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R.I.P.
Nov 28, 2005 9:39:28 GMT -5
Post by Fire67 on Nov 28, 2005 9:39:28 GMT -5
On November 26,2005 at 91256mi she was pronounced dead. May my motor rest in peace... She experienced sudden piston ring failure due to 10psi taking its toll on her stock pistons and rings. At least thats what we think happened, she has not yet been opened up to determine the exact cause of death. But the symptoms definitely say rings or piston damage. We fired her up after a brief teardown to fix leaky seals and such, noticed it seemed to be missing at idle... Drove it around the block to be greeted with a nice cloud of smoke billowing from under the hood half trip  So we opened the hood and saw the source of the smoke, at idle the smoke poured out of the valve cover so thick that it clouded my garage within a few short minutes  Give her a little rpms and the smoke looked like it was coming from a freight train. That was the last time she would be started... I'm gonna do a compression check just to confirm my conclusion. But Im sure we all know what the chug of death means for a boosted stock bottom end LT1. So anyone know, or recommend a reputable shop in FL to build my new motor? Im gonna price it both ways to see how much it will save me to build myself. If I cant save enough for it to be worth the headache, I'll gladly pay someone to build my shortblock. |
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R.I.P.
Nov 28, 2005 10:41:35 GMT -5
Post by impaladave on Nov 28, 2005 10:41:35 GMT -5
That sucks man! I would check the #7 piston first, it's the one that usually goes in boosted motors.
Sounds similar to my situation ( when my motor went). I felt a slight miss(not bad)but when I put it in drive and let the car creep forward, I could really feel it.
What are you planning? A forged 355 or a stroker? I finished my forged 355 not too long ago, and am still not sure if I should have went with a stroker.
Would you think about getting a brand new long block? Golen Engines has some decent prices, and a great reputation.
Good Luck,
Dave
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R.I.P.
Nov 28, 2005 10:57:46 GMT -5
Post by 1bad2k2ta on Nov 28, 2005 10:57:46 GMT -5
On November 26,2005 at 91256mi she was pronounced dead. May my motor rest in peace... She experienced sudden piston ring failure due to 10psi taking its toll on her stock pistons and rings. At least thats what we think happened, she has not yet been opened up to determine the exact cause of death. But the symptoms definitely say rings or piston damage. We fired her up after a brief teardown to fix leaky seals and such, noticed it seemed to be missing at idle... Drove it around the block to be greeted with a nice cloud of smoke billowing from under the hood half trip So we opened the hood and saw the source of the smoke, at idle the smoke poured out of the valve cover so thick that it clouded my garage within a few short minutes Give her a little rpms and the smoke looked like it was coming from a freight train. That was the last time she would be started... I'm gonna do a compression check just to confirm my conclusion. But Im sure we all know what the chug of death means for a boosted stock bottom end LT1. So anyone know, or recommend a reputable shop in FL to build my new motor? Im gonna price it both ways to see how much it will save me to build myself. If I cant save enough for it to be worth the headache, I'll gladly pay someone to build my shortblock. My condolences on your loss, Justin.  Do let us know what the auto-topsy shows. ;D She is in a better place now, and we all look forward to her resurrection.  Keep us updated on the progress.  |
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R.I.P.
Nov 28, 2005 13:54:13 GMT -5
Post by Fire67 on Nov 28, 2005 13:54:13 GMT -5
I'll have the "auto-topsy" results for ya'll tomorrow.
Chad Golen is in the process of quoting a forged 355 with a few custom specs as I type this. My plan is to get a few prices for short-blocks and then price out building it myself. If the price difference isnt enough to compensate for the headaches involved in building my own motor and the risk of messing up, I'll definitely pay someone to build one for me.
When she is resurrected, my goals are for her to be at least 200hp stronger at 355c.i.
My plans for the new motor have definitely changed with the short notice failure. Im gonna stick to a factory PCM (probably a '95) and just forget about the LS1 C.O.P. idea. Im in the process of obtaining a set of AFR heads to top the new motor with; that with a nice cam from comp should get me the numbers Im looking for. I'll have to get some huge (read expensive) injectors, and more than likely upgrade to an external pump and bigger lines.
Im also dropping the idea of a BBC crank snout as it requires an expensive crank from Lunati or Callies; instead I'll follow in Ray's footsteps with the custom ATI crank hub and eagle rotating assembly.
Dave-
Im not sure about going with a stroker, I'm having Golen price it both ways, 355 and 383.
I'm thinking of staying away from the stroker because it would require more of a fuel system than my budget will allow. We'll see.
Oh yeah, thanks for the condolences! They are much appreciated.
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R.I.P.
Nov 28, 2005 14:32:17 GMT -5
Post by 1bad2k2ta on Nov 28, 2005 14:32:17 GMT -5
I'll have the "auto-topsy" results for ya'll tomorrow. Chad Golen is in the process of quoting a forged 355 with a few custom specs as I type this. My plan is to get a few prices for short-blocks and then price out building it myself. If the price difference isnt enough to compensate for the headaches involved in building my own motor and the risk of messing up, I'll definitely pay someone to build one for me. When she is resurrected, my goals are for her to be at least 200hp stronger at 355c.i. My plans for the new motor have definitely changed with the short notice failure. Im gonna stick to a factory PCM (probably a '95) and just forget about the LS1 C.O.P. idea. Im in the process of obtaining a set of AFR heads to top the new motor with; that with a nice cam from comp should get me the numbers Im looking for. I'll have to get some huge (read expensive) injectors, and more than likely upgrade to an external pump and bigger lines. Im also dropping the idea of a BBC crank snout as it requires an expensive crank from Lunati or Callies; instead I'll follow in Ray's footsteps with the custom ATI crank hub and eagle rotating assembly. Dave- Im not sure about going with a stroker, I'm having Golen price it both ways, 355 and 383. I'm thinking of staying away from the stroker because it would require more of a fuel system than my budget will allow. We'll see. Oh yeah, thanks for the condolences! They are much appreciated. I recently swapped my 1.8 rockers back to the stock 1.7s. I gave up .030 lift and did not lose any power to speak of. Also put a check valve in the PCV line, dumped the valve cover spacers, and dropped the fuel pressure about 6psi. Made 10 more HP and 8 lb/ft. Temps were about 20 degrees cooler though, so I figure that and the check valve made up the power increase. Just trying to say that lift is not as important in a s/c application as duration and good flowing heads. Plus your valve train will last longer with lower lift. My cam specs are 216/220 .525/.532, which is very small for a 382 (or 383) stroker motor, but making good power. Its the heads/cam combo. Still more there once I open up the exhaust. The plus on the stroker is better low end (hence my short duration cam) and midrange. The drawback is on a LT1, there will need to be additional machining of the block. The fuel requirements should not be based on cubes, just total supercharged power. You have to run FI richer than N/A. I have a Bosch external 420lph pump. You will need some good sized injectors. Mine are Mototron 65 lb/hr high impedence. They were about $500 including shipping, but I still have room to grow. Not sure how the LT1 PCM will handle the big injectors. |
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R.I.P.
Nov 28, 2005 14:35:33 GMT -5
Post by fast93z on Nov 28, 2005 14:35:33 GMT -5
If you dont mind buying out of state.....give Port Pros a call. Let him quote you one. Tell him Tony sent ya! ;D www.portpros.com |
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R.I.P.
Nov 28, 2005 15:29:42 GMT -5
Post by Fire67 on Nov 28, 2005 15:29:42 GMT -5
I dont mind buying out of state if they're reputable... I had a bad experience with a trans builder in Cali who wouldnt stand behind his warranty, so Im slightly sceptical about big purchases from someone I cant drive to and strangle... But Ive heard of PortPros, I'll give em a call.
1bad2kTa:
I know its not the cubes that affect the fuel consumption... I was getting at the additional power potential of the bigger inches. If I cant get away with just upgrading lines, pump, injectors at the most, I wont do it... It would suck having to live with less power than your setup is capable of because the budget didnt allow the fuel system. I'll be running through the calcs. this evening to figure out how far I can go with the fuel system as budget is limited.
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R.I.P.
Nov 28, 2005 15:35:32 GMT -5
Post by Fire67 on Nov 28, 2005 15:35:32 GMT -5
Can you believe this guy??!!!
He posted a for sale ad on LT1tech asking $1500 obo for a set of AFR 195cc LT4 heads with a GM LT4 intake. All brand new in boxes. So I offer him what he asked and he replied that someone offer $1450 first and to be fair he was selling to him!!! So I countered with 1600 and he refused!!!!
Since when does buying/selling have to be fair. I always thought that the highest bidder won, no matter what!!!
That was completely d!ckheaded!!!
Anyone know where to get a good price on AFR heads?
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R.I.P.
Nov 28, 2005 15:55:55 GMT -5
Post by Fire67 on Nov 28, 2005 15:55:55 GMT -5
If you dont mind buying out of state.....give Port Pros a call. Let him quote you one. Tell him Tony sent ya! ;D www.portpros.comD@mn Tony!!! I just found all the pics of your cars motor All I can say is SWEEEEEET!!!!!! ;D |
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R.I.P.
Nov 29, 2005 9:47:06 GMT -5
Post by Fire67 on Nov 29, 2005 9:47:06 GMT -5
Here's the Auto-topsy results:
cyl 1: 30psi
cyl 2: 145psi
cyl 3: 155psi
cyl 4: 150psi
cyl 5: 150psi
cyl 6: 150psi
cyl 7: 140psi
cyl 8: 145psi
I found no evidence of mechanical damage to the spark plug on number 1... Its actually been firing. Now for the kicker, cylinders 3&5 show no signs of firing! No smell of fuel after removal of the compression gauge either.
So tonight Im gonna be using the noid lights to find out why those two cylinders are not getting fuel.
This really makes me not want to run the stock pcm and wiring at all... A buddy of mine blew his motor when the crap stock injector wiring failed to his number 2 piston mid run at the track. It ended up being a bad ground that gave intermittent failures so it leaned the cylinder and took it out.
If thats two cars with similar problems, Im either buying a new harness or delaying the project long enough to get the standalone engine management.
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R.I.P.
Nov 29, 2005 9:55:10 GMT -5
Post by Fire67 on Nov 29, 2005 9:55:10 GMT -5
If you dont mind buying out of state.....give Port Pros a call. Let him quote you one. Tell him Tony sent ya! ;D www.portpros.comHe quoted me a 383 shortblock for a great price, and an assembled longblock with his stg2 heads for another sweet price... And he replied fast! Im having him work the numbers one more time for a 355 to see what kind of difference in price it will be. Ive got quotes coming in from Golen and these guys in Tampa, FL... Once they get back to me we'll see where things go. Tony, how well do these guys stand behind their work? Im sure these guys are top notch. What do you think about running stock ported heads instead of something like AFR for longevity? The reason I ask is because Ive seen way too many blown head gaskets on stock headed LT1's with boost, and AFR says that the thicker head deck prevents that. |
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R.I.P.
Nov 30, 2005 10:00:07 GMT -5
Post by Fire67 on Nov 30, 2005 10:00:07 GMT -5
ttt
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R.I.P.
Jan 6, 2006 16:39:44 GMT -5
Post by fast93z on Jan 6, 2006 16:39:44 GMT -5
Again....sorry for the late reply. I just found this post. I talked to Harold today. Looks like he is taking good care of you. You should have no worries. Let me know if I can help out in any way.
Tony
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Do let us know what the auto-topsy shows. ;D She is in a better place now, and we all look forward to her resurrection. 
