LS4 Performance Grand Prix GXP | Monte Carlo SS | Impala SS | LaCrosse Super

Finally got some pics of the swap

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 11, 2008 | 10:47 PM
  #1  
nighthand's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
Default Finally got some pics of the swap

Took WAY too long I know. I hate the holidays. Too much to do.
Attached Thumbnails Finally got some pics of the swap-p1020353.jpg   Finally got some pics of the swap-p1020354.jpg   Finally got some pics of the swap-p1020364.jpg   Finally got some pics of the swap-p1020365.jpg   Finally got some pics of the swap-p1020367.jpg  

Reply
Old Jan 12, 2008 | 08:07 AM
  #2  
BADDLS1SS's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
20 Year Member
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 648
Likes: 0
From: Slinger WI
Default

Heh nice work! Someone beating me to the punch! Ill be doing something similar only w/o the lift.
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2008 | 08:39 AM
  #3  
eddiemoney's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 716
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Iowa
Default

I would like to see what happens when it gets back together. It is going to sound sick I imagine.
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2008 | 04:46 PM
  #4  
Nacho SS's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,560
Likes: 0
From: 805-818
Default

Looks great, get your tuner ready!
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2008 | 05:03 PM
  #5  
nighthand's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
Default

It's all done (actually been done for a few months).

Tuning is ugly, since I am learning as I go. I am running incredibly rich (I installed a wideband sensor too), so I know I am losing a lot. Anyone wanna help me figure out what the hell I am doing, let me know .

Right now the car is in the dealer for a pinhole leak in the power steering return line (covered under warranty, so it's all good). Should get it back tomorrow.

Car sounds good, nice loping sound when I get on it, not really noticable when I am at idle. Really the only thing I don't like too much and I cannot really hear it from inside the car, is a slight "ticking" sound from I assume the rockers. When checked and I am not touching anything. It's not valve tapping (too uniform a sound).

I will say one thing though....

My Magnaflow pipe seperated one day (the part after the resonator). The car pulled like an absolute beast and sounded awesome (really deep and throaty). So I bought (have not installed it yet) an electric cutout for it.
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2008 | 11:41 PM
  #6  
Nacho SS's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,560
Likes: 0
From: 805-818
Default

Originally Posted by nighthand
It's all done (actually been done for a few months).

Tuning is ugly, since I am learning as I go. I am running incredibly rich (I installed a wideband sensor too), so I know I am losing a lot. Anyone wanna help me figure out what the hell I am doing, let me know .

Right now the car is in the dealer for a pinhole leak in the power steering return line (covered under warranty, so it's all good). Should get it back tomorrow.

Car sounds good, nice loping sound when I get on it, not really noticable when I am at idle. Really the only thing I don't like too much and I cannot really hear it from inside the car, is a slight "ticking" sound from I assume the rockers. When checked and I am not touching anything. It's not valve tapping (too uniform a sound).

I will say one thing though....

My Magnaflow pipe seperated one day (the part after the resonator). The car pulled like an absolute beast and sounded awesome (really deep and throaty). So I bought (have not installed it yet) an electric cutout for it.
Sounds great....if you need some tuning help, shoot me a PM.
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2008 | 10:29 PM
  #7  
TiredGXP's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 677
Likes: 0
From: Sherwood Park, AB
Default

Bump for an update.

Did you retain DOD/AFM?

Any plans for a dyno run?

How was the Piston to Valve clearance - any notching of the pistons required?


Last edited by TiredGXP; Feb 13, 2008 at 10:59 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2008 | 10:22 PM
  #8  
Nacho SS's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,560
Likes: 0
From: 805-818
Default

Originally Posted by TiredGXP
Bump for an update.

Did you retain DOD/AFM?

Any plans for a dyno run?

How was the Piston to Valve clearance - any notching of the pistons required?

x2
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 15, 2008 | 08:58 AM
  #9  
BADDLS1SS's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
20 Year Member
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 648
Likes: 0
From: Slinger WI
Default

Winter has been a real ********** this year by me... have not been able to start my project either on this. Kinda intrested in more details of how this went.
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2008 | 06:56 AM
  #10  
nighthand's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
Default

gaaa, sorry guys. Work owns me

Anyway, I am having a hard time finding time to actually tune the thing.

I am bringing it in to the shop to have the magnaflow exhaust welded. When I added the downpipe, it was just a tad too short, so I am having some issues with it seperating. It is not real bad, it is just the clamp rings don't have quite enough grunt to make sure it gets held. I also am adding an electric cut out, so I figured why do the couple of pieces as well? I am not welding the tips.

I am running hugely rich. My tips are black on the inside after just a few days. I finally got a chance to log some with HPT yesterday, so I need to make my adjustments today. Just to give you an idea, my LTFTs are all between -48 to -50.

I am running so rich, I think I burned out my stock o2 sensor. Kept getting a p0420 (I am going from memory on that) error. I bought a new one and will install that when I weld in the cutout.

I did disable the DoD since I swapped out the cam.

I have to get this thing tuned and finished fairly soon. My registration is due at the end of April and I need to get my emissions done to get it renewed. I think I would probably fail emissions right now with how rich I am running.

I did not have to do any notching of the rockers. Really the only thing that I noticed thus far is that slightly annoying tick at idle (at least when I am in park).

I will try to post an update as soon as I can.

Virginia kinda sucks for places that tune cars. I think the only place anywhere close to me that has a dyno is a place that deals with Fords (specifically Mustangs).
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2008 | 08:58 AM
  #11  
Taz34SS's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 910
Likes: 1
Default

Originally Posted by nighthand
I am bringing it in to the shop to have the magnaflow exhaust welded. When I added the downpipe, it was just a tad too short, so I am having some issues with it seperating. It is not real bad, it is just the clamp rings don't have quite enough grunt to make sure it gets held. I also am adding an electric cut out, so I figured why do the couple of pieces as well? I am not welding the tips.
That sucks about you having to weld the catback onto the hogan pipe. When I got my downpipe from Curt, It bolted up just like stock with no welding needed.


Good luck with the project and let us know how its going.
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2008 | 10:30 AM
  #12  
GXPJAY's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Claremont, ON Canada
Default

He doesn't have to weld the exhaust to the downpipe, he has to weld the exhaust instead of clamping it together because the downpipe is a tad short and is pulling the exhaust apart at the clamps.
Reply
Old May 15, 2008 | 08:21 AM
  #13  
nighthand's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
Default

So, I added my cut-out. It helped with the exhaust issue, so I did not have to weld the pipes (it actually pushed the tips out just a bit).

Had to add the cutout after the resonator and before the mufflers. It does seem to make a difference, but that is more SOTP and sound thus far.

I am taking it to be dyno-tuned on Saturday, kinda excited about that.

So, to recap:

Shift kit
CAI
Oil cooler
trans cooler
1.8 rockers
springs
pushrods
LS2 cam
Ported heads
flipped motor mount
Hogan DP with hi-flow cat
MF cat back
IAT sensor relocate

Hope to see some good numbers.
Reply
Old May 15, 2008 | 10:31 AM
  #14  
EmersonHart13's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 920
Likes: 0
Default

Excellent!
Reply
Old May 15, 2008 | 06:58 PM
  #15  
Nacho SS's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,560
Likes: 0
From: 805-818
Default

Originally Posted by nighthand
So, I added my cut-out. It helped with the exhaust issue, so I did not have to weld the pipes (it actually pushed the tips out just a bit).

Had to add the cutout after the resonator and before the mufflers. It does seem to make a difference, but that is more SOTP and sound thus far.

I am taking it to be dyno-tuned on Saturday, kinda excited about that.

So, to recap:

Shift kit
CAI
Oil cooler
trans cooler
1.8 rockers
springs
pushrods
LS2 cam
Ported heads
flipped motor mount
Hogan DP with hi-flow cat
MF cat back
IAT sensor relocate

Hope to see some good numbers.
Great work....should put down some good numbers. How about some spray now ?
Reply
Old May 15, 2008 | 08:29 PM
  #16  
CardinalsRed's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
Default

what electric cut out did you get?
Reply
Old May 16, 2008 | 06:16 AM
  #17  
nighthand's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
Default

I had gotten QTP (straight from their site, not through PFYC).

I know a couple of 'vette owners locally with them, and they were not having any issues with them, so I went it.

Impressions so far of the cutout:
Most definitely louder. Sounds like the muscle cars of yore. Every guy in any kind of sporty vehicle, whether American or foreign, looks to see what is coming up/by them. I was never quiet before with the MF, but when I switch it from open to closed, it is like going into stealth mode.

Pulling from 20+ mph definitely seems stronger, but I don't really have an official guage of that.

I hope to have some better information this weekend.

Since I have never gotten dyno-tuned before, anyone have any suggestions on what to look for/ask for/expect? I know I have to make sure I have 3rd gear runs. Anything else? We will be using my HPTuner software, so hopefully I will have a couple of formats (maybe one for gas mileage).
Reply
Old May 17, 2008 | 07:52 AM
  #18  
CardinalsRed's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
Default

i would probably dyno tune it. i know that yourself tune it but if you aren't very experienced, you might miss a few adjustments. dyno technicians know what their doing. i've watch them do it.
Reply
Old May 18, 2008 | 10:56 AM
  #19  
CardinalsRed's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
Default

did you use the stock ls2 cam out of a gto or corvette or did you go with a performance aftermarket cam. if you went with an aftermarket one, what did you use?
Reply
Old May 18, 2008 | 06:32 PM
  #20  
nighthand's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
Default

Ok, back from the tuner. According to the tuner, the dyno dynamics (if I remember the name correctly) shows about 10-15% less than a normal dyno. I will base it on the more conservative 10% number. So, my results:

258 whp (adjusted would be 283 whp). A bit disappointed in those numbers, but he did suggest going to bigger injectors since I am breathing better with the cam and everything else.

The good news was my torque (at least to me). That was 360 (adjusted would be 396).

The tune itself added about 15 hp and 20 torque. He also adjusted my shift points, etc. The car pulls much better than it did before.

As far as other questions: I did go with a stock LS2 cam. If I had it to do over, I would have gone with an LS6, but live and learn I guess. I did have to disable DOD since I did not change the lifters.

Any suggestions from anyone on the injectors? By the way, what kind of a pain are the injectors to install.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:45 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE