If anyone thinks that I look like a spaz in the car, then please realize...............
I am 😉
I am 😉
On the 'mildly' Cheap SS Monte Carlo chasing a 9.0___
- Thread starter 64nailhead
- Start date
I just thought it was funny the way the hood cowl flopped around and the seat swinging forward under braking.
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I’ve had some ups and downs since MW Drags. In a nutshell, I hurt the 5.3 ………. terminally.
A tuned ‘safety’ in my tune didn’t work as planned and it created somewhat of a mess. I lifted both heads. It was obvious from the datalogs - the coolant pressure kept creeping higher and higher after the initial issue. I pulled the heads and had them checked for flatness - they weren’t flat any longer. I had them planed - it took a .006” cut to get them back to ‘flat’.
The real issue was a vertical, jagged mark in #8 bore and a fair amount of vertical scoring in #2 bore from the piston skirt swelling. I put it all back together and test ran it - #8 was the real issue. The vertical, jagged mark after removal of the head, a second time, revealed that the mark was a crack in the bore. This was definitely a ‘down’ in the ups and downs.
The ups : the original Gen 3 4.8, that had collapsed a lifter, is in with the lifters from the 5.3 as well as the new, shimmed oil pump from the 5.3. And it runs like a champ. The 5.3’s heads, crank, bearings, forged rods and 6 of 8 forged pistons are reusable. Also the BTR cam is fine. Of course the steel block 4.8 is a ‘down’ - another 50+lbs is something I don’t need with with a 30ci smaller motor. But, it ‘is what it is’ at the moment haha.
I don’t think that I can break my PB with this motor. So I’m going to ride out the rest of the year with it (hopefully). I have a 6.0 that needs some machine shop work to get into shape along with a set of pistons. But I won’t have time to get all of that work done before Drag Week that’s 30 days from now. I also picked up another good LC9 alum 5.3 with 243 heads over the weekend. So I have some options moving forward.
I’m thinking I might run a 10.0 bracket class at DW which is something that I can be competitive in. And considering that I’ve never been competitive in the 8.50 class because I’m missing the last 200-300hp to run 8.50, it might be a different adventure that I’m thinking will be fun.
A tuned ‘safety’ in my tune didn’t work as planned and it created somewhat of a mess. I lifted both heads. It was obvious from the datalogs - the coolant pressure kept creeping higher and higher after the initial issue. I pulled the heads and had them checked for flatness - they weren’t flat any longer. I had them planed - it took a .006” cut to get them back to ‘flat’.
The real issue was a vertical, jagged mark in #8 bore and a fair amount of vertical scoring in #2 bore from the piston skirt swelling. I put it all back together and test ran it - #8 was the real issue. The vertical, jagged mark after removal of the head, a second time, revealed that the mark was a crack in the bore. This was definitely a ‘down’ in the ups and downs.
The ups : the original Gen 3 4.8, that had collapsed a lifter, is in with the lifters from the 5.3 as well as the new, shimmed oil pump from the 5.3. And it runs like a champ. The 5.3’s heads, crank, bearings, forged rods and 6 of 8 forged pistons are reusable. Also the BTR cam is fine. Of course the steel block 4.8 is a ‘down’ - another 50+lbs is something I don’t need with with a 30ci smaller motor. But, it ‘is what it is’ at the moment haha.
I don’t think that I can break my PB with this motor. So I’m going to ride out the rest of the year with it (hopefully). I have a 6.0 that needs some machine shop work to get into shape along with a set of pistons. But I won’t have time to get all of that work done before Drag Week that’s 30 days from now. I also picked up another good LC9 alum 5.3 with 243 heads over the weekend. So I have some options moving forward.
I’m thinking I might run a 10.0 bracket class at DW which is something that I can be competitive in. And considering that I’ve never been competitive in the 8.50 class because I’m missing the last 200-300hp to run 8.50, it might be a different adventure that I’m thinking will be fun.
Out with the 5 relays to run the fans, manual fan switch and to active the boost solenoids (Max Valves).
Looks a little better and will be much easier to work on.
This was the previous pile of spaghetti that I had. I will say that none of this mess ever let me down, but it was a nightmare every time I dug into it to add something.
Looks a little better and will be much easier to work on.
This was the previous pile of spaghetti that I had. I will say that none of this mess ever let me down, but it was a nightmare every time I dug into it to add something.
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The 4.8 made it to the dyno today. Is ready for DW next month. Made 13 or 14 pulls starting at 10 psi and ending at 25. Tried more boost and the cam is done.
This motor is amazing as far as I’m concerned. Take note of the lack of smoke on accel and decel. This thing is dryer than a popcorn fart as well. Last time I had it in the car it had a smaller turbo.
All I can say is there is no such thing as too much turbo, only not enough converter and cam. The Sloppy Stage 2 was done at 25 psi. We added 2 and then 3 more psi and it made the same number - 853 +\- 1 .
Ending number :
I don’t think it’s the cam, but rather the springs or lifter preload.
I’m swapping to a spring with another 30lbs on the seat (that are new), and I’m going to mess with lifter preload a little and see what happens.
DW ‘23 prep is underway. Less than 3 weeks away 😉
Lastly, pro tip of the day, when you mount a coolant pressure sensor, it works better when it’s below the heads.
I’m swapping to a spring with another 30lbs on the seat (that are new), and I’m going to mess with lifter preload a little and see what happens.
DW ‘23 prep is underway. Less than 3 weeks away 😉
Lastly, pro tip of the day, when you mount a coolant pressure sensor, it works better when it’s below the heads.
Not often I find a headlight photo. Low beams on the centers - not your typical G haha.
That photo was from last night - today I pulled off the ‘on engine’ valve spring swap and head stud swap. A friend told he’s done the stud swap without removing the heads so I tried it. If it goes bad you’ll know what I’ll be doing this week haha.
I measured lifter preload on multiple lifters, and I’m not at a number that the interwebs says is ‘good’. .045-.050”. On Tuesday I’m going to contact BTR and get their opinion . The popular internet opinion seems to be a minimum of .060” and upto .120” depending on the lifter.
I know that I’m lighter on preload due to the increased HG thickness. 🤷
I measured lifter preload on multiple lifters, and I’m not at a number that the interwebs says is ‘good’. .045-.050”. On Tuesday I’m going to contact BTR and get their opinion . The popular internet opinion seems to be a minimum of .060” and upto .120” depending on the lifter.
I know that I’m lighter on preload due to the increased HG thickness. 🤷
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