So, I got the car running----but, per usual a few things came up during the trans/gear vendors install. First, when I fired the car back up for the first time, it had a wicked exhaust leak. So, swap header gaskets, check the collectors, and it's still doing the wicked -tick-tick-tick thing. I don't know about anyone else here, but I will loose sleep over something like that--it drives me insane. Finally pull the freaking header off and guess what, cracked where the tube goes through the flange. Still trying to figure out how swapping the trans induced this complete annoyance. Two days later and that was repaired and back together. Bought the flexible dipstick--had too with the half inch high body mounts--nothing else would fit in the car---get it installed and the stinking dip stick won't push all the way down in the pan. Try, try, try and finally the pan comes off to grind the edge for the clearance needed to clear the dipstick. Get that done, then the jack decides it won't work anymore. So, another floor jack gets the car down and today I took it for a spin. It's a pretty cool setup---I seem to have the best luck just driving it in the "Auto Mode" and it goes through all 6 speeds. The only bummer is the new converter---it has about a 2200 stall---this turd motor that is in the car now is so very gutless, it actually took away the only acceleration it had--so, I am more anxious to get the LS3 in the car now. I will say, I was doing 120 in the car in OD and I don't think it was much over 3 g's---with that 3.08 gear and the 28 inch tall tire---come to think of it--that's not helping the car accelerate either is it. So--I like the setup---very nice on the freeway--car is quieter due to lower RPM's and everything seems to be working well. Next step, get the new rearend in the car. I'll be stepping the gear up---to a 3.23 I believe----crazy I know. See you boys at RTTC in about 3 weeks.
Doug
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