Minor Camaro update

Will94SC · Post by **Will94SC** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 10:32 pm

Went by the machine shop today to pick up my block and a complete 5.3 I'm using for parts. I had my block cleaned, the bores honed, and new cam bearings installed. Unfortunately, those cam bearings are just a wee bit too tight to actually let my cam back in, so it's going to need some massaging or another set of bearings.

I brought home the 5.3 and removed the rotating assembly. I'll use the crank and maybe the rods; the rest will be for sale soon.

Incidentally, I learned that you can knock the pistons out the bottom of the bore just far enough for the rings to expand, but you can't actually remove the piston/rod assembly that way...it gets stuck in the block. That was neat.

It's doubtful I'll have it running by Dixie, but stranger things have happened.

Choray911 · Post by **Choray911** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 11:25 am

Will94SC · Post by **Will94SC** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 2:27 pm

Choray911 wrote:

Sorry, I didn't see the chapter in the manual called "what to do when water gets in a cylinder and creates a ring of rust at the top of the bore that the rings can't compress enough to get past."

Choray911 · Post by **Choray911** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 2:30 pm

Thats what a hammer & a broom stick is for....

Eunos735 · Post by **Eunos735** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 2:37 pm

There is a tool just for that. It can be purchased in most parts stores. It's called a ridge reamer.

wrench98 · Post by **wrench98** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 3:17 pm

Will when having cam bearings installed it is always a good idea to supply the shop with the cam being used for measurement and fitment concerns.

Rust rings on top of the block do not usually necessitate the need for a ridge reamer. A large hammer and block of wood is usually used. Like Cho suggested.

Ridge reamers are needed to remove the ridge from the top of the cylinder wall caused by excessive wear.

I can't remember the last time I needed one.

If you need anything feel free to call.

Will94SC · Post by **Will94SC** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 4:08 pm

Thanks. I managed to get them all out, and the machine shop does have my cam now so they can check fit from here out. At least the good news is that theoretically, everything from here forward is assembly, not disassembly. And that seems like progress.

I just wish I could use a few more fun parts instead of all the stock stuff.

Loren.Uga · Post by **Loren.Uga** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 11:14 am

Will, what machine shop do you use/recommend here locally?

Choray911 · Post by **Choray911** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 1:14 pm

I have always used Roberts & Sons, 4285 Bonny Oaks Dr, Chattanooga, TN 37406.

They do really good work.

Will94SC · Post by **Will94SC** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 3:41 pm

Loren.Uga wrote:Will, what machine shop do you use/recommend here locally?

I went here: http://riversidemachineshop.com/

The guy that runs it (Peawee) is semi-retired--when I first talked to him, he said the shop was closed, and he wasn't looking for any really big projects. But he asked what I needed and said he'd do it.

Loren.Uga · Post by **Loren.Uga** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 6:44 pm

Thank ya'll for the information. A couple of people I work with have asked me if I knew any shops. I did not but figured someone here would.

diverdno · Post by **diverdno** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 9:20 am

2 thumbs up for PeeWee, awesome guy who knows his stuff. Many many years experience.

tyler72 · Post by **tyler72** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 10:07 pm

When you get ready to make that 5.3 really run like it should, walk next door to In-Tune and talk to Scott. He's got it goin on with LS stuff!

Will94SC · Post by **Will94SC** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 10:36 pm

The 5.3 was just for parts (rod and crank); the car will still have the 5.7 LS1.

I'm not even thinking about a tune yet. I just want to get it back as good as it was before I hurt it. Then I can think about more power.

Will94SC · Post by **Will94SC** » Wed Mar 26, 2014 4:09 pm

Brought my LS1 block home from the machine shop today. I need to get my rods and pistons sorted and order a bunch of gaskets, rings, etc., and then I can get on to reassembly.

Choray911 · Post by **Choray911** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 12:17 pm

Will94SC wrote:Brought my LS1 block home from the machine shop today. I need to get my rods and pistons sorted and order a bunch of gaskets, rings, etc., and then I can get on to reassembly.

Did it fit in your frunk?

Will94SC · Post by **Will94SC** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 12:49 pm

No, I had a friend with a truck help me out. Then I spent some time weighing stereo system components to decide whether it's worth removing them.

Choray911 · Post by **Choray911** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 1:42 pm

Will94SC wrote:No, I had a friend with a truck help me out. Then I spent some time weighing stereo system components to decide whether it's worth removing them.

NO!!!!! Its a Camaro!!!!!
Take Ex Lax, keep the stereo.

CobaltSSlow · Post by **CobaltSSlow** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 3:04 pm

Am I dreaming or did you have some LS stuff up for grabs? I've got a buddy that hoards the stuff.

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Will94SC · Post by **Will94SC** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 4:06 pm

CobaltSSlow wrote:Am I dreaming or did you have some LS stuff up for grabs? I've got a buddy that hoards the stuff.

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I've got most of an iron block 5.3 minus the crank, rods, and intake. I was just about to put it in the garage sale section.

Will94SC · Post by **Will94SC** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 9:38 am

Choray911 wrote:
Will94SC wrote:No, I had a friend with a truck help me out. Then I spent some time weighing stereo system components to decide whether it's worth removing them.
NO!!!!! Its a Camaro!!!!!
Take Ex Lax, keep the stereo.

It might depend on whether I can get the car under 3300 without doing that. That's sort of my target weight for the car.

CobaltSSlow · Post by **CobaltSSlow** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 1:55 pm

Infinity makes some door/deck speakers with neodymium magnets that are rather light. You could also forgo the head unit in favor of one of those tiny 2 channel motorcycle amps and just run a 3.5mm headphone jack to stereo rca cable to it. Put the amp on an switched fuse and boom! Simple, light, effective!

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Will94SC · Post by **Will94SC** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 2:10 pm

Thanks, but spending money on speakers isn't a priority. Immediate needs include the engine rebuild stuff just to get it running, and a new flywheel/clutch because there's no way I'm taking this thing apart twice if I don't have to. Then later (probably over the winter) I'll need a new diff, fresh tires, new muffler, stuff like that.

Choray911 · Post by **Choray911** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 2:52 pm

Will is perfectly content making a 12 hour road trip without any radio at all.

He is weird...

CabotTeg118 · Post by **CabotTeg118** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 3:04 pm

Who needs a radio when you have the sweet sound of 'Murica?

Will94SC · Post by **Will94SC** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 3:31 pm

Choray911 wrote:Will is perfectly content making a 12 hour road trip without any radio at all.

He is weird...

I don't have a radio in the SC, but I think the longest trip I've made without one is about 7 hours.

There are always computer speakers hooked to an iPod...

Choray911 · Post by **Choray911** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 3:34 pm

CabotTeg118 wrote:Who needs a radio when you have the sweet sound of 'Murica?

Murrica will put you to sleep at 1500 RPM.

ScaredofAWD · Post by **ScaredofAWD** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 10:32 am

Choray911 wrote:
CabotTeg118 wrote:Who needs a radio when you have the sweet sound of 'Murica?
Murrica will put you to sleep at 1500 RPM.

I fail to see the problem there...

Will94SC · Post by **Will94SC** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 10:56 am

ScaredofAWD wrote:
Choray911 wrote:
CabotTeg118 wrote:Who needs a radio when you have the sweet sound of 'Murica?
Murrica will put you to sleep at 1500 RPM.

I fail to see the problem there...

That's about freeway cruising rpm, and I prefer not to fall asleep at 75 mph if I'm the one who's driving.

Will94SC · Post by **Will94SC** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 5:17 pm

$714.55 later, I have gaskets, rings, bearings, head bolts, a timing chain, and that goofy little gen-III oil galley plug on the way. Ouch.

I still need new stock valve springs and other not fun, won't make any more power stuff.

Stupid ESP rules.

rocket71 · Post by **rocket71** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 6:45 pm

When is the rebuild going to start? Looking forward to see the Camaro back in action.

Will94SC · Post by **Will94SC** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 7:09 pm

The biggest hurdle remaining is the rods/pistons. The rods from the LS1 are trash, so I need to have them pressed out of the pistons. The 5.3 rods are still good, so I'll also need to get those pressed out of their pistons (5.3 pistons are too small), and then combine the LS1 pistons and 5.3 rods. Once that's out of the way and my parts from Summit arrive, I should be able to get started.

Choray911 · Post by **Choray911** » Tue Apr 01, 2014 9:16 am

Remember, cleanliness is next to Godliness.

CobaltSSlow · Post by **CobaltSSlow** » Wed Apr 02, 2014 12:22 am

Will94SC wrote:The biggest hurdle remaining is the rods/pistons. The rods from the LS1 are trash, so I need to have them pressed out of the pistons. The 5.3 rods are still good, so I'll also need to get those pressed out of their pistons (5.3 pistons are too small), and then combine the LS1 pistons and 5.3 rods. Once that's out of the way and my parts from Summit arrive, I should be able to get started.

5.3 rods on the left - LS1 rods on the right (according to source) - is this real life? Why do they appear to be so much beefier vs. LS1 rods? Only thing I could think of is rotating mass...

I'm telling you, I want one of these truck motors.

rocket71 · Post by **rocket71** » Wed Apr 02, 2014 7:38 am

Are the rods a week spot? That would add some serious rotating mass and if you don't need it then why?

Will94SC · Post by **Will94SC** » Wed Apr 02, 2014 9:45 am

Dammit. I need to take another look at those rods. SP rules say that the rods have to be identical, which I thought they were.

Edit: the 5.3 rods I have don't look like the ones in the pic above. They look like the LS1 rods.

Choray911 · Post by **Choray911** » Wed Apr 02, 2014 9:50 am

Poor will....

ScaredofAWD · Post by **ScaredofAWD** » Wed Apr 02, 2014 11:53 am

Those 5.3 rods look aftermarket to me

CobaltSSlow · Post by **CobaltSSlow** » Wed Apr 02, 2014 12:59 pm

Will94SC wrote:Dammit. I need to take another look at those rods. SP rules say that the rods have to be identical, which I thought they were.

Edit: the 5.3 rods I have don't look like the ones in the pic above. They look like the LS1 rods.

I'll have to send you where I found that. I thought they looked stout, I think it was a Buick gn forum.

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Will94SC · Post by **Will94SC** » Tue Apr 22, 2014 4:54 pm

Talked with Sam Strano about a flywheel/clutch setup today, which I'll order tomorrow. Good news is it's less $ than I thought.

And it turns out LS1 valve springs are incredibly cheap--$2.39 ea. Go mass-produced 'Merican parts!

rocket71 · Post by **rocket71** » Tue Apr 22, 2014 9:01 pm

Keep on keepin' on! I was surprised how cheap the LS6 ones were too.

Will94SC · Post by **Will94SC** » Tue Apr 22, 2014 9:34 pm

I wish I could have used the yellow LS6 valve springs, but that's a no-go. I even bought an Alldata subscription to see if maybe the factory authorized use of LS6 valve springs as LS1 replacements, but no.

stockerbill · Post by **stockerbill** » Tue Apr 22, 2014 11:34 pm

Those 5.3 rods definitely do not look like OEM. Polished and shot-peened beams on an OEM rod.. not likely from GM unless they were putting aftermarket rods in some limited production performance engines. The rods should be GM P/N 12568734 and they don't look like the picture on the left. Are the pistons OEM?

rocket71 · Post by **rocket71** » Wed Apr 23, 2014 7:33 am

ALLDATA?

CobaltSSlow · Post by **CobaltSSlow** » Wed Apr 23, 2014 9:07 am

That picture was something I found on a gnx forum. I thought it looked fishy, which is why I asked. They were fairly certain on there they were oem, but I'm not sure. I'll try to find the thread.

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Will94SC · Post by **Will94SC** » Wed Apr 23, 2014 9:40 am

rocket71 wrote:ALLDATA?

http://www.alldatadiy.com/

Provides time estimates for jobs, part numbers, TSBs, parts update/backdates, how-to procedures, etc. It's really meant more for shop owners than people like me, but it's still handy. For instance, the LS1 specific valve spring is no longer in production, so it lists the L92 valve spring as the approved replacement for the LS1.

Will94SC · Post by **Will94SC** » Wed Apr 23, 2014 11:18 am

Just ordered this: Ram twin-disc clutch w/aluminum flywheel.

Choray911 · Post by **Choray911** » Wed Apr 23, 2014 11:43 am

Twin disc huh? Thats a little overkill isn't it?

Will94SC · Post by **Will94SC** » Wed Apr 23, 2014 12:00 pm

Choray911 wrote:Twin disc huh? Thats a little overkill isn't it?

Well...yeah. It's the most basic twin disc they make and it's still good to 700 lb-ft, which is about double what the Camaro put to the wheels (Lord only knows what it will make after I build the engine). But it's still cheaper than a single-disc Centerforce LMC or DFX, and it's the one Sam recommended (over some more expensive options).

Will94SC · Post by **Will94SC** » Thu Apr 24, 2014 3:41 pm

Top tip: if you ever need to rebuild an LS1, get the Jegs valve spring compressor. It's 2/3 the price of the Crane tool, and 1/4 the price of the Comp tool. PN 805020.