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

[JOHNSONROD]

those look good Don. im still working on the rear of the brick. i plan on getting to the front. im taking the plunge and going for NASA TT. first event is at NCM. let me know about those bushings how they do. my front could use some stiffening.

[hammdo]

Cool! Keep us posted!

These bushings are quite a bit firmer. The poly bushings were tight, but not as firm feeling as the JPSS. Can't wait to see what it does now!

-Don

[hammdo]

I was asked about the ARP bolts. Here is what I bought:

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

Gaskets here (2):

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

-Don

[1FAST SS]

Originally Posted by hammdo

I was asked about the ARP bolts. Here is what I bought:

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

Gaskets here (2):

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

-Don

Running Stage 8 on mine. Do you think the ARP's are worth upgrading to from the Stage 8 bolts?

[hammdo]

Not really, stage 8 are really nice. I chose the ARP as I had the bolts from Stainless works and wanted something better. Stage 8s are another excellent choice...

-Don

[hammdo]

Took it out again this morning before the 'cold front' hits -- getting used to the noise from the diff bushing.

Chatted with Ryan from GPI about the trans tune, temps, and what I should look out for. Trans is in pretty good shape -- more fluid capacity, and tune are good to go. Keeping it cool is the biggest effort. After discussing with Ryan, I've purchases the BIGGEST B&M cooler available -- The B&M Supercooler (11" x 11" x 1-1/2" racing model is rated at 29,200 BTU, and pressure tested to 200 PSI):



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

Since my current cooler occupies the same area, this taller unit will give me more cooling capacity as well as volume. It came in today, but the weather is NOT helping me ;o).

This is what I currently have (11" x 8" x 1-1/2" racing model is rated at 20,500 BTU, and pressure tested to 200 PSI):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CIKCQ2..._t1_B000CIIE12

Also, I'm looking @ 'smaller' HXs to put in series -- may be able to use smaller ones -- I know this adds to the 'restriction' part of the equation, but want to see if these can do anything -- it will basically be plug n play so I'll make sure to test it -- that is what this is all about.

Should have a couple of days here soon.

BTW, its hard to believe, but its been 2 years since I began the LSA Conversion -- 2 years...

1/19/2017 will be the 2nd anniversary of the startup...

Still runs freaking awesome too...

-Don

[hammdo]

Picked up a backup set of new ZL1 front and rear brake pads from BlownFogger540 (great seller). Also working on an HX update -- will see if that works outs.

BTW Merry Christmas to everyone...

-Don

[1KillerSS]

Merry Christmas Don, and happy new year!

[hammdo]

Took the car out tonight (its 64° here), just shaking out the diff, bushings, plug/wires, etc. Car is running spectacularly, and worked a bit of 'spirited' driving to see how the suspension changes are -- loving the Eaton. Getting used to the noise level so that's good. Right now, 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'. With that, I'll do a trans fluid change and a power steering change. In the spring, I'll do a radiator change to get a better mix for summer -- the Z/28 for track days use 70/30 so I'll probably changed it to 80/20 Distilled/Dexcool -- just like the intercooler. That seems to be doing good even when we get down into the 40's here. Boy, this is a blast to drive...

Oil changes I'll do this weekend -- will probably do 9 qts for trans fluid change after discussing this with Ted and Ryan -- little over won't hurt!

Happy New Year folks...

-Don

[hammdo]

Transmission fluid change coming now. Thought I'd post this as some folks may be thinking about getting 'gallon' size -- just found this out today:

10-9030 Gallon size (10-9029 is qt size)

Part No. 88861954 ACDelco 10-9030
Part Description FLUID
Replaced By 88865602 ACDelco 10-9395
Manufacturer GM. This genuine GM part is guaranteed by GM's factory warranty.

So, 10-9395 is the new 'gallon' size. Looks like a part number change and is cheaper too:

New from amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-10-93...CDelco+10-9395

Previous (10-9030):

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

-Don

[hammdo]

OK, draining the trans and upgrading the trans cooler was straight forward. I setup this trans cooler closer to the HX just in case I have to add a 'second' one -- left enough room to slide another one in:

Dexron VI (new part#):



Draining (Looks good after racing and 5K miles since last drain):





Trans Cooler upgraded (more area):

Before:



After (measure and drilled new holes in the cooler mount so it would fit nice):





Lots of room for a second one if needed:





Lines re-installed, clips added ready for fluid fill tomorrow (9 qts)...

Now, trying to add Hx extensions -- its only to try and keep IAT2 as close to ambient as possible -- without a chiller, Ice Tank, or meth, I'll never be below that, but, I want to give this every chance to keep IAT2 close to ambient:



Plenty of room for the hoses:



I'm putting one on the other side of the trans cooler too -- I'll be running duals -- its an experiment -- to see if these help @ all. I couldn't run one 'big' one on the bottom as the Trans cooler is in the way -- so a compromise. I would much rather have the fins line up, but, not enough room so seeing how this does -- I've made it so it can remove it if its worse off -- won't know until I get it hooked up.

I'm fabing the brackets and testing the locations to make sure they fit and don't bump anything -- have done a test fit of the bumper to make sure -- so far so good! I'll clean up the rough edges once I know it fits...

More to come...

-Don

[hammdo]

OK, tranny is topped off (9 qts) -- will be getting the brackets ready for the other hx extension cooler -- hope to have it all put back together by Saturday -- then a test!

-Don

[hammdo]

So, here are the HX extension coolers I purchases:



http://www.frozenboost.com/water-to-...er-p-1104.html

Bought 2 of those with the 1/2 NPT 3/4 barbed fittings from FrozenBoost.

Next I drained the Coolant from the HX:



Finished the brackets and mounted the Drivers side HX:







Passengers side:



Looks tight but plenty of clearance and nothing is 'banging' against anything.

So, while I was having sooooooooo much fun, it hit me, why not a power steering cooler too!:





This one I got from Amazon -- 1 day shipping too! Considering the suspension changes and the ZL1 wheels/tires, even the turnOne can use this...

EASY to install -- I made my own brackets and, put it in too -- test fitting with the bumper on:







Tomorrow, drain the power steering, add the new hoses to the cooler, then fill the power steering. I'll make sure to take a pic with the bumper off tomorrow...

After that, do the hoses for the Dual HX, fill up with coolant, bleed that SOB, and do the test! Coolant will flow through the Ron Davis, then, though the Dual HX, and finally to the second Varimax onto the intercooler brick in the SC lid -- we'll see if dual hx pumps and '3' HX will keep things in check -- remember its not to chill the air, but manage temps while under boost and recovery. Currently before the Dual HX, I had just over a half a gallon of coolant in the system. I'm expecting maybe 10 to 15 oz more with these dual HX...

BTW Happy New Year!

-Don

[JOHNSONROD]

Hey Don,
are you running that PS cooler in addition to the factory cooling or in place of it?