JT76's 2011 Trans Am LS1 build up

[jt76]

Figured i would share what i have been up to these cold months…

Some of you know my car. The last few years it has run pretty well and taken down its share of cars. I have no complaints. Some components were getting pretty tired (lifters making noise, valve springs taking a crap (car was significantly down on power last year ) clutch master went out, etc etc) I also wanted to update the interior a bit and get some weight off the car. I would like to keep it on the track as opposed to the street as the years go on. Anywho… some pics…

What i started with:

First thing i did was take out all of the interior, dash, seats etc:

I wanted to completely remove the HVAC. I dont use it, its too heavy and gets in the way when working on things.
GV1390 lending a hand:

Rather than pay $80 for a block off plate for the HVAC, i made my own for a grand total of 11 bucks

---------- Post added at 11:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:51 PM ----------

All the junk that came out of the interior:

Next, time to give the interior some zazz

Corbeau TRS seats, in leather of course

Installed

also removed the rear seats and brackets so they are not sticking through the carpet. Closed up the holes, it came out pretty well i think.

I wasnt digging the weld pro stars for track duty anymore, so i picked up some new wheels:

racestars, F body specific. No spacers or caliper grinding like other wheels used on 4th gens.

---------- Post added 03-09-2011 at 12:05 AM ---------- Previous post was 03-08-2011 at 11:58 PM ----------

The stock master had seen better days, so i picked up one of these guys:

A comparison between this and the stocker

Now on to some power!

taring the stock motor down


can also see the HVAC block off plate here, I would not want to attempt this with that thing in the car

shitty duralast battery leaked all over the place so time for an engine bay repaint

Color matches the fenders PERFECTLY (looks darker in photos for some reason)

[Karter]

awesome :bigtup:

[jt76]

Picked up a set of Trickflow 215 cnc cyl heads. These are proven to be one of the best heads on the market for the LS1 motor. Mine are decked to 58cc which should bump up my compression to the 11:5-11:7 neighborhood

After talking with Thunder Racing, i decided to keep my current camshaft which is a 231/237 Thunder racing grind. JNJ lent me some check springs and i checked the piston to valve clearance
FML, time to fly cut!

Using Lindy flycutting tools, i cut .090 reliefs into the pistons:

I smoothed them out with fine grit sandpaper/scotch brite pads to eliminate sharp edges/hot spots, should i decide to spray this combo

While the heads were off, (its a PAIN to do this with everything assembled) i picked up some Prothane motor mounts and installed them:

comparison with the stockers which were SPANKED!

[Shrek]

So far so Good!

[jt76]

Time for assembly!

Picked up some yella terra roller rockers and lucas 42lb injectors flowed by New Era performance:

Also Ordered new LS7 lifters
LS2 Lifter trays
GM MLS headgaskets

Heads on the block

using a torque angle meter to install heads to block

Rockers installed and shimmed, Fast intake installed (pretty grimy now that i look at the pic ugh)

Motor assembled and ready to rock:

And it lives:

instant oil PSI, it was idling at about 1400rmp initially, but settled down after a few mins.

Currently i am waiting on:
SJM mfg ABS delete kit
Motive 4.30 gears
Snow to stop
Firehawk853 to tune it

I really want to hit the track more this year and really dial in my suspension. I should be ready to rock in plenty of time for the Nyspeed drag race day

debating on an electric cutout OR having a Vband put on my catback so i can drop it at the track. Also need to install my Innovate wideband. May try some nitrous on it later on this summer.

Thanks for all the help from everyone who pitched in/lent tools/lent advice hung around and drank my beer!

[Shockwave179]

@jt76

comparison with the stockers which were SPANKED!

Hmm… Just out of curiousity how many miles are on your car? I’m thinking of going the poly route too although I do like the new solid mounts that UMI just came out with.

[steve2k1116]

keep it up jim, looks like a great start. if you need a hand or some company text me, hockey is all done

[jt76]

@Shockwave179

Hmm… Just out of curiousity how many miles are on your car? I’m thinking of going the poly route too although I do like the new solid mounts that UMI just came out with.

68,000 miles. I hear you usually have to pry or burn the mounts out, when i drilled the rivets they just fell out of the clamshells. The motor used to move quite a bit, but now its solid as a rock. The car does shake considerably more now, but i like it

[Studderin]

thats will go away once it drive it 25miles with the poly. The UMI ones are a few pounds lighter, but you have to unbolt them to get the bellhousing off the motor. The polys you can tilt the motor a bit still.

these pics look like my car last winter I did most of the the same stuff :tup:

[honda4life]

i remember this car from southgate, duffs etc… great build jim, out of curiosity are you trying to keep this n/a, any plans to supercharging it at all? and fyi for those who never heard this car before its loud!

[LZ1]

:tup: nice

[Willybeen]

Thumbs-up

[08GT500]

Looking good JT :tup:

[Shockwave179]

@jt76

68,000 miles. I hear you usually have to pry or burn the mounts out, when i drilled the rivets they just fell out of the clamshells. The motor used to move quite a bit, but now its solid as a rock. The car does shake considerably more now, but i like it

I’m around the same as you with 70K. I have a poly trans mount already now that I think of it, I might as well just stick with the poly motor mounts then.

[juicedz4]

Kick ass.

And I would NOT go with an E cutout. It seems like no one ever has good luck with them, myself included.

Dan

[lower_the_dynamite]

Jim. You tuning it on a dyno? What do you think the car will put down?

[Onyx_Z32]

Nice :tup:

Keepin’ that garage clean too!

[38stang]

Gay

[boardjnky4]

I have a question (probably stupid), but I am a little confused on why you pulled the HVAC but kept the rest of the interior in tact.

Did you just figure that you won’t drive it in the cold, so heat isn’t needed? Wouldn’t you sometimes need heat for defrosting functionality? I guess that might be pretty limited use though.

no hate, just curiosity.

[91MR2]

Quality work always gets a thumbs up from me…great job.