LSA Powered 69 Camaro -"Lou's Change"

[Greg from Aus]

That hood is the best I have seen.

[WILWAXU]

Yup. Hood looks great!

[Lous69]

These forums have allowed us to speed up so much of our learning that I feel compelled to "give back" in order to help others the same way.

Dave Mikels, (Mikels Performance Engineering) works closely with Brian Thomson (Thomson Automotive Engines) to create serious but dependable Horsepower for the likes of Mark Stielow (Red Devil, Mayhem, Camaro XV).

That is impressive but what I find most admirable is that Dave and Brian have not let their success go to their heads as it relates to responding to customers like me and all our newbie questions.

What I mean by that is I was impressed when I called their business and they answered the phone personally.

They each put a high priority on first learning what I wanted in my application vs. just rattling off what they have to sell off their shelf.

They did not make me feel stupid when I asked them the same questions I know they have answered a thousand times before.

Unfortunately, similar businesses that have enjoyed as much success as Dave and Brian have evolved into a take it or leave it approach with new customers.

Dave and Brian are obvious choices for me. I spend my hard earned money carefully. I'm actually proud to be one of their new customers.

Thanks to Dave's knowledge, we are getting a lot more than just a performance tune matched to select Thomson engine upgrades.

We're also getting seamless integration of PWM fan control, Reverse Lockout without a need for a separate switch and Vintage Air A/C.

In case it helps your own builds, here is the Lou's Change set up and what Dave is doing for us right now:

ENGINE:
We are starting with a brand new LSA crate motor
We swapped out the CTS-V Intercooler top hat with a new ZL1 top hat. (I'm pretty sure that was an idea Brian suggested to me when he talked to me early on in the build. I had no idea they could be swapped out so easily)

ENGINE MODS:
Supercharger Pulley change (2.56:1 to 3:1)
Cam Swap (Thomson Spec.)
Valve springs (Thomson Spec.)
Injectors (Thomson Automotive Spec.)

ENGINE CONTROLLER:
We are using the GM Performance Parts E67 LSA controller that came with our LSA crate engine.

FUEL SYSTEM:
We have the full Vaporworx system installed in our DSE tank complete with the fuel pump and controller they provide (rated for up to 1000 HP).
We will use Dave's advised 450kPa fuel pressure

ENGINE COOLING:
We have a C&R cooling module along with the 2 fans they provided (rated for up to 1000 HP)
We have installed 2 brand new PWM fan control modules like those used in the C6 Corvette.

INTERCOOLING:
We are running a Mazierre 55 GPM intercooler pump
We are using the same intercooler heat exchanger used in the GT500 complete with fans.

AIR CONDITIONING:
We are using the Vintage Air Generation 4 A/C system
We are using a Sandene Compressor
We have installed a GM A/C pressure switch
We are still using the Vintage Air Trinary switch to the control compressor

TRANSMISSION:
Brand new T56 Magnum
We have a Vehicle Speed Sensor installed and connected to the VSS lead that was included in the GMPP engine harness as purchased.

REAR END:
Ford 9 inch with 3.7 gear ratio

HERE IS WHAT Dave is doing for us:

Installing pin out and a labeled wire for the PWM control module.
Installing pin out and a labeled wire for the GM A/C pressure sensor.
Installing pin out and a labeled wire for reverse lock out.

CAL:
Capture original factory Cal

Enable and program PWM fan control:
- PWM vs. Discreet
- 128 Hz PWM frequency
- 204 degrees engine coolant = 10% duty cycle
- 235 degrees engine coolant = 90% duty cycle

Program fan control parameters for “after run”:
- If engine coolant temp. greater than 235 degrees or A/C pressure greater than 260 psi at key off = 50% duty cycle until engine coolant drops below 230 degrees AND A/C pressure drops below 241 psi.
- Otherwise, fans shut off after 2 minutes regardless of temperatures.

Enable Vehicle Speed Sensor control of reverse lock out.

Reprogram table for AC pressure control of fans. In order to use Vintage Air/ Sandene compressor, need to change table as follows:
- Fans all in at 90% duty cycle at 260 psi as measured by GM A/C pressure sensor.

LSA Engine Performance tune per modifications selected
- Supercharger Pulley change (2.56:1 to 3:1)
- Cam Swap
- Valve springs
- Injectors

I'm suspicious Dave and Brian will have some more suggestions before we're done. I'll post what we learn as we go and report back to validate how it all worked.

[Lous69]

Mock up phase is finally complete!!!

The car is now disassembled again and off to body and paint!!!!

I stopped by to see how things look. Both Kevin and Kelle were off on a business trip so Adam was showing me the work he just completed on the firewall.

He created a recessed area in the firewall to provide a little more engine clearance on the passenger side because the DSE frame and motor mounts position the LSA as far back as possible.



Trevor had relocated the DSE windshield wiper motor and pump to inside the driver side fender so the original mounting location was filled in.




As Adam was showing me his latest work he explained that he was now in the process of going over the entire car, inside and out grinding, welding, and massaging all the fabrication and repair areas to make them undetectable.

He mentioned that as he works, Kelle is constantly inspecting, sticking pieces of yellow tape that explain the things she isn't totally satisfied with yet.

He wasn't complaining at all. It was more like boasting about how thorough they are in their work even though it can be very tedious.

He said it typically takes about four rounds to get Kelle's final stamp of approval.

Of course, as the customer, that was music to my ears.

I read some of the notes on the yellow tape and realized they were things I probably would have missed...... and I'm a real stickler for details.

One of her notes really got my attention:

As I said earlier, the new wiper motor mounting location is under the driver side fender where no one will ever see it. Even so, her little note in that area said "make pretty".

It's comforting to know the people building your car are holding themselves accountable to do top quality work, even in areas no one will ever see.

Thanks to Kelle for setting the V8TV quality standard and thanks to the team for meeting it!!!

[syborg tt]

Okay that's funny note

Originally Posted by Lous69

[waynieZ]

Lou the car is coming out great. They do very nice work over there. I love the drive train your using. Sweet ride.

[MX145]

Originally Posted by waynieZ

Lou the car is coming out great. They do very nice work over there. I love the drive train your using. Sweet ride.

X2! Very Cool

[Lous69]

Happy Fourth of July everyone!!

The car is officially in body and paint now!!

The paint booth has been loaded up three times with all the miscellaneous parts and those are all painted now.

The bottom of the body tub is next.

Color is not far away!!

As you relax and enjoy your Holiday, here are some of the latest videos of the build for your viewing pleasure. Kind of like one of those cable channel holiday weekend marathons!!

So glad all the rust is finally behind us now. For all of you still in the middle of rust repair, stay the course. There is light at the other end of the tunnel.







Here are videos of the mock up for the Detroit Speed QUADRALink and the Wilwood brakes.







ENJOY!!

[waynieZ]

Its coming a long nice Lou.

[Lous69]

Things are coming along. The bodywork has officially begun.
The engine upgrade parts supplied by Thomson Automotive have been installed by Tony, my favorite, fully certified Chevrolet technician. Tony is the only person I would let work on my Z06 and my daily driver.
He takes great pride in everything he does and he loves his work. In fact, everyone I have talked to at Weber Chevrolet in Waterloo, Ill. treats you like they are glad to see you. I have purchased brand new cars from both Mercedes and Lexus. They have nothing over the customer service and attitude I experience in Weber's service department.

Here's Tony looking proud of his work, like the engine is his baby. (Actually, he and his wife are expecting their first real baby very soon!)



While delivering the engine so they could paint it all up nice too, I snapped a few pictures of Nathan and Zach's handywork preparing the body tub for paint.

When I noticed how they are making sure the rockers are perfect all the way around to the floor pan I complimented Nathan. He calmly replied that he has noticed some body men can get a little lazy in those areas and that has always been a pet peeve of his.



I love how the firewall turned out. We had to recess it a bit.







My son Dan assembled the grille he designed and printed in Renntech's 3D printer. He is also a perfectionist when it comes to his craft so he wants to make some final tweaks but it looks like it's going to turn out exactly like he wanted it to. Here's a picture he sent me from his cell phone. We'll post more on that as things progress.