OBD Tool and Valve Cover Recommendations

[CHI2000GTP]

I will be buying a ODB tool to monitor my KR, although I'm running all stock at the moment. Looking at the BlueDriver unit for $100. Does anyone have any recommendations for brand and type?
My car is running but curbed as of this morning. Popped the hood to check some stuff out and noticed that my front exhaust manifold is wet, and the valve covers have developed a warp I did not notice until now. She's a real Fire Starter till I can replace the valve covers and get the gaskets done. Many of the ones I have seen on the internets are rather expensive. Any tips?

Along with valve covers/gaskets, I have a hole crap load of other things that need replacing that I have slowly amassed:
Lifters, valve cover gaskets, injectors, rack-and-pinion, s/c tensioner pulleyand assembly, s/c smooth idler pulley, s/c grooved idler pulley, trans pandrop, trans filter and O-ring change, trans pangasket change, TransGo shift kitinstall,

That weekend when I do this, is gonna be a LONG weekend.

Pics of warpped valve covers. Hard to see but you will notice bulges in the white plastic:

[Scottydoggs]

call dealer with your vin in hand, theres a new recall for a new front v/c and gasket. its free.

why are you changing lifters? pointless if they are working.

thats not a new leak judging by the mess.

and you need a serious de greasing there. it looks to be a mess.

[Scottydoggs]

and simple kr monitor is the torque app if you got a droid phone. the app is 5 bucks the elm 327 obd2 blue tooth is like 15 or less off ebay.

[BrandonHall10]

Valve covers aren't warped. That's where the plug wire loom clips in. Or would clip in if they were still there.

[CHI2000GTP]

Ok. I will call the dealer for V/C's and gasket. Thanks for the tip, I was expecting to cough up more dough. Blehhh
And ten-four on that Torque App, I ran across that option as well.

As far as the lifters, I'm hearing a slapping sound from the back V/C. Like a slapping metal noise. I'm scared it is a knock but I don't think so. What it could be, is a spark plug that I dropped. I was changing spark plugs about 3wks ago and could not hang on to one of them in the back by the O-2 sensor. Now its trapped between the exhaust manifold and heat shield, or somewhere up in there. The metal slapping noise could also be that plug rattling around.... Not sure and I can't get it out. But in the video on you-tube that I followed when doing my LIM's, they mention a slapping sound coming from the rocker arms. Apparently those bolts need tightening? I don't know. Plus I'm at 241,000 miles, I was thinking maybe time to change the lifters to get better response/performance. Are you saying that I shouldn't bother?

I will try and post a video of the noise this evening from my iPhone.

@Brandon - Thanks for the clarification, thought it was warped. It's definitely leaking though. On a different note... Your write-up on the tranny cooler is real good man. I have read it and re-read it multiple times. Its a solid nugget of info.

[Scottydoggs]

if you stick your hand back under the manifold you'll find a latch, the heat shield will split and open up.

you'll need to take the rear cover off if its not the spark plug making the sounds. could be a busted valve spring. or if its a tick that goes away after a cold start, thats kinda normal and gm says its fine as long as it stops in a few minutes of running. oil change used to stop it when mine ticked.

[BrandonHall10]

@Brandon - Thanks for the clarification, thought it was warped. It's definitely leaking though. On a different note... Your write-up on the tranny cooler is real good man. I have read it and re-read it multiple times. Its a solid nugget of info.

Hey thanks. Just trying to share a little of what I've learned along the way. If you want some really good reading, you should check my "built trans" thread.

[CHI2000GTP]

@Brandon. Do you have the link to that "built trans" thread handy?

[BrandonHall10]

Found it.

http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...t65e-Completed

[ItHurtz]

I thought you already changed the valve cover gaskets? I swear I saw blue grommets. Maybe I am delusional

[BillBoost37]

You are delllusanal!

[CHI2000GTP]

That's a good one! lol

@Hurtz > Those grommets on there now are blue. You remembered correctly. But that manifold is wet as hell. The gaskets must have busted again. The issue is what, on its 3rd/4th recall? Other then that, last time I drove it, I layed on it a little more, maybe 90mph on the highway, and when I got out of the car maybe 5min later I could smell gas, and I could smell oil burning. I need to pop in those fuel injectors I picked up from you because I definitely got something going on there. But first I want to get them cleaned so I can eliminate the chance of those becoming a future problem.

@Bill and Brandon > What are your thoughts on doing the lifters? Scotty said don't bother. My goal is to keep this car running and long as possible while maintaining performance as well. I am all stock at the moment, at 241,000 miles and I am in favor of any preventative maintenance. I was even thinking about the oil pump. Should that be replaced as a preventative measure? It's bound to give out and that will wreck the engine for sure.
Thanks for the link to the trans build.