🔧 BUILD LAME Turbo V6 Camaro

[Rdrnnr]

You've still got the same plan I do if I ever get the money or swap motors and what not then I'll do that hard-core stuff. As for tuning ya sounds like you got alot of plans in life and it's one rabbit hole that's gonna take a bit to get into. I know I for one would send you a flash back anyday for what that's worth as well.

As far as the torque arm I don't really know what the big deal with em is but I know the bigger builds seem to favor the short one. I wouldn't have done mine if my buddy wasn't gettin rid of hand me downs lol but it sounds like you've got a solid plan. If we ever get these things done we gotta find a place to run em tho

 

[Rdrnnr]

As for motivation, I'll get there. I can just only do so much body/frame work at time before I get really burnt out. I'm also repeating a lot of stuff which is not fun. Pulling brand new brake lines, rebleeding the system, removing brand new valve covers, and dropping the transmission a third time gives the sense that this journey never ends. I guess it never truly does since project cars are never "done". I just wish the car had a little more to show for itself given the amount of time and effort I have in it!

Surely, there will become a point where everything will jive and just work. I need to remember that I initially doubled the power in this car, and did nothing else. I should be expecting a lot of failures down stream of the engine.

Keep your head up Rome wasn't built in a day. I stare at shit I ordered months ago thatd be easy stuff and for whatever reason just don't do it. It's that time of year and the general feel of the world isn't so hot anyway. Do what's best for you man but I know for me I have to get up and get movin again or I'll stay stuck

 

[v6buicks]

I did a little reading on the short vs. long torque arm.

Short Vs. Long Torque Arm - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion

Suspension & Brakes - Short Vs. Long Torque Arm - Right now I have a BMR adjustable long arm, and their trans relocation crossmember. Ive got all other drag suspension mods like coilovers, rear drag bar, relo brackets etc. My question is, is their any advantage to going to a short arm for weight...

ls1tech.com

Long or Short Torque arm? - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion

Suspension & Brakes - Long or Short Torque arm? - Whats the difference between the two? From what Ive found is that the short is more for drag racing and the long is for road racing, is this correct? Also would love if you guys had any pics of a short torque arm, I'm not very familiar with them...

ls1tech.com

It sounds like the shorter arm is better for those who race all the time. The change in instant center (a term which I'm still wrapping my head around) will work as an anti-squat. It can also cause handing and ride quality to suffer. Grip is good, but it sounds like I won't necessarily regret the long arm. There are are folks doing some crazy stuff with long arms, so I guess it really depends on which other parts you buy and how you set everything up.

 

[Rdrnnr]

Well, that makes me feel better about my decision lol. You gonna go adjustable? Idk what differences the angles make there but seems like your already that far lol

 

[v6buicks]

Well, that makes me feel better about my decision lol. You gonna go adjustable? Idk what differences the angles make there but seems like your already that far lol

I'm definitely going adjustable because I plan on lowering the car and upgrading the rear end in the future. Right away it won't be necessary to adjust, but I'll be happy to have that ability when I need it. It's mainly about maintaining the correct pinion angle and keeping the wheels centered in the wells.

 

[Rdrnnr]

Which makes sense you gotta worry about that stuff lifting things too. I shouldn't need adjustable then I don't really have plans to do much back there

 

[Rdrnnr]

I feel like you've got some big plans and wanna see some huge power down the road what are you thinking ultimately? I guess from the get go I've centered around 500 so I may have limited myself to an extent compared to what you have in mind

 

[v6buicks]

That's a damn good question... The answer isn't simple because I want it all. I also understand that I can't have it all.

I know for sure that I want to keep this thing on the street. I want to drive it long distance with a full exhaust and good ride quality. It needs to handle nice too. In the end it's just an enjoyable beater. As for power? I have no idea. I'm kinda just wanting to take what I can get out of a stock bottom end and relatively stock cast iron heads. I might gasket match and polish things up, but I'm not wanting to get into crazy porting and stuff. If I'm being brutally honest, I really want the ST5 cam because of the sound. I'm definitely not out to break any records.

I think my limit will be somewhere around the point where it becomes too unreliable to drive whenever (besides snow/salt) and wherever I want. There's also a point where relatively cheap engine mods don't do much for power anymore. That's when I'm out. This car is being built to be driven hard but regularly. I would say that 600 hp is my goal. However, if building it up to that point becomes too draining in some way or another I'll call it done at 500 or even 450. I'm already planning out a build for the Volvo wagon, so I guess you can say that I enjoy building stuff just as much as I enjoy driving it.

To make a long story short, idk lol

 

[GTPpower]

My buddy that I go to the drag strip with has a st5 in his turbo grand prix. It does sound pretty awesome. My car with the xpz sounds stock, so that's not much fun compared to his.

 

[Rdrnnr]

GTPpower you gonna be at the strip here any?

 

[Rdrnnr]

That's a damn good question... The answer isn't simple because I want it all. I also understand that I can't have it all.

I know for sure that I want to keep this thing on the street. I want to drive it long distance with a full exhaust and good ride quality. It needs to handle nice too. In the end it's just an enjoyable beater. As for power? I have no idea. I'm kinda just wanting to take what I can get out of a stock bottom end and relatively stock cast iron heads. I might gasket match and polish things up, but I'm not wanting to get into crazy porting and stuff. If I'm being brutally honest, I really want the ST5 cam because of the sound. I'm definitely not out to break any records.

I think my limit will be somewhere around the point where it becomes too unreliable to drive whenever (besides snow/salt) and wherever I want. There's also a point where relatively cheap engine mods don't do much for power anymore. That's when I'm out. This car is being built to be driven hard but regularly. I would say that 600 hp is my goal. However, if building it up to that point becomes too draining in some way or another I'll call it done at 500 or even 450. I'm already planning out a build for the Volvo wagon, so I guess you can say that I enjoy building stuff just as much as I enjoy driving it.

To make a long story short, idk lol

Lol its always the short version. I guess I've got the same goals your just a bit more optimistic than I am

 

[GTPpower]

GTPpower you gonna be at the strip here any?

I was planning to go to this, but my sister is getting married the day before, so it might be a long shot. My buddy is also getting a cage put in his car since Krp didn't like it last time we went, so not sure if it will be done by then.

 

[Rdrnnr]

I was planning to go to this, but my sister is getting married the day before, so it might be a long shot. My buddy is also getting a cage put in his car since Krp didn't like it last time we went, so not sure if it will be done by then.

View attachment 79795

That is exactly what I'm hopin to have my car mostly together for [emoji2937] hopefully you can make it im only a few miles away and gonna try and sponsor the track and play all summer. Krp is good dudes but this town in general likes its rules lol

 

[GTPpower]

That is exactly what I'm hopin to have my car mostly together for [emoji2937] hopefully you can make it im only a few miles away and gonna try and sponsor the track and play all summer. Krp is good dudes but this town in general likes its rules lol

They were definitely pretty lax about it. He's been trying to get booted for a few years now and was finally successful.

As it gets closer, we'll have to stay in touch and see if we can meet up.

 

[v6buicks]

Gee, thanks ZZP. I buy $160 worth of stuff and you can't even bother to put it in a box for me? It seems that's working well for you....

Then you weren't even smart enough to use the sik af kustom peel and seal padded envelope you decided to use as LOOSE packing?!

Whatever. I got my stuff.

 

[Rdrnnr]

Wooowwww. Dude anytime I've ordered from them it's showed in like 2 days and been packaged all nice with stickers and whatnot. That's always been their shining point to me I thought was quality stuff fast.

 

[Rdrnnr]

Are you gonna do the airhose on the cylinder trick? That's kinda my plan and I got the spring tool that works of the post between em. Also you have new pedestals and everything right? I think you got the good roller 1.9s and mine are the modified stock rockers

 

[Rdrnnr]

Pushrods? I'm sure you probably posted it up there somewhere but thats alot of scrollin [emoji23]

 

[v6buicks]

Shipping was still quick. I agree that their packing is usually decent too, but they dropped the ball this time. I don't know what they were thinking. I at least would have thrown everything IN the padded envelope. Next to it made no sense at all.

Yeah, I'll turn the air down on my air compressor and hook it up to my compression tester.

I got the fancy aluminum Yella Terra roller rockers from DanJ. It came with oil restricted pushrods and pedestals, so this should be all I need.

 

[Rdrnnr]

I'd bet you have yours in before I do mines under a foot of snow and at this point I kinda feel like finishing my truck and keepin work on track and bein a dad has to take priority. I plan on doin mine up badass when I do it. Got some vht engine paint to black base the compressor housing and valve covers and do a candy red overlay over the top of it. Kinda maybe got some of the taillight spray too buttttt well see what happens with that later I have mixed feelings there

 

[v6buicks]

Pulled the car out yesterday for the first time in months and thought she looked pretty. It sure could stand to drop an inch or two in ride height though!

Before that, I rolled under the car to come up with a game plan for my driver side frame extension and subframe connector. I don't think it will be nearly as big of a pain in the ass to do as I initially planned. I can zip tie the fuel and brake lines out of my way, I shouldn't have to cut as much out, and I shouldn't have to pull the carpet out! I was going to just get started on that, but I only removed a few bolt before my hands started to get numb. It was time to fix the heat. I forgot to take a picture of what I had before, but you can kind of see the spider trap I built above the door. I didn't realize that the heater I bought off marketplace was not designed to be hung from the ceiling. It was supposed to sit on the floor. Thinking I was slick, I built the shelf. It did the job for a few yers.

...but I had no idea what I was missing out on until I got rid of all that. This itty bitty 5000W unit from Rural King gets everything in my garage much warmer in much less time! The best part is that I have it turned down to 3000W and thermostat set very low. I think my energy bills are going to be much less heartbreaking

Back to you're regularly scheduled program! I started working on the subframe connectors, but since I went through the hassle of putting the car back on the ground (I had it raised about 3 ft) I'm going to start on the valve springs tonight.

 

[Rdrnnr]

I had a 5k heater in my 30x40 brick shop and man that thing struggled and ran all the time. Finally burned up this year and I got a 10k. It runs alot when it's 7 degree wind chill like this morning but if doors are closed it'll hold 80 I'm there no problem just make sure you have enough breaker for it. I've also got a pretty alright diesel heater if I've got doors open and stuff. If rural king is anything like tractor supply then it's probably one of my favorite places to find stuff for my farm boy shenanigans

 

[v6buicks]

I finally ran out of legitimate excuses to not work on the car.

Overall, I'd say it went poorly, but I didn't let it get to me. Right off the bat, I figured out why the car has been smoking so much.

That's oil mixed with water. My car has always made a ton of condensation since switching to E85, but I think I blew my oil seal in the turbo. Considering that my oil pressure gauge pegs to 120 before I even hit WOT, I should definitely expect this sort of failure. I just don't get why it's happening. I currently have the Series 3 spring in there with 5W-30. Maybe it's time to go back to the stock Series 2 spring and 10W-30? Then what? Smaller turbo? Reseal this junk?

I'll worry about that later. Moving on...

That's my last spare manifold bolt. If I lose another, I have to buy another set. WTF. I tightened these all to double the spec last time and they're all loose again. Time for locking bolts? I don't know. I'll deal with that later too. For now, I got them all re-tightened with a ratchet.

Now I'm here. What a POS tool. I spent a whole bunch of time trying to figure out what I needed to do to make it work. The answer ended up being "chuck it"

I have a ton of stock rockers which I'll never use and a broken ratchet sooooo

Chopped

Marked

Chopped and welded

Oh, yes. Much easier!

Then I realized that I accidentally bought a valve stem seal kit for an LS. I'll try this again another day. lol

 

[Rdrnnr]

Dude amazing on the rocker tool. But try a restrictor in that turbo. My t70 is already rattly as hell and probably doin the same thing thats why I went new to find that throwin oil straight to em tends to do just that.

Also do you still have AC? Cuz I might wanna flip mine around with the new one before I build my exhaust now....

 

[v6buicks]

Dude amazing on the rocker tool. But try a restrictor in that turbo. My t70 is already rattly as hell and probably doin the same thing thats why I went new to find that throwin oil straight to em tends to do just that.

Also do you still have AC? Cuz I might wanna flip mine around with the new one before I build my exhaust now....

I just restricted mine from -4 down to -3. How far did you go? I have so much oil pressure that I'm kinda scared about fracturing my oil pump gears. I should put the stock spring back in.

AC is gone which is the big downside to my exhaust routing. Part of me wishes I kept that all in tact, but it makes a lot of stuff easier to do. I didn't really think about it, but that tool I made may not work too well with an HVAC box in the way. You should see how complicated I made THAT job! I still wanted factory heat. lol

🔧 BUILD - LAME Turbo V6 Camaro

No. I'm not really sure why I would want to.

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