TJ Wongs performance shop questions
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TJ Wongs performance shop questions
I know everyone here recommends TJ Wong to do tuning to LS engines. I didn't want to high jack the other guys thread so I had a few questions about it. I've been trying to get a hold of him too...like the other guy said he is having a baby and will be out for a few days.These are the parts I'm trying to order from TSP as soon as they get back with me about a couple questions.
- Anyone have a ballpark idea of what I should expect as far as installation and tune of a head/cam package?
- Is there really long wait to even get in his garage(read somewhere up to 2 months)?
These are the parts I will have....did I forget anything at all? no matter how small for this installation
-PRC Stage 2.5 5.3L CNC Ported Heads
-231/234 .643/598 Camshaft
-TSP 1-7/8" Long Tube Headers
-Catted Y-Pipe
- 19" O2 Extensions- Pair
- Exhaust Manifold Gaskets- Pair
- NGK TR55- Set of 8
-Basic Heads & Camshaft Bolt & Gasket Kit
- ARP Hex Head Bolt Kit #134-3609, Long and Short
- ARP LS1/LS2/LS3 Crank Bolt
-GM LS1 3.910" Bore Graphite Set
-Powerbond U/D pulley with belts
-GM LS2 Timing Chain Set
-TSP 5/16" Chrome-moly Pushrods, SINGLE-7.400" Length
-GM Replacement LS7 Lifters
-SLP Lid
-36lb Injectors?
I already have the LS6 intake and a LM2 Catback....I'm going to install the pulley, LT's, and Lid myself. But the rest is all is needed to drop off at the shop for a Head/cam install?
I'm really hoping to be able to get the car in his shop the first week of August.
- Anyone have a ballpark idea of what I should expect as far as installation and tune of a head/cam package?
- Is there really long wait to even get in his garage(read somewhere up to 2 months)?
These are the parts I will have....did I forget anything at all? no matter how small for this installation
-PRC Stage 2.5 5.3L CNC Ported Heads
-231/234 .643/598 Camshaft
-TSP 1-7/8" Long Tube Headers
-Catted Y-Pipe
- 19" O2 Extensions- Pair
- Exhaust Manifold Gaskets- Pair
- NGK TR55- Set of 8
-Basic Heads & Camshaft Bolt & Gasket Kit
- ARP Hex Head Bolt Kit #134-3609, Long and Short
- ARP LS1/LS2/LS3 Crank Bolt
-GM LS1 3.910" Bore Graphite Set
-Powerbond U/D pulley with belts
-GM LS2 Timing Chain Set
-TSP 5/16" Chrome-moly Pushrods, SINGLE-7.400" Length
-GM Replacement LS7 Lifters
-SLP Lid
-36lb Injectors?
I already have the LS6 intake and a LM2 Catback....I'm going to install the pulley, LT's, and Lid myself. But the rest is all is needed to drop off at the shop for a Head/cam install?
I'm really hoping to be able to get the car in his shop the first week of August.
#4
If you are having heads and cam done I would check about having him do headers if u plan on doing it all close to same time, because he will be removing them (or the manifolds) to swap heads and probably wouldn't cost much more to put back togeather with headers. However if u were planning on doing headers then wait a while till u do the heads cam swap then it may be nice to get them on sooner yourself.
#5
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I would recommend doing the install yourself. Its pretty easy and I think even a first time mechanically inclined person could do it in a weekend. You're already going to have it kind of apart with what you are doing. There are tricks like creating a cardboard templete to hold up the the rear intake bolts while you lift the intake out, heating up the balancer a bit before installing it, cutting slots in the exhaust manifold gasket so you can put the two outer bolts in with the headers and drop the gasket in etc etc. That cam would be an interesting drive to Tom's shop untuned but it would make it, or you could spend some of the money you saved on a baseline tune mailorder to use until you can get in there for the dyno tune.
All that said Tom is really good and can do these swaps in his sleep but you pay for what you get. He is not a guy doing this out of home garage on the weekends.
Plus if you want to change it up later or something goes wrong you can fix it later. These cars are pretty easy to work on..hell if you were doing a clutch too I'd almost drop the motor and tranny out the bottom, do everything and put it back in. I miss my F-bodies...
All that said Tom is really good and can do these swaps in his sleep but you pay for what you get. He is not a guy doing this out of home garage on the weekends.
Plus if you want to change it up later or something goes wrong you can fix it later. These cars are pretty easy to work on..hell if you were doing a clutch too I'd almost drop the motor and tranny out the bottom, do everything and put it back in. I miss my F-bodies...
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Yeah I've been doing quite a bit of research on it to just do it myself. I think I would be pretty confident doing it between LS1tech and the how to website. I'm gonna have an assload of parts to put on the car. I don't think I'll be able to drive the car from Tacoma area with all those parts installed though and will have to trailer it most likely. Which if that is the case I don't want to do the suspension until it comes back.
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don't mean to high jack the thread but i recently moved to Tacoma i'm in the military i have a 02 z28 and was wondering if there are any good performance shops in the area that do work on f bodies any info would be great.
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Ellis if we have the money after we get back from texas (have to sell mikes truck as well) then you might be getting two projects, Both camaros dans 95 & my 87 iroc. Want them running or at least one of them before next season
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Jesse where are you located?
You should do the swap yourself and save some cash! I just finished a head, cam swap myself and it was a grip of fun to complete!
Pick up these two books and they'll walk you step by step everything you need to know on the purchase & install, they even have all the torque specs for both GM and ARP bolts.
I have my car scheduled for a tune next Friday at Wong's, it's just a tune but I got in to him real quick considering I sent the e-mail last friday.
You should do the swap yourself and save some cash! I just finished a head, cam swap myself and it was a grip of fun to complete!
Pick up these two books and they'll walk you step by step everything you need to know on the purchase & install, they even have all the torque specs for both GM and ARP bolts.
http://www.amazon.com/How-Rebuild-LS-Series-Engines-Design/dp/193249460X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1342543801&sr=8-2&keywords=LS+motor
http://www.amazon.com/Modify-LS-Series-Engines-Motorbooks-Workshop/dp/0760335435/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1342543826&sr=8-2&keywords=LS+engine
I have my car scheduled for a tune next Friday at Wong's, it's just a tune but I got in to him real quick considering I sent the e-mail last friday.
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If you are anywhere north of Olympia I would suggest Ellis also if you can't get a hold of TJ. Heck, it might even be worth the trip to have him do it if you are in Portland.
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Had the car tuned by TJ Wong on friday, just wanted to give him a shout out for his fantastic work! Super cool guy, showed us around his shop including a few blown motors he's working on. I highly recommend him for any work you need done!!