Difficulty level for installing AA kit?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,218
Likes: 0
From: Glendale AZ
94-vette's comments are a little harsh, but have merrit.
AtomicLS3,
installing a S/C can be done and its not impossible. A lot of us here were 'first timers' once. What I will offer tho as some advise.
If you are streching $$ to get a used kit, then dont.
You dont know what you are missing (if anything), or what lookes used/worn. You have nogthing to base it off of.
For your first time out of the gate buy a COMPLETE NEW kit from A&A or ECS (or many other fine vendors here).
Then you know you will have everything and it is in good working order.
Food for thought: If you think buying a new S/C kit is expensive. Imagine how much a new engine costs.
cheers
cahd
AtomicLS3,
installing a S/C can be done and its not impossible. A lot of us here were 'first timers' once. What I will offer tho as some advise.
If you are streching $$ to get a used kit, then dont.
You dont know what you are missing (if anything), or what lookes used/worn. You have nogthing to base it off of.
For your first time out of the gate buy a COMPLETE NEW kit from A&A or ECS (or many other fine vendors here).
Then you know you will have everything and it is in good working order.
Food for thought: If you think buying a new S/C kit is expensive. Imagine how much a new engine costs.
cheers
cahd
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,290
Likes: 0
From: Willow Springs IL
I agree with the others about buying a used kit. It will most definitely cost you more in the long run. A&A makes a damn fine kit that can be installed yourself if you take your time. Make sure that before you drive it hard (or at all if possible) that you have it properly tuned. Good luck and have fun!
Former Vendor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,327
Likes: 7
From: Oxnard SoCal www.aacorvette.com www.superchargersuperstore.com
I am most likely going to get a AA kit for my 08 c6 and wanted to hear the opinions of people who have installed their own kit by themselves. I am pretty knowledgable about cars and work on all my toys. I have a lot of tools in my garage. So how difficult is the entire install from 1-10? How long did it take? Did u run into any snags? Can you drive your car once finished to the runner or does the car not run right? Thanks
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 155
Likes: 1
From: Miami Florida
Thanks guys, you have swayed me into buying a new kit. When looking at the AA install guide it looks like there are a ton of little pieces that you need and it would probably be a hassle to find them all separate. Do self contained units offer any performance disadvantages?
Former Vendor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,327
Likes: 7
From: Oxnard SoCal www.aacorvette.com www.superchargersuperstore.com
Thanks guys, you have swayed me into buying a new kit. When looking at the AA install guide it looks like there are a ton of little pieces that you need and it would probably be a hassle to find them all separate. Do self contained units offer any performance disadvantages?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,502
Likes: 82
I'm not sure people are seeing the significance of this photo. What you are seeing is clear access to the crank bolt with the steering rack in-place. Simply loosen the 4 nuts down to the last couple of threads that hold the engine cradle, then remove the two motormount nuts, followed by raising the engine with a floor jack. Beats the crap out of pulling the steering rack..a lot less time and a lot less mess!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,502
Likes: 82
Fan has to come out but that is two bolts and a harness plug.
Magnacharger does it that way....Starts at step #56 http://www.magnacharger.com/pdf/manu...ntercooled.pdf
I've done it both ways...the last was drop the cradle method. I'll never use the pull the rack method again
Magnacharger does it that way....Starts at step #56 http://www.magnacharger.com/pdf/manu...ntercooled.pdf
I've done it both ways...the last was drop the cradle method. I'll never use the pull the rack method again
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,391
Likes: 23
From: Santa Barbara CA
Quoted myself
I'm not sure people are seeing the significance of this photo. What you are seeing is clear access to the crank bolt with the steering rack in-place. Simply loosen the 4 nuts down to the last couple of threads that hold the engine cradle, then remove the two motormount nuts, followed by raising the engine with a floor jack. Beats the crap out of pulling the steering rack..a lot less time and a lot less mess!!!
I'm not sure people are seeing the significance of this photo. What you are seeing is clear access to the crank bolt with the steering rack in-place. Simply loosen the 4 nuts down to the last couple of threads that hold the engine cradle, then remove the two motormount nuts, followed by raising the engine with a floor jack. Beats the crap out of pulling the steering rack..a lot less time and a lot less mess!!!
I saw it and kinda wish I'd done that instead of pulling my rack again (had it out for a cam swap last year).
But then again, I don't think pulling the rack is all that bad. The more tire consuming stuff for me was getting all the charge pipes and BOV where I wanted them, cutting the bumper, cutting the wheel well cover, modifying the heater hose (not required), etc. Basically, all the small stuff that I wanted to be perfect. I also changed the radiator and intake manifold during my install.
If I were flat-rating this job on someone else's car, it would probably be a different story.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 16,473
Likes: 2,370
From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
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Fan has to come out but that is two bolts and a harness plug.
Magnacharger does it that way....Starts at step #56 http://www.magnacharger.com/pdf/manu...ntercooled.pdf
I've done it both ways...the last was drop the cradle method. I'll never use the pull the rack method again
Magnacharger does it that way....Starts at step #56 http://www.magnacharger.com/pdf/manu...ntercooled.pdf
I've done it both ways...the last was drop the cradle method. I'll never use the pull the rack method again
I've been with Ken on several installs with mine being the first. Anyone with a Z51 optioned car will appreciate the cradle method over the rack method. If we had known about the cradle method when we did my car we would have saved hours and several DNA deposits in the engine bay.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,502
Likes: 82
I saw it and kinda wish I'd done that instead of pulling my rack again (had it out for a cam swap last year).
But then again, I don't think pulling the rack is all that bad. The more tire consuming stuff for me was getting all the charge pipes and BOV where I wanted them, cutting the bumper, cutting the wheel well cover, modifying the heater hose (not required), etc. Basically, all the small stuff that I wanted to be perfect. I also changed the radiator and intake manifold during my install.
If I were flat-rating this job on someone else's car, it would probably be a different story.
But then again, I don't think pulling the rack is all that bad. The more tire consuming stuff for me was getting all the charge pipes and BOV where I wanted them, cutting the bumper, cutting the wheel well cover, modifying the heater hose (not required), etc. Basically, all the small stuff that I wanted to be perfect. I also changed the radiator and intake manifold during my install.
If I were flat-rating this job on someone else's car, it would probably be a different story.
Pulling the rack isn't that bad but the other method is mucho easiero!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 155
Likes: 1
From: Miami Florida
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: San Diego Ca
[QUOTE=Motorhead-47;1577189045]Quoted myself
I'm not sure people are seeing the significance of this photo. What you are seeing is clear access to the crank bolt with the steering rack in-place. Simply loosen the 4 nuts down to the last couple of threads that hold the engine cradle, then remove the two motormount nuts, followed by raising the engine with a floor jack. Beats the crap out of pulling the steering rack..a lot less time and a lot less mess!!![/QUO
Thanks for the great tip, getting ready to install my A&A S/C Kit this weekend on my 05 should make things go a lot quicker. I am a more nervous about tuning the car with my HP tuner software then the overall kit install.
JesseB
I'm not sure people are seeing the significance of this photo. What you are seeing is clear access to the crank bolt with the steering rack in-place. Simply loosen the 4 nuts down to the last couple of threads that hold the engine cradle, then remove the two motormount nuts, followed by raising the engine with a floor jack. Beats the crap out of pulling the steering rack..a lot less time and a lot less mess!!![/QUO
Thanks for the great tip, getting ready to install my A&A S/C Kit this weekend on my 05 should make things go a lot quicker. I am a more nervous about tuning the car with my HP tuner software then the overall kit install.
JesseB