Car Updates


03/05/01 - I need to make gaskets for the wastegate housing (It leaks). It doesn't affect performance, just make the vent smell when used.
03/05/01 - Due to a lot of wet weather, I've just now got 1200-1500 miles on the engine. Everything is running correctly.
12/15/00 - Between the Holidays and the weather, I haven't driven the car as much as I hopped. Plan on getting 1000 miles on her before dynoing or racing.
11/21/00 - The car is faster than ever. Got a few things to clear up, but otherwise running great!
11/19/00 - The car is running!
11/07/00 - I finished the brake distribution blocks for the new master cylinder.
11/02/00 - I finally got the roller timing chain to fit.
11/01/00 - I have assembled the heads, block, and crank. I'm still waiting for the lifters.
10/11/00 - The heads are here! I will begin assembly of the engine when the rings arrive.
10/02/00 - All the valve train parts arrives (save the lifters)! I will get the heads machined to fit the new springs, then assemble the engine.
10/02/00 - The brakes are almost complete. I need a pair of adapters to connect the lines together. They should arrive in 3 days.
09/13/00 - The valve train components have shipped!
09/13/00 - I've installed the new stainless steel hoses.
09/11/00 - I received the Jacob's coils and wires.
09/01/00 - I've ordered stainless steel hoses and am going to change to a Camaro master cylinder at the same time.
09/01/00 - I have completed the 93' Seville STS front brake upgrade.
08/12/00 - I have disassembles the gauge cluster and am currently reviewing replacing them with Autometer gauges.
08/12/00 - I now have a set of Yokahama A032R tires to try. I hope they provide the necessary traction.
08/12/00 - Well, the cam will not arrive until the end of August.
07/13/00 - I should have the cam, lifters, valves, and a full roller timing chain within the next two weeks.
07/13/00 - I've had to wait for the stainless steel racing valves necessary to handle the roller lifters required spring pressure.
07/13/00 - I'm in the process of doing a mechanical roller cam conversion. I've had durability problems with the flat tappet cam.
04/13/00 - I have a minor oil leak, which I'm fixing while I re-check the valve lash.
04/12/00 - Most of the high frequencies are gone and it is quieter than it was before the cam change.
04/12/00 - I also picked up a Borla Sportsman 3" muffler which I put in place of the converter.
04/12/00 - I decided to pull the Converter.
04/10/00 - I've been having a problem with the ignition system. I was concerned that it was detonation, but it turned out to be a bad Accel coil.
04/09/00 - The Haltech (ECU company) technician helped me finally get the fuel program all straightened out.
03/25/00 - The exhaust sounds different and I suspect it is the large cam profile and the mechanical lifters.
03/25/00 - I finished installing the engine!
03/16/00 - I have the heads back. The port job is incredible.
03/15/00 - I ordered a new Cam from Lunati and it will be here Monday. 238/242 duration .509"/.509" lift with 114 degrees seperation.
03/14/00 - CompCams just announced to me that they are three weeks behind and the cam isn't coming. I'm looking for another supplier.
02/17/00 - Now that I know the clearance, I've ordered a new cam. The new profile is 224/224 duration and .501"/.501" lift 114 degrees seperation.
02/16/00 - I checked the piston to valve clearance on the existing cam. A good half an inch.
02/14/00 - The engine should be fixed before the end of the month, because I'm racing in early March. If I can get a 14 sec on three cylinders (9 psi boost), can't wait to race with all six and higher boost.
02/14/00 - I'm also planning on going ahead with a max port job on the heads.
02/14/00 - The minute I know, I'm going to order the cam, lifters, and valve springs.
02/14/00 - I'm going to pull the heads, measure the valve clearance on a good lobe to make sure the new cam will work.
02/14/00 - I just talked to CompCams. They now want me to use a 224/224 duration cam with a .5" lift. I'm also changing to stronger valve springs.
02/11/00 - I've traced the cam problems to the oil temp/pressure problems.
02/10/00 - At least I don't feel bad about a 14 sec 1/4 mile. With three cylinders basically not running, that's good!
02/10/00 - Finally pulled the intake & valve covers. The #1 intake, #4 and #6 Exhaust have lost the cam lobe and lifters. They have a lift of .05" now.
01/25/00 - Discovered that the noise is a valve train noise, not an exhaust leak. The exhaust isn't leaking for the first time ever!
01/24/00 - I'm back in Dallas and checking for the exhaust leak noise.
01/23/00 - The engine just doesn't rev like it should and only managed a 14 sec 1/4 at 9 psi. Only my 4th run, though.
01/22/00 - Engine sounds like it has an exhaust leak, but I'm going to race it tomorrow anyway.
01/21/00 - The oil pressure now runs 25 at idle and 45 cruising. A lot better than 10 idle and 25-30 cruising.
01/21/00 - I fired the engine back up. It sounds great.
01/20/00 - I'm trying to get the engine back together and in to race this weekend.
01/03/00 - I'm also taking this opportunity to get the exhaust coated by Jet Hot.
01/03/00 - I also am replacing the oil pump, since it isn't new.
01/02/00 - I also decided to upsize the cooler lines fron #6 hose to #8 hose.
01/02/00 - I'm having the filter bypass removed and just having everything spec'ed.
01/01/00 - Dropped the block off at the machine shop for work.
01/00/00 - I bought a new oil cooler 21"long x 10" wide x 1.5" deep
12/30 - I decided to pull the engine appart, fix the head gasket coolant leaks (damn copper).
12/29 - The oil temp is running way to high and I have main bearing wear.
12/28 - I decided to pull the engine for a tear down.
12/28 - After driving it a while, I noticed several new sounds.
11/22 - I'm driving it again!
11/21 - The water leak is fixed and the cooling system burped.
11/20 - The engine is back together, but I have a small water leak. Damn copper gaskets.
11/10 - I've reinstalled the heads and am waiting for the exhuast to be recoated.
11/08 - The heads are finished a lot sooner than expected.
11/05 - I dropped the heads off to be machined for the o-rings. I should have them back in 3-4 working days.
11/05 - The heads and block are undamaged from the blown gasket. There are no signs of detonation and looks like cylinder pressure blew the gasket.
11/04 - I pulled the heads with help from a friend. Damn, the head gasket is missing a 3/4 inch piece!
11/01 - I decided to finally install a keyless entry system I've had lying around for a couple of months.
10/29 - The head gaskets have arrived.
10/19 - I have located a company that can machine the heads for stainless steel o-rings.
10/18 - I've located a company that makes copper head gaskets and have ordered them.
10/16 - Picked up the car and towed it home. Oh, well.
10/15 - I was going 143 mph, 5000 rpm, 16 psi boost, and WOT when the gasket blew.
10/15 - This was the first time I've had the car under an extended high boost and load.
10/15 - It appears that the engine blew a piece of the gasket out, but I will not know for sure until I pull the heads.
10/15 - Unfortunately I only made it about 70 miles outside town when I blew a head gasket.
10/15 - On my way to Houston to Drag Race at the Houston Raceway!
10/15 - I now have a pair of drag slicks and rims.
10/12 - The car is back together and running great.
9/30 - Talked to CenterForce and they finally see things my way. They are going to fully refund the Dual Friction Clutch.
9/30 - I sent the fuel rail off to the company that provided the regulator. I hope once they see it, they will see things my way.
9/30 - It appeared that the regulator was not assembled correctly and a gasket that sealed the vacuum chamber failed.
9/29 - To my suprise SCE Gasket Company sent me new header gaskets custom made for my engine free of charge. Nice company.
9/27 - I've discussed the problem with the company that provided the regulator and didn't get much in the way of accepting at least part responsibility.
9/27 - I decided to turn the car's down time to my advantage. I've pulled all the exhaust to get coated correctly.
9/27 - I've also cleaned the valve cover leak up and am going to fix the anoying leak.
9/27 - I found a Greddy Type R Blow Off Valve on Ebay and bought it new for 102 bucks instead of 240.
9/27 - I'm also going to move the air filter away from the engine compartment.
9/27 - I also discovered that I had the MAT in a bad location. I moved it to right in front of the throttlebody.
9/27 - I also plan to pull the rack and replace it with a new standard ratio rack unit.
9/24 - During a routine check up, I discovered that the pressure regulator had failed cutting vacuum to the BOV, causing a compressor surge, ruining the turbo.
9/13 - I'm going to pick up new hose clamps. They are wider and are T clamps. I hope that solves the intake leaks.
9/13 - Picked up Gator Performance Hose Clamps and they are a lot better than the Ideal clamps. Work Great!
9/08 - The damn radiator hose wore through. Coolant everywhere. I hate coolant spills.
9/05 - I wanted to see if the clutch would hold, so I turned to boost up to 22 psi, got on the highway, and floored it in 5th gear. PERFECT!!! I love clutch masters.
8/?? - I got the car running and the compressor wheel on the turbo failed. Had to get a new one.
8/?? - Got the car running again finally. I thought the clutch was really difficult to use, but I discovered that all three motor mounts ripped apart.
8/?? - I had to replace all three motor mounts. They really failed badly. I've decided to do the poly dog bone.
8/?? - Ordered poly bushings from The Fiero Store. I got a junk yard Dog Bone Strut.
8/?? - I got the Dog Bone finished and installed. It seems to really help out.
8/?? - I'm having a hard time keeping the intake pipes tight. I've doubled up the pipe clamps to see if that will help out.
8/?? - Damn the car is fast. I was on the highway in 5th gear, accelerated at 15 psi boost, hit a small bump and the tires let go. Definately spooky.
8/09 - I plan to install the axles, turbo, and coil packs. I need to fill the fluids and I should be ready.
8/08 - After a grueling weekend, the engine is installed.
8/07 - Spent most of the morning modifying the gaskets to work. The engine is complete and waiting to be installed.
8/06 - The copper gaskets have arrived, but they are for a 3800, not a 3.1.
8/05 - Reinstalled the exhaust piping in the car. I ordered copper gaskets. I couldn't wait any longer.
8/03 - I stayed at Powertek finishing my own exhaust coatings.
7/30 - Got the transmission and engine back together, but I'm still waiting for copper header gaskets and exhaust coatings.
7/28 - The Clutch has arrived!!!!!!
7/28 - I've got the engine cleaned up, all bolts checked for tightness, and the heads touched up.
7/28 - I hope to have the engine/Transmission back together by Friday and the car running by the end of the weekend.
7/26 - Well, UPS sent my clutch to the wrong state. It will not be here until 7/29. Damn UPS.
7/26 - I'm looking into changing the dog bone strut. The engine moves more than I like, so I'm looking for one with poly bushings.
7/16 - The new clutch has been shipped from Clutch Masters. The turbo repair is under way.
7/15 - All of the exhaust is out and is being cleaned. I've also removed the turbo to have it coated.
7/15 - I've got bad news about the turbo. During the engine break-in, something got into the Turbo and dammaged the bearings.
7/15 - I talked to the turbo shop and in new engines, particles tend to end up in the turbo. It couldn't be helped.
7/15 - I've ordered a new clutch from Clutch Masters. They are a great company. If the clutch doesn't work, they will replace it with one that does.
7/14 - I heard back from Center Force. They are claiming grease contamination on the clutch Disc. I didn't see any when I pulled it.
7/14 - I've told Center Force to return the clutch to me so I can have it looked at by another company. I don't believe the grease contamination story.
7/09 - I've got the exhaust removed and I'm going to take it to Powertek to get coated.
7/08 - I got a look at the clutch and it looks really bad. I'm going to send it back to Center Force
7/08 - The motor appears to be holding up well. I've got a minor valve cover leak with I will fix while the engine is out.
7/08 - The rear header had a minor clearance problem with the inner tierod. That is being fixed.
7/07 - I pulled the motor/transmission.
6/28 - I've worked on the ignition program and I think it is better.
6/28 - The clutch is still slipping. I've decided to pull the motor next week.
6/28 - While the engine is out, I'm going to coat the exhaust, get a bigger oil cooler, and replace some wire loom.
6/28 - I discovered that a shop in town does thermal and ceramic coatings. They will do it for advertizing only.
6/28 - The high speed steering problems may actually be problems with the toe alignment.
6/20 - I've got a problem with the clutch. It slips when the boost exceeds around 12-13 psi.
6/20 - Called Center Force and they told me to give it another 200 miles to break in. They claim it should work. I still think I'm going to send it back.
6/20 - I think the clutch slips because the engine produces almost 300 ft lbs at 8 psi boost. I'm not even going to guess what it's got at 12-15 psi (remember max is 25 psi).
6/20 - I checked the torque against the power program I'm using. The program says the engine should have 255 ft lbs at 8 psi boost. I guess I over did it.
6/20 - The program claims the engine will have 382 ft lbs at 20 psi. If the trend continues, it will have over 400 at 20 psi.
6/20 - I plan to work on the ignition maps this week. I also hope to work on the fuel this weekend. The car needs to pass at the end of the month.