Head/Cam install NORCAL
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,020
Likes: 0
From: Union City CA
Re: Head/Cam install NORCAL (dexter)
I'm off to SCAL next friday to have MMS do my top end install. I came to similar conclusions other's have here regarding labour rates.
My set up is
stage II heads, 218/218 114 cam
longtubes, LS6 intake
George
My set up is
stage II heads, 218/218 114 cam
longtubes, LS6 intake
George
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Re: Head/Cam install NORCAL (Speed-Racer)
I'm off to SCAL next friday to have MMS do my top end install. I came to similar conclusions other's have here regarding labour rates.
My set up is
stage II heads, 218/218 114 cam
longtubes, LS6 intake
George
My set up is
stage II heads, 218/218 114 cam
longtubes, LS6 intake
George
Good luck, and please share with us your experience! :yesnod: :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 1,150
Likes: 0
From: Saratoga CA
Re: Head/Cam install NORCAL (Z0 SICK)
I'm off to SCAL next friday to have MMS do my top end install. I came to similar conclusions other's have here regarding labour rates.
My set up is
stage II heads, 218/218 114 cam
longtubes, LS6 intake
George
George,
Good luck, and please share with us your experience! :yesnod: :cheers:
99 C5 M6
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 1
From: the West is the best
Re: Head/Cam install NORCAL (akw408)
well, I picked up my car today, on time and as promised by Ralph in one week. We did not dyno my car as Ralph has just moved in his new shop and his dyno is not quite ready. No problem though, as the car definately needs to be tuned. It will hold an idle, a rather precarious idle, dropping to say 3-4 before ever so slowly coming back.
Both Cartek and the folks at LS1 edit say to go ahead and drill a small hole into the TB blade to better hold idle and wait for the LS1 edit for '01-02. I may dyno next week in the Bay Area once I improve the idle a wee bit. Driving home tonight and wading through a wreck on the highway was a little tedious as well as slowing down to pay the toll at San Mateo Bridge.
I took it fairly easy on the way home tonight so I can't give impressions of WOT, nice lope to the cam , however. Ralph accomplished everything I asked and expected and at a great price. Sub $1000 install is pretty tough to beat. I had quotes in the Bay Area (are you sitting down?) from $1400 to $2400 just for labor. I will be posting a video of the initial startup once Ralph sends it my way. I am very anxious for LS1 edit to be released in May (please pretty please) Thanks to the support and encouragement from all...
[Modified by 2ndVette, 11:47 AM 3/10/2002]
Both Cartek and the folks at LS1 edit say to go ahead and drill a small hole into the TB blade to better hold idle and wait for the LS1 edit for '01-02. I may dyno next week in the Bay Area once I improve the idle a wee bit. Driving home tonight and wading through a wreck on the highway was a little tedious as well as slowing down to pay the toll at San Mateo Bridge.
I took it fairly easy on the way home tonight so I can't give impressions of WOT, nice lope to the cam , however. Ralph accomplished everything I asked and expected and at a great price. Sub $1000 install is pretty tough to beat. I had quotes in the Bay Area (are you sitting down?) from $1400 to $2400 just for labor. I will be posting a video of the initial startup once Ralph sends it my way. I am very anxious for LS1 edit to be released in May (please pretty please) Thanks to the support and encouragement from all...
[Modified by 2ndVette, 11:47 AM 3/10/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 0
From: bay area,CA,USA
Re: Head/Cam install NORCAL (2ndVette)
Good to see you got your car back. The idle thing would bug the poopie out of me :mad I guess I am going to have to go out of state to get what I want :( performance and drivability
[Modified by NastyC5, 1:40 AM 3/10/2002]
[Modified by NastyC5, 1:40 AM 3/10/2002]
Racer
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: Antioch, CA
Re: Head/Cam install NORCAL (Z0 SICK)
ZO Sick sweet pic.
HRH has a fantastic record in the local F-body community. Check out some of the threads on http://www.norcal-ls1.net and talk to the folks there for more second opinions.
HE's worked on C5s too. Personally runs an ARE 422 in his F-body. He's the only authorized ARE distributor and installer in CA. From what I've heard, attention to detail and care of your car is excellent.
I plan to have him install an ARE 396 in my 94 Z28 this summer...
HRH has a fantastic record in the local F-body community. Check out some of the threads on http://www.norcal-ls1.net and talk to the folks there for more second opinions.
HE's worked on C5s too. Personally runs an ARE 422 in his F-body. He's the only authorized ARE distributor and installer in CA. From what I've heard, attention to detail and care of your car is excellent.
I plan to have him install an ARE 396 in my 94 Z28 this summer...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 0
From: Rocklin CA
Re: Head/Cam install NORCAL (daveydc5)
Ya the stock programming doesn't like the taller cam! My car still doesn't idle all the great with the Superchip programming. It idles around 1k, a little hi but runs fairly smooth. $1K install is a not a bad price. I paid about $1600 at the dealer. I chose the dealer because the labor came with a warranty. I saw a few horror stories on the LS1 site about not getting all the coolant out of the block. And the block cracked. Dynoing the car with out the programming isn't really going to tell you what the cars potential is . The programming will make a big difference in the cars overall performance. I'd wait, if you get a programmer that can put the car back to stock. Then you can dyno it both ways and really see what you paid for!
Best of luck to ya!
Best of luck to ya!
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
Re: Head/Cam install NORCAL (NastyC5)
You have to realize that our cars require programing to run correctly after a large cam install. Just drilling the TB does not always help. I had to drill my TB and adjust my set screw and it still idles like crap till I can reprogram my PCM for the desired idle speed.
I saw the red Z06 in Ralphs shop the whole week it was there as I was working on my car since Ralph was nice enough to let me use his shop and tools to get my car race ready. I will say that car is very clean, and Ralph did an excellent job on it. The only issue I have with Hot Rod Heaven is that he is doing SOO many of these C5s and Z06s that I won't know what Vettes are safe for me to race anymore!!! :( I guess I better finish the nitrous install here pretty quick. :)
I saw the red Z06 in Ralphs shop the whole week it was there as I was working on my car since Ralph was nice enough to let me use his shop and tools to get my car race ready. I will say that car is very clean, and Ralph did an excellent job on it. The only issue I have with Hot Rod Heaven is that he is doing SOO many of these C5s and Z06s that I won't know what Vettes are safe for me to race anymore!!! :( I guess I better finish the nitrous install here pretty quick. :)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 1,150
Likes: 0
From: Saratoga CA
Re: Head/Cam install NORCAL (2ndVette)
well, I picked up my car today, on time and as promised by Ralph in one week. We did not dyno my car as Ralph has just moved in his new shop and his dyno is not quite ready. No problem though, as the car definately needs to be tuned. It will hold an idle, a rather precarious idle, dropping to say 3-4 before ever so slowly coming back.
Both Cartek and the folks at LS1 edit say to go ahead and drill a small hole into the TB blade to better hold idle and wait for the LS1 edit for '01-02. I may dyno next week in the Bay Area once I improve the idle a wee bit. Driving home tonight and wading through a wreck on the highway was a little tedious as well as slowing down to pay the toll at San Mateo Bridge.
I took it fairly easy on the way home tonight so I can't give impressions of WOT, nice lope to the cam , however. Ralph accomplished everything I asked and expected and at a great price. Sub $1000 install is pretty tough to beat. I had quotes in the Bay Area (are you sitting down?) from $1400 to $2400 just for labor. I will be posting a video of the initial startup once Ralph sends it my way. I am very anxious for LS1 edit to be released in May (please pretty please) Thanks to the support and encouragement from all...
[Modified by 2ndVette, 11:47 AM 3/10/2002]
Both Cartek and the folks at LS1 edit say to go ahead and drill a small hole into the TB blade to better hold idle and wait for the LS1 edit for '01-02. I may dyno next week in the Bay Area once I improve the idle a wee bit. Driving home tonight and wading through a wreck on the highway was a little tedious as well as slowing down to pay the toll at San Mateo Bridge.
I took it fairly easy on the way home tonight so I can't give impressions of WOT, nice lope to the cam , however. Ralph accomplished everything I asked and expected and at a great price. Sub $1000 install is pretty tough to beat. I had quotes in the Bay Area (are you sitting down?) from $1400 to $2400 just for labor. I will be posting a video of the initial startup once Ralph sends it my way. I am very anxious for LS1 edit to be released in May (please pretty please) Thanks to the support and encouragement from all...
[Modified by 2ndVette, 11:47 AM 3/10/2002]
Yes, Ralph's prices are very reasonable, the prices in the bay area are just ridiculous. If you're looking for ARE stuff, Ralph is the hookup around here.
99 C5 M6
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 1
From: the West is the best
Re: Head/Cam install NORCAL (akw408)
ahhhhhh. The benefits of drilling an 11/32 hole in the TB blade.... Idle is very acceptable now and I can wait patiently for LS1 edit (with right foot tapping and fingers rapping on desk)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,976
Likes: 527
From: Clouds Over California
Re: Head/Cam install NORCAL (C54TIM)
HEHE, my car was Ralph's first C5, and I got the H&C package ARE STAGE 2, LS6 Intake, SPEC clutch, TPIS headers, ASP pully, dyno tuning, for $1500.00. Kind of a cool dude charging F body prices and not cost inflating our C5's, he did say he was going to charge $150-200 more for C5's only because of the extra time it takes to pull the steering rack for the cam, it used to be $650 for a H&C install now it is going to be $850 plus $450 for tuning. All as I can say is that with over 400 RWHP it is hard to keep my 335's from spinning when I shift into 2nd gear..alot of fun for sure. I am happy you did not have to ship your car to TEXAS. Ralph also installs MTI/CARTEK but is an Authorized ARE distributor and trusted by Nick. He runs an ARE 422 in his almost gutted Trans AM, this car is going to totally kick butt and I am going to be looking for it to hit low 9's maybe high 8's on a 200 shot...we will see. The customized Yank Auto is totally tricked out for drag racing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,976
Likes: 527
From: Clouds Over California
Re: Head/Cam install NORCAL (C54TIM)
Oh C4TIM knows the difference between a wrench and tuning, that is why he ended up with an (M6) stage II H&C car with 375 RWHP. Check this out dude you are wrong. If you see me in person again, just ask I will tell you. You don't clean up an internet post by saying this is not a slam and then state that somebody doesn't know about the difference between wrenching or tuning, its not his fault your car doesn't get the numbers....Ralph did my car and it is dynoing alot higher than yours, maybe he does know something about tuning and wrenching that you do not.
[Modified by Shinobi's97, 12:37 PM 3/11/2002]
[Modified by Shinobi's97, 12:37 PM 3/11/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 0
From: Rocklin CA
Re: Head/Cam install NORCAL (Shinobi's97)
Oh C4TIM knows the difference between a wrench and tuning, that is why he ended up with a WCC stage II H&C car with 375 RWHP. Check this out dude I will tell you are wrong next time I see you to your face as I will over the internet..if you bring it up like that again...It sounds like you and Ron Eastman should be hanging out more together.
All I did was state my experiences at Ralph’s shop! Never said he was bad or good! By the way it was a Breathless Performance Stage II package, not a WCC. I know what's wrong with my car I bought the wrong package. I should of gone with a LPE, Mallett or DRM.
[Modified by C54TIM, 10:38 AM 3/11/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,976
Likes: 527
From: Clouds Over California
Re: Head/Cam install NORCAL (C54TIM)
What you did to me is inadvertantly slam my friend, and I take that personally. If he screwed up your car and pulled a John Hennessey then I could understand the debate, but for you to sit there and challenge somebodys work because of some 02 sensor thing is rediculous, don't put yourself in the same class as Ron . This internet is a a funny tool, its easy to use for harm and benefit. I don't like people slamming my friends unless they deserve it and then I still don't like, but if they have it coming they have it coming. Thats what I feel you did with your comment. If you honestly didn't mean to then I its forgotten about. See you at the next event.