A&A Install Difficulty Level
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Chicago Illinois
A&A Install Difficulty Level
I am going to be ordering a YSI soon for my 2003 ZO6. My good buddy who’s been a mechanic for about 9 years suggested we do it our selves. Now he is good, but never installed a blower or really dug that deep into a corvette like that. For the roughly 8-10 hours it takes to install, how bad is the install? What are the major problems people run into? I will be doing an upgraded fuel pump, injectors, and 8 rib conversion to get everything I need for the future while its apart. From there it would need a tune which I am not sure if the car can be driven that far right after install but a trailer isn’t an issue. I would love to say that WE did the project, and I think it would be awesome to experience doing it, but the thought always is running into a problem that cant be solved or messing something up. Don’t want it to turn into a nightmare and leave me wishing I should have took it in! 
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I am going to be ordering a YSI soon for my 2003 ZO6. My good buddy who’s been a mechanic for about 9 years suggested we do it our selves. Now he is good, but never installed a blower or really dug that deep into a corvette like that. For the roughly 8-10 hours it takes to install, how bad is the install? What are the major problems people run into? I will be doing an upgraded fuel pump, injectors, and 8 rib conversion to get everything I need for the future while its apart. From there it would need a tune which I am not sure if the car can be driven that far right after install but a trailer isn’t an issue. I would love to say that WE did the project, and I think it would be awesome to experience doing it, but the thought always is running into a problem that cant be solved or messing something up. Don’t want it to turn into a nightmare and leave me wishing I should have took it in!
The hard thing will be doing on it is drilling the crank to put a pin into it. Good luck and you will love the YSI..
Robert
Last edited by robert miller; Mar 2, 2016 at 10:07 PM.
Drifting
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The only thing difficult is moving the power steering rack out of the way.
The above post talks about being careful to not get into boost. Its really not that big of deal as the computer won't actually allow it to go into boost...nothing significant anyway. It will see more air moving then expected and throw it into self preservation mode. I drove my car a lot (at least 1000 miles) after the SC install before I bought HPTuners to learn to tune it myself. If I stepped on it a little too hard...right into limp mode. I suppose if you tried to hurt it you could. If you have a boost gauge you will see when its starting to build boost.
The above post talks about being careful to not get into boost. Its really not that big of deal as the computer won't actually allow it to go into boost...nothing significant anyway. It will see more air moving then expected and throw it into self preservation mode. I drove my car a lot (at least 1000 miles) after the SC install before I bought HPTuners to learn to tune it myself. If I stepped on it a little too hard...right into limp mode. I suppose if you tried to hurt it you could. If you have a boost gauge you will see when its starting to build boost.
Last edited by reactor2; Mar 2, 2016 at 11:23 PM.
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I am going to be ordering a YSI soon for my 2003 ZO6. My good buddy who’s been a mechanic for about 9 years suggested we do it our selves. Now he is good, but never installed a blower or really dug that deep into a corvette like that. For the roughly 8-10 hours it takes to install, how bad is the install? What are the major problems people run into? I will be doing an upgraded fuel pump, injectors, and 8 rib conversion to get everything I need for the future while its apart. From there it would need a tune which I am not sure if the car can be driven that far right after install but a trailer isn’t an issue. I would love to say that WE did the project, and I think it would be awesome to experience doing it, but the thought always is running into a problem that cant be solved or messing something up. Don’t want it to turn into a nightmare and leave me wishing I should have took it in!
The OP has an '03. The later C5 does not require the accessory bracket (alternator and power steering) change. He should already have GMs updated version.
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Is this your daily driver???
I dont think its necessarily difficult. But I seriously doubt it can be done in 8-12 hours if its your first install. Granted, I didnt have a buddy that was a mechanic to help, but mine took me 2-3 days....and then a few more days to work out bugs for this...bugs for that. Unless everything works out perfectly (which didnt happen with my used kit), I doubt youre 100% the first time you put it all together.
Now, with a new kit, it may can be done in 1-2 days without many hiccups afterwards.
All told, I'm at about 3 months working a few hours a week on it. Ive driven it a handful of times in that period, and usually ended up putting it right back up on jacks to start tearing down something.
Undoubtedly, you will know EVERYTHING about your car by doing this. Its great, and I wouldnt want it any other way.
I dont think its necessarily difficult. But I seriously doubt it can be done in 8-12 hours if its your first install. Granted, I didnt have a buddy that was a mechanic to help, but mine took me 2-3 days....and then a few more days to work out bugs for this...bugs for that. Unless everything works out perfectly (which didnt happen with my used kit), I doubt youre 100% the first time you put it all together.
Now, with a new kit, it may can be done in 1-2 days without many hiccups afterwards.
All told, I'm at about 3 months working a few hours a week on it. Ive driven it a handful of times in that period, and usually ended up putting it right back up on jacks to start tearing down something.
Undoubtedly, you will know EVERYTHING about your car by doing this. Its great, and I wouldnt want it any other way.
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Nope this car is definitely not my daily, she has only 20k and is in flawless shape. I want to take my (our) time with the build. I seem to luck out on quite a few things it being a later model. I think it would be easier and make sense trailering it to the shop (40 miles away) for a tune and triple checking our work, I'm fine with that. I just gota decide if I'm gona go ahead and do an upgraded fuel pump instead of the bp, which not sure if it's needed but makes sense. I'm trying to do everything right, and get all the necessary things to make it as most efficient (I'm on the stock 347, for now) which eventually down the road I plan to forge or swap completely
I talked to josh about it a few months back and was ready to order but an emergency came up, so now is a much better time to do it, not to mention that was before I changed my mind from a v3 to the ysi lol.
How is the tapping into the oil pan for the supply line? That's the other thing that made the worry besides the pinning the crank
I talked to josh about it a few months back and was ready to order but an emergency came up, so now is a much better time to do it, not to mention that was before I changed my mind from a v3 to the ysi lol.
How is the tapping into the oil pan for the supply line? That's the other thing that made the worry besides the pinning the crank
Last edited by NEED2SPEEDLS1; Mar 3, 2016 at 12:37 PM.
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Nope this car is definitely not my daily, she has only 20k and is in flawless shape. I want to take my (our) time with the build. I seem to luck out on quite a few things it being a later model. I think it would be easier and make sense trailering it to the shop (40 miles away) for a tune and triple checking our work, I'm fine with that. I just gota decide if I'm gona go ahead and do an upgraded fuel pump instead of the bp, which not sure if it's needed but makes sense. I'm trying to do everything right, and get all the necessary things to make it as most efficient (I'm on the stock 347, for now) which eventually down the road I plan to forge or swap completely
I talked to josh about it a few months back and was ready to order but an emergency came up, so now is a much better time to do it, not to mention that was before I changed my mind from a v3 to the ysi lol.
How is the tapping into the oil pan for the supply line? That's the other thing that made the worry besides the pinning the crank
I talked to josh about it a few months back and was ready to order but an emergency came up, so now is a much better time to do it, not to mention that was before I changed my mind from a v3 to the ysi lol.
How is the tapping into the oil pan for the supply line? That's the other thing that made the worry besides the pinning the crank
With your YSI, i doubt you will have enough fuel pump, even if you are methanol reliant. Just depends on your horsepower goal.
My suggestion is to do it all right this time so you arent having to go back later and do more upgrades if you want to turn up the boost or change out components (heads, cam, more cubic inches).
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From: Pasco WA
Nope this car is definitely not my daily, she has only 20k and is in flawless shape. I want to take my (our) time with the build. I seem to luck out on quite a few things it being a later model. I think it would be easier and make sense trailering it to the shop (40 miles away) for a tune and triple checking our work, I'm fine with that. I just gota decide if I'm gona go ahead and do an upgraded fuel pump instead of the bp, which not sure if it's needed but makes sense. I'm trying to do everything right, and get all the necessary things to make it as most efficient (I'm on the stock 347, for now) which eventually down the road I plan to forge or swap completely
I talked to josh about it a few months back and was ready to order but an emergency came up, so now is a much better time to do it, not to mention that was before I changed my mind from a v3 to the ysi lol.
How is the tapping into the oil pan for the supply line? That's the other thing that made the worry besides the pinning the crank
I talked to josh about it a few months back and was ready to order but an emergency came up, so now is a much better time to do it, not to mention that was before I changed my mind from a v3 to the ysi lol.
How is the tapping into the oil pan for the supply line? That's the other thing that made the worry besides the pinning the crank
You're gonna need both a better fuel pump, and a BAP. A harness isn't a bad idea, either.
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Yeah, I ran out of fuel after installing, during dyno tuning. With the included A&A pump, it started dropping pressure about 5500 RPMs. To be safe, I added a Magnaspark BAP, or rather, the tuner did, which enabled good FP past redline. The Racetronix (sp?) wiring harness helps in voltage drop, too. I see you're getting a YSI. I would think this would be even more demanding of FP.
Last edited by zeevette; Mar 4, 2016 at 03:09 PM.
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I've had plumbers do their own SC install over the weekend. It's not that hard, but time consuming if you have never done it. Leave stock injectors installed and you could drive it gently to the tuners shop and then swap in the big injectors in the parking lot and let them tune from there.
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I've had plumbers do their own SC install over the weekend. It's not that hard, but time consuming if you have never done it. Leave stock injectors installed and you could drive it gently to the tuners shop and then swap in the big injectors in the parking lot and let them tune from there.
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Nope this car is definitely not my daily, she has only 20k and is in flawless shape. I want to take my (our) time with the build. I seem to luck out on quite a few things it being a later model. I think it would be easier and make sense trailering it to the shop (40 miles away) for a tune and triple checking our work, I'm fine with that. I just gota decide if I'm gona go ahead and do an upgraded fuel pump instead of the bp, which not sure if it's needed but makes sense. I'm trying to do everything right, and get all the necessary things to make it as most efficient (I'm on the stock 347, for now) which eventually down the road I plan to forge or swap completely
I talked to josh about it a few months back and was ready to order but an emergency came up, so now is a much better time to do it, not to mention that was before I changed my mind from a v3 to the ysi lol.
How is the tapping into the oil pan for the supply line? That's the other thing that made the worry besides the pinning the crank
I talked to josh about it a few months back and was ready to order but an emergency came up, so now is a much better time to do it, not to mention that was before I changed my mind from a v3 to the ysi lol.
How is the tapping into the oil pan for the supply line? That's the other thing that made the worry besides the pinning the crank
I just bought a V3Si and that's what I was told-- that the previous versions were not self contained like the V3. I will not have to tap into the oil pan when I install.
Also, can I ask why you changed your mind to a ySi?
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Im about to do a install myself in the near future. The only thing I was worried about was pinning the crank (don't want to go to far) and wiring the bap. Im going to give myself a week or so for the install, just a few hours a day. Also its not my daily.
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just lay the pin next to the drill bit and use a piece of tape around the drill bit to mark the length, that way you don't drill too far... if you get a racetronix harness the bap is plug and play
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