It's been a while since an update, so here we go! I have been making some minor and fairly major changes... more on that to come.
Moved the battery to the boot to make some room in the engine bay.
Fitted a stock LS9 cam and new chain tensioner. The tensioner install requires removal of the oil pump, which requires removal of the oil pickup which requires removal of the sump which requires removal of the front crossmember! That was fun.
The LS9 cam is made for a positive displacement blower. It has reasonable lift and very good exhaust duration with a reasonably smooth idle.
If you are not familiar with an LS, those rods you see below are 5/16th dowel rods used to prevent the lifters from falling into the sump. unlike old V8's, you cannot remove or change lifters without removing the heads. Luckily they are roller lifters anyway, so if changing to a mild cam with no crazy lift and spring pressure, you're okay to go.
Also upgraded the rocker arm Trunion's and valve springs while I was there. The stock ones with the little needle rollers you see here have a nasty habit of distributing needle rollers throughout your engine. Oh, Summit racing decided to include a semi-finished part in the package (the Black trunion pin you see below) - so they sent an entirely new set express DHL in 3 days. Can't beat that service.
Also changed the valve springs. Made a little tool to do that and spent a good couple of hours killing my back! The back two springs wedged between the brake booster and clutch master cylinder were real fun! But, did not require removal of anything other than the rocker covers and coils.
The bumper has also been receiving some modifications which will all make sense soon.
