99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

All of the INSTALL problems have been resolved to my satisfaction. Jesse of SRP, corrected the problems. Car dyno's low peak numbers so there may still be some tuning or other issues.

Many don't understand how easily a top end package can go sour. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> Parts aren't always perfect and one has to be ready to work around issues when they occur.

List of Issues

Comp Cams 224/224 .581 XE-R Cam
First Comp rep insisted only a .535 lift cam or less could actually fit in an LS1 <img border="0" alt="[bullshit]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_bs.gif" />
First rep insisted 303 cfm was very poor flow for a cylinder head <img border="0" alt="[bullshit]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_bs.gif" />
First rep was a total moron
Both Comp reps stated a 3715 was an XE-R cam when 3715 is actually an XE
Cam was shipped by UPS ground instead of next day air as specified
Install date had to be moved back one week because cam didn't arrive on time.
Cam was spec'd with 4 degrees advance ground in but actually had 4.75 degrees

LS6 Intake
Discovered intake as missing a bracket.
Discovered intake was actually a LS1 EGR less Corvette intake <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="gr_images/icons/mad.gif" />
Purchased for $350 from an indiviual who stated it was an LS6 intake.


Hooker Headers <img border="0" alt="[barf]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_barf.gif" />
O2 bung misaligned so badly O2 sensor wouldn't fit
1/4 inch gap on primary because not welded - compressed air blew thru it - leak!
Several primaries had to have slag removed
Flange required filing to smooth out.
Driverside O2 rubs against car. Needs relocating.

ATI Dampner
No part number for correct belts supplied
MORE Performance stated use stock length belt, which is too loose for my car

Mufflex Y Pipe
Passenger side of Y pipe misaligned (off a few degrees and bent wrong way) by Mufflex
Cut apart new Y pipe on passenger side re-align and reweld.

Tuning
Did next day air so PCM would get back in time for install, only to have Comp screw up and ship the cam by ground instead next day air.
Car threw SES code after running for 5 minutes

TEA 5.3 Stage II Heads
Contaminated - required disassembly and cleaning.
Specified deck only .005 for clean up, appears at least .015 - .020 has been removed
Flow sheet not included, however numbers were provided via phone call.
P to V .050 w/heads & 224 XE-R cam
Had to degree cam and install w/2 degrees advance (total) to get .075 P to V clearance

List of What Went Right

SRP <img border="0" alt="[hail]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_hail.gif" />
Caught and correct EVERY problem listed above BEFORE part in went into my car!
Answered countless questions
Gave excllent advice when I needed it.
Best choice I made was getting SRP to do install & help me with the issues.
Tested everything before it went into the car
Gave guidance based on testing heads and other parts to help with cam selection
SRPinsisted I get MTI programming for the car, this was the right choice.
Corrected SES issue in about five minutes.
Encourage me because at one point with all the above problems I was ready to give up.

I am grateful to SRP for all the help otherwise my car might have been down for months until the problems were tracked down and corrected. A few problems might never have been tracked down.

SDPC
Got me the parts I needed in a timely manner when I was under the gun
Replacement LS6 intake, (actual LS6 intake this time) at an excellent price
Had the adjustable 2x RollMaster needed due to P to V issue.

Nitro Dave's
Gear set was on time
All parts were good and exactly what Dave stated they would be

MTI
Answered all my questions about tuning
Did my tuning in a timely manner when I was under the gun
Did the tune exactly the way I needed it

Thunder Racing
Cam advice
O2 sims that worked exactly as needed
Fast turns on parts needed

Sale Auto Mall
Local dealer that came thru big time by actually having a LS1 crank bolt in stock!

Words of Advice
Most import of all is to make sure whoever is doing the install, has the knowledge, skills & will to do the job right. This will help avoid potential diasaters. My heads and cam project easily could have ended in disaster, if I had done the install without professional help. Too many of the problems that rob horsepower and steal durabilty were lurking and I wouldn't have found them until too late in many cases.

Make sure you have some extra cash to cover stuff if it goes wrong.

In the end, it was well worth all the money, time and hassle to have a LS1 heads and cam car with a top end package installed right!

Currently, I'm disappointed in the peak numbers. I hope to tweak a little more power of the set up on Saturday.

<small>[ December 11, 2002, 09:28 PM: Message edited by: 99 Black Bird T/A ]</small>

LS1derfull

Thats great that everything worked out but what a traumatic story!

niphilli

Yeah, sorry to hear about all of the problems. I think the most important thing is to do a lot of reasearch behind the installer and their work (Which it looks like you did). It is generally a good idea to take their advice on products that they reccomend, most of the time they have been there and done that with poor quality and customer support if they have been there a while. IMHO when doing a H/C package it is not a good idea to cut and paste parts yourself, just explain to your installer what you want and have them spec out the parts (again you must have a good installer to begin with). My $.02

-Nick

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

A lot of my problems were self inflicted because I didn't know better at the time. Jesse at SRP saved my butt on this one. TEA was also first class too. Since I know I have an outstanding installer to work with, I listen to what he says.

<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

Superman

WOW! Can`t believe all the problems you encountered.. good to hear it got taken care of.
Now go have some fun with that thing.. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

Scalpel

iTrader: (4)

Great success after many pit stops, Black-Bird. I'm glad it all came through. I'd try to get your money back on the LS1 intake you were wrongly sold. That's just wrong <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> . What was wrong that the heads were contaminated? TEA is a first class operation <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> I'm glad they did you right <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

Also, don't ever ask advice from Comp Cams. They're retarded. If you call 5 times in a row and get 5 different people you'll get 5 very different answers from each of them every time.

How does the car feel??

DONAIMIAN

iTrader: (18)

Man, you've been through hell and back again. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" />

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by NastyC5:
<strong>Great success after many pit stops, Black-Bird. I'm glad it all came through. I'd try to get your money back on the LS1 intake you were wrongly sold. That's just wrong <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I did try to get in contact with him again only to discover I'd deleted the emails we'd exchanged so I didn't have my contact info. I met him at an exit so I don't know where he lives. He's in law enforcement and seemed honest, I'm not sure he knew he had wrong intake. Guy lived in the south end of Georgia. We met around Macon Ga. He'd had three FireHawks, funny I remeber his FireHawk was black, the car had Grott's, had just hit a deer and had customized head rests etc.

<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">
What was wrong that the heads were contaminated? TEA is a first class operation <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> I'm glad they did you right <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Before I comment on this, TEA is a first class operation. I really don't want to say too much as I don't want people to get the wrong idea because I happy with TEA and TEA's products. What happened was once time deal. TEA made it right and Brian took measures to make sure it didn't happen again. It was really a simple cleaning issue. I've talked with several TEA customers that purchased before I did or just after and it was a fluke I feel sure. I don't think anyone else had the problem and I'm sure going forward no one else will have the problem either. I would purchase from TEA again and heartily recommend others to do the same. TEA listens and strives to improve the product, customer support, service as is one of the very best sponsors on the board. Brian is a stand up guy and as honest as they come too. If SRP decided to get active in LS1/LS6 market and joins the ranks >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I would have have to sing SRP's praises too. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">
Also, don't ever ask advice from Comp Cams. They're retarded. If you call 5 times in a row and get 5 different people you'll get 5 very different answers from each of them every time.

How does the car feel??</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Comps <img border="0" alt="[guns]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_guns.gif" /> customer support is totally lame! I'm glad Jesse had the contacts because I couldn't do anything with those lame Comp bastards!

The car feels great! I've simply amazed! It's easier to drive now than when it was stock! Car is a little louder but the dual/dual keeps the sound down...still not as loud as a GMMG on a stock car! Car rev's and pulls like never before. I've not been to the redline yet as the gears are breaking in and didn't want to do any hard shifts on the gears yet.

<img border="0" alt="[hail]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_hail.gif" /> SRP made arrangements for the car to dyno next week at a chasis dyno one of the NASCAR teams use in the Charlotte area! <img border="0" alt="[hail]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_hail.gif" />

Usually, street cars like mine aren't of much intrest to the pros around here as they build 800hp SBC's & Fords all day long. The T/A's saga aroused more courisity among the race shop than a street car has in a while. Whatever the numbers maybe the dyno shop is first rate and I should have a very accurate measure of what the car's new found power is! Natually, I'll post the results and graph, hopefully sometime next week.

I know my numbers won't be the highest for a TEA headed car, because I don't have an underdrive pulley or lightweight flywheel etc and I have 4.10's and this will pull the numbers down a little. I'm estatic as long as the car breaks 400rwhp. <img border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" title="" src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" />

<small>[ November 28, 2002, 04:53 PM: Message edited by: 99 Black Bird T/A ]</small>

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

<img border="0" alt="[Firebird]" title="" src="graemlins/formula.gif" />

<img border="0" alt="[chug]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_chug.gif" />

<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

VINCE

iTrader: (1)

Wow!!! You had a lot of issues.. I am happy it was caught and all worked out.. I am sure you will easily get over 400rwhp.

<small>[ November 28, 2002, 05:32 PM: Message edited by: VINCE ]</small>

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by VINCE:
<strong>Wow!!! You had a lot of issues.. I am happy it was caught and all worked out.. I am sure you will easily get over 400rwhp.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Thank you Vince, I hope your right!

VINCE

iTrader: (1)

How could you not get over 400rwhp.. Take my setup for instance.. All of my dyno pulls with my current programming have been over 400rwhp. I do need dyno tuning on the dyno mind you.. Not one dyno pull was done with a alum flywheel, ported tb, shortbelt mod, cfds, ls6 maf, FILTER WAS IN THE LID, etc. I do have a pulley, but on the dyno I picked up nothing post the swap.. My current heads have stock valves, CNC'd by TEA, valve job by TEA, valves blended and heads milled .040 in by Brandon Aders. Most Stage 1's have aftermarket stock valves that are lighter than mine.. Some also do some chamber work. I have no chamber work done or lighter than stock valves.. The most my car has dyno'd with this setup is 419rwhp/386rwtq with cutout open and my A/F was 14.3. I used the maft to bring my A/F down to 13.3 and my final dyno #'s were 415rwhp/384rwtq. This was with the 232/226 XE-R lsa 110 with 0 advance cam.. My peak on the 232 cam was right at 6400rpm. Anyway, I am getting off the beaten path.. You have TEA's Stage 2's and the 224 XE-R cam. I am thinking with 4 degrees of advance.. You should make more tq/hp than my setup. You even have a better exhaust setup than I.. Some ask why I changed to a smaller cam. Well, I have witnessed cars dyno less than 400rwhp woop all over cars dyno'ing 430rwhp plus.. Not saying that is going to be me. My car is too heavy, but this is my experience. It is midrange power that wins racing.. Not peak.. You will be a winner.. Trust me.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

Vince, with my luck the clutch will start slipping on the first pull! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="gr_emb.gif" />

I hope your right, Jesse thinks the car will see over 400 too. Your right about peak numbers are nice but the area under the curve is the real trick.

VINCE

iTrader: (1)

I know about bad luck.. I have a flat tire right now.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> Taking the wheel off in the morning and having the nail pulled and the tire patched.. You will do fine..

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

<img border="0" alt="[Banging Head]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_banghead.gif" />

My struggle continues as the car isn't making the rwhp expected, in fact the peak numbers are <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="gr_emb.gif" /> considering the parts that went into the car.

Car will be dyno'd again this weekend. I will post rwhp from both dyno sessions etc.

VINCE

iTrader: (1)

We will help you work it out..

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by VINCE:
<strong>We will help you work it out..</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Vince, I appreciate the support. I think it's going to take a lot of quailty LS1tech help with tweaking the car. Saturday will allow for more data like to be collected.

There may also be another TEA heads and cam car very similar to mine at the dyno, so it could get interesting fast.

Jason99T/A

iTrader: (21)

what did it dyno?

Scalpel

iTrader: (4)

Please keep us updated 99 Black Bird T/A

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

Jason99T/A,

I will email you the graph and my mods. I would appreciate your input and suggestions, as I am open to ideas.

Benjamin,

SRP is in North Carolina near Charlotte. I'm very fussy engine work and SRP has exception qualifications. Email me with SRP in the subject if you would like more details.

NastyC5

I'll post the rw numbers, dyno graphs whatever else I find out late Saturday night, after car club stuff wraps up.

<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />