Thread: AjL227's XP, S2 IC, 2.8" CompG build

Update. First, I'd like to say thank you for all of your feedback and opinions. If it weren't for you guys, I would have no guidance...some of you more mature than others *facepalm* Either way, keep it up. I'd like this thread to stay active weekly up until and during the build, I'll have a good number of pics along the way.

I'm starting to think I may just go with OEM or felpro head gaskets, since now that I think about it, it really is useless unless the heads aren't 100% stock. Plus, I'm nowhere near pro level of tuning, so if I can avoid having to tune around the extra compression on a 2.8", I'm going to do it. I'd like to have decent advance. This engine will most likely never see Ethanol; at least while it is in the GP, so 42.5's are perfect. Also, I'm leaning towards stock McPherson struts, rather than the GR2's after what I've heard about them going out prematurely on lowered cars. I don't plan on changing my TB, either. My DBW has enough velocity at 75mm for this build, and I don't notice much, if any, actuation lag. Any more input, guys? Discuss.

Gr2s will last longer than stock struts with lowering springs. Felpro head gaskets will be fine.

A lot of people recommend 130# springs with an XP. If you didn't buy them yet, you might want to consider the upgrade. You already have the double roller on your list, so why not? You'll be able rev higher.

reving higher doesnt mean more power.....

Heyyyyyy I built that car the way it sits now :P

Well all the mods on it I installed... just saying. Andy came to my place and went to ZZP and purchased everything, and i Installed it all in my garage..

Put a big cam in it.

Get the heads ported.

Get a valvetrain and rotating assembly that can hold it.

Install tiny ass pulley.

Install bigger injectors.

You'll never regret it...except the fact you go through tires fast if you drive like me.

Originally Posted by bluegtp91

You'll never regret it...except the fact you go through Transmissions fast if you drive like me.

fixed

Originally Posted by 2003 SSEi

fixed

I ran down to a 1.7x 60 foot on Cobra slicks with a tire sized at 305...I could barely turn the car...BONE stock transmission. I never had transmission issues. Once I were at the point I felt I needed to upgrade, I bought a Triple Edge Transmission...so...yes, tires...no transmissions.

The OP, probably will need to upgrade.

Originally Posted by BoostenGTP02

Heyyyyyy I helped put together that car the way it sits now :P

Fixed. And I'm taking it all apart, and adding more.

Originally Posted by AjL227

Fixed. And I'm taking it all apart, and adding more.

Something like that..

Mine's getting pulled apart next week

It has begun...

nice, more pics

Pulley size should not be put on a pedestal as much as it is sometimes. Most guys running well built cars will hardly ever run pulleys below a 3.0 on the street, but at the track with some race fuel and constant scanning, they drop sizes and thats what they list in their posts after a race and thats what you guys see. You will never be able to run much smaller than a 3.2 without some good tuning on a cammed/intercooled car. Non-intercooled it would be more like the 3.4" area. It doesn't take a 3.0 or below pulley to run 12's.

The cometic head gaskets are very good, they just require a good install process like the other headgaskets do, but the 4 layers need to be separated and sprayed with copper spray before being put on the head. Prep and install procedure is key. The gm gaskets will hold up well untouched from the factory, and i believe paul jerkatis (PRJ) swears by a certain type of the GM gaskets on a whipple build he is helping with that will see a lot of boost and some higher cylinder temperatures. But on a xp/intercooled car most gaskets should hold up fine as long as the install is done properly. I would just think about ARP head bolts.

The springs/ timing chain will depend on the cam. Most people have tried to stay away from comp cams springs due to a lot of failures on the 105's and also higher rate springs. A few local installs have been running 105# springs with new stock timing chain with a s1x cams with no ill effects, one low 12 sec genV car and a high 12 regal, non intercooled. If you get a double roller, make sure to stay away from the JP set and also get the crank gear milled to match your stock crank gear.

Progress... slow and steady...













I've got a lot of cleaning to do...

Originally Posted by matt5112

what was leaking?

LIM and oil pan are seeping anti-freeze and oil, respectively.

Engine has been torn down to short block.










Block, heads, and other accessories have been transported from my garage to James' heated garage. We've cleaned the block, pistons and heads, after James ported my cylinder heads and picked up my machined Rollmaster. There is a bit of cleaning left to do, then it is time to paint the block, heads, and accessories. Afterwards, re-assembly will begin.