C5 Z06 Upgrades
#1
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C5 Z06 Upgrades
The harmonic balancer on my 02Z has been wobbling so I've ordered a new one. When I was reading through all the forums about how to make this repair, multiple people recommended upgrading the cam since I'll already have a lot of things off. Wasn't initially planning on it but the mod bug bit me and I ordered a new camshaft kit and of course you need some longtubes to go with it so I ordered a set of those too. Looks like I'm going to be busy for a while! I've never installed any of these things but am fairly competent and think I'll be able to handle it. Does anyone have any tips or recommendations? Performance-wise, my car is currently all stock. Below is a list of what I'll be installing:
Am I missing anything or is there anything else I should look at while I've got a lot of things pulled off? I'm still looking at tuning options and also considering a CAI (vararam, halltech, blackwing...), but that might be a future mod along with possibly a larger TB.
- Powerbond 25% underdrive harmonic balancer (PBU1480SS25)
- ARP bolt (234-2503)
- New belts (Gatorback #4060775, #4040400)
- ATI pin kit (ATI918993)
- Valve cover gaskets
- XSPower v4 longtube headers and x-pipe
- FTI streetsweeper HT 228*-232*-111*-.612"-.600"
- FTI Pro-Series Hardened Push Rods
- Steel Shelled Viton Valve Seals
- Hardened Seven Degree Valve Locks
- Seven Degree Chromemoly Retainers
- LSx .650" Lift Dual Valve Springs
- Comp cam and lifter installation lube
Am I missing anything or is there anything else I should look at while I've got a lot of things pulled off? I'm still looking at tuning options and also considering a CAI (vararam, halltech, blackwing...), but that might be a future mod along with possibly a larger TB.
#2
Burning Brakes
How many miles? The oil pump will need to be r and r'ed so consider replacing/upgrading. Timing chain too. Rocker trunnion upgrades are also popular. Since the electrical system is known to be particular I've heard people recommending against smaller balancers.
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Twhittle14 (03-24-2019)
#3
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96k miles. I read about people replacing the oil pump and timing chain during a cam swap so I'll look into those. Are upgraded ones recommended or are stock replacements good enough? I'm not sure what a rocker trunnion is. Is it a bad idea not to upgrade those when installing a larger cam? I've read mixed reviews about underdrive pulleys causing the alternator to not be able to supply enough power. It seems like it mostly happens when you're stuck in traffic and not moving for a while. I imagine there are alternator upgrades that can resolve this problem?
#4
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You’re going to be busy. Good luck with all the changes.
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Twhittle14 (03-26-2019)
#5
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Nice build, will definitely be a different car afterwards
Katech c5r timing chain, trunnion upgrade for sure, might want to replace lifters with that many miles, Johnson 2110’s are good, I’ve been running the powerbond 25% underdrive pulley for years with no issues, they make a 10% that would work fine also
Katech c5r timing chain, trunnion upgrade for sure, might want to replace lifters with that many miles, Johnson 2110’s are good, I’ve been running the powerbond 25% underdrive pulley for years with no issues, they make a 10% that would work fine also
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Twhittle14 (03-26-2019)
#6
Burning Brakes
96k miles. I read about people replacing the oil pump and timing chain during a cam swap so I'll look into those. Are upgraded ones recommended or are stock replacements good enough? I'm not sure what a rocker trunnion is. Is it a bad idea not to upgrade those when installing a larger cam? I've read mixed reviews about underdrive pulleys causing the alternator to not be able to supply enough power. It seems like it mostly happens when you're stuck in traffic and not moving for a while. I imagine there are alternator upgrades that can resolve this problem?
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Twhittle14 (03-26-2019)
#7
Drifting
96k miles. I read about people replacing the oil pump and timing chain during a cam swap so I'll look into those. Are upgraded ones recommended or are stock replacements good enough? I'm not sure what a rocker trunnion is. Is it a bad idea not to upgrade those when installing a larger cam? I've read mixed reviews about underdrive pulleys causing the alternator to not be able to supply enough power. It seems like it mostly happens when you're stuck in traffic and not moving for a while. I imagine there are alternator upgrades that can resolve this problem?
The shop that did my cam install did the following @ same time: pushrods, BTR dual valve springs (actually already had some in the car w/ about 20k miles on em - these should be swapped anyhow as the factory ones are prone to cracking), Ktech C5R timing chain, SFI stock sized UD pulley, rebuilt port/polished the oil pump, front main seal replace w/ OEM, water pump R&R's w/ new OEM gasket, & fresh irdium plugs + oil change/coolant/freon etc. that needs refreshing during install
If you're doing headers make sure you get a set of GM OEM quality gaskets even the high-end header companies don't provide the same quality gaskets & last thing you wanna do is remove em after install due to a leak. Also should have plug wire protectors keep em from getting fried.
I'd also throw in a clutch fluid bleed while you're at it
I'd recommend adding some dynamat/heat shield stuff around the Torque tube tunnel & around cockpit wherever you can get too depending how crazy you wanna go. These things get hot as it is w/ stock manifolds once you throw headers on alot of heat seeps into cabin & the dynamat also helps making the car quieter inside keeping out road noise & makes interior feel "tighter"
May be some other stuff I'm missing but those are the big items
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Twhittle14 (03-26-2019)
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#10
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Thanks for all the replies. I'll order a new oil pump, timing chain, and rocket trunnion kit too. Might as well do it right and replace them while I'm working on everything. Hope I didn't bite off more than I can chew! I'm planning to replace a power steering hose that has a small leak too. Going to be a lot of work for sure. Thankfully there's this forum and youtube!
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Twhittle14 (03-28-2019)
#12
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