My beast is running once again....

[80LS1T]

I finally have my engine running again and hopefully for good this time! Its been a none running paper weight since early winter due to me wanting to fix a few things.

 

So over the past few months I have upgraded my LT1/T56 with a few things...

 

1) New fuel system...MSD fuel pump, -6AN hardlines from the tank forward, cartrige style fuel filter(Mallory), Aeromotive adjustable fuel pressure regulator, had 2 AN fittings welded into the fuel rails so that I could make the connections with the SS braided lines from the fuel filter and from the pressure regulator.

 

2) New ignition system...MSD 6AL ignition box with Blaster 2 coil.

 

3) Installed the 1995 LT1 engine harness(that I edited all by myself with the help of ALLDATA on-line) and new PCM. I have Tunercat to tune with and also purchased an LM-1 wideband o2 sensor to help with tuning.

 

4) I bought and installed a new clutch and flywheel because the stock flywheel and centerforce dual friction were chattering waaaaaaaaaayyyyyy too much for me. It sounded like a bad rod knock when ever the clutch was not pressed in. Im sure it was causing the PCM to pull timing. I now have a SPEC Stage 3 with a Fidanza Aluminum flywheel that I bought for $400 total! Yeah I didnt really want the aluminum flywheel but who could pass that deal up?! So we'll see how that aluminum flywheel holds up and if I like it or not?

 

5) I also had my tranny welded up where there was a small crack in the back. I wasnt really a bad one but it did cause me to have a fluid leak from the tranny which I find very annoying! So that leak is long gone!

 

6) In the process of doing all this I also moved as much wiring as I could out of the engine bay and hide it inside the passenger side fender. This really cleaned the engine bay up!

 

So after finishing my fuel system plumbing today I put all new fluids in everything and proceded to start the engine back up for the first time since early last winter. She fired right up with no hesitation! Its running a little rough but not too bad considering its not tuned at all! Idles right around 700rpms. Oh and I didnt put the exhaust pipes back on yet so it was right out the headers! Yeah I love that sound! I didn't let it run too long though because I dont know if its running rich or lean yet because I dont have the wideband installed yet.

 

So hopefully with in the next few weekends I can get it tuned pretty good and then I will start the process of body work!

 

Here's a few pics for your viewing pleasure!

 

 

[Guest bastaad525]

very cool on all points but one... just a personal thing of mine... I'm running that same MSD pump, and really starting to hate it. Man the thing is freakin LOUD!!!! People are always asking me "what's that noise???" and I get funny looks at stoplights sometimes... it really is annoying.

 

Sooner or later I'm gonna swap it out for a walbro...

[80LS1T]

I havent heard it yet other than when the motor is off because I dont have my exhaust pipes hooked up yet. So I wont know if my modified 280ZX pump mount for the fuel pump is going to work as good as I think it will.

 

I got my wideband o2 mounted today in the exhaust. I put a crossover pipe in about a foot down from the two headers.

 

I couldnt get too much else done though because my girlfriend came over and we had to spend some quality time together....."snuggling" LOL

 

 

Guy

[American]

I couldnt get too much else done though because my girlfriend came over and we had to spend some quality time together....."snuggling" LOL

 

 

Guy

 

Careful... a giant Fosters might fall on you.

[Z-8]

What is the thicknesses of the metal you used for your engine mounts? I went off what the JTR manuel says, and they're heavy as hell! I used steel because I only have a mig welder, and can't weld on aluminum.

[80LS1T]

I bought my enginemounts from MSA(www.zcarparts.com). I wouldnt pay the $225 for the mounts again though because they are so easy to make. They are about 1/8" thick steel.

 

Remember though I have a 280ZX not a GEN 1 Z. The 280ZX mounts dont have any set back because the engine bay is 3" shorter so You cant really set it back(I could have with the LT1)

 

Guy

[Z-8]

Right, I have a 1979 280zx and I'm planning to put an LT1 into it also. I'll be looking at your website for help frequently. I also e-mailed you before, my name is Willard. So the LT1 doesn't get set back any? The thickness of the plate steel I got is 3/8" and 1/2", and they are frickin heavy! I think a slightly thinner metal is going to be alright. But I did get some square tubing, 1 1/2' and 2", and useing those as spacers seems like a good idea. Thanks for the help.

[80LS1T]

Yes you could set the motor back probably about 1.5" with an LT1 because there is no distributor. However it sure is nice being able to get to the bellhousing bolts on the tranny if needed! With the MSA mounts, a Griffin 26x19 aluminum radiator and the CSI electric water pump it is a very tight fit between the radiator and the water pump. If you just run stock it wont really be an issue. I have about 1/2" clearance between the water pump and the back of the fan.

 

Yeah 3/8"-1/2" metal is a bit thick. The MSA mounts just attach to the old rubber mounts from the L28E and just adapt the 2 bolt pattern to the chevy 3 bolt pattern with the appropriate spacing. Nothing too fancy. I am not using the 700R4 mount that came with the MSA kit either. I made my tranny mount for my T56.

 

 

I ran the car last night with the wideband hooked up. Its running at about 15:1 at idle and about 13.5:1 when holding it at about 2000 rpms. I am still doing some research on how to do the tuning for A/F ratio on www.lt1tech.com but there really isnt much info on that site on how to do it. Mostly just questions with no replys! I'll figure it out and do a post on how I did it step by step.