1994 Pontiac Firebird - When LT1s Attack

A spare piece of tubing was also required to cover a 3- to 4-inch gap, and a band clamp was needed for the connection from this piece to the Y-pipe....

...Once the EGR tubes were coated with antiseize and transferred from the stock manifolds to the new headers, the exhaust system was good to go. The whole process took the better part of the day, which is not bad by LT1 standards.

In the meantime, the stock OBD-I PCM was sent out to Ed Wright at FastChip, so he could dial in the Formula's new combo. The freer flowing exhaust as well as the other bolt-ons could be maximized by a good tune. A more aggressive timing table and trimming a bit of fuel could do wonders with a bone stock motor let alone the Formula's steadily increasing number of mods. In addition, Ed would be able to firm up the shifts for an additional performance boost at the dragstrip. Given the Formula's stock driveline, it could use all the help Ed could provide.

The COMP Cams 1.6 ratio Magnum Roller Rockers (PN 1418-16) provide improvement over the stock 1.5s with increased lift and duration, not to mention the roller tip, while still using a sturdy steel construction for reliability. COMP Cams also sent over a can of Valve Train Assembly Spray (not pictured), which is very similar to the lube provided with the rockers except in aerosol form.

After removing the valve covers, Junior got started on the rocker arms. The flexplate was rotated in order to turn over the motor until TDC is found on the first cylinder by feel-Pedro keeps turning the flexplate until there is no tension in the rockers, springs, and pushrods....

...This indicates that neither the intake or exhaust valve is open, and when this sweet spot is found Junior replaces the stock rockers with the 1.6s.

This long and tedious process is repeated on both sides. The rockers, washers, and bolts are treated to copious amounts of the Valve Train Assembly Spray and lube. Each rocker stud receives a 5/8-inch bolt that is tightened down until there is no play in the pushrod (zero lash) then given another quarter turn....

...Once the last rocker is tightened down the motor is started and revved to listen for valve tap, which would mean the rockers would need to be retightened. Everything was kosher, though, so Junior put the valve covers back on.

Since the plan was to swap out the Opti at some point, Junior took the opportunity to drain the coolant system and remove the water pump.