My page is going to have a major overhaul when my new project is done. The photos from old set ups will be taken to a minimum and the new set up photos will be the highlight. I have a new 408 going in the car with rearend and trans to boot. Should be a very streetable set up. Thanks for viewing
Earles Pearl
and her home
2002 Camaro SS #7424
Purchased June 02
Just FYI I bought it from Vista Chevrolet in Las Vegas and I got a great deal no where near the $34,015 that the stickers add up to.
Options include:
Arctic White, Ebony Leather, T-tops, A4, with SLP Options; SS floor mats and deck mat; SS Key Fobs and dash plaque; SS 10 Spoke Chrome rims; SS Front Grill, SLP Dual/Dual Exhaust; SLP lid (not the same as the aftermarket one);
Production Numbers
10U Arctic White SS -1 of 478 - 9.1%;
10U Arctic White with the A4 & SS -1 of 246 - 7.0%;
192 Ebony "Supersoft - Sierra" Leather - 16,276;
CC1 Removable roof panels - 24.071 - 57.6%
Stock Dyno with 23,000 miles. Yes I waited a long time to do it. I just wanted to wait until I was ready to mod it. The car put down 311/320. My factory warranty ran out June 22 2005, so let the modding begin!
Additions:
1. K&N Filter;
2. ARP cam retaining plate kit and head stud kit
3. BMR SFC's (weld on); BMR STB;
4. Baer Eradispeeds installed with pictures on page 3, and on page 4(under construction)
5. Kooks long tubes and Y-Pipe
6. AFR 205's 60cc combustion chambers, upgraded shimmed springs
7. HKE cam 242/244 .610/.612 113+3
8. Rollmaster Adjustable HD dual roller timing chain
9. MSD 8.5 wires,
10. NGK TR6's,
11. Hypertech 160* Thermostat
12. TFS 7.35 chromemoly pushrods
13. Tuning by John Weeks xXx Motorsports
14. Magnaflow catback
15. Bilstein shocks
16. Yank SS3600, B&M tranny cooler
17. Nitto 555's put on 5 Dec. 2005
18. BMR lower control arms
19. F.A.S.T. 90mm intake
20. Nick Williams 90mm Throttle Body
21. SLP air lid
22. 17X9.5 Chrome C6 Z06 rims...will be installed soon
23. JL Audio 4 X TR650 & 1 MTX Stealth box w/ JL Audio e2150 amp
24. BMR springs...I just swapped out my eibachs for the BMR springs. The eibachs were just too low, tired of scraping every speed bump.
25. LS6 oil pump
26. LS6 valley conversion
27. LS7 Lifters
28. HKE 408
29. Moser 12 bolt TruTrac with 3.42 gears from EPP
30. Performabuilt Level II 4L60E transmission
31. UMI torque arm with drive shaft safety loop
32. UMI Panhard bar
33. Racetronix fuel pump and harness
34. Ford 42# fuel injectors
35. KaTech tensioner
36. Powerbond pulley
37. 85mm MAF
Oct. 2002
I actually started modding the car in October 2002 before going to the Gulf the first time. I purchased a K&N filter to replace the factory paper one and noticed no improvement in track times what so ever...
Jun. 2004
Then I did nothing else to the car until June 2004 when I purchased the Eibach pro-kit. John Lynn helped me install it at his house. Really made the car look better but the ride left something to be desired. I then purchased and installed the BMR shock tower brace and subframe connectors.
Nov. 2004
After having the stock rotors turned and replaced only to warp again I decided to go aftermarket. I purchased and installed the Baer Eradispeed + rotors and thermoquiet pad. I love these they look good as long as you have used your brakes since the last rain to scrape the spots off and perform better than they look. I also purchased a the AUXBOX which lets me connect my iPod to the car stereo and use my stereo controls. Love this...love this, sounds great.
Jun 2005
Ordered the Force Fed High Performance stage 2 heads, Thunder Racing 224 cam and CM pushrods, hypertech 180* stat, double roller timing chain, MSD wires, NGK TR55 plugs, Jet Hot long tube headers and Y-pipe with cats, ARP head bolts (ordered during install), and tuning with HP Tuners with tuning by John Weeks. The install started on Friday, August 19, 2005. We were doing well until a head bolt broke in the passenger side of the block. We managed to get it out after several hours of working at it...sure did make me pucker though when it happened. We finished the install on the following Friday.
August 26, 2005
We finished the install and had the engine back together when the next gremlin reared its ugly head which was the idler pulley (put on incorrectly by me) broke and threw the belt...fixed in 30 minutes with spare one that Wide Open Throttle Performance had on hand (shop that assisted me with this install). We got it together, fluids topped off and took it for a drive. The next gremlin popped up. This time it was the power steering pulley that broke while driving. The car overheated and my wife had to come and tow me back to the shop where again we replaced that pulley with a spare that the shop had. I drove home that night. Car sounded awesome with the mods even through the stock cat back exhaust.
Sep. 22 2005
Well here is the Dyno post H/C/LTH install but before tuning.
Oct. 3 2005
Modified tuned dyno numbers
............SAE correction.......................................................................STD Correction
Nov. 2005
I just bought and installed a Magnaflow exhaust...Oh my this is so much louder than the stock exhaust, at idle, at RPM no matter it is louder, and meaner sounding. I love it. I purchased it from Transamws686 on LS1tech.com. He got me a better deal than I could find anywhere.
My SS after the LTH, cam, and heads.
Sound clips of the new Magnaflow exhaust and another clip
Dec 3 2005 Plans
I recently purchased a set of Bilstein shocks from SLPONLINE. They should be here any day and I will get them installed. I am in the process of getting a Yank SS3200 / 2.1 STR used from a local guy. I hope the deal does not fall through. I plan to pick it up this weekend. I will install it in the spring with a B&M tranny cooler and plan on BMR Lower control arms, panhard bar, and relocation brackets.
Dec 5 2005
Bought the Nitto 555's today and had them mounted and balanced. Still waiting on the Bilsteins to arrive from SLP. Picked up Yank 3200/2.1STR from a Pensacola guy this past weekend. I hope to install it in the spring after I get to run a couple of times with the current mods.
Dec 10 2005
Well I got the 2 rear Bilstein shocks on today and will put the fronts on tomorrow. It was a real pain to do the rears because you have to pull back the carpet in the hatch area to get to it. Well after several hours of back breaking work I got the new shocks on all of them.
March 12, 2006
Today I went to Wide Open Throttle Performance and installed my Yank 3200 stall converter, B&M transmission cooler, BMR lower control arms, and 9 quarts of royal purple transmission fluid. I will get my relocation brackets welded on as soon as I get a chance. I will post up the new times when I go to the KYHORSEPOWER Shootout on 26 March 2006.
August 7, 2006
Just ordered my F.A.S.T. 90mm intake and Nick Williams 90mmTB as well as an SLP air lid. I am hoping to get ready for the Super Chevy Show Oct. 20,21, and 22nd. Will install these as soon as I get home from Iraq.
August 16, 2006
Purchased 4 Chrome C6 Z06 17" X 9.5"...will post pics as soon as they come in. 25 September 2006, got some tires and put on my new rims.
October 9, 2006
Just installed the FAST intake and NW 90 TB, and the whisper lid. Did the throttle body bypass at the same time. Need to do some logging, also found the possible cause of my false knock.
October 11, 2006
Well we are still having some KR. So I am going to XXX Performance to get some tuning done and see if the KR can be tuned out.
October 26, 2006
I got my new sound system installed. I have 4 JL Audio TR650, 1 MTX stealth box and 1 e2150 JL Audio amp. Rond helped me out with the install. Very clean but I am going to clean it up some more and will then put up some pictures.
Feb. 14, 2007
Just finished installing the new BMR springs, car is noticably higher but the new ground clearance is a breath of fresh air. I was so tired of rubbing on every speed bump. We decided to put on some new poly bushings on the swaybar endlinks while we were down there.
April 11, 2007
I just recently ordered AFR heads, custom cam spec'd out by Patrick G. I plan the install as soon as all parts arrive. I will update as soon as possible.
Best ET (stock) in Las Vegas
2.15 60'
9.1 @ 81.3
13.81 @ 101.8
Best ET (stock) in Florida
60' 2.11
330' 5.8199
1/8 8.81@83
New Best ET (Modified) Florida 1/8th Feb 27, 2006
60' 2.0
1/8 8.2 @ 87.9
New Best after the TC went in, Clay City KY 1/4 Mar 26, 2006
60' 1.959 (need sticky tires)
330' 5.567
1/8th 8.043 @ 89.866
1/4 12.429 @ 111.115
I did finish 2nd in the brackets...sleeping at the light and spotted the other lane a full second on the tree.
5 October 2007 my best 1/8th mile before she blew a piston
1/8 7.86 @ 91 then boom on the way home.
8 May 2007
I have received my AFR 205 heads, custom cam, gaskets, seals, ARP studs, LS6 ported oil pump but I am waiting to hear back from Thunder Racing about my cam specs being off a little too much. They have great customer service there and that is why I have always done business with them. I can't wait to get this stuff installed. I already have my 224 cam sold and the patriot heads. Will be doing the install in a couple of weeks, before June 1 anyway.
October 5, 2007
OK...today the #7 piston grenaded. So there will be a mass replacement of parts. I am starting with a 408 shortblock from HKE Racing Engines (builder Erik Koenig). Next is the transmission from Performabuilt transmission level II 4L60E, freshen and restall the Yank TC to 3600, Moser 12 bolt with 3.42 gears, PST driveshaft and some other goodies that will be listed in the mod list. Pictures of piston and spark plug from good 'ol #7. Pics at the bottom.
October 26, 2007
Today my Moser 12 bolt arrived, the transmission may be delayed because I saw on the tracker it was damaged in shipping. They may ship it back to performabuilt. My 408 is being built by HKE Racing engines. They are going to check out my heads, install a cam (242/244 .610/.612 113+3) and adjustable timing chain. Just received my transmission from Performabuilt.
20 Dec 2007
My new motor from HKE arrived...complete long block with my AFR heads, custom HKE cam degreed by HKE. When I get home from deployment the install will begin. I will keep everyone up to date on the progress.
New Engine Performance Modifications:
408ci with forged internals
AFR 60cc 205 heads
10% Powerbond underdrive pulley
FAST 90 / NW 90
85mm Z06 MAF
cam 242/244 610/612 113+3 degreed by HKE
Kooks 1 7/8 headers with ORY magnaflow catback
Core 6.0 LS1 Block
Bore and Hone W/ TQ Plates up to .030 over
Line Hone Main Bores
Set Deck W/ Customer's Pistons
Balance Rotating Assembly
Assemble Engine Short Block
Eagle 4340 LS1 4.000 Crankshaft
Callies Compstar 6.125 LS1 Rods W/ ARP 2000 rod bolts
Wiseco K445H3 LS1 15cc Pistons 4.030 Bore
1/16 3.0mm Rings 1.110 Compressed Height
Wiseco HF Piston Rings 1/16 3.0mm
Federal Mogul 152M 3/4 Groove Main Bearings for LS1
ACL CB 663 H Rod Bearings for 2.100 SBC Chamfered Race Bearings
Durabond CH 10 LS1 Cam Bearings uncoated
ARP Main Studs for LS1
Rollmaster LS1 Adjustable Double Roller Timing Chain
Racetronix fuel pump,
42# Ford racing injectors
LS6 ported oil pump
LS6 valley conversion
Thunder Racing Billet Aluminum Catch can
Suspension/Chassis:
BMR SubFrame Connectors, BMR Strut Tower Brace to firm up the chassis
BMR Lower Control Arms, UMI Torque Arm to help plant the power to the wheels
UMI Driveshaft Safety Loop
UMI Adjustable Panhard Bar to center the rear
Spohn Rear Swaybar to fit the Moser rear
BMR Lowering Springs for the right stance
Drivetrain:
Performabuilt level II transmission and Yank SS 3600 Stall for some good launches
B&M Transmission Cooler to protect the tranny
B&M Deep Tranny Pan with drain plug
Moser Rear end 12-bolt with 3.42 gears and TruTrac from Exotic Performance Plus
Frustrating day
Today I installed my transmission and DS safety loop. I now have to remove the transmission and DS safety loop to re-install the torque converter. I am so frustrated I am sick to my stomach...it took me 2 jacks, 2 jackstands and 3 hours to do this by myself. I am not looking forward to it again tomorrow. I will post new progress pics later...not in the mood today. F#$^, M#$%*@# F@#$@#, S$%&
18 April '08 Build progress
Well the Yank Torque converter won't be here until Monday. I am going to get everything else installed this weekend and the trans next week and get the tune done.
Apr
19
Today the headers, AC, Alternator, and PS pump were installed.
The headers are 1 7/8, the passenger side went in easily the driver's side I had to pull the motor mount bolt to make room. I could not clear the K-member from the bottom and the heads from the top. So we pulled the motor mount and used a jack to move the motor enough to get it up through.
The AC, alternator, and PS pump were relatively easy to get run thank goodness. Will update more later.
Almost finished
Installed AC condensor, radiator, pulleys, water pump, 160 thermostat, flex plate...ready for the tranny tomorrow. It will be hard for me and my jack to get it done but not impossible I don't think. Wish me luck.
PS Pulley install
To install the PS pulley I used the following and it cost $8.00 at Lowe's.
Hillman 3/8-16 x 6" Hex Tap Bolts (comes 2 in a bag) (picture 1)
Hillman 3/8-16 Coupling Nut (comes 2 in a bag)
Hillman 3/8x 2" Fender washers (comes 4 in a bag)
1 can WD40
1 ½ in ratchet
1 14mm socket
1 5/8 wrench
Put the pulley in place after using WD40 on all moving parts (bolt, pulley receiver, coupling nut)…have the bolt set up with the coupling nut on first then all the washer for strength (otherwise you may bend just one or two). Screw the bolt into the pulley receiver (for lack of the proper term) as in picture 2. Snug up the washers to the pulley with the coupling nut with your hands. Then put the wrench on the coupling nut and the socket on the bolt as in picture 3. Turn the nut clockwise while holding the bolt still with the socket/ratchet. If the bolt turns then flip the switch the other direction so it will not turn…continue to tighten the coupling nut until pulley is seated.
Update for today
The transmission is up, the driveshaft is in, safety loop is in, new sway bar, fuel pump wiring harness, new FMS 42# fuel injectors, and some wiring was done. The most frustrating thing was the trans. dipstick did not want to go in...that is like a puzzle getting that thing back in the hole. I think I am gonna get a new one, we will see though.
Apr
28
Button up...NOT
I have finished everything except the exhaust. I am waiting on the Y-pipe hook up. I will update when it is resolved.
Finally buttoned up :(
I have finally got everything installed and the transmission pump is broken so I have to pull it back out and reinstall it. This is becoming a nightmare. I hope it will be worth it. The car did start won't hold an idle very well right now but maybe soon. The tuner may be able to come this week to fix the idle. I will update when the new pump is installed, initial tune is in and we hit the road.
Finally the first drive
I finally got the first drive and a few break in miles. The transmission pump was replaced and the car ran for the first time in 8 months. Felt good to drive the car again. I picked up a few a couple new things...the Lokar Trans dipstick, very nice piece and Oil dipstick. The Mr. Gasket dipstick was sweet too. The car feels pretty strong...lost traction pretty easily even at 50-60% throttle. That is all for now, when the motor is broken in I will get it on the dyno and report back with some numbers. Maybe another video too.
-Jon
Tune is on
I went to xXx Motorsports and got a tune put on the car until it gets a few more miles on it. I have about 250 now. The car put down 456/445 through full exhaust. I will get some more numbers later when the cutout is installed and the intake is ported. I also plan to get an electric water pump. My stocker is making a weird noise...maybe the bearings are bad???
Replaced the tranny again
Well the transmission from Performabuilt had a crack near the piston on the passenger side. It did not look like it would cause any trouble but it leaked continuously after the install. I talked to Frank a few times, changed the seal to that piston and finally replaced the tranny. Thanks Frank for your help and the new tranny case. No leaks now. Wooohooo!!!
Line Lock Install
I bought an SLP line lock kit a couple weeks ago, after a rather unsuccessful trip to the track. The kit was very easy to install. I will get some pictures up later on. I want to get a new control switch. I want one that will control my nitrous kit also once I buy it and get it installed.
Track time
Well I had my first trip to the track with slicks...I went once a few weeks ago before now with drag radials. All I can say is that "it was not pretty to watch." Today I went and ran a best of 7.41 @ 94.5 mph in the 1/8th. My 60's were anywhere from 1.88 to 1.66. I think there is more in it because the drag slicks I had were 3 years old and worn out...
Oct
17
Commando Cruise In
So I am goning to enter the Commando Cruise In. It is a car show at the Air Armament Museum. I will post up some pictures from the show. I have 5 or more friends going to be in it with me. Wish me luck.
Oct
25
