[Project] tastyZL1's H/C/I install

[DRYSUMP]

Once upon a time when only a Cam install was planned...

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Things became a bit more complicated when things (aka lifters) started to drop...

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Yes, yes, yes, I (now) know the dowels used here were way too small but this provided me the chance to learn so much more about my motor, and not to mention upgrade things even more...

I will also say this...If anyone ever needs help in the "how to do things the hard way 3x over department" I'm your guy!...along with Sir Fred lol.


Here is my story...

This all started at the beginning of winter when I had made the decision for a little more power in my life. So when presented with the opportunity to get myself a lovely little bump stick, I swooped in and purchased said part along with the accompanying accessories to go with it. However at this point I had not planned the full heads and intake swap.

I did know with added power I would need to be upgrading the clutch since it had been long due before this planned install, so I went with the above ls7 clutch kit, here are some fond memories from that good ol time..

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The clutch install went smoothly with no hiccups, except when bleeding the new slave but that sucks no matter how you slice it. So things then continued onto the motor, and things were going well until like I said...cur-plunk...a lifter dropped...eventually followed by three more..yes 1, 2, 3 more...ugh, the troubles had begun. Some quick cursing followed by some helpful *****ing and moaning then lead to a phone call or two and the start of removing the now replaced intake and heads...

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And now time to reveal the amazing help, except two are not going to be pictured here and those two would be russel and campbell, sorry guys.

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My good buddy Eric was quick to come over and help me start ripping into the motor even more the very day the lifters fell as well as Fred. Then I was blessed with the presence of Ms. LS1 ftw who sacrificed her arm, hands and time to get those damn fallen lifters...

So again after more cursing, *****ing and moaning, Ms. LS1 talked me into doing the heads now instead of waiting... so off to katech I went to pick up my 243's and ls7 lifters, and off to ls1tech to search for an intake which I ended up also getting a ported TB.

Then time to finally starting to assemble things once again... but what would a car project be without breaking some shit...a timing cover to be exact...

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and the replacement:
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During the time waiting for the parts Fred and I did some work on the valve covers (all Fred there) and repainted the headers...
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Now I'll let some more pictures do the talking here...along with the mess of the garage at one point...

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Looking back at everything, this was a great build and yes nothing went as planned but I'm glad. I learned a shit ton more than I ever thought I would and nothing will replace the feeling when I started my car. I owe a huge thanks to all the help I received whether it was for parts, advice and opinions or physical help. So a BIG THANK YOU to Ms. LS1 Liz, Russ, Campbell, my buddy Eric and of course the LuckySOB Fred Meinberg who sacrificed just as much time to help me out with the build.

The final build specs...

ls7 clutch kit

motor-
custom grind synergy cam 232/234 .612 .618 112lsa
patriot dual valve springs
trickflow hardened pushrods
ls7 lifters
double roller timing chain
ls6 oil pump
243 heads
ported ls6 intake and tb

and for your viewing pleasure here is the vid of the first start up so you all can hopefully share my excitement...

[DETROITMUSCLE]

Its funny how bad luck turned into such a great opportunity to learn some new things. I bet the next time you'll feel 10x more confident to work on it and I'm sure it'll be a blast to drive. nice work. Now get it tuned

[Formula Z]

glad to see you are done. i know exactly what you went through cause i had similar issues, only mine took a year to get back together. its an awesome feeling when it fires up again after all that. good friends and good times makes it all worth it. my garage has been trashed numerous times too lol. in the end its all worth it though. i have to admit none of my friends who helped are near as good looking as ms ls1 though. your damn lucky lol!

[ThreeHonks]

sounds good! so fred, kolin did a heads cam install with other stuff and his car is done before yours... whats your excuse?

[ktl711]

Awesome! Looking forward to seeing and hearing it in person soon!

[kyleozzie]

nice job guys!! you sound like me after i fired mine last year, screams of joy and all other types of emotion lol sounds good man.

[98blackbeauty]

The first start after a build is epic! on other way to describe it. well maybe orgasmic!

[Darren]

Looks good Kolin, totally jealous.

[DRYSUMP]

Thanks guys, I can't wait to show it to everyone. It will be getting tuned next weekend.

[Darren]

Thanks guys, I can't wait to show it to everyone. It will be getting tuned next weekend.

and the track the following weekend?