My first major engine work

[shakedown067]

Too bad it's not on the Vette, but the family hauler. Was quite the experience. Just over 20 hours over three days on the ole '00 Suburban 5.3. Found two broken head bolts (and subsequent exhaust leaks), and found that the heads I have aren't worth rebuilding. So it was upgrade time. Scored a fresh set of C5 ZO6 heads so it's a solid 30-35hp increase. The old head gasket looked rough and there was a good bit of rust/coolant build up in the coolant valleys, so i'm glad I did this sooner than later. Next up, corvette/camaro e-fans.

Tear down


Starting to go back together


And a quick sound clip. Longtube headers w/cats, ZO6 heads, stock muffler.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buOEpXlsNGU

And this is why the Vette is just sitting rotting away. The family cruiser comes first. Hope to tackle the Vette in December as I'm slammed for November.

[twistedwankel]

Eric,

Have you ever stopped to consider that maybe you are a "truck" guy? That sounds wicked. Z0Truck.

The Mayor

[Loren]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdTbAHGGfV0

[shakedown067]

No Doug, I KNOW I'm a truck guy. Would love to have a late 90s fullsize, regular cab truck to turn into an autocross mons...well, a unique fun autocross ride.


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[twistedwankel]

Eric,

Study the attached glove box list.

I'm not totally convinced you are a "truck" guy. Definitely a "Chevy" guy who makes trucks kick ass.

You should sign up as #119 for the Nov 15th event in the PM. Bring the kids and wife.

Let's see what you and I got? The top will drop. The shit will fly. The tires are Fire STONES "RF's".

I owe you big time. If my wife didn't think your #67 is more sexy than my grey8 I would never have even looked at her Torch Red AOD, seen if we could get in and out of it, nor would I have bought a new/revised "Grey8". (Yes I still have the original BUT the latest is the greatest.)

The Mayor.

[shakedown067]

Nice, Z51 suspension and the 3.42 rear axle. Sorry, can't make the 15th, that's my Boys' birthday party (my oldest turns 4 on Nov 10th, and my youngest turns 2 on Nov 15th).

So TWO corvettes in the garage now. I dig it! I need to pick me up one of these C5s...my C4 is about ready to head to the junkyard (minus all my go-fast parts).

[twistedwankel]

Another time then. I knew you'd know the codes:)

Yes isn't C4 a plastic explosive?

That sucks you've worked so hard on that ride. So far both our 2000's are awesome no matter the miles or equipment.

One soft for touring and one hardass for xcrossing.

[shakedown067]

No real plans on getting rid of it except a fairly high listing on craigslist, just in case. Talking to one of my guys that owe me this week to see if he can take care of the computer rebuild and go from there.


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[Tim_M]

Doug: Eric missed the most important code...MN6...ie 6 speed. Of course he drives an auto so can't fault him.

Eric: Headers on your family hauler??? Why the teardown? That is some serious work...wish you luck! I'm in a similar boat...so crossing my fingers I recall where all the hoses go on my 'powered by plumbing' Subaru.

[lddavis91]

The beast sounds mean!

[shakedown067]

Thanks les. Tim, it all started with a check engine light. O2 Sensors. replacement them, came back on. So replace the cats (long tubes for an upgrade while i'm at it). When doing the headers, found two broken header bolts inside the heads and one bolt stripped out on the passenger side. So I had to pull the heads to fix them, and of course I find the set of heads I have are the worst aluminum casting GM has made. You don't rebuild these, you replace them (very prone to cracking). So upgraded to the Vette heads for less than I'd had a shop try to fix, then replace my stock heads with stock parts. I'm pretty sure the head gaskets were on their way out as they looked like hell. Truck turned over 250,000 miles on the trip to Brooksville and back for the autocross school!

[Tim_M]

Well, I've heard the LS series engine is a pleasure to work on...I've not had the opportunity. 250,000 miles...that is a few times around the world.

[shakedown067]

Yeah, wasn't too bad at all. A lot of crap to get out of the way, but overall I didn't find it difficult. Stressful doing it in the driveway though.