Cam was sent but was ground wrong by comp (on a 114+2 instead of a 118)...They ground a new cam yesterday and was overnighted so hoping it's here today! I'll work with GAP to get the engine assembled as I will now have all the parts.

In other news, I went to working on the car finally in my garage. Ran into a few issues with the painter's assembly that caused some headache. He ran up the stainless hardware with no antiseize. Bolts on the core support were locked up and the support wasn't even tight!

http://i.imgur.com/FZ2r2gX.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/SrctpIC.jpg

I think it's safe to say that bolt isn't "tight." But here's another shot for good measure.

http://i.imgur.com/ZR3e52K.jpg

It however was most definitely locked up!

http://i.imgur.com/lrJRrEP.jpg

I got one out then broke the socket on the second one. You can tell by this bolt that the hardware was installed dry and had galling.

http://i.imgur.com/A6rQr1I.jpg

Oh well, the show must go on! Got some bigger tools and had a friend come over to extract the last bolt holding my old core support in.

http://i.imgur.com/8F6eYkl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/jmA7lEe.jpg

Success! (Dont mind that it's a little dusty, it's being cleaned up)

http://i.imgur.com/d1mFLvL.jpg

Now time to fit test the new AutoRad piece!

http://i.imgur.com/eQZqgmx.jpg

Yep, that looks pretty good.

http://i.imgur.com/WBesZrJ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Y4rf8sF.jpg

Intercoolers had some interference but I should have seen that coming. Pass-through pipes were left long intentionally to give us flexibility. Just a little TOO long to get them mounted up. That's an easy fix.

http://i.imgur.com/bRvBGBp.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/LBUYbj9.jpg

They will look good once they're on there!

http://i.imgur.com/37UGWjC.jpg

I plan to put the front end back on (temporarily) tonight and take some pics of the pieces raw behind the grille. Trying to make my mind whether to coat or leave it bare. To be honest, I'm liking this look right now.

It'll be a few days before I cut those pipes and put the IC on, so front will be coming back off, but that's ok. This was just a mock up test anyway :)

William

Oh the fun of stainless. I found that they make an anti seize specifically for stainless steel.
Those pieces really do look good.

I will have to find that anti-seize.

Thanks!

William

Car's coming out great Will. Sucks to hear about the ss bolt. I forgot to add anti seize on my tie rod ends, and they seized solid to the hotchkis aluminum adjusters. $250 down the drain.

It'd be slightly less frustrating had I done it. However it was installed by a person I paid to do it and expected to be competent enough to do it right (painter). Luckily GAP is helping me out and has another pair of bolts for me to use!

William

Here is a link to some that I have used. You can find it at different places and different manufacturer's. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002U...&robot_redir=1

That sucks about the bolt, but at least it was caught now.
Car is looking good buddy! Keep us posted.

Got started on the motor. Unfortunately I had expected the TSP shortblock to come with head dowel pins. So heads will be going on Monday after I get dowels from a dealer...

Here are some progress pics:
http://i.imgur.com/kcXPVPf.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/BQfd5pg.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/M1EukOX.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/3TdamGG.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/lDPu04b.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/5mgDNRs.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/6J8ot7Z.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/c2AeyjY.jpg

That was the end of engine work. Got the cam installed, front end of the motor on, and waiting on dowel pins. I have everything I need to (aside from those pins) to get it all together.

Went to put the front end on the car and ran into a few problems. Test fitting everything with the core support so some small issues were expected.
This is how it started.
http://i.imgur.com/eQZqgmx.jpg

Then came the front sheet metal (got a few chips on the way). I think there is a problem with paint adhesion on this car. Was very gentle with everything and in some areas the paint just flakes.
http://i.imgur.com/R76vnEH.jpg

DAMN YOU CHIP!
http://i.imgur.com/ACwN7u4.jpg

Beyond that there was a more serious issue. I put it all together and put the front spoiler on for the first time and noticed the lower valence has issues the painter was SUPPOSED to fix and didnt.
http://i.imgur.com/hYattbd.jpg

Keep in mind spoiler is new. valence is dented at the mounting point and above the spoiler (just below the fog light) about the entire length of the valence. I will be getting a new one and getting it painted to match the car. Considering aftermarket options now to help get air moving into the intercooler/radiator area.

Drivers side (how it's supposed to look)
http://i.imgur.com/JbnOk43.jpg

Passenger side (obviously damaged valence)
http://i.imgur.com/mfYAAG5.jpg

That's where we're at today. Front being on has me wanting to leave the core support raw aluminum. I think (at the advice of friends) I'll paint the back side black to match the engine bay, but I'll leave the front raw aluminum.

Its never ending!
William

:hitaxeonthehead:

Car building, two steps forward, one step back....
Wow seeing the engine come together reminds me of a building a master piece
or work of art....

:G-Dub:

Thanks! I'm pretty over the paint job and painter. Just want it running. It'll be repainted by a competent shop down the road.

Never ending is right William.
She is looking good though. That is going to look killer, raw aluminum on the front and black on the inside. Good call.
Good luck going forward!

It looks great Will, I hope the parts show up so you can get at it so the motor can go together. Sweet motor by the way.

Thanks guys. Been a long few days with issues coming up each day.

I'll have the heads on today and hopefully test fit intake/valve covers to see how it'll look when all assembled. Been hard getting by the shop and working day job...Really wish I could just take time off to do this.

Motor is together! For the most part..

http://i.imgur.com/cg1M76G.png

I like it!!

Thanks. Was a hard pill to swallow to do 427 LSX. But at the end of te day, buy once cry once.

I'd so paint that block black. Might As Well !!!

Car is coming together very nicely. As for the crying part...buy more tissue LOL

Awesome Will.
Keep'em coming bud.

:ups: Spend it, more will come...

Seriously the thing is looking great.

:thumbsup:

Thanks guys. I know more will come. I wouldn't spend it if I couldn't afford it.

Decided I gotta stick with orange on the block. Just like it.

Any updates William?

Been slow lately with heavy work load and Tim at GAP being busy.

Pretty much no change except a few more things ordered and arrived (nothing too exciting) and dynamat installed inside the car. Have a few more areas to cover but for the most part that's ready to go.

I hope to make more progress soon!

A couple late nights and we should be ready for the quick 30 event !!!:waveflag:

I'm in...

I want to go to the quick 30 and see if we can get in the 10s on pump gas and low boost!

William

NICE!!!!

Be nice when it does it. With GAP setting up the suspension in sure we'll get it down the track. Boost by speed will help traction issues. I'll consider a Davis box later on.

Hoping ultimately this car will be a 9 sec car when it's turned up!

How's it going William?
Any updates?

Sadly nothing of note lately. Need to get back on it and hoping to this Friday. Talking with Tim at GAP and hoping to have my car back up there this weekend possibly and see if we can get the driveline installed so we can start some of the final fabrication work required.

I did see Nelson Racing released that intake, but only as part of the kit so unless they surprise me at SEMA with individual availability of it, then I'll have to plan another route.

William

Sounds good bro.
Good luck! :thumbsup:

Thanks I need it. Ready to have it. Been in a but of a funk and need to push through and get it going.

Start thinking of all the nice newer cars I could have had and paid cash for...viper...new z06...ugh

I think the same things from time to time, but your car will be way cooler than anything that can be purchased from a dealer and while those cars steadily lose their value and cool factor; yours will always maintain both.

The new Z06 is NASTY!
Keep us posted.

Very true.

Sorry for the long overdue update. Not a lot has been happening as I've been busy with work.

I went with Tim and GAP Racing to SEMA and entered the JRi shock contest...

Well:
http://i.imgur.com/G9IRZVm.jpg

Looks like my suspension will change a little and the shocks will be changed out with the ride height adjustable coilover setup. Hoping to work out a deal with JRi and get some adjustable coilovers with the ride height adjustment.

The car was picked up this week (front sheet metal removed) and taken back to GAP Racing.
http://i.imgur.com/OzNmwgI.jpg

I am going to have the firewall re-done and fully smoothed. Going with wilwood pedals so removing all the brake booster firewall stuff as well.

I am now looking at doing the Anvil inner fenders (fiberglass ones, no carbon) so I can get the car LOW and have full turn still.

:G-Dub:
William

She's in good hands now sir !!!:poke:

Good!

Congrats on winning a Will,car is looking great:thumbsup:

If you are going that route then I suggest you order them as soon as possible. It took 8 months for me to get mine and I have been waiting for almost 6 months for some smaller pieces. The quality and customer service is top notch, but the lead time for parts will drive you crazy. :hairpullout:

Yea, wish I had ordered them sooner. If I have to run the stock ones for now, I will. I bought new ones for the build already so it's not a huge deal. Was hoping they would be easier to get than 8 months build time...

William

That's awesome William. Congrats on the win and keep us posted!