Bring on the Babes
Just wanted to drop a line as a longtime subscriber. Loved the eye candy in the July 2009 issue. The young lady in the "Rolling the Dice" feature was tasteful and not overdone. I am sure others may complain, I say bring on the beauties.
Kenneth Barta
Boiling Brook, IL
Green Machine
Your Camaro project, "Bookin' By the Book", really caught my eye. Being a California resident I am always held back in moding my car because of limitations set by our "glorious" state legislature. I have moded my car within the letter of law and I am very curious to see where you take your project.
My 1999 6-Speed Firebird Formula is pretty quick, but it can be quicker. I have two choices: leave this state or mod like crazy. I am not leaving, so I guess I will mod like crazy.
What is this in the mail? Smog notice ... Sigh ...
Javier C. Perez
San Diego, Ca
Truckin'
Dear Sir,
I have a 2008 Sierra 5.3L V-8 with the new Radix TVS supercharger and custom blower cam. I am looking to upgrade to an LS3 427 short-block, but was wondering if I can use the stock heads and the supercharger I have on the LS3 427?
Thanks,
Khalid
Via Email
Considering the relatively low cost of a good set of CNC-ported 5.3, 5.7, or 6.0L heads I wouldn't recommend using stock heads if you are going through the trouble of tearing out the motor. You might find a smaller blower pulley, ported heads, a cam and a 5.7L to be more than enough. But who am I to discourage putting a big cube motor in?
Shifting Goat Gears
My wife had to have a 2005 GTO. After the car scared the heck out of her while driving it in the snow she said sell it. Of course my response was no way! Problem is now I drive it (summer only), and of course when we bought it I couldn't talk her into a six-speed. I have a T56 in the garage and want to make the change over. Can I use the original computer? What all would be involved? Also, I saw an aftermarket wing on a red GTO in your Pedders suspension article. Where can I get one?
Thanks,
Jon Chiappone
Willoughby, OH
The PCM will need to be reflashed for the manual trans, contact an experienced tuner. The rest of the swap should just be mechanical: installing the pedals, master cylinder, shifter, console, etc. Since six-speed GTOs are so abundant, I would honestly look to trade your car for a stick rather than do the conversion. And that wing is from Revenge Designs Inc.
Give Me VVT.
Hi GMHTP,
I read the article about putting the LS3 into the Camaro Z28 and enjoyed it very much. I have an L92 VVT engine sitting in my back garage and an '01 WS6 with a spun rod bearing. I was wondering if you guys had any information on putting it in and keeping the VVT. I know about the company Mast Motorsports, but their engine management system doesn't allow for me to keep my stock gauges. Plus, I don't really have $3K for their kit and new gauges. Any information would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
David Sherban
Battle Creek, MI
To my knowledge no one has solved this dilemna yet; either you have to ditch the stock gauges or ditch the variable valve timing. It is possible to get analog gauges (from a PROM or OBD I car) to work with a Gen III PCM, perhaps it's possible with a Gen IV PCM. Any electrical wizs out there want to take a crack?
Mail
Please send all letters to: scott.parker@soRC.com, or mail to: GM High-Tech Performance, 9036 Brittany Way, Tampa, FL 33619. All letters are presumed for publication and GMHTP reserves the right to edit all letters.