It looks like the 96 has developed a oil leak on the front and the rear of the intake. While looking to see how bad it was, I found a couple of drops of antifreeze from the water pump.

So first question, how much of a pain is it to pull the intake? What are the major things to look out for?

Second question, the car has got 60K on it. Given it is the improved optispark and I've caught the weeping water pump before it trashed the opti, should I replace the opti while R&Ring the water pump?

I'll be doing the plug wires even if I don't replace the opti. Anything else that I should think about if I decide to do the intake myself?

TIA


[Modified by 96LT1, 5:14 PM 1/5/2003]

 

ah... the dreaded intake leak.... the dreaded weaping waterpump... welcome to the world of LT1 ownership!

They are great jobs to do together. Expect 5-6 hours.

Your opti condition depends entirely on how much coolant got on it. The 95-96 optis are much much better than the earlier ones, but both are vulnerable to coolant. ick.

The intake is not a bad job. You need gaskets and a torque wrench. Its just time consuming....

not a bad job... I can't think of anything that jobs off the page as far as the intake is concerned.

the opti is not a hard job either. There is a company, and if you go searching back, you will find a thread... it is not far... a page or 2 here in tech, that has an improved opti. more expensive than discount, but cheaper than retail GM, it appears to be seriously improved.

From what I have read, it looks like a good part - I plan on getting one.

The hard part of an opti replacement is getting the balancer off. The best way is to wack it with a 2x4 and a hammer! This is done from under the car, behind, at about 4 and 8 o'clock on the balancer.

 

How about the injectors? I haven't had any problems just curious. Any thoughts on replacing them? I don't plan on any mods that would require going to a larger injector, but if I'm there...

Can't the balancer be removed with a puller like the balancer on the L98? It does look tight with the rack and pinion.


[Modified by 96LT1, 5:59 PM 1/5/2003]

 

Yea, think about an LT4 HOT cam :cheers:

Eric

 

- If there's nothing wrong with them, I wouldn't replace them. The only time I would do this is if the injectors went south or I was doing a 383 or top end kit.

- I would be a little nervous banging on the balancer with a 2x4 and a hammer. Use a puller. I think you can rent them from places like Autozone or Checker.

 

The LT1 balancer is a two piece design. You don't take the hub portion off during an opti swap (by design I'm sure). Mine only needs light tapping to come off. It just depends on how much rust has accumulated. Spray some 3n1 oil on it a day before or penetrating oil and it should come off real easy. Just remember, the outter part only goes on the hub one way. There is a mark on the hub and pulley that must line up first, else the bolts will never line up correctly. Get a serpentine belt removal tool. Saves hassle and you might as well replace it as well.
If you aren't experiencing any misses at the upper end or at idle (now matter how subtle) I wouldn't replace the Opti. But, if there is, then obsolutely replace it. Save it for an emergency spare, since one never knows what life throws our way.
Waterpump has 6 bolts to remove, not the normal L98 4 bolts. Pay strict attention to the waterpump driveshaft when doing the disassembly so it goes together correctly.
Clean and verify EGR function while you have it off the intake.
Watch out for the watertemp sensor on the front of the waterpump. Very sensitive and brittle after all the heat cycling.
Clean and inspect the TB real good, IAC valve as well.
You don't need injectors if staying stock unless they are defective. You might want to send them out for a balance job. Scorp508 can give details for that one since he had it done and I'm sure others as well.
I'm sure I missed a few things, but others will chime in with advice as well.
Good luck.

 

im leaking oil as well... My intake may be leaking as well... im also leaking coolant.... im going to check my water pump since u mentioned it... anything i should look for??? :D

 

just make sure there is not a lot of coolant on the opti. if the opti is soaked, you may have a problem brewing.

 

the puller is a pain in the tuckuss... it really is... beleive me... 2x4 + hammer = removed balancer.

if I was doing any upgrading whilst doing the opit? I would do roller rockers and associated hardware...

and getting the injectors cleaned/blueprinted is a good idea.

 

Yup, I have a low mile '96 with the front and back of the intake leaking.
A freind of mine has a 7K mile '96...also with an intake oil leak.

??Does an oil leak pose the same threat to the opti-sensor as coolant??

Any special tools needed for intake gasket change?

 

How much more work is it to change the cam while doing the intake? i.e, what else has to come off the motor? Do you have to pull the radiator and a/c condenser to do it? I have done heads b4 but never a cam. I am going to do my intake sometime in the near future and wondering if I should go ahead and put the hot cam in while I'm at it.

 

I took the radiator out when i was playing with mine. it makes life much easier as you can climb in the front. It comes out quite easily, couple of bolts and the hole suitcase comes out.

 

I have had 2 water pumps replaced and 1 opti. My intake has been leaking front and back for years, I will fix this when I do my heads and cam.

 

Since mine is leaking i am thinking of converting to the LT4 intake manifold with the LT4 hotcam..What do u guys think

 

Send your injectors out to Rich at http://www.cruzinperformance.com/fuelinj.html

He is highly recommended here on the Forum and charges $11/injector to clean and blueprint them. Turn around time is usually about 1 week including shipping both ways.

:cheers: