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My side job was delayed this weekend so I did spend some time in the garage working on the project.
I have disassembled most parts so I could prepare for painting. I sanded the cage, the wing parts, the interior console, dashboard trim pieces, the dash board modification and the fuel cell. I have a couple of other items to sand under the hood and then everything will get a couple of coats of 2,000K hi-build primer.
The cage inside the car will be a matte black while the cage under the hood will be victory red. The dashboard trim pieces will be painted the same colour as the NRG quick release steering wheel, red.
I picked up the victory red paint today. Looks like I'm not getting any time to do nothing for a while.
Update
I want to give a big shout out to 5-Speed from CBM. After he told me about the LSX stock rear cover failing, I confirmed it with Kyle, who is the technician who is building the engine.
I am not wired to wait for it to fail so I ordered an upgrade from CBM. Not only did I get a good price, it was delivered in only 1 day. That was from California to Vancouver, Canada, 1 day. And it looks great.
I will drop this rear cover off to Kyle tomorrow and then the stock cover will get painted (victory red, what else?) and it becomes a wall ornament in my garage. That's ok because I really like the LSX logo and now I don't have to hide it some place no one will ever see it.
Thanks again 5-Speed. We will do business again,
Rod
Custom Built Motors LSX Rear Cover front Custom Built Motors LSX Rear Cover back, showing upgrades seal
I like doing updates because it means something is moving forward.
Another shout out to 5-Speed, I mentioned to him that I bought a 2 piece front cover and he let me know of some issues with those. I chose to buy a CBM front cover because my brain doesn't get using a part until it fails. With that mind set I just ordered the CBM Billet front cover. Considering the HP level/boost that I am going to have, it makes sense to just sell the front cover to someone whose project isn't at the level that mine is. Yes, another part that I need to sell, but it is what it is.
I dropped of my headers at Richmond engines today and I took a couple of pictures while I was there. The front and rear covers are installed which means everything behind them is also installed. That was good to see.
Then the bad news.
My aftermarket valve covers do not have enough clearance for the rocker arms. I bought the GM performance LSX valve covers so long ago now, they are no longer even sold anywhere. Hopefully that means that someone will buy these from me if they don't need the tall version valve covers.
I looked around locally and I bought a set of Proform's LSX valve covers. I couldn't find them less online when you factor in exchange rate/duties/taxes/shipping.
The next bit of bad news is about the Jegs valley cover that I have. The way they were designed gives Kyle doubts about having the oil pressure sensor installed in the standard rear location. I looked online and I am not finding many options suited for my motor. The best option is the Holley valley cover but no one has them in stock and according to Holley's website, they aren't going to be shipping for almost 30 days.
Considering the glacial speed that this project has ben on, 30 days wouldn't be the end of the world. This time it's different.
Jim Richmond says the engine is going to be ran on the engine dyno next week. Could this really finally happen??
CBM front cover installed,and it just cleared the dual timing chains/sprockets CBM rear cover installed Out with these valve covers and ... ...in with these valve covers. ARE drysump pan installed
Those gm valve covers look badass, shame they dont fit
I know. I really liked them and I even painted the LSX victory red just because I like red. Now I'm lucky if I get a fraction of what they cost. Oh well, more parts sitting on a shelf collecting dust.
It's always awesome when another member can come in clutch to help the project. Really looking forward to the videos of it on the engine dyno.
Yes, he has really come through for me and the project for which I am thankful.
I'm telling my boss that I am taking an afternoon off for that special moment. I pre-warned him months ago, hopefully he remembers because it is a really big event for me.
I know, you are all getting tired of updates that don't include video of a running engine. Me too. But, here I go anyways.
I dropped off the new valve covers today and while I was there I finally saw one of the last pieces to assembling the engine, pushrods.
The pushrods are made by Trend Performance and have the following specs:
8.900" long, 3/8' in diameter, .135 wall thickness and 5/16" ball ends.
Here is the info from Trend Performance's website:
Trend Performance stocking pushrods. These one-piece, centerless-ground 4130 chrome molybdenum pushrods are designed for use in oval track race cars; drag race cars; hot rods, including sport compacts and marine applications. Manufactured with 5/16in ball/ball ends they are available in lengths of 6.000in to 11.550" in increments of .025in. The ball ends are machined to a tolerance of plus or minus .001in and the pushrods are laser-etched with the part number and specifications on a black oxide finish.
Kyle at Richmond engines is very confident that these pushrods are going to far surpass my engines needs. After building over 4,000 race motors, I trust Kyle's opinions.
This isn't the update everyone is hoping for but this update makes working on the car so much easier. I bought the race trailer, payments are higher than I wanted but it is what it is. Getting the trailer now allows me to empty the house of all of the parts that are everywhere. It was really challenging to keep moving parts around the garage when I needed to work on the car. Being able to get things out of my way is a huge plus.
This change will allow me to make bigger strides in the project, especially when it comes to spraying parts in the garage.
Trailer brand new. Trailer brand new, never been painted. Trailer with 3 coats on the walls, and two coats on the floor. You could park a dump truck on the floor sections.
Trailer looks real nice. Was it cheaper to buy unpainted or is that the only way it's offered? I haven't ever bought an enclosed trailer like that but you'd think it would be standard to coat the wood with something. Just curious
Trailer looks real nice. Was it cheaper to buy unpainted or is that the only way it's offered? I haven't ever bought an enclosed trailer like that but you'd think it would be standard to coat the wood with something. Just curious
Some trailers have a different material on the walls but this is a basic entry level trailer which is why it's unfinished. I'm okay with how it came as I just needed to be able to move the car and painting is what I do.
The floor paint is better than anything a car hauler would come with. It is meant for heavy vehicle traffic and it can stand up to oil, grease, gas and most other chemicals. I'm going to send the pictures to the company I bought the trailer from and see about offering them my services to any of their customers who might want the same finish in their new trailers.
03-22-2020, 10:07 PM
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