Thread: Z7 Install help

So i got my Z7 kit and am having it installed and have run across some questions/concerns that I need some assistance with.

Just to start off, I am installing a Z7 kit on a 2001 NA GP GT L36. With the kit I ordered ZZP front and rear stainless power logs, cat'd ZZP Down Pipe, Air to Air Intercooler, Boost Controller, the Tial Blow-Off Valve upgrade, 180 thermostat, high-flow fuel filter, ZZP pre-programed PCM, and #42 Injectors. The car is running and not throwing any codes at this time.

Here are some of my questions/concerns, the down pipe has very little clearance in the back between the "plastic" valve cover and the brake booster. It actually is rubbing up against the brake booster and do no have anymore play to adjust it, can hear rattle inside car, any suggestions? Shorter dog bones?

The clearance between the turbo and the plastic harness to the transmission is crazy close, I can not re-route that transmission harness as suggested in the instructions, what have any of you done to protect it? I put a thermal blanket over that and the PCM so they don't get cooked, but am still concerned?

The AIT, where the hell does it go? Shouldn't it be inside the air intake before for the throttle body to measure the air temperature going into the engine? I was told to zip tie to the top of the engine some where? Just doesn't sound right to me???

A lot of movement in the engine is now evident, should I step up to poly engine mounts or just replace them with new OEM rubber ones? If I replace with shorter dog bones will this take care of this issue? The car is a daily driver and I have head that once you go poly on these type of mounts there are crazy vibrations from the engine that get transferred to the car?

Lastly, I think, when the car is at idle, the blow off valve is open, so in essence, air is being drawn in through the blow off valve and not thru the air filter? Again, doesn't seem right and maybe asking for problems later on down the road if debris gets in the engine. Any suggestions? Can a get a different spring for the blow off valve?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, want to get the car on the road, but don't want to burn it up or cause damage to the engine. Thanx!

Ordered the shorter dog bones and poly engine mounts, will have to see how these work outs in regards to clearences. Any suggestions on where I should get a Monte Brake Booster? What year Monte am I looking for if mine is an 01 GP GT? Part #?

Got the shorter dog bones and poly bushings for everything, doesn't vibrate too, too much, but definitely more noticeable than stock. The engine does not move at all! Rev it and it stays put, and the shorter dog bones made plenty of room for the down pipe, no more issues with the brake booster.
Now for the bad news, had a problem with the manual boost controller, can not get it to adjust the boost at all? It is stuck at 15psi? No matter what I adjust it too, stays at 15psi so I am totally baffled?!?! Hooking it up is pretty straight forward, just can't figure it out? But now for the really bad news! Took the car out for a couple passes, car seemed to drive ok. Took it a little easy because the Tranny was already a little weak and didn't want to destroy it. Got the car up to about 40, got on it a little, car made boost then back fired. Eased off and then got back on it again thinking it was cold made a loud bang, car was dead! Wouldn't start, thinking that the time chain let loose? Hopefully the valves didn't take a hit???? If it was the chain, guys have any suggestions if I should just go stock or replace it with something different? If I destroyed a cam or valves and head need work, any suggestion for that as well? Too much invested in the car at this point to walk away from it. Want to keep it a daily driver, so I don't want anything too radical.

Yeah, I hear ya, I was not looking at putting 15 lbs of boost into it first time out. I was hoping to run anywhere between and 6 to 9 lbs of boost, but since the manual boost controller was not working correctly we took it out anyways. Whats done is done and I have too much invested in the car to walk away. Installed a boost gauge so I can see the vacuum and boost levels, car is in the shop across the river, will have to take a photo of the manual boost controller hook up and post it later. I'm more concerned on what broke in the engine. Hopefully its nothing major?!?!? Leaning towards the timing chain because it was a quick bang and the engine instantly cut out with no other noises, will update what I find as we tear into it.
Has anyone ever broke a timing chain before?

So as it turns out, the timing chain is in OK, but I stripped the teeth off the cam shaft gear? Only thing I can think of is the age and mileage on the engine and I guess that was the weakest part of the system. The cams are also damaged due to them rolling over after the gear went, not sure about the valves and pistons yet? Anyone know how stout these engines are? Is there a lot of room there where maybe they didn't get damaged? Since the cams have to be replaced, any suggestions on what I should replace them with? Was trying to keep the car a daily driver and get reasonable gas mileage, any suggestions would be appreciated.