camaro Z28 LT1 Project

[alone_and_insane]

for those of you who didn't see on Facebook....IT LIVES!!!


My parents came out for the holiday weekend, and my dad and I spent a lot of time putting things together. Needed a jump, but otherwise it fired right up! I'll see about uploading a video later.


Here's a list of what needs to be done before it's roadworthy:


install BMR torque arm (requires removing old bushings from brackets, which requires removal of rivets)
finish bolting in the new aluminum driveshaft (need new retainers)
bleed brakes
bleed power steering (got a new rack and pinion)
alignment (badly misaligned now)
install new solid LS1 steering knuckle
top off trans fluid level
weld exhaust (had to cut it)


once all that stuff is done, I can get it tuned. I plan to do a dyno tune, rather than a mail-order one. I'm a bit leery of the mail-order stuff because my heads are custom ported with oversize valves and my true duals are totally custom, so I don't think a mail-order tune would get it totally right. I'm thinking either Livernois or Vector in Brighton, depending on who's willing to do it. I'm not running 24x, so I think my options will be limited.

[meissen]

Congrats man! Happy to hear it's alive!

[s.reef]

for those of you who didn't see on Facebook....IT LIVES!!!


My parents came out for the holiday weekend, and my dad and I spent a lot of time putting things together. Needed a jump, but otherwise it fired right up! I'll see about uploading a video later.


Here's a list of what needs to be done before it's roadworthy:


install BMR torque arm (requires removing old bushings from brackets, which requires removal of rivets)
finish bolting in the new aluminum driveshaft (need new retainers)
bleed brakes
bleed power steering (got a new rack and pinion)
alignment (badly misaligned now)
install new solid LS1 steering knuckle
top off trans fluid level
weld exhaust (had to cut it)


once all that stuff is done, I can get it tuned. I plan to do a dyno tune, rather than a mail-order one. I'm a bit leery of the mail-order stuff because my heads are custom ported with oversize valves and my true duals are totally custom, so I don't think a mail-order tune would get it totally right. I'm thinking either Livernois or Vector in Brighton, depending on who's willing to do it. I'm not running 24x, so I think my options will be limited.

Congrats. Tuning I would stay away from Vector and Livernois. You could always go with Steve @Sbtuning but I wouldn't go through Vector. Matt Solomon is another option.

[alone_and_insane]

I've been in touch with Steve before. He bench tuned out a couple of DTCs when I removed AIR and EGR, but otherwise he says he doesn't deal with OBD2 cars anymore. Matt Solomon only does 24x. Same goes for Dr. Phil (he would probably just say my car is junk and not touch it anyway, from what I hear).

Any particular reason for wanting to stay away from Vector or Livernois? Livernois did my heads and I know some of the guys from when I worked with Ford Racing, so I'm kind of leaning that way.

[s.reef]

I've been in touch with Steve before. He bench tuned out a couple of DTCs when I removed AIR and EGR, but otherwise he says he doesn't deal with OBD2 cars anymore. Matt Solomon only does 24x. Same goes for Dr. Phil (he would probably just say my car is junk and not touch it anyway, from what I hear).

Any particular reason for wanting to stay away from Vector or Livernois? Livernois did my heads and I know some of the guys from when I worked with Ford Racing, so I'm kind of leaning that way.

Just google Vector. As far as Livernois they seem to really only care about new model high dollar builds...but if you know people there you may have a better experience

[alone_and_insane]

Yeah I suppose I could see that. I'm probably a month away from that point yet, so I have some time to consider my options.

In the meantime, startup video!

[alone_and_insane]

Just google Vector. As far as Livernois they seem to really only care about new model high dollar builds...but if you know people there you may have a better experience

I googled Vector, and most of the feedback I see is positive, with one exception on LS1tech. And from the look of that thread, that guy was just being whiney. Am I missing something somewhere? PM me if you would rather take the discussion off the board.

[Atrus]

My understanding is Vector had some assclown there that caused them problems in the past, but he's gone and allegedly things are good now.

Another option is MaxxHp tuning - Jesse is a buddy from High School. I lost touch with him the last 15 years and just found out he's tuning. He's out in Milford. Not sure if he does El Tee Juans, but you could ask. He seems to tune a lot of vehicles - I am seeing a lot of good feedback from customers on FB. I plan on taking mine out to him.

https://www.facebook.com/maxx.hptuning

[99TransAmWS6]

I have taken multiple cars to livernois over the years. They've always treated me right, and the tune was always spot on. There is one person over there that i could see where someone could get the wrong impression, i wont name names, but i kinda feel like i know what guys are talking about it.

[FASHOOTER]

If Steve is still tuning at Vectors I don't see where taking your car there will be an issue. I never had a problem at thier shop. For what u have done to your ride the tune will be no problem for Steve.

[alone_and_insane]

Thanks for the input, guys. Next thing I need to figure out is: injectors.

Up to this point, I just planned on using my stock injectors. I emailed the guy I know at Livernois, and he said he was pretty sure I was gonna need injectors for my setup. Not really sure how I missed that before, so now I'm gonna have to get that figured out before a tune happens.

Now, I know nothing about sizing injectors. At all. Obviously I need enough fuel supply to keep up with how much airflow will be going in with the heads and cam, but as far as figuring out how much injector I need, I don't really know where to start. I have flow numbers from Jim for the heads, but I didn't get them flow tested after they were repaired and modified for the oversized valves. Here's the mod list, as it pertains to airflow stuff:

· Lunati Voodoo 60121 cam (Advertised Duration (Int/Exh): 270/278, Duration @ .050 (Int/Exh): 219/227, Gross Valve Lift (Int/Exh): .515/.530, LSA/ICL: 112/106, Valve Lash (Int/Exh): Hyd/Hyd, RPM Range: 1800-6000
· Custom ported aluminum stock heads with oversized valves
· EGR, AIR, and cat delete
· Pacesetter longtubes, custom true duals
· SLP cold air
· Smooth intake elbow, throttle body airfoil, de-screened MAF

I still have totally stock fuel systems, other than the braided stainless fuel lines.

So...anybody got some pointers?

[DanDalessandro]

Walbro 255, 30# injectors

[alone_and_insane]

Walbro 255, 30# injectors

ok...got any more details than that? i.e. numbers to support those recommendations?

[DanDalessandro]

Not a crazy big cam. People running a cc503 usually run 30# injectors. That cam is bigger than yours.
I'm running 36# with a bigger cam and heads

Couldn't tell you how much fwhp you'll make. That'd be the correct way to determine what size.. Doesn't hurt to have slightly larger than needed injectors.

[birdie2000]

I don't think I'd worry about the fuel pump at your power level, honestly. Just get the injectors. I think 30#ers would be fine. If you make enough power to need bigger, you can always sell and buy the correct ones with a big smile on your face that you made more power than you expected.

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