'04 5.3L in a '01 V6 Camaro.

[clinebarger]

Got my engine harness from BP Automotive today. Man.....I'm IMPRESSED!!!!
The attention to detail is phenomenal, Bill got everything exactly right down to the Vacuum Line for the HVAC controls, To the Harness Bracket on the Evaporator Box.

Has the TAC module to Pedal harness integrated into the Engine Harness ($50 extra) But well worth it once I saw it done.

I will take some pics with my Camera later, Here is some fuzzy Cell Phone pics for now.

[jessemthompson]

Looks great. Mine should be shipping from BP today, I can't wait to get it.

[clinebarger]

Got the car to the shop yesterday, 6 miles with no coolant at all, Engine died a block away....Coasted up to the bay door Only ran 3 stop signs & a right on red without stopping.

Started with rebuilding the Diff, I found the noise it was making...Driver side Carrier bearing was shot. I originally thought it was a Axle bearing.

Everything set right up with the original shims. .030" pinion shim & original 1-piece carrier shims.

Replace the rear rotors & pads, AC-Delco Rotors & GM (PBR) pads.

[clinebarger]

The Diff build went so smooth, I decided to go ahead & pull the engine/trans today. These cars are unbelievably easy to pull engines on. Took 1.5 hours. I'm sure it is a nightmare without a lift though.

[Clyde65]

wow! fantastic job as usual Chris! Can I come look at her week after next??

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

wow! fantastic job as usual Chris! Can I come look at her week after next??

Your welcome any time John.

[cableguy0]

I wanna come over and play.. Looking for any help. Just need relocation help and a place to live. ... Looks good. That car should be lots fun.

[BR3W CITY]

Originally Posted by cableguy0

I wanna come over and play.. Looking for any help. Just need relocation help and a place to live.

I second that, and I'll expand it to any member whose build doesn't suck, and who has a comfy couch or a guest room. I work for myself, which I can do from anyones garage.

PS I need the WIFI password too.

[jessemthompson]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

I second that, and I'll expand it to any member whose build doesn't suck, and who has a comfy couch or a guest room. I work for myself, which I can do from anyones garage.

PS I need the WIFI password too.

Br3w I have a guest room, a comfy couch, wifi password and a garage for you. Your advise here has been invaluable!

The camaro is coming along beautifully clinebarger! Can't wait to hear you have it running. Hopefully I'll have some updates to my build this weekend. My harness is due in tomorrow. I have my fingers crossed that the weather will cooperate with me along with my 2 yr old son.

[Clyde65]

Originally Posted by clinebarger

Your welcome any time John.

Thank You Chris, I'll let you know before I do though!

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by cableguy0

I wanna come over and play.. Looking for any help. Just need relocation help and a place to live. ... Looks good. That car should be lots fun.

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

I second that, and I'll expand it to any member whose build doesn't suck, and who has a comfy couch or a guest room. I work for myself, which I can do from anyones garage.

PS I need the WIFI password too.

Come on down guys, Ya'll will have to fight over who gets the pool table & which one gets the floor.....Dinner is at Noon, Supper is at 7:00

[Low Elco]

How did this work out? Rubber flying in the streets of Texas?

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

How did this work out? Rubber flying in the streets of Texas?

Not yet, I drove it to the house right after the front end alignment, Drove/Ran very well! I didn't get on it because the Trans & Gears are still breaking in, Parked it in the garage.....Been there ever since.

It has been TOO HOT for me to mess with it, 100 degrees & 50% humidity doesn't work well in my non-insulated metal garage, Soon as it cools down I will get back on it!

[whitels1]

Nice work!

[clinebarger]

Finally got it finished up Saturday, Put a couple hundred miles on it so far, Very happy with it, Lights the tires at will with the old ****y touring tires, The high performance tires I have should calm that down.

To do list....
Gas gauge still reads backwards....Not sure if I will/can fix that?
Need to swap out the Compressor Clutch, I have a good used one.
Re-torque header bolts.
Buy a key fob, Open the door, The alarm goes off 'til you turn the key on.
Mount & Balance tires.


Car in the driveway doing final fluid checks.

[whitels1]

Glad to see it worked out for you, as far as I know V6 sender is 0-90 (old chevy) and LS1 is 240 - 33. You might just be able to swap out the sender.

[Clyde65]

nice work Chris! Ill need to come see her soon. Are you thinking of going to the Ft Worth Cruise for the cure? Dad and I will be there with his crew cab. Hope to see you there.

[clinebarger]

Some updates on the Camaro....

The exhaust I built is not working out well, I adjust it, That works a few days....Then back to rattling/hitting the body, The Y-pipe set-up SUCKS....Causes a really bad "rasp" at WOT. And it drones at highway speeds.

So I bought Hookers Blackheart true dual system & matching Mid-length Headers, Headers are 1 7/8" 304 stainless, Exhaust is dual 2.5", Pipes are 409 stainless, Mufflers & Tips are 304. I would have went with 1 3/4" headers.....But plan on upping displacement soon & did not want to buy yet another set of headers.

[cableguy0]

That's a sweet looking system. Just a quick tip. Everywhere you use those band clamps add a tack weld. It will stop the system from twisting in the clamps. Stainless is super hard and claps don't pinch it well. Just throwing it out there I deal with that stuff everyday at work. Havent used that system because we bend our own stuff for the most part plus the cheap asses in the area I work in wouldn't go for it. LOL. Post some pictures once installed Im really curious about how it fits especially knowing how tight it is under those cars with just a single 3 inch pipe.

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by cableguy0

That's a sweet looking system. Just a quick tip. Everywhere you use those band clamps add a tack weld. It will stop the system from twisting in the clamps. Stainless is super hard and claps don't pinch it well. Just throwing it out there I deal with that stuff everyday at work. Havent used that system because we bend our own stuff for the most part plus the cheap asses in the area I work in wouldn't go for it. LOL. Post some pictures once installed Im really curious about how it fits especially knowing how tight it is under those cars with just a single 3 inch pipe.

Thanks for the tip! I used to do exhaust work many years ago when I was a teenager working at a Midas Muffler but didn't deal with stainless very much. I will let you know on how it fits, Installing the system the first part of June. Had to schedule a open lift at work.

I installed a BMR Panhard Brace relocation kit trying to fix what I have, So I have a lot more room over the axle. Hooker calls to install spacers on the Brace where it bolts to the unibody to fur down the Brace....Hopefully I don't need those spacers with the BMR kit?

I know where I messed up on the exhaust, I used universal mandrel bends (45's & 90's) I had no choice but to use a 45 going over the axle when I needed about a 30 degree bend. To get the 45 to work I had to move the pipe closer to the diff.....And the diff hits the pipe over the smallest bumps.

Where the Axle Tube hits.


BMR Relocation Kit.

[cableguy0]

A lot of the kits have that over the axle pipe flattened slightly to give extra clearance. Anyhow stainless is an annoyance to me. Very difficult to bend because the metal itself is much stiffer than regular steel. Tight bends without a mandrel bender are near impossible. Also anywhere you need to add a hanger weld the hanger to an exhaust clamp because welding to the stainless with mild steel wire will cause rust eventually. The small tack welds at the joints wont really affect anything but stop the system from moving and twisting after you get it in place. We usually don't bend those pipes by hand in anything bigger than 2.5 and even that is pushing it. If they want 3 inch in the rare case someone actually shows up with a v8 car wanting duals we just order a 3 inch mandrel bent pipe to use. We do far more v6 cars and vehicles than I care for but it is what it is.

[solidaxel]

Thanks Cline,
I will take this info to my trans guy and ask for him to do the same.
Is there a reason for the high stall converter, I think mine is like 2200 in my 53, what is the factory stall in a Tahoe with a 5.3?

[clinebarger]

I "Plan" to swap in a mild cam 6.0L or 6.2L next year, I do not want to "Re-Stall" later, That's the reason for the 3000-3200 Stall, Though this Circle D converter is REALLY streetable....It doesn't Flash up 'til your really on the throttle!

A Factory "TMBX" 300mm Converter (What I have now, & what would have been in a Tahoe) stalls to about 1400-1600 if your really getting on it.

The latest upgrades mentioned are to compliment the parts already installed last year.....

Sonnax Performance pack (Shift Kit) Includes....
Pinless accumulators & springs
.490" boost valve
PWM delete valve
Servo springs
Accumulator valve shim (Did not use)
Pump slide spring
Torlon Check Balls
Servo Release Valve
.076" 2nd feed hole, Not the .086"-.093" recommended by Sonnax. Followed directions on the other Orifice sizes.

Sonnax smart shell
Sonnax wide sun gear bushing
Sonnax 4th super hold Servo
GM "093" Vette 2nd Servo
GM 5-Pinion Input planet, Cheap as a 4-pinion on Amazon!
GM 4-Pinion Reaction planet (High Speed), $100 cheaper than a 5-pinion.
Borg Warner forward sprag.
Borg Warner (OE) 2-4 Band.

If you would like a Custom Parts List to fit your needs, Let me know with vehicles specs.

[solidaxel]

Thank You Cline
When I get the engine mounted in the chassis I will give you a call for the remainder of parts
I do not want to do this twice!

[clinebarger]

Got the exhaust, headers, converter, trans upgrades, & driveshaft installed this weekend, Exhaust install went very smooth, Hooker did a good job in the development of this system, Clears everything, Sounds great, And doesn't rattle. The Headers fit well...Especially with 1 7/8" primaries.
The Circle D Converter feels good......Haven't got on it hard yet, Got to wait a few miles for the Band & 3-4 clutches to fully break in.

On a side note, The Ceramic coated BBK headers that were on this car only a year did not hold up well at all, Rust spots are all over the collectors, Very disappointed......Not worth the $500 I paid for them.