mhslax6

Hey guys,

I've been posting on here for a few months now, asking for advice while taking apart my motor. The reason this is all started was due to some overheating issues and coolant leaks. Long story short, water pump developed bad leak and car boiled over.

Car is a near perfect '96 with 49k miles, running a Vortech T-Trim supercharger @ 7psi. I bought the car with around 38k miles and I believe the supercharger was put on somewhere around 10-20k miles. The original owner had added a Crane Hi-6 Fireball Ignition with adjustable timing, a Racetronix Fuel Pump, and SLP shorty headers, but kept everything else stock.

Since taking it apart, I've pretty much bought everything to replace the entire front of the motor, all AC Delco or top end, (starter, mass air flow, optispark, compressor, radiator, plugs, MSD wires, hoses, water pump, etc.) and misc. parts for a total of around $3000. Right now I have the bay pretty much empty and just got the intake manifold and valve covers off.

I love this car to death but with the supercharger on the stock block, it worries my dad and I need a reliable daily driver. So with all of this in mind, I've came down to 2 options and wanted your guys opinions:

1. Sell the supercharger, ignition and hardware (it's a Vortech V1 T-Trim "Race" model, capable of 26 psi) and do a new cam, heads, throttle body, long tubes, etc.

Or

2. Put everything back together as is and sell it.

What is your guys opinions? I want a fun car and love the power with the SC but will H&C give me what I need and be reliable?

Thanks as always!

guppymech

iTrader: (7)

Sounds like a great car, don't sell it. Sell the supercharger, it's not too compatible with the stock high compression hyper pistons anyway. Change the cam and put it together and enjoy!

AnotherWs6

iTrader: (17)

Keep the supercharger, pulley it down so it isnt putting out much boost and enjoy it. You'll kick yourself later if you sell it.

93M6Formula

Pull off the Vortech and put it aside and drive your car the way it is for now. Buy a junk LT1 motor and build it to take boost and swap in later. Buy a cheap daily driver and keep this car nice. I wouldn't sell that supercharger setup since its capable of some pretty good power down the road with a built motor. Plus it's not a cheap kit anyway and it would be a hard pill to swallow if you bought one again.

mhslax6

Since I have it pretty much torn down, I'd like a more power than stock and would like something to replace the sound of the SC (I love that gear drive sound of the T-Type). Any ideas on how much I can get for a V1 T-trim race with all the hardware and crane ignition?

mhslax6

Heads are off. How does everything look?

http://imgur.com/a/S7Zzn

mhslax6

Gap on all plugs were way off, all over .70. When we put it on a dyno, they said it was running rich.

mhslax6

What do you think of cylinder condition?

Catmaigne

iTrader: (6)

Hard to say because of the pics. You want to look for vertical score marks in the bores, cracks between the intake/exhaust valve seats, and any sort of cracking around the edge of the pistons. Too much boost and hyper pistons without the proper safeguards usually means cracks on the piston ringlands but you won't be able to see that without removing them from the block.

mhslax6

There are some vertical scoring marks but they don't feel like they are too deep. What is the best way to clean up the pistons and cylinders to see what I have to work with? I just don't really know what I should see with a supercharger installed.

mhslax6

I run max 7 psi boost

Catmaigne

iTrader: (6)

If you can't catch your fingernail on the scores then I wouldn't worry about it.

Maybe try some solvents like mineral spirits or carb cleaner and scrub.

7 psi with what? Intercooler? Water/meth? The T trim is pretty efficient but detonation will crack brittle cast pistons with tighter ring gaps on the sides first. There's really no telling without pulling them out of the block. All depends on how it was run.

azmarkus

Is this the car in question?

Z28 LT1 For Sale

mhslax6

Yes that is it. I decided that I wanted to keep the car, so I pulled the intake and heads. Now I need to decide where to go next. Seriously thinking about selling the SC and doing H&C.

mhslax6

No intercooler or injection.

mhslax6

mhslax6

These were the rocker positions before I pulled the head with #6 @ TDC. Do they look correct?

tekprodave

We have a lot in common. car looks like mine

you really need a forged motor built for boost if you wanna keep running the t-trim. Mine could be a daily driver but difficult to smog in California that is why I am considering the sale. I realize I won't be able to replace it without spending a ton so I am very hesitant. see sig.

mhslax6

I've decided (and my dad agrees) that we are going to sell the T-trim and ignition. I will cam it and either freshen up the stock heads with new parts or if I need to do heads (I'd like not to). Thinking about the CC503 because I want it choppy but still good all around power. Can I get away with my heads and new springs?

tekprodave

Since the heads are off and you will have money from the sale of the blower I would strongly suggest sending the heads to be ported. Stock LT1 heads on these cars don't flow well at all. 194cfm. even the caprice iron heads flow 230. A good port job will go well beyond that. Mine are fully ported and around 300 cfm if I recall correctly. Mine have bigger valves which is optional but why not. New rockers, springs, and studs as well. Since yours is a '96 you may also need hardened push rods. the '95's come with them already. With this you can rev higher and make more power. There are also newer and better cams than the cc503. I just sold a lunati custom grind that would have been perfect for your application. I would let the people working the heads recommend a good cam to match well. you could buy AFR heads or other brand but I see no reason to spend the extra money.