ZMotorsports Shop Projects 2.0

[zmotorsports]

Pat, I waffled on the manual (Tremec) but ultimately decided to go with the 6L80 slush-box. I don't plan on racing it and I really wanted her to be able to drive it, without me having to put multiple clutches in it , as it is "our" car, not just my car. Plus, I've driven manuals my entire life off and on and they get old in short order unless driving very spirited. This is a touring car, not a race car. I do drool over your Z28 every time you post pics of it though.

Bob, glad to see you still posting on my thread. I thought I pissed you off with my previous comment giving you ****. My wife surprised me as well when I told her there was a ZL-1 about 50 miles south of me but I was afraid to go look at it. She asked why I was afraid and I told her because I would probably want to buy it but it's more $$$ than I want to spend on a toy right now. She said "if it's what you want get it." I was shocked but still couldn't bring myself to do it. I am more than pleased with what I was able to find and with the purchase. She wants a Cadillac eventually and we have determined that will be her retirement gift.

 

[zmotorsports]

Nothing actually in the shop last night but I did have the doors open and listening to the radio while I worked just outside of the shop.

Two years ago my wife and I decided we would try something and see if it sticks, we hosted a "tool shower" for her nephew when he got engaged. She said seeing as how our life kind of revolves around tools, it was only fitting. I thought it was a great idea as most young kids getting married don't have a clue what kind of things they need around the house and those of us who've been married a while can assist with that by giving them things that they'd actually use. It was a hit, and my wife would like to continue the tradition for whenever any of her nieces or nephews get engaged. Well she has another nephew getting married in December and rather than wait until then we are having a tool shower in our back yard on Saturday afternoon so I am getting a few things ready in advance so I'm not overwhelmed come Friday night or Saturday morning.

I will be grilling hamburgers and brats as guests are arriving, my DIL offered to make a couple of salads and cookies and we have a few others bringing some chips and misc. items. I have slacked this past year and didn't break my grill down for a deep cleaning like I generally due annually. Last night I broke it down, vacuumed the bottom out and then gave the entire grill a wipe-down with Sheila Shine to brighten the stainless steel back up. Also thought it would be a good time as we like to grill throughout the winter and it would be better to do it now vs. when there is snow on the ground.







I still need to get the pressure washer out either tonight or tomorrow night and pressure wash the deck as well as the front and side of the shop, the front and side of the house and the back fence. The neighbor's trees along our back fence hang over our fence and the birds seem to use the fence as their bathroom so I need to pressure wash that at the same time as the shop.

Then I think all that will left is to trim, edge and mow the lawn on Friday night and set up some tables and chairs early Saturday afternoon and it should be a good time. I checked the weather and it is supposed to be a beautiful weekend so that is good as otherwise the wife said we'd have it in the shop.

As I was just finishing up and rolling the hose and cord up on the shop-vac, I heard a delivery truck pull up in front of the house so I ventured out to meet the delivery person.

My new Borla exhaust arrived already.


That was extremely quick considering I just ordered it over the weekend.

Thanks for looking.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Which version did you go with Mike? S-Type or Touring?

 

[zmotorsports]

Which version did you go with Mike? S-Type or Touring?

ATAK. Thought about the S-Type but I drove one a month or so ago and without headers it seemed to drone a bit at freeway speeds. I've heard my neighbor's ATAK and it sounds great. After talking with him he said it is still pretty quiet in the cabin at cruising speeds unless you smash the skinny pedal.

It will definitely be louder than the Jeep, but different animal.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

ATAK. Thought about the S-Type but I drove one a month or so ago and without headers it seemed to drone a bit at freeway speeds. I've heard my neighbor's ATAK and it sounds great. After talking with him he said it is still pretty quiet in the cabin at cruising speeds unless you smash the skinny pedal.

It will definitely be louder than the Jeep, but different animal.

I'm not going to lie, I didn't figure that would make the short list. Hope it does what you want it too!

For whatever reason, the older I get the more adverse to drone I become, so I totally understand that.

 

[zmotorsports]

I'm not going to lie, I didn't figure that would make the short list. Hope it does what you want it too!

For whatever reason, the older I get the more adverse to drone I become, so I totally understand that.

Yeah, I'm not gonna lie either Marc, I'm a little nervous about the decibel level of the ATAK as it is much more aggressive than I was originally planning. The Jeep I wanted nice and quiet and subdued but it's a sleeper so it fits the vehicle's personality better. For the Camaro I wanted a little more growl out of it and after hearing my neighbor's 2010 that he bought a few months ago I think it sounds great, but it is loud. Hope I don't regret it.

 

[Bodj Built]

I'm right with you on the drone and loud pipes. I love a good sound, but I wanted my sonoma to be comfortable for long drives, but sound good when I get on it. I went with Borla as well (even though it's just the 4.3L) and made sure to run the exhaust all the way to the rear of the truck. When I was younger I was lazy and dumped it under the cab and I always hated the drone at highway speeds. Excited to see the tasteful mods you do to the Camaro to make it your own!

 

[rattle_snake]

I gave her a crash course in the controls and reiterated about the nasty blind spots of the C-pillars and off she went.

Cool!
My wife likes to razz me about driving my cobra. She had driven a manual work truck long ago. It was not smooth.
She drove the cobra once right after i got it. struggled but did it.
I tell her 'go ahead, the traction control should keep you off the curb'. But she never drives it.

 

[rattle_snake]

I installed a (used) Bolra ATAK exhaust on my cobra. Loud as hell w/o cats, but likely very different with them.

 

[zmotorsports]

I installed a (used) Bolra ATAK exhaust on my cobra. Loud as hell w/o cats, but likely very different with them.

Yeah, I plan on keeping the CATS Justin as our emissions regulations here are damn near as bad as California. The CATS really tone the note down a bit. My neighbor bought a 2010 with the ATAK several months ago and it is loud as hell when he drives past the house but he said it really isn't much over stock in the cabin at cruising speed. Luckily my Camaro is just around 2k RPM at cruising speed so the lower RPM's should also help.

 

[zmotorsports]

Just returned from getting the emissions testing done on the Jeep. She's good for another year, well technically 13-months as it isn't due until November. However, with the newly remanned ECM that I put in it back in June I was a bit anxious on whether there would be any issues but it passed again with flying colors.

 

[losdudes]

Nothing actually in the shop last night but I did have the doors open and listening to the radio while I worked just outside of the shop.

Two years ago my wife and I decided we would try something and see if it sticks, we hosted a "tool shower" for her nephew when he got engaged. She said seeing as how our life kind of revolves around tools, it was only fitting. I thought it was a great idea as most young kids getting married don't have a clue what kind of things they need around the house and those of us who've been married a while can assist with that by giving them things that they'd actually use. It was a hit, and my wife would like to continue the tradition for whenever any of her nieces or nephews get engaged. Well she has another nephew getting married in December and rather than wait until then we are having a tool shower in our back yard on Saturday afternoon so I am getting a few things ready in advance so I'm not overwhelmed come Friday night or Saturday morning.

I will be grilling hamburgers and brats as guests are arriving, my DIL offered to make a couple of salads and cookies and we have a few others bringing some chips and misc. items. I have slacked this past year and didn't break my grill down for a deep cleaning like I generally due annually. Last night I broke it down, vacuumed the bottom out and then gave the entire grill a wipe-down with Sheila Shine to brighten the stainless steel back up. Also thought it would be a good time as we like to grill throughout the winter and it would be better to do it now vs. when there is snow on the ground.







I still need to get the pressure washer out either tonight or tomorrow night and pressure wash the deck as well as the front and side of the shop, the front and side of the house and the back fence. The neighbor's trees along our back fence hang over our fence and the birds seem to use the fence as their bathroom so I need to pressure wash that at the same time as the shop.

Then I think all that will left is to trim, edge and mow the lawn on Friday night and set up some tables and chairs early Saturday afternoon and it should be a good time. I checked the weather and it is supposed to be a beautiful weekend so that is good as otherwise the wife said we'd have it in the shop.

As I was just finishing up and rolling the hose and cord up on the shop-vac, I heard a delivery truck pull up in front of the house so I ventured out to meet the delivery person.

My new Borla exhaust arrived already.


That was extremely quick considering I just ordered it over the weekend.

Thanks for looking.

Have a question about your house, is the finish stucco. We are having our house redone in stucco. I live in the foothills in Colorado at about 6700 feet and was wondering how your stucco is holding up, any small cracks, staining or anything else to know?

 

[zmotorsports]

Have a question about your house, is the finish stucco. We are having our house redone in stucco. I live in the foothills in Colorado at about 6700 feet and was wondering how your stucco is holding up, any small cracks, staining or anything else to know?

Our stucco has a slight amount of staining where the secondary water system (lawn sprinkler system) hits the lower edges along the area under the master bedroom and main bath. When I installed the sprinkler system I put pop-ups along the perimeter so they spray outward and then installed the rotary head about 3' out from the perimeter of the house and shop to minimize the water stains. So far I am glad I did them that way but the water does still hit the stucco a bit.

As for cracks, yes, it's concrete so it cracks and there are a few small, fine cracks but nothing to be alarmed about and with the sheeting on prior to the wire mesh for the stucco there is no way for any moisture to get to the wood substrate.

When we were looking for this house back in 2016 I had concerns about stucco because I had heard horror stories. According to my contractor buddy, who built my shop, the problems in our area were pretty much solved by the late 90's and into around 2002 at the latest. By then they had it sorted out and that is also about when stucco became really popular here along the Wasatch Front in northern Utah.

I love the looks of the stucco accompanied by the rock and brick so I am glad we went with a home that has stucco. They were able to match it nearly exactly when they built my shop back in 2017 so the house and shop look like they were built at the same time and not an afterthought.

Hope that answers your questions and thanks for following along on my thread.

 

[LXCam]

When I had my place re-stucco'd, I was offered some really good advice. Spray the bottom 3-4ft with sealer to stop the staining.........wish I'd listened.

 

[losdudes]

Thanks for the reply. We are in the final stage of the color coat just waiting on the rain. The brown coat has been on about 2 weeks. I don't have sprinklers and the bottom 3 feet will be stone on 3 sides of the house and the front of the garage. It has been a pain having this done while in the house and having 3 dogs who don't like their routine changed, but we are near the end and looking forward to the new look.

 

[zmotorsports]

When I had my place re-stucco'd, I was offered some really good advice. Spray the bottom 3-4ft with sealer to stop the staining.........wish I'd listened.

I did that when we purchased the house Cam, unfortunately I think it was too late and the previous owners had their sprinkler, what few they had, aimed nearly straight at the house. Before I finished the yard I sprayed the bottom of the house on the two sides that have lawn up to it as well as the one side of the shop's brick with sealer. Not ideal but maybe it will slow the staining at least.

 

[4 FN 27]

Pat, I waffled on the manual (Tremec) but ultimately decided to go with the 6L80 sluch-box. I don't plan on racing it and I really wanted her to be able to drive it, without me having to put multiple clutches in it , as it is "our" car, not just my car. Plus, I've driven manuals my entire life off and on and they get old in short order unless driving very spirited. This is a touring car, not a race car. I do drool over your Z28 every time you post pics of it though.

Wise choice Mike on the auto for a his and hers if she is more comfortable with it. I always wanted a Z28. '69 to specific. Factory 2-4 Barrel Car. Neighbor had one he bought new. 2-4's came in the trunk and installed at the dealer. In his case, at home. He gave me a ride in it about 1976.

In '88 I went looking for the car to see if I could buy it. Found his sister and she said her brother Rob had passed in a auto accident in '79 and the car was sold to somebody in AZ. Some time later in '92-93 I located the car via Hot Rod, Car Craft or Super Chevy...can't remember which. The new owner just finished the restoration and did not want to sell.

Fast forward to 2013 and GM announces the Z28 limited production. Contacted my dealer ASAF²P and they placed an order. 1 year, 11 month and 13 days later my Z arrived...Sat Dec 27, 2014. Delivered in a heated car transport. Told the deal not to touch it. I would do the PDI and (they allowed me to do it right there short of the splitter), install the Front Splitter and remove all the Covers and Protectant film. Into my trailer it went...sat in the shop until May...I couldn't even look at it with out wanting to drive it through a snow pile!!!

My Christmas Present:



In the trailer to go to the shop and wait for spring.



First "Car" to be worked on with the new hoist...the building wasn't even completed yet...



Hands down the best car I have ever bought...

The official drool shot...just for you Mike...



Can wait to see what you do with yours.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Wise choice Mike on the auto for a his and hers if she is more comfortable with it. I always wanted a Z28. '69 to specific. Factory 2-4 Barrel Car. Neighbor had one he bought new. 2-4's cam in the trunk and installed at the dealer. In case at home. He gave me a ride in it about 1976.

In '88 I went looking for the car to see if I could buy it. Found his sister and she said her brother Rob had passed in a auto accident in '79 and the car was sold to somebody in AZ. Some time later in '92-93 I located the car via Hot Rod, Car Craft or Super Chevy...can't remember which. The new owner just finished the restoration and did not want to sell.

Fast forward to 2013 and GM announces the Z28 limited production. Contacted my dealer ASAF²P and they placed an order. 1 year, 11 month and 13 days later my Z arrived...Sat Dec 27, 2014. Delivered in a heated car transport. Told the deal not to touch it. I would do the PDI and (they allowed me to do it right there short of the splitter), install the Front Splitter and remove all the Covers and Protectant film. Into my trailer it went...sat in the shop until May...I couldn't even look at it with out wanting to drive it through a snow pile!!!

My Christmas Present:



In the trailer to go to the shop and wait for spring.



First "Car" to be worked on with the new hoist...the building wasn't even completed yet...



Hands down the best car I have ever bought...

The official drool shot...just for you Mike...



Can wait to see what you do with yours.

Pat, the guy I worked for in high school, when not working for my dad, has an all original numbers matching DZ302 1969 Z28 (single Holley 780cfm, unfortunately, no crossram). He bought it off a track in the mid 80s, swapped the magneto it had in it for the original distributor and is still driving it to this day. There are some pics of it in my shop thread (post #404). When I was back this summer, we rebuilt the carb...and of course did some spirited test driving after. Nothing sounds like that solid lifter 302sbc @ 7500rpm!

 

[zmotorsports]

Pat, thanks for the pictures. Beautiful car my friend.

I would have loved to have bought one of the fifth gen's when they came out but can't seem to allow myself to buy a new car, even though I think I'm at a point in life that I could financially. However, I am very pleased with the one I was able to find as it is nearly optioned the way I would have bought it had I went with a new one.

I won't be doing much to the SS, a few minor mods and then just driving the snot out of it, much like the Jeep. In my early years with our hot rods I always seemed to try to keep the miles off and they turned into garage queens unless hitting a show or the track, then it was a trailer queen until reaching the destination. Over the past ten years or so I have changed my thinking to actually wanting to drive our toys and less concerned about keeping the miles off.

For that I think this will be a perfect car to cruise around in with the wife as well as something maybe I can pass down to either my son or a grandchild one day. Although it may be worn out by then.

 

[Bob Heine]

Although it may be worn out by then.

Mike, more than a few of us would be happy to buy one of your "worn out" machines.

 

[tarbellb]

Pat, thanks for the pictures. Beautiful car my friend.

I would have loved to have bought one of the fifth gen's when they came out but can't seem to allow myself to buy a new car, even though I think I'm at a point in life that I could financially. However, I am very pleased with the one I was able to find as it is nearly optioned the way I would have bought it had I went with a new one.

I won't be doing much to the SS, a few minor mods and then just driving the snot out of it, much like the Jeep. In my early years with our hot rods I always seemed to try to keep the miles off and they turned into garage queens unless hitting a show or the track, then it was a trailer queen until reaching the destination. Over the past ten years or so I have changed my thinking to actually wanting to drive our toys and less concerned about keeping the miles off.

For that I think this will be a perfect car to cruise around in with the wife as well as something maybe I can pass down to either my son or a grandchild one day. Although it may be worn out by then.

Congrats on the new to you ride, looks like a sweet ride.


Also quoting this post - "I won't be doing much to the SS, a few minor mods"

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Also quoting this post - "I won't be doing much to the SS, a few minor mods"

I'm sure at one point he said something similar about the Jeep; and we can see how that's developed over the years!

 

[4 FN 27]

Pat, thanks for the pictures. Beautiful car my friend.

I would have loved to have bought one of the fifth gen's when they came out but can't seem to allow myself to buy a new car, even though I think I'm at a point in life that I could financially. However, I am very pleased with the one I was able to find as it is nearly optioned the way I would have bought it had I went with a new one.

I won't be doing much to the SS, a few minor mods and then just driving the snot out of it, much like the Jeep. In my early years with our hot rods I always seemed to try to keep the miles off and they turned into garage queens unless hitting a show or the track, then it was a trailer queen until reaching the destination. Over the past ten years or so I have changed my thinking to actually wanting to drive our toys and less concerned about keeping the miles off.

For that I think this will be a perfect car to cruise around in with the wife as well as something maybe I can pass down to either my son or a grandchild one day. Although it may be worn out by then.

Thank you Mike. I like low volume production cars if I buy new.

New has been my option only because of time. Working (I love what I do so it really isn't work) 60-100 hours a week kind of keeps a guy from having time to take care of things the way they should and I cannot afford to be down. Thus new with a warranty has some benefit in making sure I am reliable. Not to mention customers like that new car smell. Me, I don't like it...

New Trucks have always worked and held their value. I HAD deep connections in the truck world where I always bought trucks below invoice and received maximum value in an upgrade because my dealer would allow me to do a "Dealer Pass Through" where I get used resale value by selling it to a private party and the private party writes the check to the dealer and the monies are considered a trade offsetting the sales tax...best part, the dealer never touches the truck but they handle the tile transfer which is one less headache for me. This buying and selling option has paid well. The 2011 Dually sold used for more than I paid for it doing it this way. Recently my go to dealer sold the dealership so those days are gone...

Driving the "pleasure" cars is also a time **** aside form work and the goings on in the shop. As I wind down with 66 days to go to retiring from the day job I find handing off my work load has allowed a bit more freedom to enjoy the open roads. A little bit more...took the '67 Vette out for a 50 mile drive a few Sundays ago. Need to do more of that kind of thing.

Miles have been kept low...heck I average 9350 miles per year on my daily drivers. Drive 9.8 miles back and forth to work. On the weekends for the most part I never leave the property. Just doing my thing in the backyard which I really enjoy. Moving forward I would like to hit Camaro Fest and maybe a few of the Corvette outings in Bowling Green. I will trailer them to where I am going...not to keep the miles down but more so for the weather. The Z and the Vettes have never seen rain and they will never see snow.

I would love to buy a new Corvette but until they come out with some very limited production whoop-*** Vette I have no interest. Now designing and building a Tube Chassis Promod style Vette has spiked my interest but there are a few projects I need to complete before I go done that rabbit hole.

Your Camaro is a great platform to start with. Lot's of after market options at all different levels of performance and reliability. Just don't too carried away which has always been my problem. I cannot leave well enough alone.

Does anyone here know of a 2012-2019 COPO 427 NA 4-Speed Camaro for sale??? My drug of choice.

 

[zmotorsports]

Thanks guys. Let me put it this way, I don't "plan" on doing many mods.

 

[zmotorsports]

Arrived home last night to find I had a delivery. I don't care for the cheap looking plastic fuel fill door that the previous owner installed on the Camaro so I had been looking for an OEM part number. My initial thought was to buy a new one from my local dealer and then buy a pint of paint and match it. However, as I was googling the part number last week I stumbled across a red one on ebay. After contacting the seller and discovering it was a salvage yard selling it I asked about the paint code. Turns out it was the same code from a 2013 Camaro that was punched in the nose and totaled. He said the fuel door was in nearly perfect condition so I made an offer and he accepted.

It looks like a near perfect match. As soon as I get time next week I will the plastic cheapo looking one with this one.



The plan for last night's tasks was to pressure wash the house, deck, shop and fence around the back yard in preparation for the party that the wife and I are hosting this weekend. I generally pressure wash my house, deck and shop 2-3 times per year but with our water restrictions this year I have tried to be a good steward and refrain from wasting water. The back fence was covered in cobwebs and bird **** so that was the main focus but then things morphed and I ended up doing the whole place. After several hours of cleaning I was pleased with the results.

Prior to hitting the house and shop I thought I would move some of my lifting equipment outside and hit them with the pressure washer first. I try to keep my tools and equipment clean and in proper condition but lifting equipment seems to get neglected over time. When I spill something on lifting equipment I try to wipe it off immediately but over time residue accumulates and needs to be addressed. I think it has been at least ten years or so since my lifting equipment had been pressure washed so it was definitely time. Also, since acquiring my 2-post lift about 12 years ago, some of my lifting equipment doesn't see the use it once did. My low profile transmission jack being one that got used a LOT for the first 10 or so years I have owned it but less over the past dozen years but I can't bring myself to get rid of it.

Lifting equipment moved into positions for washing.


You can see some of the residue and dirt that has accumulated.






All of the equipment pressure washed and moved into the sun to begin the drying process. I used compressed air to speed up the drying and then piece by piece as I wheeled them back into the storage bay I greased the pivot points that had zerks and the other pivot points as well as wheels and casters received a shot of Tri-Flow lubricant.


Equipment moved back into their home positions in the storage bay.









Next up will be the property that gets a bath.......

 

[zmotorsports]

After getting the lifting equipment back in the storage bay I moved on to the fence, shop, deck then finished up with the house.












For the most part the property wasn't in too awfully bad shape. The horizontal surfaces such as the top brick layer, the back fence and ornamental gates seemed to be the worst. Everything cleaned up beautifully and is once again presentable.

Thanks for looking.

 

[gorilla]

It must be nice to live somewhere that doesn't have a drought. I would like to pressure wash a lot of things but I would feel guilty wasting that much water here in NorCal.

 

[zmotorsports]

It must be nice to live somewhere that doesn't have a drought. I would like to pressure wash a lot of things but I would feel guilty wasting that much water here in NorCal.

Unfortunately, we are in a drought condition this year. I did feel guilty, for a minute or two. Actually the pressure washer uses less water than merely using a garden hose like many of my neighbors use. I have been doing extremely well as I usually pressure wash the property 2-3 times per year, but this year this is the first and more than likely the only time it will get washed. Hopefully we have a heavy winter to refill the reservoirs and next year will be somewhat back to normal.

 

[Finallygotit]

Thanks guys. Let me put it this way, I don't "plan" on doing many mods.

Uh huh....... OK......... I may need to order some more popcorn.

 

[zmotorsports]

Uh huh....... OK......... I may need to order some more popcorn.

Just what are you saying Dan? You don't think I'm capable of leaving something alone?

 

[rattle_snake]

Thanks for swapping out the goofy fuel door.

 

[gearhead1960]

If we were capable of leaving something alone we wouldn't be on GJ.....just sayin'

 

[Finallygotit]

Just what are you saying Dan? You don't think I'm capable of leaving something alone?

I think we all should start a pool to see how long it takes Mike to start a project on the "not a project car".

Bahahahahaha............

 

[rattle_snake]

I think he already has.

Maybe next is a set of gears to replace the 3.27s?

and/or this?

 

[Monza Harry]

Whipple! Harry LOL!

 

[zmotorsports]

Ha, ha, ha guys.

I sure wish I knew someone who did gear swaps.......


In between getting ready for our party tomorrow I couldn't wait to get rid of that **** ugly el' cheapo fuel door so I took a few minutes and removed it and installed the OEM one that showed up a couple days ago. The paint matched perfectly which kind of surprises me but at least I don't have to get the paint supplies out again. I also grabbed some Final Inspection and cleaned the front end off as we hit some bugs on our drive over the weekend and I am sure we'll take the car out again this coming Sunday.

My plan is to commence the mechanical work on the car next week to zero it out. Later as I get time I will finish it off by attacking the cosmetics and doing a paint correction and I have belt line trim moldings to replace as they are UV damaged a bit. Overall the paint is in excellent condition but there are quite a few small fine scratches that I wish to remove.

For a reference shot, the cheap *** aftermarket fuel door and the newly acquired OEM color matching fuel door.


Aftermarket fuel door removed. Good thing the trash comes today before I change my mind.


OEM door installed. Color is a perfect match and no one is the wiser knowing it isn't from the same car.


That looks sooooooo much better.


While I was in the shop working UPS showed up and delivered my new dipstick from JRE (Jannitty Racing Ent.). For some reason GM in their infinite wisdom neglected to put dispsticks on several models of cars such as the Cadillac line and Camaro's. If anyone has ever serviced one of these 6L80 transmissions without the dipstick, they are kind of a PITA. You drop the pan and service the filter normally but when it comes time to fill the trans. it requires putting enough fluid in it to fill the passages, then run through the gears and get it to around 80-125 degrees and pulling the inspection plug. This is a pain in the *** as you can't merely climb under it and must be done on either jack stands or lift. If fluid drips out the level is correct (according to GM) but if it doesn't then you need to add and if too much you let it drain until it drips. Again, this is all according to the FSM but I have read and heard that even following this process to a "T" it can leave the transmission about a quart low. Now GM claims these came with their "lifetime" fill which is why they don't install a dipstick but we all know lifetime really isn't lifetime, at least not in my shop.

With the car having nearly 62k miles on it I want to zero out the car so I have a baseline as I don't really know how it was driven by the previous owner. This is a routine with all of our newly acquired vehicles so I've been gathering filters and fluids to perform this procedure but the transmission has been bugging me. I found a dipstick by Jannitty Racing Enterprises (JRE) and it appears they've done their homework and developed an OEM quality dipstick tube with bell housing mounting tab and even the locking/sealing dipstick and they claim it has been correctly calibrated for the correct fill level. I ordered one last week and it arrived yesterday.

My only complaint is the color. It appears to be a high quality component with a goldish zinc cadmium finish which in itself is a very nice finish but it really doesn't match my theme. I am going to sand it down and paint it semi-gloss black so it fits into the engine bay and appears more OEM. Pretty much hidden in plain site.


Other than that not much exciting happened in the shop last night but thanks for looking.

 

[bigdave_185]

What a few pages to catch up on!! I can’t wait to go to mt Rushmore!
Absolutely love passin your boys pickup on the road and it leave me envious and mad I made the choice to sell my LBZ. The red sets his off in our local area.

I can’t wait to get a two door car for me and the wife to enjoy. She loves cursing, enjoys it in anything but I think a fun car will make weekend getaways more fun to take together. Distant dreams of course.

Happy travels and fall leaves viewing
Sardine canyon yesterday, over the long nose Pete, being one of them distracted drivers that keep two wheelers off the highway!

 

[zmotorsports]

What a few pages to catch up on!! I can’t wait to go to mt Rushmore!
Absolutely love passin your boys pickup on the road and it leave me envious and mad I made the choice to sell my LBZ. The red sets his off in our local area.

I can’t wait to get a two door car for me and the wife to enjoy. She loves cursing, enjoys it in anything but I think a fun car will make weekend getaways more fun to take together. Distant dreams of course.

Happy travels and fall leaves viewing
Sardine canyon yesterday, over the long nose Pete, being one of them distracted drivers that keep two wheelers off the highway!

Thanks Dave.

I think his 2002 Duramax is a real head turner, but I may be a bit biased.

The fall leaves are sure in full deep, rich colors right now. The wife wants to go for another drive this weekend but we're hosting a party tomorrow so it will have to be Sunday. We have also been talking about taking a short weekend trip somewhere in the car but I'm on the fence. As much as I love driving and seeing different places, I can't seem to be able to leave the coach and Jeep behind. Plus I despise staying in hotels and much prefer my own bed and comforts of our coach when traveling so I am less than excited about making a "car" road trip. However, the wife would like to try it so I am sure we'll be going someone in the near future before the weather changes.

 

[bigdave_185]

We pulled up to bear lake area late last night. Camping in the fiver, we pulled in so late im not even sure what’s out last our headlights as far are colors or views for leaves but I imagine Logan canyon is Popping with amazing colors I just wasn’t able to see them.

Maybe you two could try the nicer Arbnb kinds of places to stay. We haven’t had a bad experience yet. While it’s not stocked like your Rv it’s also not as empty as a hotel feeling.
Safe cruising you two.

I didn’t think about it but some of my happy child hood memories were of riding around in my uncles ford Tbird singing with the top down enjoying the time. Your Camaro has room for G kids!!

 

[4 FN 27]

Hey Mike how much Horse Power is the "Dip Stick Adder"? Is it enough to offset replacing the aftermarket Fuel Door?

Asking for a millennial friend.