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maybe you need flex joints between header and cats? Decouple the exhaust?
That’s something I’ve thought about but not in that sense before, good point. I always wondered why no aftermarket exhaust companies made products with flex joints.
If I had solid bushings throughout the car maybe I’d think that solid exhaust piping would be ok. But even then…It’s almost 20ft of exhaust piping bending throughout the car, and no one can tell me otherwise. This isn’t a carbon monocoque chassis, lol.
Haven’t had time to delve further into my knock correction issues, but it is continuing to happen sadly, almost every time at WOT now it will correct -3 degrees. I’m trying to pay attention to my ignition correction and knock threshold, per cylinder, which is pretty easy thanks to ECUTek and the customizable dash. I did try some Shell 93 octane fuel after running the previous tank dry, so I know it’s not bad gas unfortunately. Hoping just a failing injector possibly, fingers crossed. Not sure what will end up happening with my car if the motor does pop/seize as I’m not in a position currently to drop $10k on a swap just yet. We’ll see though!
In the sense of a worst case scenario: I may pull and sell my existing motor, recoup what I can, and drop in a new motor. That or rebuild with shenanigans and bore it to 4.0, etc. No idea what I want yet still. VK45 is perfect for a build IMO but I would have to have a few custom forged internals made for it, but can be found used for $2k or so. VK56 is also an option, but a little heavier than I’d like, and I’d still need to do a couple things to it (not near as much as the VK45) to make it into an engine I’d be content with. The LS3 is still an option too but would probably cost the most to swap correctly in the end. If I could make the VQ37 produce 400lbft of torque NA I’d be happy but that’s near impossible it seems. I still have my Stillen intake manifold I’d really like to install and see on my car, but at the same time, it’s negligible if I’m going to V8 swap.
Funny side note, I adjusted my front coilover stiffness settings earlier and softened them a hair for the roads here, and found a little present in my engine bay. I found my Z1 brake booster hose (from the master hose kit I installed years ago) wedged in between part of the plenum and valve cover. Not sure how it got lodged in there and forgotten, and even more unsure how I just noticed it years later…. But was happy to find a nice silicone brake booster hose I can install now, LOL. Still in perfect shape after a good wash.
Relocated to Ft. Lauderdale over the weekend for a new job, and trying to slim down on a few extra things I have laying around. I don’t think I’ll ever get around to trying out the OEM sport accessory muffler so I’ll list that for sale in a day or two, and have 2x like-new Bridgestone Potenza Sport 275/35/19 tires I’ll post for sale. Feel free to check the private classifieds if interested- I’d like to see these go sooner than later to free up some storage space.
I’ve also got that Stillen intake manifold to install, but I’m trying to see what’s up with my motor before deciding to clean it up to install, or selling it if I engine swap to an LS3.
Edit - tires are listed in the classifieds, but I’m having a hard time deciding if I want to part with the sports accessory muffler. I really wanted to at least try it out with my current AAM RHFC’s and HKS midpipe. But also wanted to replace the H-pipe of the HKS first with a resonated X-pipe, and also won’t need the sport accessory muffler if I LS swap. I’ll sleep on it.
After a week of driving on Ft Lauderdale roads, if I keep the G, I will definitely be swapping to an airlift suspension setup. I need the ability to adjust vehicle height on the fly for the roads here, let alone my parking garage entrance. It’ll be fun to check out and try coming from traditional coilovers.
Been busy with a new job, but I managed to snap a Z1 sway bar bracket in half going down a slight incline at an angle in my parking garage. Other owners of the Z1 sway bar brackets please be aware.
Past that, I’m committing to a future LS3 swap so I’m selling my Stillen intake manifold if anyone is interested, I re-listed it in the FS classifieds for $1k. I also have a sports accessory muffler I’m still thinking about trying out with my HKS before selling, but doubt I’ll have the time to experiment with. Just how it goes sometimes.
Oh, and I have a yaw bypass switch to finally install, huge thanks to @BULL !! I haven’t gotten around to installing it yet but will be sure to post a nice write up with pictures for the install.
Well things are finally turning around again, looks like I’ll be able to purchase a new LS3 crate motor by the end of the year. Just trying to narrow down what I want to do with it, but the LS3 is happening. I just can’t wait for the instant torque and ease of maintenance with it. It’s a win-win from a performance standpoint.
I think I might try to have some family in TX pickup a motor/block from Texas Speed for me and bring it when they visit…we shall see, but this will be an all-out swap. I’m going to make this a magazine cover worthy car (not that anyone reads em anymore, lol, oh the nostalgia). Stay tuned for updates.
side note, Z1 made things right and sent me some new sway bar brackets and bushings. Working with them to test them out again and see if the same result happens.
