TEGGSRB18C1's 2013 2SS/RS 6MT life long build

[The_bald_eagle_machine]

Looks like this build is coming along nicely. I bought a set of those coil covers but after reading the instructions I didn't think it was worth all the hassle, so I sold them to the next guy.

For header bolts I used a set of ARP chrome hex head bolts, with washers. So far they have held up nicely and I don't have to worry about them breaking off in the head.

[TEGGSRB18C1]

Originally Posted by The_bald_eagle_machine

Looks like this build is coming along nicely. I bought a set of those coil covers but after reading the instructions I didn't think it was worth all the hassle, so I sold them to the next guy.

For header bolts I used a set of ARP chrome hex head bolts, with washers. So far they have held up nicely and I don't have to worry about them breaking off in the head.

They are insanely labor intensive for what they are. I keep the instruction manual by my bed and I've gone over it a few times now. Looks like a real pain in the ass.

I was looking at the ARP's, they are top option as of right now.

[TEGGSRB18C1]

Staycation score. Picked up this lightly used 1LE/convertible strut bar local off FB marketplace. It's a little dirty and sporting a decal that I'm not fond of. Next week I'll clean it up and polish it, I should be able to elbow grease this back to 99% new.

The hardware on the other hand, I may drop those off at a local metal plater. Maybe zinc or polished? We'll see.

[TEGGSRB18C1]

Fin. Turned out nicely. I have a feeling these things need re polished every so often. I used some sealant and wax to give the polished area a sacrificial layer before it starts to oxidize and loose the luster.

[TEGGSRB18C1]

Stole this BNIB 1LE oil separator off FB marketplace, $30 shipped to me. It's ridiculous that GM asks $220+ for this thing.

The question of the day is: will this work with the SLP coil covers? Just holding the two together, it's tight. The pics in the instructions give me hope. I won't know for sure until I'm already committed to the covers. So much thought and effort for stupid pieces of plastic lol.

[TEGGSRB18C1]

Hawking FB marketplace religiously pays off again. Found this in Ohio, BNIB SLP Stage 2 Blackwing cold air intake kit....sort of, most of it anyway.

Either this was sold as an add on to a customer that already had the SLP intake elbow making it a true "stage 1/stage 2" kind of thing or....someone broke into this box years ago and stole the elbow. Either way, I have 9/10 of what I need and that elbow seems to be a fairly common piece as it was sold in 3 different kits from SLP. I'll find one, just time and patience.

[TEGGSRB18C1]

While looking over the routing for the new washer bottle line, I noticed my brake fluid inside the reservoir looking particularly nasty for 15,670 miles.

Put in the research and picked up a BNIB Tick Performance/OE GTO clutch reservoir kit off FB marketplace for slightly less than retail. Out of everything coming up, this job concerns me the most, I do not want to introduce air into the clutch system.

[TEGGSRB18C1]

Christmas parts haul! Took the bald eagle machines advice and picked up the ARP header bolts. These should match the coating on the headers nicely even though I'm pretty sure with the SLP covers you won't be able to see them.

This is it as far as actual header install parts. I'm finally at square one as far as what you would get a brand new kit from Kooks (with upgrades of course)

[TEGGSRB18C1]

Next up, more attempts to save the life of the OE starter. Picked up this 12x12 gold heat reflection sheet from DEI. I'll be using this to wrap the OE starter shield.

I also want to pick up a starter blanket to give it every chance I can against the heat from the headers. Heard this stuff doesn't stick very well to certain surfaces so I'll have to invest in some prep materials.

[TEGGSRB18C1]

This is a project I've been building in my head for a while now. So, the OE hard vacuum line that comes with the 1LE oil separator isn't going to work with the SLP intake. I've seen people use vacuum hose to bridge the gap and I don't like how that looks but I still want to keep some of that OE look.

After researching these stupid fittings to death, I came up with these 3/8 fuel line to 3/8 barb 90 degree push lock connectors. As you can see, they look similar enough to the OE connector and work exactly the same.

I will pick up some 3/8 vacuum hose and the same sleeving I used on my battery ground to complete the OE-ish look.

[TEGGSRB18C1]

These are for a future project, BMR differential bushings. Street version because I don't see this car going past FBO and I'm getting soft in my older years.

I want to build a whole new diff from scratch. I'm looking for a wrecked low mileage/well maintained base car to snag a mint case from and build from the ground up. More on this in the next post...

[TEGGSRB18C1]

The piece de resistance, a LPW diff cover. As stated above, I want to build a nice street diff, starting with a new case, a step up to AAM/LPE 3.91's and a Eaton Trutrac, finished off with this cover and the BMR bushings.

LPW is local to me so it's cool to rep hometown parts. They used to offer these in gloss black powder coat with the LPW logo polished. I may revisit that idea.

[TEGGSRB18C1]

These are a 40th birthday present to myself!!

BNIB "SLP" sway bars. I use the quotation marks because these are exactly what I thought they were while I was doing my research: re-boxed OE GM ZL1 sway bars, not even re-branded by SLP, they still have the GM part number on them. 25MM front, 28MM rear, to match my ZL1 wheel/tire combo as GM intended.

What I wasn't expecting is the condition. These aren't terrible but not up to snuff for the car. These will be re-finished, then installed.

[TEGGSRB18C1]

Some random here and there stuff I picked up. I said that I was going to give the OE starter the best chance I could against the heat of the headers. We'll see if it all pays off.

I feel the TR6 NGK's are a safe bet even though I probably should have spoken to a tuner first. Not too much left before that conversation though.