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Bandook's 01 Imp, top swap-ified

bandook said:
Yeah man, guess I'm just impatient. Amazon 2 day delivery has spoiled me. However, I got head today so I'm in a better mood.



They even painted them. Didn't expect that. Got one installed but too tired today to do any more.
Click to expand...



HA HA HA.


That head looks good.
 


Notice I got stock springs on it. I did order the blue 90# springs, but I forgot to get retainers. Thankfully the shop called and said they could only get like 1.62 install height. Supposed to be 1.8". Called ZZP and found out I needed the retainers. Read over that part, duh.

Anyways, it's a VS cam and from what I've heard there is not much gain over 6000. So it's all good. Wish I had new stockers at least. He did measure the springs and said they are like 76# rated.
 
I think I need new shorter pushrods. Can't figure out how to use the pushrod length checker, but when I'm at zero lash, I can turn the bolt 1 full turn until it's seated. So that's 0.100 I think? I'm using ls7 lifters. So I need pushrods 0.050 shorter. Scotty, you love math, am I right? Doubt I'll be able to find any locally tomorrow darn it.
 
Maybe that's why your car was so slow? Bahaha. I kid. Did you have any head work done? I just had valve job on these, didn't deck them. Im really tempted to just run them, but really don't want to be back in the engine after I find out I lost compression. We'll see, depends on if I can find them locally tomorrow.
 
LS7 recommended preload is .080, from what I've read. Max I've read a few different recommendations, but usually.100. Some have taken it to .130 without issues. They bottom out at .200. I'm gonna run what I brung. No idea why zzp says no more than .050.
 


The Imp lives to see another day, or decade? Just got back from my first drive. Most surprising part is the sound. There is a mellow rumble to the exhaust note now. I've never liked the sound of this car really. Prefer it to be as quiet as possible so u only hear blower whine, but I like this. Of course it's running pretty lean, and I have meth disconnected so I can't really say how it feels, and I need an alignment before I do too much, but I might get a quick tune on it tomorrow.

Startup was almost perfect. Only a fuel leak. Hate those push connect fittings, had to replace another o-ring. Car sounds better than ever though. Took my time with the sd headers, flattened the flanges and persuaded the crossover with a small sledge. Probably spent 2 hours just on that. Victory is mine, no more ticks. Thanks again for all who helped me through this.
 
Thinking the boost gauge is gonna go. I don't remember the last time I looked at it. Funny how it was a must have for me when I did the top swap.
 


make sure the map sensor's vac line is plugged in to it. its what reads the boost.

congrats on making it better then before..... :th_thumbsup-wink:
 
Thanks. Yeah I only pay attention to it in logs. But I've maxed the 2 bar. Actually, I haven't seen yet if I have lower boost with the cam. Is there a plug and play 3 bar for us?
 
That's what's strange. I remember in your tune there was no settings for the map sensor. On my pcm I can change the values.
 


I've had time to play with it now, and all is well. For sure making more power, not just because you can feel it, but because when tuning WOT the redline comes up a lot faster. Much trickier tuning for sure. Only small issue is some random misfires only when idling. It happens on several cylinders, but mostly on 4. Not enough to throw a code. Maybe 20 in a minute. Zero while moving. Cam guys, is this normal? Not that worried, but i can't leave well enough alone, as you should know by now, and have swapped everything with same results. Can plug gap cause idle misfires only? al104's @ .054.

Oh, and I fixed both check valves on the WMI kit. Both must have just had some debris stuck. I blew them out with compressed air. Work fine now, but I'm keeping both installed. Also put a filter inline.


Edit: (because i can :) ) Any way to quiet down a squeaky s/c tensioner? I soaked it in fluid film and it's better, but still squeaks when cold. Might be time for a new one anyways. Still getting a little belt slip even after installing a 3.5" pulley on the tensioner.
 
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cams misfire at idle. delete the p0300 code and be done with it.

you can pop the dust cover off the bearing in the idler's and grease them. or spend the 20 on a new one.
 
I replaced the pulley with a 3.5". That was making noise too. The squeak is now in the metal, spring loaded part of the tensioner. New one at advance is like 75. I'll probably just grab one at the yard since it's a 5 minute swap.
 
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