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

[hammdo]

Ha, ha, like, I don't know, MONEY? I sure spend on this money pit ;o)

I do happen to have an RJT Trunk Lid with and SS spoiler, but I'd doubt you'd want that or the RJT 2SS front bumper, RJT V8 Engine cover -- don't know what I'm gonna do with those yet...

BUT, I can't wait to see what you think of that thing in the little box!


-Don

[hammdo]

Woot! Dual Aeroforce gauges came in! Time to get on those!

-Don

[hammdo]

OK, here is the vent Pod I purchases from AeroForce:







Fit and finish is good -- not perfect, but its hardly noticeable.

I changed the face of the gauges -- I ordered the 'stripped' version and like it best (purchased from DynoSteve RDP):

Before:



After (just one):



I used the Master Carr wire cover to give the wiring a nice look:



Next, I removed the stock vent:

Prepped:



Released:



Now, I test fitted the pod:



Next, I removed the trim on the left panel:



With the panel removed, I drilled a 13/32 hole so I could 'just' get the wire/connectors through:



Next, I routed the wire though the opening into the pod (I had to remove the pod to do this):





Wire routed in the pod and the opening filled in so NO heat/air gets in:



Installed the top gauge. I had to remove the 'tape' inside. I then wrapped electrical tap around the gauge so the gauge would fit 'tight' in the opening -- make sure to plug the connector in first!:



I filled in the 'drilled' opening where the wire goes in. I'll let it sit overnight (it takes 3 hours for this to cure):



More to come tomorrow -- gauge two install, wire cleanup, plug-in, and test!

-Don

[hammdo]

Well, I let the gauge sit overnight with electrical tape and -- that is a no-go. I went and bought friction tape (for the old schoolers - tape we used on our wooden bats for grip). hockey stick tape will work also, (About 3 to 4 wraps -- the pod is not 'perfect' circumference:









After that, I plugged in the connectors, followed the directions for choosing the items to display and tested!

Buttoned up and ready to go!





Now, I'll set the upper and lower parameters I want to monitor!

http://aeroforcetech.com/manuals.html

Here is the manual (3.8 is this version). It starts up showing CTSV -- wonder if they have camaro?

4 screens per gauge (2 entries per screen) so 8 screens with 16 entries (top/bottom) -- lots to review...

-Don

[hammdo]

Here is a YouTube of the Cyclic Mode in Action:



-Don

[hammdo]

Well, to change the Startup Image, you goto setup and Logos

The Camaro is Camaro ZL1 and the SS are the only options -- none and CTSV are it...

SO, mine shows Camaro ZL1 (what the heck ;o)...

-Don

[hammdo]

So, took it out for a nice long drive.

On the Solid Bushings and the Hotchkis Max Chassis:

Power puts down NICE. There is some NVH around 35 to 50 MPH -- over 50, much less -- not 100%, about 85 to 90.

LOVE the feel.

Gauges are AWESOME @ night -- really love the cycle display -- in the SUN, I'll invert the colors -- wanted and ordered blue, but the RED turned out perfect... GREAT @ night...

Next, a new CSF radiator to help keep the temps in range (doing great on the 65/35, but still want to control it when it hits 100*)...

-Don

[Fish-man]

looks like you did the chassis brace ahead of the bushings... what kind of improvement was the brace alone?

[hammdo]

Big. It really helped. Tighten up and connected everything together. Solids will keep things from moving now. Gave it a go yesterday and did not hear the cradle move. Before you could feel it adjust when you let off the power. Brace really limited that a lot but the solid bushings stopped it.

-Don

[hammdo]

It all feels connected and of course, solid. Very little nvh and not as much as you would think.. Really love the feel and how it performs...

-Don

[Fish-man]

Originally Posted by hammdo

Big. It really helped. Tighten up and connected everything together. Solids will keep things from moving now. Gave it a go yesterday and did not hear the cradle move. Before you could feel it adjust when you let off the power. Brace really limited that a lot but the solid bushings stopped it.

-Don

Ya, I can feel it on my stock SS for sure... considering either solid bushings or cradle brace. Not really wanting both just now. Which do you think would be best to do first?

[hammdo]

Well, I did the BMR inserts and until I did the brace, I had a lot of movement. Brace is easy to install and you'll have a much stiffer suspension. The brace is not for everyone but I really like it. If your going to do one, bushings first as not everyone wants to have that solid of a connection that the brace provides: however the two together connects the car real well.

-Don

[hammdo]

I think ADM has a few bushing sets left.. Great price too.. Get upper control arm bushings too while you're in there...

-Don

[JDP Motorsports]

Originally Posted by hammdo

Well, just got back from CFest VI -- the car did great -- avg 20.5 mpg -- the ONLY issue I had was sitting @ a dead stop in Arkansas for 45 minutes -- then the temps (oil, trans, engine) kicked up -- sitting there @ a dead stop was 118* -- yep, it was HOT, had to roll down the windows and kick on the heater to cool it down -- wife was not thrilled, but that worked to keep the temps in line -- so, for this kind of heat, looks like I'll need to get a bigger radiator to handle that -- not sure which brand, but I'm sure several will do (Ron Davis, AFCO, CSF, Mishimoto, etc.). Will be looking for a 'direct' fit so I don't have to 'redo' anything. May need to look into water wetter also... Outside of that, it was an amazing trip -- car performed great and the LSA Supercharger made it an enjoyable cruise there and back!

-Don

We have some great cooling solutions that will keep the temps down.

Originally Posted by hammdo

OK here are the JPD upper control arm bushings:

This one you can see how the washer moved and stopped covering:



And how the bushing was raised:



This one was ok, but started moving also:





And the ADM Solids in place!:





Thanks Andy and Ryan! Love the difference (I know Ryan -- ;o)...

-Don

I've seen a few of that style bushing have issues but not many. Those are actually Pfadt bushings that we pressed into factory brackets.

Originally Posted by hammdo

Looks like JDP no longer sells the ones I bought from them:

New version:

http://www.jdpmotorsports.com/manufa...amaro-jdps1001

you'll see they use a larger inner sleeve and big washer...

-Don

We're now using a different style bushings that is more robust than the old Pfadt bushing. I would have sent you a set had I known you had an issue.

Please feel free to call, email or PM me anytime with questions.

Kind regards,

Jordan Priestley
888.308.6007