IT LIVES! My Z/LE ZL1 + 1LE + 2SS = Z/LE ;o) LSA SC [COTW 2/09/15]

[hammdo]

Just wanted to post a front pic of the cooler. You can see how it 'fills' the opening and why I wanted to 'paint it black' (Stones reference there ;o). You'll also see how the flowtie helps too:





Considering I have all those coolers, temps staying consistent (degree above ambient) is excellent.

Took it out again tonight -- same as last time -- when we get some warmer days, I can't wait to see if it maintains the ratio...

Very nice indeed...

-Don

[ABADZL1]

[hammdo]

OK, took it out tonight again just to check temps.

73° Ambient @ 77 MPH (in a 75 MPH zone)

IAT2: 98-100°
Coolant: 174°-176°
Oil: 219°

Trans temps were 120°

So 10° warmer, gained 6° trans temps, 0°-2° coolant temps, 11°-13° in IAT2 temps. The HX is right in front of the Oil Cooler so that is not surprising to see IAT higher, but seeing the coolant stay pretty close was nice.

Oil temps didn't change @ all -- and during the 100° temps, I saw 224° when the oil cooler was first in line -- we'll see how it does being second.

-Don

[hammdo]

Finally got around to getting the alignment done. Fifth Gear automotive had a deal on lifetime alignments so did that. Nathan is an instructor at Motorsport Ranch so he knows what’s needed. He said we can do track setup and all with that deal!

Now, just driving it around and prepping for my next track event!

-Don

[mlee]

Originally Posted by hammdo

Finally got around to getting the alignment done. Fifth Gear automotive had a deal on lifetime alignments so did that. Nathan in an instructor at Motorsport Ranch so he knows what’s needed. He said we can do track setup and all with that deal!

Now, just driving it around and prepping for my next track event!

-Don

Love it when a plan comes together...

[hammdo]

Yep, good group there.. now if the track events didn’t sell out so fast here



Need to scope out track wheels and tires so I can save these...

How’s your beast doing?

Glad Robert is making progress....

Um camarofest8.com by now?

-Don

[hammdo]

Now that the winter months are here, and I have no 'major' projects to do, its time to get with the detailing.

I have surface scratches from when the engine was installed -- even though it was protected. Seems the current treatment is not as 'tough' as I'd like, so, I'm going to do the Adams scratch correction process, then, the Adams Ceramic process.

Scratch Kit:

http://adamspolishes.com/shop/kits/a...ish-combo.html



Ceramic Kit:

http://adamspolishes.com/adam-s-cera...ating-kit.html



I'll do a foam gun/2 bucket wash, then, see where 'all' scratches are. I'll address each area for scratches, then prep for the ceramic coating.

Adams has a 7H ceramic coating, where 9H seems to be most of what others have. The 7H is meant for guys like me who want to detail and have the ability to 'correct' any mistakes I may make.

There are others out there, but I do like the Adams products so, going with that. Did take advantage of the Black Friday deal they have!

I'll wait until I have a couple of warmer days (70's this coming weekend here) so that seems a good time to do it. The Ceramic coating takes 24-48 hours to cure (shorter if it was in the 80s or up). So I figure I'll do the ceramic 'booster' on Sunday -- we'll see how it goes!

-Don

[hammdo]

For those who wanted the LSA install guide from ADM, Andy has now made it available for everyone to get!

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=514480

I’ve also linked to it on my first post for easy reference...

-Don

[hammdo]

So, I did a full clean on the car, did the clay bar and final wipe-down yesterday. I have a few areas that I need to address, but the biggest is the front bumper. After the engine was installed, I found areas that, while covered, still scratched the surface. Now, plastic liner from ULine would have protected this, but, we didn't use it. A 'bad-ass' fender cover was used, but it still is not enough to prevent scratches.

Here are a few I'm going to clean up (hi-rez):









So, you can see there are some fender mat scratches -- and especially on the curved parts.

So, before I do ANY corrections, I'm going to 'measure' the thickness of the clearcoat using this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1






this is an 'FN' type that will measure metal and non-metal thickness -- which is necessary for 'bumpers' on our cars.

I also ordered this kit:

http://langka.com/

http://www.langka.com/PCL/PA.html

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1



Used by those shops who do 'Porsches' to fill in rock chips, etc -- and comes highly recommended and best used with 'factory' touch-up kits (which I have the AC/Delco touch-up kits) -- if you don't buy touch-up paint from Langka. Should have that in a day or so.

Once I have everything in place, I'll start the measurement (which I show in a video) and then the correction process (according to Adams). I'll link those videos as I progress.

-Don

[hammdo]

So, my paint thickness gauge finally came it.

I created a video to give you an idea of how it works, but did want to point out a couple of things:

It does NOT work on plastic (bumpers, mirrors) only 'metals' (steel aluminum, brass, etc.)

I show below in pics what this kit comes with:



Thickness testers:



So, here is a 7+ minute video where I 'test' several areas. When I 'actually' do the real test, I also include the door jams as well as the 'shock' towers. This should give me a good 'mean' to go by as to how 'thick' the clear coat is.

Video (raw unedited ;o):



-Don

[hammdo]

Today, I did the Adams Polishes Scratch and Swirl kit -- and it did not disappoint!

Measured my paint thickness, validated I no 'deep' scratches, and worked it sections (Drivers upper, Passengers upper, Drivers Lower, Passengers Lower sections on the front bumper).

Did excellent and really shines!

I did not do the ceramic coating -- I found I have too many 'chips' on the bumper so, it would be best to 'repaint' the bumper -- I'll do that later, so for now, do the corrections, and drive it until I can do that.

So, here are the before:









Here is the after:

















Turned out great! BTW, those are NOT SWIRLS, just my phone camera flash showing the metallic in the paint!

I have spots on the hood, mirrors, top of the car (passenger's side), and rear spoiler/trunk -- not a lot, just a few places.

I do those as the weather/temps allow --

-Don

[hammdo]

New plates are on their way!



Just for some fun!

-Don

[hammdo]

Did the hood, upper fenders, mirrors today:





















So, I'll do a panel each day -- next is the lower fenders, then roof, doors, 1/4 panels, then rear bumper, trunk lid and spoiler!

-- I need something fun to do, now that the car is basically built up!

-Don

[John_C]

Originally Posted by hammdo

OK, this is a bit of a long one, so I'll break each up into their own sections

Coil Harness

ABS/StabiliTrak

VVT Delete

This is the coil harness.

One of the harness came in today -- big difference. Wire length is longer and, you had to pay attention to how the harness is installed - remember, these are on the 'back' of a coil bracket, so, looking @ this:



Now arranged:



You can see how much longer the new ones are and, the connector differences.

NOTE:

We need to setup the harness backwards (I believe these are directional). so, when I removed the harness cover, I flipped the harness and now #2 connector is to the right -- I then 'dotted' them so I know which one went where.

Here is the part #:



Routed the coil harness where the previous one was -- worked perfect and, lot more wire to route correctly. This did solve the 'miss' @ idle but, did not solve the StabiliTrak/ABS error. Also, the % of Alcohol has not blipped yet, -- have to wait until the ABS is taken care of..

-Don

BTW, is it the same PN# for left and right banks?