DIY cam swap...breaks engine... (update)
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 525
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver BC
I am still running the stock tune and have been taking it very easy and do not yet know much about the G5X1 driving experience! :-)
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 525
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver BC
Looking at the pics it appears you cam bolts walked out as the cause of this injury.
Cometic produces any size bore and thickness gasket for any engine. If you send them something obscure they will produce a one off gasket so ssaying you have a 'cometic gasket' doesnt tell anyone the info needed to calculate your new compression. Stock gaskets are .054" and if you went with .040" you are in the 11.3:1 to 11.4:1 range. The G5X1 is a 228 cam requiring at least that compression. Its a great cam and looks to be a good low end Tq monster.
On a side note, I think you are the greatest for manning up and publishing that things didnt go well and also for trying again. One thing though, why didnt you have me fly up to help? I did offer.
Cometic produces any size bore and thickness gasket for any engine. If you send them something obscure they will produce a one off gasket so ssaying you have a 'cometic gasket' doesnt tell anyone the info needed to calculate your new compression. Stock gaskets are .054" and if you went with .040" you are in the 11.3:1 to 11.4:1 range. The G5X1 is a 228 cam requiring at least that compression. Its a great cam and looks to be a good low end Tq monster.
On a side note, I think you are the greatest for manning up and publishing that things didnt go well and also for trying again. One thing though, why didnt you have me fly up to help? I did offer.
As for why I was not able to have the best guy (no pun intended) work on my Corvette:
1) Try as I might I could not find any place (empty garage, etc) to do the work where I am presently located.
2) Try as I might I could not find a proper collection of tools. My own tools are located at my parents place (where I vacationed).
2) The only time I could be without a car for days, is when I was on vacation.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 0
From: Troy MI
This is quite a post, so there was no piston damage?
If so, that is amazing!
I was worried when broke one valve spring
It's great when you can work through a problem like this on your own.
to DIY 
If so, that is amazing!
I was worried when broke one valve spring
It's great when you can work through a problem like this on your own.
to DIY
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,684
Likes: 107
From: Opelika Alabama
boy ain't that amazing! do a job, explode the motor, and everybody's happy about it ! and then do the job again, I thought my people/supply'ers were good by only letting me do it once! I'm going to have to talk to them?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Its kind of a reach to say people were happy about it. No one was happy he 'exploded the motor'. People were releived that the lower end survived without cracked liners. I guess you can say I was happy for the guy that the repair wasnt $10,000.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 525
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver BC
I was happy for the guy too! ;-)
One of the valve heads came off in my hand. If the valve head had let go at anytime the motor was turning over...
By the grace of God there wasn't more damage then there was.
One of the valve heads came off in my hand. If the valve head had let go at anytime the motor was turning over...
By the grace of God there wasn't more damage then there was.
SUBVETTE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 93
From: San Diego CA
Terrific photo story of a tragic event. You are to be commended for doing such an extarodinary job under such primitive conditions in the boonies. Most people wouldn't have the guts to do a teardown under those conditions. Thanks for sharing, and well done.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I didn't look at the pics first time I read this thread. Your sense of humor and the help from all but esp. LGMotorsports, are truly amazing. Considering where things were located and the damage done, congratulations on it all.
Again, it can't be stressed enough: a real hats off and kudos to LGMotorsports, I say. And to you for getting it right.
Again, it can't be stressed enough: a real hats off and kudos to LGMotorsports, I say.
And to you for getting it right.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,228
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale Az
[QUOTE=Craigster05;1566758513]You are to be congratulated on many fronts....first let me say I really admire that you retained your sense of humor and took this all as a learning experience. You had great support, from Lou at LG to the dog standing guard. 
Even though you had less than perfect working conditions, you improvised where you could, made the most of everything, and got your car working again.
We should all take a lesson, when things go wrong, they can go wrong REALLY BIG...and there are two ways to handle it....this is a great example of how to handle it the right way. No yelling, name calling, bashing, just a request for some help, a whole lot of intestinal fortitude, sweat and careful rebuilding...and a very big "Atta Boy!" from us all.
Even though you had less than perfect working conditions, you improvised where you could, made the most of everything, and got your car working again.We should all take a lesson, when things go wrong, they can go wrong REALLY BIG...and there are two ways to handle it....this is a great example of how to handle it the right way. No yelling, name calling, bashing, just a request for some help, a whole lot of intestinal fortitude, sweat and careful rebuilding...and a very big "Atta Boy!" from us all.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 525
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver BC
With the help of LG (emergency shipment of parts!) I was able to patch the motor back together and drive it for a while. As the weeks went on though I started to notice a knocking sound and the knocking sound became worse and worse. It turned out a piston skirt had broken off and one of the pistons was rocking in the cylinder. A new shortblock (forged 418) was then ordered and installed. The new shortblock consumed crazy amounts of oil, and after much troubleshooting, the aftermarket shortblock was pulled and sent back for rework.
Pics of the various tear downs can be seen here. Click on the "Round 1", "Round 2", etc.
http://sites.google.com/site/mrdrezzup/niterider
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,663
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 4
From: Cape May, NJ; Guntersville, AL; Orange Beach, AL
Congrats to you my friend. Great write up and I couldn't agree more about LG's customer support. Its some of the best costomer service I have received from any business, not just for the Vette.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 923
Likes: 37
From: Green Bay Wisconsin
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 525
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver BC
Try to imagine how much time I spent researching loctite (different types, different strategies for application etc) the next time around! Same holds true for torque wrenches and their proper use!