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Just an update on my 72. I know this has been a long time project since I put the LS in and it seems to just sit there. Well after a divorce and now remarried, A Cobra build, rebuilding my beach house and many other friends Corvette projects I have the drive to get this back roadworthy. It was running but not road worthy. I decided this winter to do some updates and other things that have been in the back of my mind. First the garage shot, wow I have to organize some things a little better. After that you will see I have removed the Hydroboost and the clutch MC and some other things underneath you can't see. I will replace it with a correct size MC and a vacuum booster for many reasons on this. The clutch throw was way to short and was difficult to use, the clutch was very touchy. Either in or out. Needed a longer travel. Going with a 5/8 bore instead of 3/4. The brakes and some will disagree I never liked the overall feel of the hydroboost. Not linear enough. After driving the Cobra with manual brakes and oversized rotors and brakes I like that feel. Now also the Corvette will be more of the cruising car, the race car is next to it. Not that the Vette won't be driven hard just need a good feeling set of brakes. So going back to a vacuum set up. Now this car originally had manual brakes and I kept the manual pedal box so I also have now swaped out to a power pedal box which is one of the reasons you see nothing in the drivers foot box. I will have to make one new hose to convert the Borgeson box to just a PS setup. The pressure hose has to be shortened. I can use the return line. BTW the Hydroboost unit will be for sale if anyone is interested, probably no lines though. In the interior I am replacing the 46 year old wiring harness for safety sake. I eliminated all the unneeded wires. I actually am using a 73 harness since someone here on the forum was selling a brand new harness for a big discount. I no longer have any vacuum headlights or wipers so I don't need any of that in the harness. I am making it so I can just unplug 4 plugs and remove the dash pad and gauge pod. All the gauges are now electronic and I am using a GPS speedo since it works so well in the Cobra. Lots of other small updates and things you will never see Just cleaning up a lot of small details. Power antenna and an updated radio and the VA system will be a nice update. Then I have to bring the car in to get the computer tuned. As I said it runs but poorly. I am expecting around 500 Hp from the LS3 so with the T56 it should be a fun ride but not as brutal as the Cobra.
If you have an ajustable rod on your clutch pedal mounting it lower can make your throw longer
I have plenty of adjustment with the adjustable rod. The problem is for every inch of travel so much volume is pushed down to the TO bearing moving it so far. I need less volume of fluid for every bit of movement from the pedal.
I might be interested in the hydroboost, send me a message when you decide. Also, can I ask where you purchased your L88 hood? I plan on picking one up for my 72 when the time comes. Good looking ride!
Looks good. I would also consider trying to find a way to get cold air into the intake.
Yea yea. That is another project I'm looking at also. They really like the cooler air
Originally Posted by AGrey
I might be interested in the hydroboost, send me a message when you decide. Also, can I ask where you purchased your L88 hood? I plan on picking one up for my 72 when the time comes. Good looking ride!
The hood I purchased used so I don't know where it came from. I'll PM you on the hydroboost.
Yea yea. That is another project I'm looking at also. They really like the cooler air.
I am trying to figure out a way to make a cold air intake for my 3x2 EFI. Think of something along the lines of a Ford Thunderbolt setup, just got to figure out where to get the cold air. Be interesting to see what you come up with.
Current setup:
Ford Thunderbolt (one intake tube removed):
Trick is going to be routing the tubes.
Last edited by SteveG75; Dec 14, 2018 at 05:10 PM.
The only real option on these cars is in front of the radiator. Just no room on the sides. I have seen some pretty good mods done but even over the radiator there is not much room. I’m going to see what the in coming air temps are when I get it running and see how hot the air is.
The only real option on these cars is in front of the radiator. Just no room on the sides. I have seen some pretty good mods done but even over the radiator there is not much room. I’m going to see what the in coming air temps are when I get it running and see how hot the air is.
I usually don't bother with the laptop when driving, but want to say that I was seeing temps on the order of 120F or so when driving (even when 90+ outside). Idling in the driveway, even with the hood open, I was getting up to 160F.
I usually don't bother with the laptop when driving, but want to say that I was seeing temps on the order of 120F or so when driving (even when 90+ outside). Idling in the driveway, even with the hood open, I was getting up to 160F.
Thats a little toasty. I have watched the Cobra and it rarely exceeds 90 degrees. Usually around ambient air temps which is about as good as it gets. It also has an open hood scoop that is in direct line of the air filter. No such luck on the Vette.
It’s coming along now. I have the dash mostly back in. The Vintage Air tubing is a royal PIA to get in and routed. Not much room in a C3. Also have the PB brakes back in and the new clutch MC installed. I fired it up and let it run for a few minutes also and the tune is pretty bad. I have to take it and get that sorted out. Once warm it barely takes throttle. To rich running. I have a short video of it running but it won’t load right now.
That looks amazing, and great job with the AC routing.
FWIW, I recorded some thermocouple data of underhood temps in my wife's stock 79 L48 auto. On an 85 degree day, underhood was consistently 155 to 165 degrees. Later testing with the stock L82 intake showed a huge improvement.
I also had a friend total a C5 thanks to driving through a puddle with a low-intake CAI, so don't go that route.
Very nice sanitary looking LS install Gordon. Those LS engines sure don't like warm intake air. I was looking through the stock tune on my LS7 and anything over about 90* it starts pulling a ton of timing out of it. Not just a couple of degrees either....
Nice work as usual Gordon.
Care to elaborate on what setup you used for the T56.
Obviously its the LS version with the hydraulic throwout bearing.
How about details on the T56 itself....did you rebuild it or have it done by someone?
What is the minimum work you would recommend for going behind a 600hp motor?
As to the hydraulics with it....what did you use? So many options out there but not all look the same in reliability.
Same question for flywheel/clutch/throwout bearing setup?
If there is a link to your build another place that covers that, just let me know.
Thanks
Dennis
My 72 Update
