1966 Chevelle LSA/ZL1 install - Page 9

kwhizz · 11-22-2013, 09:40 PM

Some good things happened today.................Good stuff.....The wiring harness arrived from Speartech......and....as usual ....John did a beautiful job......Plug and Play.......Then the headers showed up.......got one side installed before it got to be Nap time......The headers are full length Flowmasters and I got the passenger side in with just a few minor issues....I'll work on the Drivers side tomorrow.........

On the downside.......The Griffin Radiator I ordered (it was originally ordered to replace the unit in my 66 Impala LS powered car) was of a stock radiator hose configuration which worked in the Impala.........But......after getting the radiator roughly located and positioned in the car for the first time.......It was obvious that the angled air inlet of the LSA engine and the upper hose were fighting for the same space.........Darn!!!..........So I ordered another Radiator from Griffin.......except this one is designed for the LS with both hose fittings on the passenger side and is of a crossflow design...........Oh well......Back to plan "A" and it will go in the Impala and the new one for the Chevelle......

Ken

kwhizz · 11-24-2013, 09:00 AM

I got the driver side Flowmaster header installed.........It wasn't as simple as the passenger side........Seems Flowmaster forgot about the lower control arm mounting bracket on the Drivers side.........Had to remove a good sized chunk of the bracket to clear the pipe......structurally is won't matter.....But!!!.......for what they charge for them , they should fit without any mod's.......and .....my engine is about 3/8 higher than using stock adaptor plates.......So.....it would have been much worse with the header if the engine was lower.......I also have to rework the trans crossmember as the collectors run right into it.........
On the good side........installing the Speartech harness on the engine took about 5 minutes.......Great Job Speartech.......everything marked and labeled perfectly.........

kwhizz · 11-25-2013, 07:58 PM

After getting the Headers installed the other day.......another little issue popped up........LOL.......The collectors went right thru the trans crossmember..........Always something...........As long as I had to modify it .....I added some reinforcement plates to the areas welded previously.........It is now in to stay....(I hope).......Also I put the coil pac's back on and realized the factory spark plug boots aren't going to work.....so I ordered some new ones........always something......

Ken

eightup · 11-26-2013, 10:16 AM

gasmonkey ain't got nothing on you

kwhizz · 11-27-2013, 07:16 PM

Expect the unexpected..........LOL..........By not being able to use the stock Camaro exhaust manifolds......I had to buy Headers.......The Headers didn't fit as advertised.......so we had to make things fit to the Headers.....then the Headers ran into the trans cross member........fix that........then I go to install the spark plug wires......the Boots hit the tubes.....new spark plug wires.........(two sets.....the first set I ordered didn't fit either)......The MSD wires had a bendable Boot and worked perfectly............
I also ordered a Vaporworx fuel pump control unit....instead of the pump running full speed all the time and having to use a Corvette Filter regulator.......this system monitors the fuel pressure and only feeds enough Voltage to the pump to satisfy the demand that the engine requires......hence.....no return line to the tank......I have been waiting for this unit to show up so I could install the wiring harness to the pump on the tank for installation........so......I also got some 1" dia electrical shrink tubing and installed it on the gas tank straps and then heated them up and shrunk them on.......Pretty Neat .......almost "Spiffy".......LOL..........Got the tank ready to go in but it was time for a Nap..........I'll get the tank in tomorrow after all the kids leave.............Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!!

B_Davis · 11-29-2013, 04:02 AM

I am afraid to ask how much you have sunk in this project?

kwhizz · 11-29-2013, 07:30 AM

Lets just say I would have been cheaper off by buying the Real thing........But.......Then again I ain't too smart!!!

joes407 · 11-29-2013, 08:12 AM

its awesome regardless of expense.

kwhizz · 11-29-2013, 04:01 PM

I finally got the Gas tank installed.........would have been a lot simpler if they would have supplied bolts for the straps that were 1/2" longer........Just couldn't get the nuts started........went and got some longer ones today and 5 minutes later it was in.....I also have the fuel line installed and completed........I also got the drive by wire gas pedal installed.......As long as I have the room while waiting for the new radiator to show up I'm going to get the intercooler pump and lines all run..........need to find a reservoir for the system........

kwhizz · 12-02-2013, 06:43 PM

The new radiator showed up today.......Designed for LS engines.....Both hoses on the passenger side, Cross Flow and a fitting for the steam lines welded to the top tank.......Too easy....Got it installed and dug out the fan mounting brackets I made a while back and test fit everything........I love it when a plan finally comes together and works out........Ding!!!.....Ding!!!!!

toyosuprablue · 12-02-2013, 08:45 PM

Amazing Progress, Love the pics and attention to detail your giving this project. Thumbs up!

kwhizz · 12-03-2013, 09:19 PM

Got the fan assy permanently mounted and ready to go.......Heater and intercooler hoses next on the list...... Ended up with 1" of clearance in the tightest spot..........

kwhizz · 12-04-2013, 09:04 PM

It was getting to the point of having to get the fenders and inner panels in so I could see how much room I had for mounting the Intercooler pump and to finish up the A/c lines.......along with getting the engine wiring in place........So.....I threw some sheet metal at it today......

Stephen12ZL1 · 12-04-2013, 10:14 PM

installation of that fender makes it look so much closer to finished.

12-04-2013, 10:14 PM	#126
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,824	installation of that fender makes it look so much closer to finished. __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

11-22-2013, 09:40 PM	#113
kwhizz Drives: 60's Muscle Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Kenosha, Wi Posts: 197	Some good things happened today.................Good stuff.....The wiring harness arrived from Speartech......and....as usual ....John did a beautiful job......Plug and Play.......Then the headers showed up.......got one side installed before it got to be Nap time......The headers are full length Flowmasters and I got the passenger side in with just a few minor issues....I'll work on the Drivers side tomorrow......... On the downside.......The Griffin Radiator I ordered (it was originally ordered to replace the unit in my 66 Impala LS powered car) was of a stock radiator hose configuration which worked in the Impala.........But......after getting the radiator roughly located and positioned in the car for the first time.......It was obvious that the angled air inlet of the LSA engine and the upper hose were fighting for the same space.........Darn!!!..........So I ordered another Radiator from Griffin.......except this one is designed for the LS with both hose fittings on the passenger side and is of a crossflow design...........Oh well......Back to plan "A" and it will go in the Impala and the new one for the Chevelle...... Ken

11-24-2013, 09:00 AM	#114
kwhizz Drives: 60's Muscle Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Kenosha, Wi Posts: 197	I got the driver side Flowmaster header installed.........It wasn't as simple as the passenger side........Seems Flowmaster forgot about the lower control arm mounting bracket on the Drivers side.........Had to remove a good sized chunk of the bracket to clear the pipe......structurally is won't matter.....But!!!.......for what they charge for them , they should fit without any mod's.......and .....my engine is about 3/8 higher than using stock adaptor plates.......So.....it would have been much worse with the header if the engine was lower.......I also have to rework the trans crossmember as the collectors run right into it......... On the good side........installing the Speartech harness on the engine took about 5 minutes.......Great Job Speartech.......everything marked and labeled perfectly.........

11-25-2013, 07:58 PM	#115
kwhizz Drives: 60's Muscle Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Kenosha, Wi Posts: 197	After getting the Headers installed the other day.......another little issue popped up........LOL.......The collectors went right thru the trans crossmember..........Always something...........As long as I had to modify it .....I added some reinforcement plates to the areas welded previously.........It is now in to stay....(I hope).......Also I put the coil pac's back on and realized the factory spark plug boots aren't going to work.....so I ordered some new ones........always something...... Ken

11-26-2013, 10:16 AM	#116
eightup Drives: 2013 zl1 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: ofallon il Posts: 126	gasmonkey ain't got nothing on you

11-27-2013, 07:16 PM	#117
kwhizz Drives: 60's Muscle Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Kenosha, Wi Posts: 197	Expect the unexpected..........LOL..........By not being able to use the stock Camaro exhaust manifolds......I had to buy Headers.......The Headers didn't fit as advertised.......so we had to make things fit to the Headers.....then the Headers ran into the trans cross member........fix that........then I go to install the spark plug wires......the Boots hit the tubes.....new spark plug wires.........(two sets.....the first set I ordered didn't fit either)......The MSD wires had a bendable Boot and worked perfectly............ I also ordered a Vaporworx fuel pump control unit....instead of the pump running full speed all the time and having to use a Corvette Filter regulator.......this system monitors the fuel pressure and only feeds enough Voltage to the pump to satisfy the demand that the engine requires......hence.....no return line to the tank......I have been waiting for this unit to show up so I could install the wiring harness to the pump on the tank for installation........so......I also got some 1" dia electrical shrink tubing and installed it on the gas tank straps and then heated them up and shrunk them on.......Pretty Neat .......almost "Spiffy".......LOL..........Got the tank ready to go in but it was time for a Nap..........I'll get the tank in tomorrow after all the kids leave.............Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!!

11-29-2013, 04:02 AM	#118
B_Davis Drives: 16' Corvette Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: KY Posts: 44	I am afraid to ask how much you have sunk in this project?

11-29-2013, 07:30 AM	#119
kwhizz Drives: 60's Muscle Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Kenosha, Wi Posts: 197	Lets just say I would have been cheaper off by buying the Real thing........But.......Then again I ain't too smart!!!

11-29-2013, 08:12 AM	#120
joes407 Drives: 2014 ZL1m6 red hot #569 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: florida Posts: 2,422	its awesome regardless of expense.

11-29-2013, 04:01 PM	#121
kwhizz Drives: 60's Muscle Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Kenosha, Wi Posts: 197	I finally got the Gas tank installed.........would have been a lot simpler if they would have supplied bolts for the straps that were 1/2" longer........Just couldn't get the nuts started........went and got some longer ones today and 5 minutes later it was in.....I also have the fuel line installed and completed........I also got the drive by wire gas pedal installed.......As long as I have the room while waiting for the new radiator to show up I'm going to get the intercooler pump and lines all run..........need to find a reservoir for the system........

12-02-2013, 06:43 PM	#122
kwhizz Drives: 60's Muscle Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Kenosha, Wi Posts: 197	The new radiator showed up today.......Designed for LS engines.....Both hoses on the passenger side, Cross Flow and a fitting for the steam lines welded to the top tank.......Too easy....Got it installed and dug out the fan mounting brackets I made a while back and test fit everything........I love it when a plan finally comes together and works out........Ding!!!.....Ding!!!!!

12-02-2013, 08:45 PM	#123
toyosuprablue Account Suspended Drives: 2013 ZL1 Black M6 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Nyack, NY Posts: 370 View My Garage	Amazing Progress, Love the pics and attention to detail your giving this project. Thumbs up!

12-03-2013, 09:19 PM	#124
kwhizz Drives: 60's Muscle Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Kenosha, Wi Posts: 197	Got the fan assy permanently mounted and ready to go.......Heater and intercooler hoses next on the list...... Ended up with 1" of clearance in the tightest spot..........

12-04-2013, 09:04 PM	#125
kwhizz Drives: 60's Muscle Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Kenosha, Wi Posts: 197	It was getting to the point of having to get the fenders and inner panels in so I could see how much room I had for mounting the Intercooler pump and to finish up the A/c lines.......along with getting the engine wiring in place........So.....I threw some sheet metal at it today......