Are your cams in sync?

[8upZR1]

Much has been said about the benefits of syncronizing cam timing on an LT5. Haibec's web site has a really nice article. Some guy I know through mustang racing ( they are faster you know) showed me his ultra quick method of checking whether or not the cams on his motors are degreed evenly from side to side. I have used it on my SOHC 4.6 Mustang and he uses it on his DOHC 4.6 motors. It will work all the same on an LT5. It doesn't really tell you the exact timing but it does let you know if you are close. Here it is:

Run a compression test on your motor and average the numbers on each side. If your motor is relatively healthy the difference in pumping pressure will be mostly due to differences in cam timing from side to side. If the averages are close then your cam timing is close from side to side. If it is significantly different then most likely your cam timing is out of sync, or you have no rings on 1 piston.

If you do this with the motor apart you can dial in the cams to be in sync without degreeing till you need IV fluids. For best results leave the bank that makes the lowest compression numbers alone and dial in the cams on the side that makes higher copmpression. The guy was telling me about his sure fire method of adjusting the intake first and then the exhaust and then back to the.........whatever I was thinking about my SOHC motor at the time and didn't think to pay attention to his ramblings about which cam to adjust first. I think it was intake, or maybe it was exhaust. Probably both in the end.

Anyway this is the method. For me and my SOHC this is a lot easier for adjustment purposes, but for LT5's this could be a viable way to check whether or not cam timing is in sync. Even my motor, as F'd as it is, pumps relatively even numbers from side to side. If you are bored one day and want to know, try it out.

[cuisinartvette]

I dont think Ill ever get that bored...Unless I tear it apart.

[8upZR1]

Your ZR1 obviously runs.

[8upZR1]

I was just looking at your description of your 1990 Cuisinart and was wondering what kind of methanol injection you use and if it makes a noticeable difference in the amount of timing you can run? Are you naturally aspirated?

I have the SNOW kit on my blown Mustang and think its the greatest thing in the world. Since installing the kit I have ditched my front mount intercooler, as now there is just no need.

[Aurora40]

Pretty cool. Though even if you find out they are out of synch, not much you can easily do about it. Still, pretty cool. Thanks for sharing it.

[8upZR1]

I was thinking about how difficult it would be to use this procedure on an LT5 to actually sync the cams. For all of the hassle involved you may want to pain yourself slightly more and hook up the degree wheel and indicator.

The procedure is an easy way to make sure your engine builder is as meticulous as he/she or you claim to be.

[cuisinartvette]

Originally Posted by 8upZR1

I was just looking at your description of your 1990 Cuisinart and was wondering what kind of methanol injection you use and if it makes a noticeable difference in the amount of timing you can run? Are you naturally aspirated?

I have the SNOW kit on my blown Mustang and think its the greatest thing in the world. Since installing the kit I have ditched my front mount intercooler, as now there is just no need.

I cant adjust timing unless the tune is changed. It defintitely helps with detonation and cools the intake charge a bit. Not a giant SOTP difference but I can definitely tell with it off/on. Worth it IMO-Some guys dont like it but Im from the every bit helps/it all adds up crowd.
Run approx 5-10 methanol fwiw.

[8upZR1]

A boosted motor is where Water/Methanol really shines. After a run down the 1/4 I can put my hand on the blower outlet and it is scorching hot. Then I touch the pipe after the outlet where the nozzles are located and it is only luke warm. Then I touch the pipe after the throttle body leading into the plenum and it is COLD to the touch. By far and away the coldest surface you can touch under the hood. You will never achieve this with an intercooler, not even an air to liquid unit with ice & water.

You should boost your LT5 Cuisinart, just cause you already have the water/meth injection.

Anybody seen these STS remote turbo kits? I was thinking it would fit a ZR1 without any problems.

[cuisinartvette]

Id love to put the STS kit on, but IRS has other plans for my income for the next year or so. Doesnt mean I can port/polish the top end though
Right now Im just happy to have the thing, its been a struggle not selling it.

[A26B]

Originally Posted by 8upZR1

......Anybody seen these STS remote turbo kits? I was thinking it would fit a ZR1 without any problems.

Ron Hanselman and I (Raptor, LLC) are in construction of a rear mount system for the ZR-1. We should have the system ready for sales by October. We just finished the 95 LT1 Corvette, drove it to Breckenridge, CO from Las Vegas. Ran great and sounds awesome. We've found a couple of little things to tweak and make better, then off it goes to jig mfg and cnc mandrel tube bending. Finished product will be all mandrel bent, polished stainless.....reeel pretty.

Oh, BTW....fitting twin turbos to a ZR-1: up front-a king size bitch, in back, still a bitch but doable.

You will see it here when we get done.