Padre's SS: Let the Modding Begin! (pics&vids) [COTW 10/28/13]

[Padre]

A brief update: looks good for racing this Sunday, below 90*, so we'll see what she does.

After that, it's LS3-conversion and cam time. I'm pretty much decided on the LS3 conversion, simply because of the future options it opens up. The only L99 part that remains will be the lower compression pistons, which actually gives me more options on cam PTV clearance. I'll also be adding a two piece front cover to keep future cam options open as well.

The goal for cam selection will be to break the 11.5 roll-cage barrier. I think I can do it with a very streetable cam (we're looking at a few). If I do break the 11.5, I can always back off a bit to keep it legal before I cage it. Plus, many of the tracks I T&T at won't penalize me or breaking it. However, I want to run in some competitions this Fall (Valdosta in Oct. and Darlington in Nov.), and those events may be more strict.

Another possibility is to see what ported heads do to another car with one possible cam. I'm not sold on ported heads yet, but if the gains are significant, I may as well do it while I have the heads off. Only other change to the heads will be dual springs and associated parts.

Also, Meziere is sending spacers for their Electric Water Pump. We may try it on before we do the LS3 Conversion just to see if it fits. Kudos to Meziere for responding to a small need in the market (modded L99's keeping VVT). So, the Meziere will go on for the LS3 conversion.

And thanks to John at Atlanta Performance and Fabrication for consulting with me and helping me when we do the installs for all of the above.

Padre

[Pro Stock John]

Thanks for updating, look forward to seeing how you do next time out.

[Camarowguy]

Did you go this Sunday?

Heres my opinion on the heads: these engine already have awesome heads out the box. There isn't much room for improvement. I know the combustion chambers can be improved upon, that's all I plan on doing to mine along with putting in the lighter ls3 intake valves. The chamber really needs to be unshrouded with those huge valves.

[Padre]

Originally Posted by Camarowguy

Did you go this Sunday?

Heres my opinion on the heads: these engine already have awesome heads out the box. There isn't much room for improvement. I know the combustion chambers can be improved upon, that's all I plan on doing to mine along with putting in the lighter ls3 intake valves. The chamber really needs to be unshrouded with those huge valves.

I agree on the heads, which is why I'm not rushing to have them ported when I do a cam. But there is a similar build in the shop having it done, so I'll be able to see his results and decide.

As for this Sunday, the weather didn't break until Monday. :(

But I did receive my spacers for the L99 Meziere eletric water pump, and will install it soon.

And I may try to get out Friday night for some racing, we'll see.

Padre

[dianeokie]

Originally Posted by Padre

I agree on the heads, which is why I'm not rushing to have them ported when I do a cam. But there is a similar build in the shop having it done, so I'll be able to see his results and decide.

As for this Sunday, the weather didn't break until Monday. :(

But I did receive my spacers for the L99 Meziere eletric water pump, and will install it soon.

And I may try to get out Friday night for some racing, we'll see.

Padre

Would you mind if I ask where you race? Several of our members live up 75 and we're looking to do an event up that way!

[Padre]

Originally Posted by dianeokie

Would you mind if I ask where you race? Several of our members live up 75 and we're looking to do an event up that way!

Steele, Alabama. About 2 hours from the Atlanta area, go out I-20 west then north. From NW Georgia, I go I-75 to Chatt to I-24 and I-59 south.

http://www.alabamainternationaldragway.com/

On Friday nights, Street Night from 9pm to 1am CT.

On Sundays, T&T from 2:30pm to 7:30pm CT.

Sundays is better because it's not crowded and you get as many passes as you like. $35. Track is usually prepped well.

Fridays are fun, but the track is not great because of amateurs and street tires, plus it's crowded. $10. I haven't been in a few years, but it's fun to meet other racers and talk bull.

I'd love to see some other fast Camaros out there!

Padre

[SUX2BU]

I second that the heads aren't worth the $$$. I'm also waiting to throw my cam and springs in. I have them both sitting there staring at me, but I want to get a good run on my drag radials with just bolt ons before i put the parts in.

[10spokess]

Hey man sounds like we will be doing the new cam installs around the same time and are currently running the same times in the quarter. I'm really interested in seeing what you do with the cam to see how well the LS3 responds to it. I will be doing heads tho because my stock LS1 heads have been holding me back for a long time and its about time to change to a good set of 243's that are ported. What springs are you going to be using. Brand/etc

[Camarowguy]

Originally Posted by 10spokess

Hey man sounds like we will be doing the new cam installs around the same time and are currently running the same times in the quarter. I'm really interested in seeing what you do with the cam to see how well the LS3 responds to it. I will be doing heads tho because my stock LS1 heads have been holding me back for a long time and its about time to change to a good set of 243's that are ported. What springs are you going to be using. Brand/etc

IMHO comp is the way to go on spring and camshafts.

[10spokess]

Thanks sir I just looked at their website and found a set that I'm going to get
/end thread jack

[Camarowguy]

Update?

[Padre]

Raced at Steele, AL last night. DA was 1000ft, temps in the low 60's. Nice night for racing till the dew point was reached and the track began to glaze over.

I got in five runs. The good ones were right at 12.4 @ 111.1. Sixties were in the 1.7's.

Looking at the logs, I had consistent knock reduction (up to 4*) in the middle of the runs. I need to get back into the tune and figure out what's happening. I could feel it pulling timing in some of the runs, so I figure I lost an easy 2mph on the runs because of it.

That will probably be my last attempt at bolt-on 11's. Cam install should begin shortly.

And naturally, the video , I actually lost to an LS2 GTO, but it was a good race- good lights, good sixties, and he edged me out by 0.1432.





Ready to race. 64*!


Dewpoint reached, time to go home.


Padre

[Camaro2SSRS]

Originally Posted by Padre

My new rims/tires have arrived!

TSW Nurburgring 18x8 (35mm offset), 18x9.5 (40mm offset), matte gunmetal
Nitto 555, 265/50-18 and Nitto 555R, 305/45-18 - these maintain the stock height.
Special order (very good price) from (not listed on their site, but here's the 20" version):
http://bestwheeldeals.com/2010_CAMARO_DEALS_20_4.html

Here's the kicker:
Fronts weigh 50.5 lbs each vs. 62.3 lbs stock.
Rears weigh 53.5 lbs each vs. 68 lbs stock.

Sweet. Only thing required to mount is get rid of the roller skate front brake pads (you can replace them or chop off just the roller skates).

Sorry no pics mounted yet. I'm away for a conference next week and want to use the stock rims/tires/brake pads for my 12 hour round trip.

But next week, I'll mount them up, and weather permitting, I'll get back to the track with these being the only difference. So we'll see how they hook and how I do with a 1.7 or 1.8 sixty-foot.

Padre

I think my wife would stab me in the face if I put tires on her sofa!
:slice:

[Padre]

Originally Posted by Camaro2SSRS

I think my wife would stab me in the face if I put tires on her sofa!
:slice:

I don't have a garage... Or a wife, for that matter... So I guess it's all good.

Padre