'01 SSEi...lives! (Vid pg 6)

[crzydmnd72]

I'm also eyeing Curts L67 that he built some time ago. Might be just the ticket I need.

This is a great plan also. I'm sure Curt would love to see how his engine performs, assuming that fits into your plans. With enough advance notice, my son and I could volunteer to come help install.

[sandrock]

Got it to its new berthing yesterday. Talk about an adventure

I only needed to move it two miles. I saw no sense in renting a dolly for a whole day just to use it for 10 minutes, or spending almost 80 bucks in a tow, so I had Alyssa tail me the entire way (the tags were last renewed in 2008, expired 2009). CEL was flashing at me the entire way, with some MAJOR power loss and misfiring going on. Not to mention it's burning oil (mighty thin oil at that, it's highly fuel fouled). But we made it home w/o a hitch.

It'll need the ISS replaced or greased. Transmission shifted fine but it didn't seem all that firm. Could be just the way the engine is running, but I think it'll get replaced along with the engine just for good measure. I'll do what I did last time and find a low-mileage Grand Prix/Lucerne trans and swap the diff and output shafts, and have a 3.29 FDR. I've found several low-mile transmissions online for 400 bucks or less, so I'll go that route, assuming the 2k Bonnevilles don't use that mount point that is near the sidepan.

I haven't had much time to sit down and chat with Curt yet about the motor. I'm thinking it will probably be the way to go.

[harofreak00]

The 2k Bonnevilles DO use that mount point that is near the sidepan.

[sandrock]

*dang*. Well that kills the LS4 swap unless that mount point on that trans is gussied up somehow. I thought the 2k models mount the powertrain in a similar way to the w-bodies. I haven't crawled under the car yet to see how it's all mounted so I didn't know.

In that case, the existing trans will be redone to the most current spec for the -65e. Hopefully it won't be too much.

[harofreak00]

h-bodies have always had completely different mount points compared to the w-body... that didn't stop in 2000+.

[sandrock]

The side pan mount point is the same as a w-body, but the mount is different. That's fine. I'm concerned with the rear mount that I have circled. I can't see it in the pic if it's there.

[harofreak00]

Ya it's there.

[sandrock]

Found a GTP engine on CL for 300 bucks.

http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/pts/2835385378.html

Needs a rebuild, probably the same thing that happened to what's in there now. But this is a core motor anyways, and allows me to keep the busted engine in the car and have wheels on it for as long as possible. Plus I can sell the 'charger and make my money back

[SSEiMan01]

That's a rare motor, out of a Pontiac PTP...

[95naSTA]

You really wouldn't rather wait and get a not blown motor for maybe a couple hundred more? The charger isn't really worth much and it's a pretty big hassle to rip apart an engine then rebuild it.. Plus the while I'm in there's add up quick..

[sandrock]

it's hard to find a good L67 around here. This is truck territory primarily. And when I do find them (on car-part) they are HIGH mileage. I could TS an L26 (I can find those all day long here) as a last resort. I know the L26 can take it and I wouldn't need to worry about it, but I would still have to break open the block to replace the heads and cam.

Plus, doing it this way, I know I'll have a zero-mile motor that will serve me well for many years. Because, after everything I've been through, this car MUST last me a while.

[harofreak00]

I agree with Mike. You are going in circles buying another blown motor. It's not like you are still going to be driving the car with the current motor anyways.

If you look hard enough, you should be able to get a motor with under 150k for around $600 shipped. I got my 32K L32 with GenV for $1000 shipped. If you need help let me know.

[95naSTA]

To back up the shipability - I got a 17k mile L26 for $700 shipped, drop lift gate and all.

[BlackHawk99]

Wasn't your original goal to resell this car? If so, why does the mileage on the motor matter?

Just fix it up, make a buck, rinse, lather, repeat.

I sense this it turning into another one of your gazillion other project cars that doesn't get finished...

[nos4blood70]

Looks like this will be an interesting build thread. Looking forward to seeing things play out!
Even though I don't know much about this stuff, I gotta second the other guys in saying don't buy another blown motor!

[sandrock]

I sense this it turning into another one of your gazillion other project cars that doesn't get finished...

Sense what you want. But the fact of it being complete when i bought it and not a mishmash of parts goes in its favor. The fact my current ladlords don't plan to sell the home from underneath of us also means I have plenty of time to do this.

Now then...the engine. I did happen to find an L32 (mileage not posted) for 850. Assuming it comes with the charger, I suppose I could piece out the other engine and get 300 out of it. Selling a few more Camaro parts will get me close to breaking even on it.

[clm2112]

Now then...the engine. I did happen to find an L32 (mileage not posted) for 850. Assuming it comes with the charger, I suppose I could piece out the other engine and get 300 out of it. Selling a few more Camaro parts will get me close to breaking even on it.

If you are looking at $850 for a used engine, why not take mine for $1000? You get a zero mile L67 motor, a spare supercharger & manifold, and a way-cool engine stand too Such a deal, such a deal...

[swampthing]

Act now and he'll throw in the deed to the golden gate bridge free!

[sandrock]

As much as I would like it (And I DO like it), I was reminded by my wife that the house we just moved into comes first....lots of square footage to repaint, recarpet, repower outlet. I'm only halfway done with the first room which will end up being my office once it's done.

So no big spending on the car for now, just piece-gathering as I come across them. And Andrew's right, I shouldn't be in any hurry to get this thing the way I want it.

[sandrock]

Figured I would start tackling the low/no buck stuff first, just to show some progress. And to show I'm serious about this one.

First though, I would like to share a picture of what I found under the car. This has got to be the most liberal use of JB Weld ever.


I'm not about to drop the oil pan to see what's on the other side. This motor, for all intents and purposes, is now a parts motor. Minus an oil pan.

Another freebie I found...


Please tell me the GXP radiator is thicker than this.


Gauge cluster is fully functional. I have another on the way for some LED mods.


Seats are out. Nastiness awaits.



The carpet is now out, pressure washed, and getting a spring tan. Looks MUCH better, though there is some wear I won't be able to hide easily unless I dye it. With the seats out I will try to fix the heating grids. With the sales of the Camaro and LT1 parts I accumulated I've been ebaying and winning some low-buck items like the vent grids and such. I am hoping to have the interior, aside from the sound system, done in a few weeks. For the sound system, I plan on a Kenwood just like what I have in my Tahoe. I would like to use the OnStar microphone as the Bluetooth mic somehow, and put the USB and the aux input in the console.