Josh B.

That's basically where I left off. I snugged the rockers down just to check. I need to learn more about how to verify length before I am confident with stock. I will read up on that topic tonight. Any input is appreciated!

C6z06man

The best way is a pushrod length checker. I know there's some theories about how many turns to snug on the rocker or something but I've never done that method.

CyberZ

Looks great! I was hoping to get the headers in there while the heads were off when i do a very similar build in April. How high did you get your car off the ground?

Josh B.

I forgot that I had an adjustable pushrod from a project about 10 years ago. Just measured...so at "zero lash" without preload, the adjustable pushrod was 7.716" on the #1 intake valve. With the 7.800 stock PR, this would give me .084" of preload. I'll check an exhaust valve tomorrow, who knows, maybe different valve manufacturers made different valve lengths...

Josh B.

The jack stands are 15.5" right now. Hoping another 4-5" will help me to get the headers in. Any more than that and I'll have to trailer the car

SuperchargedTundra

did you get an pics of when you chamfered the oil pump by any chance?

Josh B.

Sorry, no. I barely took the edge off of the three ports. This is slightly complicated by the fact there are round and rectangular ports. I did a quick Paint hack to show you which edges I sanded, highlighted by the red paint.

The unmodified edges of the ports are very sharp. I simply held my dremel and sand roll at a 45* angle, and carefully sanded down the edge. The "sealing surface" around the port, the thickness of the material, is about .25", and if you accidentally take any of the sealing surface material off...the pump is FUBAR.

The width of the 45* bevel cut was incredibly narrow, about the same width as the ball point on a ball point pen. It didn't take much to take the edge completely off, while making just a tiny "ramp" to aid the pump over the O-rings. Obviously, plenty of fresh oil on the O-rings and the pump is a necessity. I hope that helps.

Josh B.

With the stock pushrods I am getting .118" of preload. I searched far and wide for answers to lifter preload for the LS7, and I'm left with a consensus of "Should be ok, and will probably quiet all the lifter noise." Will .118" preload be excessive for my application?

Street driving, weekend warrior, maybe a 2-3 blasts to 7000 rpm a week.

K501 cam, factory lifters, factory pushrods, CHE rocker upgrade, PSI springs/Ti retainers.

C6z06man

IM sure it will be "ok" as you know Im doing the same setup .030 milled stock heads and the K501. I was Hoping to be around .090 preload. So with what measurement you got a 7.775 will get you to .093. Probably what I will go with. My car will be used the same. Some road racing maybe.

Undy

Katech recommends 0.070" preload and that's what my OEM LS7 lifters are set at.

Josh B.

Thanks. I took your recommendation and bought some BTR 3/8 7.750" pushrods, that will put me at 0.068" preload, so almost at Katech spec.

I got the LG Headers installed today. The passenger side was a real bear to snake in from the bottom (removed starter/dry sump oil lines/loosened motor mounts/disconnect trans oil cooler lines). Driver's side practically fell onto the car by comparison.

Next weekend I'll install the Dewitt's Radiator (TOC) to replace the factory radiator, I wanted to upgrade now because I never want to touch the radiator EVER AGAIN! Ha! I figured that I could keep the factory stat and just upgrade the cooling capacity of the radiator and be 'ok' with cooling.

Just waiting on the MSD intake now...

Undy

Josh B.

I measured the pushrod length and got 7.750, with a .070 preload. These PRs from BTR were nice, and a good value at barely over $100/set.

Also, I got the MSD intake!! Hoping to hit Ignite by Sunday, I'll update here with my progress.

Josh B.

4 more

SuperchargedTundra

Looking good

double06

The inside looks interesting - runners look pretty long.

Nuclear427

Awesome! looking forward to pics/videos/driving impressions! My Z06 is at Katech right now and I am not looking forward to having to wait to pick it up.

Thanks for the pics with the MSD Intake manifold. This is just my opinion, but that lettering on the shell is so ugly. I could never have that in my engine bay, and I am actually in the Air Force!

Whis9

Subscribed

double06

I think it looks OK maybe a little paint might help. If get one I may try painting it silver. I painted y other one and it looked a lot better afterwards. The other key will be the performance delta against my existing one.

Cman01

Great pics...............nice progress you are making almost there. Good luck.

BTW, OP who and where did you buy that Z from?

Tony