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I pulled my engine to fix a couple significant oil leaks. What else should I do while it's out? I have a mild interest in additional power, but reliability is a luxury I won't sacrifice.
Details: 1999, convertible, automatic, 135K, no existing mods.
Seriously though, torque tube rebuild, definitely change the PCV hose assembly. It’s coked with oil waiting to cause crankcase pressure buildup pushing out oil pan or rear main seals, obviously clutch and slave cylinder, motor mounts aren’t expensive, give the engine a fresh fuel filter, starters fail around this time, maybe change now while apart and accessible, if you want a cam now is the time, consider harmonic balancer, oil pressure sender, new valve stem seals and springs.
No kidding about the wallet. My other hobby is aviation, and this is starting to feel like owning and maintaining a plane. At any rate, thank you for the reply!
I have a new harmonic balancer, all ready to install. I'll also order new PCV hoses, and a new oil pressure sensor.
I'm Curious about a cam, but I'd want a slide-in option... no injectors, remapping, tuning, push-rods, rockers, etc...
p.s. I'm not sure if I posted this in the right section. If a moderator believes this thread is in the wrong place, please feel free to move it.
Thank you for the reply Hitman! Based on some cursory research, the API pulley is about half the weight of the stock harmonic balancer (already purchased). Do you think I'd feel the difference for $345 (genuinely asking)?
Definitely replacing the water pump. Thanks for the reminder.
I'm VERY interested in learning about increasing my rocker ratio. Is there enough clearance to use 1.8 rockers without changing my heads?
I'm assuming (perhaps incorrectly) the FAST IM/TB is is a replacement throttle body. If that's correct, would the TB modification be complimentary to an LS6 intake?
Also, I agree 100% with your thought about doing a stroker kit. That would be the ideal scenario. I'd love the combine a set of LS6 heads with a 383, to get 400 numbers everywhere, and still run on pump gas. Unfortunately, I have other fiscal priorities that stand in the way of that dream... Not to mention, my wife is already expressing concern over the sorry state of the garage...
If you have a tuner in your area consider a cam, if not then forget it.
the oil pump mentioned isn’t a bad idea on paper, although I’ve read/known horror stories since early 2000 of pinched oil pump o-rings, pressure issues, to just leave alone on a stock build.
Need springs to do 1.8 rockers. Might as well baby cam at least.
@Josh, I tend to agree with you about the LS1 tuner and piston slap issues. I wasn't aware they came out of the bores with a stroker kit, but that's great information to have. Thanks!
Thank you for the reply Hitman! Based on some cursory research, the API pulley is about half the weight of the stock harmonic balancer (already purchased). Do you think I'd feel the difference for $345 (genuinely asking)?
Definitely replacing the water pump. Thanks for the reminder.
I'm VERY interested in learning about increasing my rocker ratio. Is there enough clearance to use 1.8 rockers without changing my heads?
I'm assuming (perhaps incorrectly) the FAST IM/TB is is a replacement throttle body. If that's correct, would the TB modification be complimentary to an LS6 intake?
The ATI is more for peace of mind, not power, probably not going to feel it, it will allow your motor to spin longer/higher with less *parasitic* damage...a great option, ATI is the best.
For 1.8's, depending on the brand, you *may* have to raise your valve covers (with spacers). No need to change the heads. Good option if you want to stick with the stock cam, for longevity purposes.
That does not mean you *can't* change the cam. Ed @ Flowtech (for example) can custom spec you a cam with softer lobes, that will not eat up your valvetrain in 20k miles, would be a very nice upgrade, in which case you don't necessarily need 1.8 rockers...
IM/TB is intake manifold (IM), throttle body (TB). Yes you can upgrade just the throttle body with the ls6 manifold, but I'm talking about the FAST IM, with a proportionally larger TB. No degrade on longevity. Yep the FAST is much better than the LS6 manifold.
As far as melling oil pump, I would do this for peace of mind as well, while you're working on the motor. I am not familiar with the problems previously mentioned. However if done right, will increase the oil flow and pressure of your system - a good thing, especially for longevity.
I can't believe this wasn't mentioned yet, but the 4L60E is so frequently notorious for breaking and not even holding even mild power adders well.
The common points of failure:
1) Heat swelling and then shrinking the accumulator piston seals. This starves the clutch packs of fluid and burns the clutch packs. You'll usually lose 1/2nd or 3/4th gear.
2) The reaction shell that the input shaft goes into. The splines usually strip, or it grabs the splines and rips the outer ring straight off with it. You'll lose all gears this way.
This is why the A4 has so many memes with "Added extra power, and now my 4L60E has extra neutrals"
To be fair, it is quite an affair of luck. Some people's A4s last quite a bit under abuse or extra power, but they usually do go out. Keep in mind the people who say it won't go out, will not pay your bills when it does. It'd probably be good to have $2k or so sitting around just in case.
With that said, and the trans aside: An 02-04 Z06 cam, 243 or 799 heads, LS6 PCV system, and LS3 blue valve springs is plenty reliable with great daily manners on the stock converter.
I can't believe this wasn't mentioned yet, but the 4L60E is so frequently notorious for breaking and not even holding even mild power adders well.
The common points of failure:
1) Heat swelling and then shrinking the accumulator piston seals. This starves the clutch packs of fluid and burns the clutch packs. You'll usually lose 1/2nd or 3/4th gear.
2) The reaction shell that the input shaft goes into. The splines usually strip, or it grabs the splines and rips the outer ring straight off with it. You'll lose all gears this way.
This is why the A4 has so many memes with "Added extra power, and now my 4L60E has extra neutrals"
To be fair, it is quite an affair of luck. Some people's A4s last quite a bit under abuse or extra power, but they usually do go out. Keep in mind the people who say it won't go out, will not pay your bills when it does. It'd probably be good to have $2k or so sitting around just in case.
With that said, and the trans aside: An 02-04 Z06 cam, 243 or 799 heads, LS6 PCV system, and LS3 blue valve springs is plenty reliable with great daily manners on the stock converter.
Interesting information. I'm not familiar with the internal workings, however, RPM Transmissions is well known for upgrading, and should be able to set you up real nice, when ready.
great so Texas Speed fed me a line of **** when I just purchased their 383 shortblock built on a 5.3 aluminum motor. Awesome...it just keeps getting better for me
If you have it out and ever planned to do any power upgrades do it now. If you ever planned to forged anything or anything of the sort do it now. Dont wait and turn around and kick yourself later. If not. Do some basic stuff, the high volume oil pump isnt a bad idea and while there go ahead and change your timing chain. But if you do do a cam etc you will of course need a tune.
Its just makes sense to do the trunnion upgrade while you are doing a cam and you will need new pushrods. Its also a good idea to replace your lifters and buckets at the same time. Valve springs would have to be changed as well.
Its just makes sense to do the trunnion upgrade while you are doing a cam and you will need new pushrods. Its also a good idea to replace your lifters and buckets at the same time. Valve springs would have to be changed as well.
I really appreciate all the info everyone. Sorry for the slow reply. My office is switching to working from home (COVID-19), so it's been a busy week.
Josh, that was a wonderful video! I watched it twice, but I fell asleep the second time. It's like a pleasant bedtime story for motor heads.
I'm still on the fence about a cam, but a set of 1.8 rockers is still an appealing upgrade. Valve covers are no big deal. My lifters are tired anyway. Replacing the lifters, valve springs, and rockers (w/ trunnions) sounds like a good package.
Good point about the automatic trans being a weak point in the system. My second gear already shifts a little poorly... doesn't inspire confidence.
dskinsler83, I'm sorry you're second guessing your engine decision. I think the 5.3 sounds like a fun engine modify. I don't know that much about them, but the stock 5.3 we have in our truck purrs like a kitten.
While the engine is out...
