Ashen 6.2 2014 Z/SS

[Ashen 6.2]

Been cleaning up some odds and ends from the mods over the last summer. One of them being air filter for the RPM 5" CAI was hitting the Z28 splitter bracket. Enough that it was squashed between the wheel liner and the bracket causing the left front tire to rub the wheel liner slightly.

Bad pics from before







Example of what it looked like before





Cut out the section needing removed and mocked up a piece of round bar








Test fit without the air filter looks good. Not a fan of welding thin metals.. need more practice.. lol




While I was waiting for the welds to cool off I cleaned and oiled the air filter so now im waiting for it to dry..

[Ashen 6.2]

Another winter mod is working on fixing low vacuum at first start up. Basically, at first start up there isn't enough vacuum for the brakes to work well in gear. I have to let it warm up a few minutes (~120 degree water temp) and then it's fine after that. With my driveway being a steep hill, it makes it hard to back out in gear without putting it in neutral to stop. Don (Hammdo) had the same issue so I'm borrowing the fix he did for his ride.

Ordered the following:
a brake vacuum booster -
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1





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





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





Brake booster vacuum hose that comes with a tee fitting and 2 check valves inside the hose from Rock Auto. GM Part # 1761726
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...&pt=1812&jsn=1





Vacuum pump wire connector -
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...6&pt=750&jsn=1





Mounted the vacuum pump on the drivers side just under the headlight where the horn was mounted. Modified the horn bracket for one side and using the Z28 splitter bracket for the other side.





Horn in its new home - Just behind the headlight on the drivers side.





Next up is wiring this in. The goal is for the pump to run only on first start up and for about 3-4 minutes or so.

[Ashen 6.2]

Air filer dried and test fit with the modified bracket -





Fits much better now. True test will be when I put the wheel liner back in. Still need to wire the vacuum pump so maybe this weekend.

[1JEWLDSSRS]

Dang son, you been busy!!!!!!!!! Looks killer. Well done...

[Ashen 6.2]

Originally Posted by 1JEWLDSSRS

Dang son, you been busy!!!!!!!!! Looks killer. Well done...

Thanks 1JEWLDSSRS!

[Ashen 6.2]

The ZL1 diff arrived today from Hawks Motorsports in SC. Its from a 44K mile car and is a 3.23 gear for now. Will work on removing the cooler lines and put plugs in. Going to look at the axle seals and most likely swap them out along with the diff fluid and put in offset diff bushings.

It was strapped down inside the box and packed it very well.














Axles are here and now just waiting on the driveshaft to arrive.

While waiting on the driveshaft to arrive, I'm going to pull the converter out and send it back to Circle D to get restalled a bit higher.

Will be selling the Zl1 diff with 3.91's & tru trac once I get this swapped out.

[Joe.G]

wish You did this a little sooner, i would have purchased your rear, I just got all the parts to do mine but I really wanted to just swap one in, Almost bought one off FB but it ended up being a scam so glad I passed.

[Ashen 6.2]

Originally Posted by Joe.G

wish You did this a little sooner, i would have purchased your rear, I just got all the parts to do mine but I really wanted to just swap one in, Almost bought one off FB but it ended up being a scam so glad I passed.

Glad you missed that scam! I was reading about one this morning and sadly it seems to be happening more and more. I have a hard time buying anything from FB unless I can drive to it, pay and be on my way.

[Ashen 6.2]

Got the diff case cleaned up a bit and removed the cooler lines. Used GM plugs to cap off the line connections. GM Part# 22960153. These plugs also work well if you remove the trans cooler in the radiatior and need to plug them.









Next I will get the areas around the axle seals cleaned up and replace the seals. Offset diff bushings should be here tomorrow if the weather doesn't mess things up.

[Ashen 6.2]

While I'm waiting on parts to arrive and since the weather is crappy, decided to pull the converter out and send it back to Circle D to get re-stalled. Its a 3600 triple disc converter but it's extremely tight with my setup.


Trans out





Converter packed up and almost ready to go.





When taking the top bell housing bolt/nut off (which is a PITA BTW), the nut fell and it never hit the floor. Couldn't find it anywhere, was beginning to think it went in the dipstick hole..
Low and behold, the GM engineers put this hose in the perfect place to catch the nut... AND hide it! lol

[morepowerjoe]

Yeah when I pulled mine to replace the rear main I didn't know about that nut/bolt at the top so when I went to pull it out it broke out the ear of the tranny. I was like good riddance MF. lol

[Ashen 6.2]

Originally Posted by morepowerjoe

Yeah when I pulled mine to replace the rear main I didn't know about that nut/bolt at the top so when I went to pull it out it broke out the ear of the tranny. I was like good riddance MF. lol

Yikes! I can see how that would happen! And lol. Ive wondered about not putting that one back in. I'm going to find a way to attach the vent tube without using that stud/nut and just go back with a bolt in that hole.

[Ashen 6.2]

While the converter is at Circle D getting some attention I decided to swap out the factory flex plate with something a little sturdier. So in goes a Circle D SFI rated flexplate. Its a bit heavier than the factory one but thats ok. I can eat a few less chips at lunch to offset it.. lol


Converter side




Engine side

[The_bald_eagle_machine]

" I can eat a few less chips at lunch to offset the weight difference".

What a good line! We could all eat a little less chips!