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3" ...that's what I meant. I don't know what I was thinking of. I've heard with the ZZP ones, their cat. converter could set a code in the PCM dealing with the rear O2 sensor readings. I read somewhere, I think in a post 00beast made, that he got one with an O2 sensor bung but no cat? Maybe I missed that option on ZZP's site, but I didn't see it exactly. I'd like to keep the stock cat if possible and not have to have the O2 codes programmed out of it.

Yep...scan gauge indeed. I had a scanner that read it for a while, but I was only borrowing it. In that span of time, I never did see any knock. I would probably go for the Aeroforce, as per custom. Since that is a big chunk of change, I should probably start saving up for that first...

I got a catless DP from Allmachtige and added a cat. I have 3" running to my resonator now. No O2 bung, I have it tuned out in my PCM. You could also get an O2 Emulator from ZZP.

PLog requires a tune with skewed injectors to make up for the imbalanced flow front to rear.

My suggestion, after doing this: Clean up the LIM with sanding rolls on a dremel (soft aluminum is VERY easy to remove) and chamfer the head ports with a carbide burr in an air die-grinder to remove the "step" between the LIM gasket and the head port.

Ah ok I got cha...thanks Ed. That gives me a good idea of what to do. I kind of like the idea of putting in a 3" downpipe, highflow converter, and the ZZP emulator. Sound solid? Should pass PA Emissions tests right ?

If I can find an L67 LIM in the junk yard I'll practice on that one first. I can't imagine a small bit of shaping is a horribly difficult thing. I've done stranger, more accurate things, with a dremel and grinder before.

As long as you have an emulator you should pass emissions. My car did, in IL, and I put an emulator in.

Thinking about how the rear O2 'works', it makes sense that it wouldn't interfere. Thanks Will!

Ok, so, story time. Winter has finally hit in Pittsburgh and the car was covered in a weird brine-like solution that could only happen in the northeast of the US. We got a nice batch of good weather days and I decided to get the car cleaned up. I took it down to the Squirt 'Em Off and powerwashed it...twice. Mostly to get the underside and wheel wells. I then took it to a reputable car wash place (which I never do, and you'll see why) to get it actually clean and dry.

I was under the impression I went to a touchless car wash AND that I had gotten all the fun winter chunks off my car. Wrong on both counts. Too late to back out, I went through the wash and came out with micro-scratched paint. Great.

So I spent yesterday evening hand polishing the side of the car, plus some other places that had existed since I bought the car last March. Looked great, and i was tired and wanted to go to bed. Well, being me, I had a sudden urge to hit a few other questionable areas and ended up waxing the entire exterior. I realized I had a new bottle of Lexol leather cleaner and treatment and ended up doing the ENTIRE interior of the car.

Not what I planned on doing, but it looks better than the first detailing I did on it last year! (crappy cell phone pictures)

I don't ever brush wash mine, lol. It does look good though!

Thanks Will! I don't either, but like I said, I was under the impression the place was a 'laser' wash or whatever they're calling them. Never again.

Z-type wrote:Thanks Will! I don't either, but like I said, I was under the impression the place was a 'laser' wash or whatever they're calling them. Never again.

Yeah, I gotcha...I don't trust the harsher chemicals and pressures in those, how I lost my pinstripe.
Yes, I'm rather picky about how things get done...lol

Oh I'm the same way. This was probably the first time I've ever gone into a car wash of my own accord. Dad said stay away for a reason lol. This never happens when I hand wash my stuff...

That paint looks great now!!!!

Thanks Ed

I never brush wash mine either. In the winter, I will go to the quarter car wash and hose the salt off once a week. Otherwise my car only gets treated with home washes!!

The car looks great! Really like the way a black car shines when clean!!!!

Well guys, had a REAL close call. I just popped the hood, like I do at least once a week, and checked all the fluids. Oil good, trans fluid good, coolant...low? Uh oh. Opened the oil cap and there was the slightest amount of foam.

jfidushgidsamgiohsnhuifsamfiodhwari

I have aluminum gaskets on the way and a new supercharger gasket as well.

Going to take this 'opportunity' to port the LIM a little bit and clean out the throttle body again. I don't know why, but this makes me so mad.

Any other suggestions while I have the top end apart? Should I replace that coolant elbow too? It's in really good shape. Thanks everyone!

-Andrew Z

Coolant elbows are almost a must when changing LIM gaskets.
Don't feel bad, it could have happened like mine did, they leaked externally. But it happened the week of Thanksgiving last year. When I had to come up with $450 suddenly since I need the car every day, had no time to do it, and it was not so great weather wise then.

*SHIVER*

Good thing you check your fluids routinely.
That day is coming for me soon too.

Thanks Will, I figured it was but I didn't look it up and make sure. I'll grab one of those after work tomorrow.

Thanks Ed...that's going to be a fun part of the project! I imagine the work is WELL worth it. And if it's advantageous to anyone, I can utilize my butt dyno after I put everything back together and let you know if there's an appreciable difference .

Honestly, it's not that much work. The prep is the hardest part.

Thanks Ed...I'm definitely going to give it some work. I am doing some supercharger work come Fall or maybe earlier, but I might as well work on the heads and intake while it's all apart. Now for an update...

My girlfriend and I decided to tear into the car Sunday evening. I didn't have the new gaskets yet (and still don't for that matter) but we wanted to get it all apart so I could have some time to get the porting done.

Me draining the radiator.


Fuel rail off, other bits removed.


DEX-KILL!!!!!!


Alyssa - 'It's cold.' Me - 'It is not cold in here, go stand by the heater.'


Alyssa wanted to get involved a bit so I had her undo the bolts for the blower.


Supercharger, off.


I kept hitting my head on the light...I'm laughing at Alyssa laughing at me lol.


Pulled the LIM off, made a huge mess with coolant (which I have a question about later) and this is what I found.



At first i didn't notice it, but as soon as i saw it, I knew it was the culprit. Just that one port was messed up. You can see the bottom clearly bowing out and starting to crack, the left side starting to separate and the top bowing out. These gaskets have 6,000 miles on them. Do not underestimate DEX-KILL.


So, Monday night I decided to start porting the LIM and possibly finish it.


This was probably the second to worst port out of all 6. Lots of nice little burrs sticking way out in the way of air movement. Before:


After:


Pulled off the throttle body to clean it, the sensors, and the supercharger inlet.


Supercharger inlet. Holy crap...this is bad...


After about 10 minutes of cleaning. Looks better than this now.


LIM taking a bath.



Hopefully, tomorrow, I have the gaskets. I really need to get this car back on the road. So tomorrow's list, assuming the gaskets arrive:

-Work on the head inlets
-Put everything back together
-Change the oil
-Flush the coolant system
-Add the good green stuff

So my question about the lifter valley where I spilled a good amount of coolant by accident. I soaked most of it up, no problem, but what can I do to reassure there's no DEX in the lifter valley? Would it be stupid to pour oil throughout the valley to 'rinse' everything off before I change the oil?

Thanks guys!