Wanted to share my excitement with ya'll!

My car "died" on 03-19-11 (a saturday) while heading to dinner with my family. It was fine during the 25 min drive, but once I got to Wild Wings, the engine lost oil PSI at idle, it would regain if the RPM's were held up about 1500-2000 tho. I knew right off I had a big problem and it bummed me out. I went a head and drove it back home, keeping the RMP's up (therefor keeping oil PSI).
I spent that sunday tinkering with it. I started out looking to replace the oil PSI sending unit in hopes I was that lucky, I wasnt. I already had the intake off, and I am not sure why I did this, but I pulled the valley plate off as well. That is when I discovered the Camshaft and the Lifter got into a fight. Looking into the port holes in the valley, I saw 2 lobes had damage. I spent the next few weeks pulling the engine. Turn out 12 of the 16 lobes and lifter showed damage, 8 of those 12 had extremely worn portions on them. Toast.

So fast forward to yesterday, 05-28-11, and I started my car back up. I ended up replacing the whole engine with a super low mileage LS2, and while I was there I replaced the clutch and flywheel, entire clutch hydralic system, and added a Fast 90 and LS2 90mm throttle body. I used my HPtuners suite to modify the tune enough for the swap, I PM'ed/emailed several tuners that were within a resonable distance to me for assistance in tuning to no avail.

I only had my cell phone to take a short video of it running. I recorded it after its 2 warm up cycle and after the 1st run around the block.

http://youtu.be/NKfBtYW6JA4

So now I just need to work on the Tune more, as I have not messed with the Idle airflow or the settings for the knock sensors for their new placement. Then actual tuning for the new setup and all. The car idles, revs, and can walk arround the block ok, but I can feel that the timing and airflow def need work, let alone attempting a full throttle blip. The car goes straight into reduce power, as expected.

I am extremely happy that I was able to get the engine and all replaced by myself in my garage on jack stands, and was able to manipulate the tune enough to have fired right up. Nothing feels better Oh, I promise to obtain a better camara and to record a better video.

 

Sorry to hear of your engine problems. I see you are well on your way to recovery.
Just curious...what oil were you running?

 

I bought the car with 16000 miles on it and the prior owner stated Mobil1. The car currently has 19300 miles and ironically enough, I had just bought stuff to do its first oil change with me that Friday before. So honestly I dont know what was in it. I know that right now I have 10w30 Mobil1 with about 10oz of Seafoam in it. I will be switching that out with Amsoil shortly tho.

 

I always respect a jack stand guy, I'm one myself. Enjoy the LS2.

 

I am hoping to do so soon just have to get the tune squared away

 

I have put about 5 really really easy miles on it. Really can not wait to be able to enjoy her again. I need to put the hood back on before it gets driven again, and then find a tuner to wrap it up.

 

Quick lil update. Found a tuner, Heintz Racing in Mooresville. I am taking it to them tomorrow for the week to get it straightened out. Hopefully if all goes well, I will be back driving my Z06 by my birthday! That would be a nice present from myself!

 

haha I know this all too well. I'm in the process of swapping my clutch, Trans and rebuilding the Torque Tube. Jackstands are a B!TCH but if it's all you go, it's all you got.

I hope you meet this deadline. that would be a nice Birthday Present to yourself. Good job getting your car back up.

Also give us some feedback on your impressions of the LS2 vs the LS6, I'm just curious as to your seat of the pants opinion.

I have a LS2 Trailblazer SS and an 02 Z06 but 3100lbs vs 4800lbs AWD, there is no comparison as they are two very different animals. haha

 

jesus christ, am i seeing this correctly? it messed up with 19k miles on it? other thing is you cant trust what anyone else did or how they used the car before you bought it. anytime i buy a car i always change out all the fluids regardless what the previous owner says. im still shocked with such low miles that happened.

 

It failed most likely to either a over rev issue or an install issue with the original engine. Fortunately the damage was local to just the cam and litters, but I had a fairly fresh LS2 sitting in the garage, so Wth ya know?

The LS6 was a beast in this car, the mod'ed LS2 should be a lil terror. Can't wait!