What are the specs on your comp cam? I wound up 294/304 .615 .623 114+4. I also used the Morel lifters and the pushrods measured out at 7.4. My concern are the rockers. I bought new stockers and changed the trunions out. What are you doing for rockers? It seems there is a lot of controversy surrounding large lift and using roller tips? I avoided the 1.8 ratios because I'm not sure I can stand anymore lift or duration. I changed the pistons to DSS flat forged units. Deeper valve reliefs. Your thoughts?

 

One of the few times ive been jealous of someone living in Florida! Im over here scrambling in Ohio in hopes to take my car for a drive while its still above 40° outside! haha

Are you doing DSS custom axles as well???

 

281/283 .571/.573 LSA 112* My cam isn't crazy aggressive but keep in mind I've only got a 5.3L vs your 6.2. so it amplifies that effect. And I'm going with a upgraded roller rocker (not sure which one yet) because I plan on revving it pretty regularly, so basically for peace of mind. I haven't done much research into more aggressive lobe profiles so unfortunately I don't have much advice to offer you there.

haha yeah our car seasons are opposite. Lots of people put their fun cars away for the summer because of the unbearable heat and how hard it is on vehicles, especially in traffic.
I'm using the DSS axles from v8 roadsters. Stage 2.

 

Any updates?! Im anxious to see this thing completed!

I had a question. Did you end up sticking with that Griffin 58201?

Just wondering, because I am in the process of trying to fit the same one and curious to see what your approach was!

 

Sadly no updates. We had that storm and thankfully didn't get hit bad but took a significant income hit for a solid week. It hurt especially bad since down here we are pretty seasonal, so for summer we arent as busy as in the winter months.

So basically Im just not in a position to spend money on the car right now. Hopefully in the next month it picks up and my 2nd seasonal job will start too.

And yes, I did end up sticking with that radiator. Bought some universal mounts from Griffin and welded them up. The radiator is tucked underneath the core support and admittedly is pretty low but I don't plan on having the car very low. I think I posted some pictures of how it mounted somewhere in here

 

oh wow sorry to hear that buddy! Well I'll have my fingers crossed for you from up here hoping the tides change quickly for you!

 

Well, this month has been super busy with various car shows around the state every weekend and with work finally picking up I've been able to acquire a decent collection of parts for the car. And I got them all for good deals.

-Hard Dog double diagonal Roll bar with harness bar.
-Rear hubs (pressed in with new *** bearings and seals)
-Audi Axle boots for the rear cv's
-Garage star Radiator finish panel
-Ls1 steam vent pipe (may not be able to use depending on intake choice)
-Ls3 Water pump
and my favorite..
-Harland Sharp 1.7 adjustable aluminium roller rockers.
Also, I've ordered axle seals for the 8.8 Diff and The ones I got are not correct. part number 8660s is not right for an IRS 8.8. Anyone know the correct part number? Over the next couple weeks you'll see some updates to getting more stuff done and parts installed

 

I ran into a similar problem when it came time to freshen up my 8.8. The seals the parts guy handed me were too large. I believe you need a TIMKEN 714569 or equivalent.

 

The ones I received were too small. And the old seal doesn't have a part number on it.

 

Sexy parts showing up! -- Especially those roller rockers. Glad things are picking up with the build!

 

Yup, that's what I bought for my IRS 8.8. I linked to them in my build thread - 1999 FORD MUSTANG 4.6L V8 DOHC Axle Shaft Seal | RockAuto

Dirt cheap from RockAuto

 

Yeah I went ahead and returned the 8660s seals and ordered 2 of the 714569 from the parts store, about $9 each.

 

i used you idea of the dolly for fitting the engine. Did you mount the transmission to the engine and fit that the same way?

 

I have no as of yet, but I plan to. You'll likely need a jack under the transmission to keep it at a good angle and prevent sagging

 

Getting the last of my parts I need so I can install the engine in the car soon.
Ls7 clutch and ls3 flywheel
Slave cylinder
Wilwood clutch master kit from v8r
Pilot bearing..

I want to replace the output shaft seal and the reverse sensor on the t56 before I install it too.

Before I can install the engine though I need to finish the rear suspension and differential so I can roll the car out of the garage.

Also, I'm buckeling down and going to try to have the car driveable by April for miatapalooza in Tampa. It's about 3 months away and I feel that's a reasonable but ambitious goal. I don't have a crazy amount of parts left to buy so im gonna try really hard

 

It can be done! I cant wait to see this car on the road (figuratively) . Just take your time and be methodical, what got me through some overwhelming times, is just to stop looking at the big picture for a minute, figure out what makes the most sense to do next, then do that. One step at a time, and before you know it, youll be cruisin around in April! Good luck!

 

Agreed, big picture is important in the sense that you want to keep all the plates spinning at the same time - if you are on a short timeline. So keeping the right parts ordered or available to you well in advance of the next thing. Once one aspect of the project comes to a screeching halt, you'll need another aspect of the build to be moving along in the meantime. I hit a few speedbumps along the way b/c I was assuming that some parts would just fit together. Labelling parts, where they go, what order they go back on the car, pictures of where they go, etc. will help you during reassembly time.

Early in my build I was spending whole weekend days on the build and took some time off work before EOY and spent that on the car. Now I'm doing a few hours at night during the week to chip away at little stuff. give me time to think about the next thing, order parts, do research, etc.

I keep a whiteboard in the garage of where I left off the previous night, parts I need, things I need to check on. Since you're in Florida, the weather is probably not a factor. Near Philadelphia it is - it was 63F yesterday when I closed up the garage at 9pm. This time last week it was hovering around 20F. LOL. Keeping the heat on in the garage for work that night helps.

 

Well I went ahead and made a list of things that need to be done. And seeing things get checked off is definitely good motivation, so I'm glad about that. Since last I've changed plans and will be using straub bronze bushing trunion upgrade rather than the Harland sharp rockers. I've also purchased some more parts that were needed.
Actual work that was done was
Painted engine block, installed spark plugs, finished installing rear axles and uprights with the koni shocks I picked up. I also removed the dash again so I can install carpet after I install the frame rails. I also fixed a ground that needed to be moved and installed the pedals while the dash is out.

 

Moving along nicely... I just love pics of engines and serious car components inside our homes. Looks like that engine is taking a leisurely stroll through the house. Awesome.

 

That shoe though

I noticed you are missing "Beer" on the list.

 

Yep progress is good. Got the brake and clutch master cylinders installed today. Need to reshape the lines some to clear the engine.
Beer happens after progress as a reward lol. Also, the cat likes to knock around shoes sometimes lol.

 

Finally some actual progress and updates.
First order of business was to finish assembling the rear suspension/axles. I had a couple issues but was able to get them resolved. First issue was when the axle was installed and torqued it had so little clearance between the axle and the dust seal that it was binding up. After trying to source a washer to space the axle out I decided just to remove the dust seal. Removing the dust seal alleviated that issue. I also had to reboot the axles with the Audi boots to clear the shock. Removing the inner joint was the easiest way to replace the outer boots.






Then I ordered and assembled straub bronze trunion bushings. After I assembled those I checked for pushrod length. Ordered the correct length pushrods and installed them. I also swapped the valley bolts for the low profile ones so the manifold will fit.









I figured I'd toss the intake on it to see what it looked like and give.me a little motivation. Aiming to install the balancer and intake then the engine will ne ready to go into the car.

 

Here's a short post. Will update more later this week.
Engine is in the car, now I've got a million things to do!

 

Steve,
Looking Great!

How much room is there between your firewall and the passenger side head with the motor at the correct mounting angle?

I just put mine in and mounted up my T56 last night and it is closer than I expected!
I never put the trans in during mock-up, just the bell housing, and evidently I had the motor at more of a forward angle than is possible with the transmission installed...

I've got maybe a little less than 1/4"... Just curious how close others are and if it's something that I need to try and address.

Thanks,

 

I have about an inch myself at the closest point between pass. side head and a bumpout on the firewall (NB Miata).

Yours sounds tight, but if there is no other rubbing or clearance issues I'd go with it. Might be how you installed your motor mounts.