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03/29/2018
Guess what’s getting worked on again. Time to do some engine stuff. First things first, time to lift her up. It really started when I noticed that the Harmonic Balancer needed to be replaced.
03/31/2018
So I opened up a YouTube account and started recording videos of the engine build. This is the first video. I'll have pretty detailed videos from this point on.
04/02/2018
Day 2 of working on my 2003 Corvette LS1 engine. Took off the intake and saw that the condenser was on top of the radiator and in the way of a clean camshaft install.
Just a quick note, I'm a software developer, and a car enthusiast. Everything I've done so far was with the help of the service manuals, YouTube videos, and forums like the Corvette Forum. I've never done an engine build and going into it actually kinda terrifies me, but we'll see how it goes. Just wanted to throw that in there since I may say some stuff that's just flat out wrong. I'm probably going to add this to the first post too now that I think about it.
April/May/June
It was around this time a year ago that I caught the attention of RSR wheels when I showed up to one of the shows they attended with my C6 vette. We got to talking and one of the guys there and I became pretty good friends. I'm in web development and marketing so they would always ask me for marketing advice. I told them that the easiest marketed wheel that they have was the 911 GT3 wheel they're selling.
I guess it started some internal communication and they called me one day and asked me if I would be willing to help them design a Corvette wheel that I think would sell. The VP of sales told me that he was impressed with the photos and build that I was doing and wanted me on board for this project. So I helped them and after a few months of tweaking the design and specs we created the R902 monoblock forged wheel made out of aerospace-grade aluminum. I told them to do it in the brushed titanium finish...really came out exactly as I would have hoped
Although I generated the specs for the C5, C6 and C7 Corvettes (regular and Z06s), they only brought in the wheels for the C6 and the C7 during the first production batch. They were supposed to bring in 19x9.5”, 20x11”, 19x10”, 20x12.5” but they ended up only making the 19x9.5 and 20x11 for the C6 and C7 fitment. I'll keep you guys posted about the C5 if they ever get there.
Anyways, here's the wheel.
Last edited by dinocajic; Sep 10, 2018 at 11:05 AM.
8/15/2018
We've almost caught up to today's date. Continued taking the engine apart. Removed the AC condenser cover, drained the coolant and removed the passenger side coils on my 2003 Corvette.
8/16/2018
Started off with removing the coolant lines connected to the radiator. Removed the radiator, fan, serpentine belt, alternator, and driver side coils.
1 - I don't see headers on your parts list, that cam really needs headers. 239/244 | .635”/.610” | LSA112+3. Also Tick mentions they are required.
2 - With the 1.8 rockers (stock is 1.7) are you going to check PTV clearance ? They will increase overall lift IIRC
Thanks for the comment. I haven't posted a full parts list yet mainly because I'm still accumulating all of the parts, links, etc. I did purchase headers and an x-pipe...already had muffler deletes.
And I ended up backing off on the rockers for that reason. I bought them first and UPS lost my package. After doing more research, I decided to stick with the stock rockers. I have to delete that post. Thanks for mentioning that. I may buy new rockers once I get to that point.
Last edited by dinocajic; Sep 14, 2018 at 08:14 PM.
What an awesome write up!! Thanks for taking the time to post everything! I had a 2013 Grand Sport and just sold it and bought a 99 Vert. Just purchased 2006 Z06 Wheels and plan on doing some upgrades. Its awesome to see you have your son involved. He will have great memories!! Looking forward to more of your posts!
What an awesome write up!! Thanks for taking the time to post everything! I had a 2013 Grand Sport and just sold it and bought a 99 Vert. Just purchased 2006 Z06 Wheels and plan on doing some upgrades. Its awesome to see you have your son involved. He will have great memories!! Looking forward to more of your posts!
You can get that sound with a lot less duration, which will give much better driving manners.
That cam, on the interstate in 6th gear at around 75mph will have the rpm below 2k rpm and the engine will buck, jolt, and shake to the point you need to give it gas and stay above 85mph to not buck, or drive on the interstate in 5th.
