'93 Formula "Sleeper"

[93formulalt1]

Well, got started tonight since a friend was available to help out with the hard part. . .

Engine mount bolts are out (was able to get the long bolts out, took some imagination for the driver side though), unbolted the coolant lines leading to the oil filter mount, unbolted the k-member, unbolted the oil pan and removed the oil level sensor (still have to remove the dipstick tube). As of now, the only things left are unbolting and cutting the y-pipe out, removing O2s, and having a friend or two come pry down on the k-member so I can finagle the oil pan out and get the new one in place. After that, it's all downhill. Haha

Realistically, I'll be working on this car most of the day tomorrow. The header to y-pipe flange bolts are rotted to the point that I'm almost positive they are going to break off, and I have to cut the y where it's welded to the test pipe. I think that's going to be the hardest part. I have all day tomorrow, until 4pm Saturday, and all day Sunday to finish this up. Back to work on Monday, and I won't have another day off until the day of the MIFC cruise, so this is going to get done, there is no alternative.

Good progress was made today, more progress tomorrow, and hopefully I can get it all buttoned back up and drive it to work on Saturday. That's the ideal result, anyway.

[93formulalt1]

Frickin Weather Channel. . . Forecast said rain would be gone by 8am, here it is noon, and it's STILL raining. Forecast now says its going to rain until 5pm. I'm not happy. I still think I can get this done today, but I'll be working on it pretty late.

[93formulalt1]

I recant my previous statement. Rain just stopped. Lol

[MikeM]

Thanks for the offer, I will keep that in mind. No offense, but I REALLY don't want to have to ride with anyone else, I'd rather just get this car fixed and drive it than have to ride with someone else. Lol

Have you ever driven an LS1? Just sayin' . . .

[93formulalt1]

Have you ever driven an LS1? Just sayin' . . .

I have. They are fun, but my pride is telling me that my car will be finished before the event. . . It's nothing against you, or anyone else, it's just that I talked about having this car ready for the cruise, and my ego will be deflated if I fail to do so. Riding in the copilot seat of someone else's car is the ultimate act of admitting failure. Failure is not an option at this point. Haha.

[MikeM]

I have. They are fun, but my pride is telling me that my car will be finished before the event. . . It's nothing against you, or anyone else, it's just that I talked about having this car ready for the cruise, and my ego will be deflated if I fail to do so. Riding in the copilot seat of someone else's car is the ultimate act of admitting failure. Failure is not an option at this point. Haha.

So why are you sitting on MIFbody instead of working on it? The rain stopped . . .

[CJOFORM]

Nick,

Buy my gen 1 355 and put it in your 93 then you can go spank the lt1,ls1 guys.

[93formulalt1]

Engine is lifted as far as it will go, k-member is dropped as far as I'm comfortable letting it drop, exhaust is unbolted and dropped, and I still need another 1/4" of clearance to get the oil pan past the trans bell housing. . . Any ideas?

[93formulalt1]

Got the old pan out, new pan is in place, gasket is lined up, and about half the bolts are in. Finally more than halfway done.

Going to work about another hour and a half, then finish the rest in the morning. Didn't wind up having to cut the exhaust, but I did break a flange stud on the header/y-pipe connection, so I'll be making a quick repair to that tomorrow as well. Should have the oil pan done, new oil level sensor installed, and starter put back in before I call it a night. Hoping to have the rest done before noon tomorrow. If all goes as planned, it will not leak any more oil. Crossing my fingers...

[CJOFORM]

Good deal man. Now take the old pan and catapult it across the city.

[98blackbeauty]

Glad to hear your making progress.

[OIF1VET]

Glad to hear your making progress.

Ditto

[93formulalt1]

Pan is in, oil cooler is hooked back up, new oil level sensor installed, k-member bolted back up, and double checked the oil pan gasket. All appears to be sealed properly, although it did take a little longer than I had hoped to get it bolted in place after running the bead of RTV across the front and back edges, but it should be fine. Changing the oil pan gasket is the easy part compared to replacing the whole pan. Lol

All that's left is reinstalling the starter, hooking the exhaust back up, lining up the engine mount bolts, replacing the dipstick tube and dipstick (tube was damaged, that's why it was breaking dipsticks), fill it with oil, fill and bleed the coolant, check for leaks, and drive it. I'm guessing probably 3 hours of work and it will be done. I was becoming frustrated while trying to find tools in the dark, so I had to call it a night. Back at it bright and early tomorrow, and I'll be cruising in to work tomorrow. I just hope the rear main seal is alright. I didn't see any signs of leaking from there, everything was coming from the side of the oil pan where the rust was worst. Either way, I'm going to inspect it while I have the transmission out to replace the clutch in a couple weeks, and I'll see if it needs replaced then.

Ill post some more pics of the car once I get the oil residue cleaned off the car and get some more miles on her to make sure everything is squared away.

[93formulalt1]

Car is done. Oil pan is in, everything is back together, and I took it to the exhaust shop to have the broken stud removed and replaced. Haven't seen a drop of oil for the last 3 hours since I filled it up with oil and coolant. Took it for a bit of a drive, the hesitation issue came back after heat cycling the car, so I brought it home, parked it, and replaced the coil/ICM with a known good unit. Started it up, took it for a long drive around town, and didn't have any problems after that.

Next project is going to be replacing the clutch with a Competition Clutch stage 2.5 clutch kit, I've read nothing but excellent reviews on LS1LT1.com and LS1tech, so I'm comfortable enough giving it a try. For the price, if it's a decent unit, it really can't be beat.

I also picked up a new coolant level sensor, but I may return it since I had a spare in a box in the garage. It's going to be a while before I'm ready to tackle that project anyways, and I could use the money to cover some bills until payday.

Car is leak-free once more, and hopefully she'll still be good to go when the MIFC cruise rolls around. I'm going to drive the car to work tonight and see how everything works out, hopefully I can get the high RPM hesitation to clear up before the cruise, but at this point, I'll settle for the car being driveable for the next few weeks before its time to park it for winter.

[CJOFORM]

High rpm miss, I would check optispark, coil, fuel pressure. You know the opti was oil soaked so I would probably put my money on that but could be fuel too. Could be a ton of shit. Love the LT1. Bring it by when ya get a chance man. Glad you got it all sealed up.