Project: LS1 Chevette

[romulus22]

Well what a pain in the butt that was. In order to get the headers on the car.

You know, I watch a LOT of car shows, and they never have any of these issues. They stab in the new gear and light it off trouble free. What gives?

Of course, that's the hidden part of modifying cars. And how a lot of shops make their money. From people who buy the parts thinking it slides right on in a few minutes. I can only imaging what a shop would've quoted me for my new headers + install.

Granted, there are still things I'd rather take my car to the professionals for. It's in the books for an 8.5 cert chromoly cage in November. Boy was that a sticker shock when they told me the price for that install.


Edit: here's a good angle showing how tight the frame rails are to the block. And when I say the engine/trans had to be pulled. The headers had to slide in loose from the engine until the engine was down and back far enough.

[klavy69]

is it too late to just run them over the frame rails and "HenryJ highriser" them

Looking like I have nothing to complain about when it comes to my 302 ranger headers

Todd

[romulus22]

I really did consider fenderwell exit headers with a small bullet muffler or insert. But the db reduction on something that small would have made the car undrivable on the street.

[klavy69]

there was a 4wd dodge truck running around with 340 outta his wrecked cuda and some thrush side exit mufflers (or whatever you call them...really like them on the early vettes) when I was a kid. That thing hauled a$$ and sounded tuff. Toar the living hell outta that trucks drivetrain but it sounded cool doing it

Todd

[n20capri]

Absolutely awesome! Nice work!

[romulus22]

Thanks, it's currently under the knife again. After the headers were finished the car made it in for some dyno tuning. The new headers definitely improved flow but the car was now seeing some transmission slip. The tuner upped the line pressure but he thinks the transmission isn't in optimum condition and is holding the car back. So I purchased a shop built 1000 hp capable powerglide with transbrake. Added bonus of being 40 lbs lighter than the 4L60e trans too. Had to get a new shifter to properly control the new trans. All that's left is patch the new hole in floor where the shift cable runs and wait on my longer driveshaft.

Here's a video I took of the car on the dyno

[RC10th]

Now you just need to up the power levels closer to 1000hp

Looks and sounds good, can't wait for more street videos. I love the D.A.R.E sticker on the bumper, makes me laugh every time I see it.

[Lowgear]

What made you decide on a 2 speed trans over a 1000hp capable 3 or 4 speed one? Isn't that going to really suck on the street?

[romulus22]

What made you decide on a 2 speed trans over a 1000hp capable 3 or 4 speed one? Isn't that going to really suck on the street?

Cost.
I'll admit I am not looking forward to losing overdrive. But the benefits of the lightweight and higher first gear will play to my benefit being I'm really lightweight. I've heard nothing but bad things about 4l60e transmissions and anything can be built to withstand abuse. But they aren't cheap. To go with a th350 or th400 I'd still lose OD, and on a transbrake with a good stall I think the low first gear would actually hurt me being I'm on an 8" tire. I'm stepping up to a 26" tire for the street too to keep highway cruising somewhat tolerable. I don't know when but the next major overhaul will include a turbo.

[romulus22]

Did a quick test today of the new setup.

[romulus22]

The Chevette is getting closer to being track ready for next season. Cage is almost done and new windshield is in. I went through quite the journey finding a windshield. So I bought all three Now that the cage is in I'm going to try and tidy up the wiring and eliminating all the unnecessary wires. And start planning what gauge setup I want to go with. More pictures to come later just thought I'd share a couple the builder sent over.

[romulus22]

Been a while since I've updated this thread. Cage is finished and certified to 8.50, and picked my car up from the chassis wiring guy yesterday. Few more things I'd like to do but it will be at the track again soon enough.

The wiring is a before and after.

[RC10th]

Looking good glad to see this is continuing It also looks like it's starting to get pretty serious, can't wait for some more pictures, videos and track time.

*up next, wheelie bar*

[romulus22]

New best of the night was. 10.56 @ 127

[Diamond Dave]

That is damn good. Having a 10 second car, for what you have done... very cool!