WarShrike's Project Thread by WarShrike

5 minute(s) of a 86 minute read

First issue:

Shortly after starting up the car and driving it only a short amount of time, the Cometic MLS head gaskets I had installed had begun to leak. I pulled the valve covers and retorqued the heads, but to no avail.

I ordered a new set of gaskets, and used the steps of MLS head gasket preparation outlined by FlinGTP (link). I forgot to do this the first time around. These things are very dirty, I was amazed at how many paper towels I had to go through while prepping them for copper gasket spray:

I used the metal Fel-pro problem solver intake gaskets the second time around (Part # MS 98014 T). These can be seen here:

Second Issue:

The transmission finally gave up the ghost, after being rebuild shortly after buying the car in '02. I am led to believe it started going out while it was on the dyno last time before tearing the car down. It finally crapped out when I put it on a dyno again, it only made 106hp and 134ft/lbs as the trans couldn't put the power down.

I trailered it to Amarillo to Precision Transmissions and had the knowing hands of Richard build the trans. This guy has built many amazing 4L60's for F-body customers. This setup should be good for around 600hp and at $1300, that's one heck of a deal.

Third Issue:

I figured out that the valve springs were not going to cut it. With discussion between members here, John at 60°Inclusive and John at SDPC, I went with bigger springs. I went from COMP 105# springs to PAC 130# springs.

PACS on left, Comps on right:

Up next, lessons learned.

I'm down to only tuning the car, getting the WOT tune lined up, hit the local track to see my times and run it on the dyno again to get some numbers.

After over a year since the project started, I've learned a lot of things and looking back on it, I would have done a few things differently.

1. Buy another engine and build it so I'm not without a daily driver. I rode my bicycle almost full time, racking up over 1000 miles from teardown. This would have allowed me to do the whole build without being without my car and also could have done a fully focused build without trying to get the car done asap.

2. I would not have bought the Yella Terra rockers (YT6333). If I could have found a set of roller rockers that worked under the stock valve covers, I would have used them instead, even if they were $100-$200 more than the YT's as the taller valve covers alone were around $300.

3. I would have had the rotating assembly fully balanced. Had I known how long it would take me to get the build completed, I would have had it taken care of by the local machine shop for that added insurance and just a little more efficient operation.

But I am enjoying the car entirely right now. I have to have fun with it, or else it isn't worth it.

Also had a new plate done to clarify things for those who don't know

That's about it so far, I'll keep posting in here as new developments take place. Feel free to post away, ask questions, etc. etc.

Street tuning it first, then I'll hit up a dyno when the price is right.

Grand total came out to something like $4500 after all the little parts and stuff went on. Mind you, I did full suspension on this car as well so plenty of things are transferrable for other projects in the future. The costs were spread out over the course of almost a year or more if you consider the first real big mod being the Headers (November 2008). I slowly acumulated parts over that time, so things were around $300/month. Which was within my monthly budget as both my cars are paid off and I only had bills and a house payment.

I probably could have spent that money on an absolutely awesome turbo kit, but I'd have put it on that tired old, sludged up motor. And then subsequently have to rebuild it after blowing it up, running me quite a bit more money in the long run.

I initially wanted to get a pair of STI turbos rebuilt and do an APS inspired setup, but I wanted to make sure the engine was sound first. Glad I checked the engine. I'll wait for boosting something until after pharmacy school, then maybe I can get an LLT and swap it in here.

I wanted this engine to be a good foundation for stuff in the future.