Thread: Removing Useless Junk

Originally Posted by Fivefingerdeathpunch

the alt brace is behind the supercharger and or UIM IIRC

Nothing connected to the alternator that's not a part of it
There is a bracket behind the UIM, though. Only thing connected to it is this shield that supports the fuel lines:


Is this necessary, or can it be removed too?

So leave it then

Is there any particular reason for oil covering the bolts when I removed the lift points? I wouldn't think they'd go that deep.

Originally Posted by OH4CompG

OP, when I removed my lift brackets I just teflon coated the threads on the bolts and put them back in the block.

I put the bolt back in, I'll have to remember to go back and coat the threads before they fall out. I just left the nuts off the bolts that were coming from the motor.

It wasn't pouring oil or anything, the threads just had oil on them, as did the bracket where the bolt had been.

Well, first is a fuel line fix so I'm not spraying fuel at my rear valve cover anymore, then headers to fix my leaky manifold. I'd like to get polished aluminum valve covers, but they're a bit out of my current budget with all the other fixes.

Originally Posted by matt5112

fuel lines touching hot egr = bad.

From what I can tell, the EGR is often deleted when headers are installed. Aside from the block off plates, would I need anything else to keep things running smooth?

I know it throws a code, but would there be any effect on the engine? I still have the stock PCM and no tuner.

Delete the EGR for a cleaner look, & find someone local with a HP Tuner to delete the EGR code. Done.

Okay, but wish me luck finding anyone local with a tuner

On the lift bracket bolts. The only way they can be oily is a leaking valve cover gasket. Or a previous leaking cover gasket. No need to put those bolts back in or coat them. They are extras if the lift brackets are off.

Do you have any state emission inspections in KY? Years ago when I worked for an emission testing company we did have some areas of KY. If so.. they may do a visual check for the emissions equipment aka EGR.

Likely I was the only intercooled guy to still have an EGR on my car. Always passed inspection too.

No testing here, I was just worried about the ECM flipping out because something was missing.
As far as valve cover leak; there's thick gunk all around the front gasket, not as bad in the back, but there is a small leak on the drivers side. There's some orange rubber sticking out there and a bit of fresh oil.

^^^that orange rubber is your valve cover gasket. That's not a good thing.

Nope..that likely means you are building pressure in the covers, which points to a bad or incorrectly installed pcv. At least that's the experience I've had.

Looks fine as far as I can tell, not that that really says anything. How can I check to be sure?

Also, I'm fairly convinced at this point that the mechanic the salesman used before I bought the car was an idiot, and both valve covers and the UIM have been replaced. Is there a chance he just mucked up the gasket on the install?

-Checked it again. It's not flowing oil, and when I wipe it it stays dry for several days, but the shredded gasket does spread the length of the rear valve cover, not just the one spot as I had thought.