CobraRed's Build thread - updated periodically

CobraRed_96_GT · Nov 21, 2007

Well, i got an update, but it's not too good. I got the intake manifold today, took it along with my heads to Total Performance to have them hot tanked/cleaned. The intake manifold he pointed out is cracked in two places, the first not bad, but the other obviously leaked onto the bolt hole while on car shown by the corrosion.

CobraRed_96_GT · Nov 21, 2007

Furthermore, i was in formed (don't know why i wasn't told over the phone) that to hot tank heads the valves,springs,retainers, and most importantley seals need to be off - otherwise it will be oiless after being cleaned. SO, i have to disassemble the heads before cleaning. And since it will be apart im having him grind new seats and check the valves for any imperfections.
Since the reason i haven't bought new spring for the VT cams has been not wanting to disassemble the heads, it looks like now im looking at new springs too AND i'll need new seals after the valves are taken out.

d98gt · Nov 21, 2007

All the small things add up quickly

Sucks that you bought a busted intake. Have you contacted the seller?

CobraRed_96_GT · Nov 21, 2007

d98gt said:
All the small things add up quickly

Sucks that you bought a busted intake. Have you contacted the seller?

Yeah, im planning on writing return to sender on it and a refund, but we'll see if i get it.

tiptone · Nov 21, 2007

CobraRed_96_GT said:
So non-required springs aren't on the books even tho it'll help.

I believe they call those Famous Last Words.

Parts are really coming together, that should be one strong running auto when you're done.

rugster · Nov 21, 2007

yes you can reuse the timing cover gaskets, just make sure they haven't swollen up and also put RTV on all the necessary joints.

Scorcher2005 · Nov 21, 2007

Since your having him go over the heads you may as well have him do a valve job and port and polish them too. It will payoff in the long run.

CobraRed_96_GT · Nov 21, 2007

Scorcher2005 said:
Since your having him go over the heads you may as well have him do a valve job and port and polish them too. It will payoff in the long run.

i'm going to have him grind new seats and check the valves and guides and put new seals in when done, but im not P/P'ing

Does anyone know if you can go too far with springs? I have a guy wanting to sell me springs that have 500 miles on them that were for xe278's which are like stage 3's. Wont i want something less for a VT stage 1?

CobraRed_96_GT · Nov 21, 2007

and on a brighter note, Modular Powerhouse's tune came to me today (most expensive part of the build)

Winters98GT · Nov 21, 2007

that sucks about the intake. Keep on keeping on though!

Mark

CobraRed_96_GT · Nov 21, 2007

Winters98GT said:
that sucks about the intake. Keep on keeping on though!

Mark

Yeah i ended up buying a new one for $163 shipped I'd better get my money back off this one, he even said no damages or imperfection in his ebay ad. I have to pay to send it back too! FedEx wont do "return to sender" even tho i've done it b4.

CobraRed_96_GT · Nov 26, 2007

well, i talked to Total Performance today and didn't get a hold of the guy who i dropped the heads off and who is working on them, but i talked to the owner and he said that they needed to do more work on them than we were thinking Figures, there no such thing as $100 heads that are ready to go. This is why i'm having them run through and machined tho, better to catch any problems now.

Also, i got a set of new comp cam beehive springs being delivered to the builder this week for $108 shipped. Things sure do add up. Thank god i have grant money coming - i love scholarships.

CobraRed_96_GT · Nov 26, 2007

he told me to talk to Rick (the guy doing the work) in the a.m. So i guess ill cross my fingers the valves and guides are fine

CobraRed_96_GT · Nov 27, 2007

UPDATE: good news and really bad news:

the good: got the NEW pi intake manifold all shinny and smelling like new with no cracks, yay. Has anyone tried to polish the aluminum corssover?

The bad:
News from my builder is not the best. He said the two heads aren't even from the same car, one head after he took it apart and hot tanked it upon inspection showed it was already gone over, as in newly grind seats and everything else he was gong to do, but this means the head proly had more miles on it than i thought. The other head (left hand) is bad news, parts of it were re-welded and cracked - looked like it was out of a front ended car or dropped off the back off a truck. He said it'd cost major money to fix it all, so now im in search of a new LH (driver's side) head cuz im tired of dealing with used parts.

On top of all this, the head changing kit that i found from an online store for $89 FINALLY told me they dont sell it anymore after a month. So i had to spend an extra $30 to buy the kit from Steeda. God im getting drained alive

AntiRice98 · Nov 28, 2007

yea, your going to have ALOT of issues come up. When i did mine I thoght i would spend no more than 3k after everything was done it was more along the lines of 4300, but i replaced all my gaskets for new which was about 300. Your going to need new vlave covers, and the head bolts are expensive. Other little things like putting on the timing chain and everything will show to be difficult.

CobraRed_96_GT · Nov 28, 2007

AntiRice98 said:
yea, your going to have ALOT of issues come up. When i did mine I thoght i would spend no more than 3k after everything was done it was more along the lines of 4300, but i replaced all my gaskets for new which was about 300. Your going to need new vlave covers, and the head bolts are expensive. Other little things like putting on the timing chain and everything will show to be difficult.

even with the mishaps and one guy still owing me money for the damaged intake man. i'm still going to be right at 2k with the tune, VT cams, and beehive springs included. I dont need new valve covers because these are romeo heads, just need new gaskets. I got the head bolts included in the head changing kit for $120 shipped. And i have a ford tech helping me w/ the install so it shouldn't be too hard.

'13_ImpactBlue_GT · Nov 28, 2007

What do you mean by "hot tank" the heads and cams?

AntiRice98 · Nov 28, 2007

yea, i went all out though. CNC Ported and polished heads, long tube headers, H pipe. Comp cams...all new. New seals...everything. I couldn't be more happy that I just bit the bullet and paid the extra to have EVERYTHING done. It really showed in the end.

CobraRed_96_GT · Nov 28, 2007

Toms_2003_Stang said:
What do you mean by "hot tank" the heads and cams?

cleaned and baked free of pollutants in (more warm than hot) tank of solvents

CobraRed_96_GT · Nov 28, 2007

well im relieved (and so is my wallet) i said F it after going to see the heads. Too many discrepancies that i didn't want to have to fix or worry about. So im going to sell of the heads like i am selling the cams (except actually be honest about the condition they are in- unlike the person who sold them to me). I actually think im going to come out in the black comparative to how much i paid for them. But for now im still in the hole with them. So the alternative to these heads is a sure fire solution:

Allied Motor Parts out of georgia:
# completely disassembled to be cleaned and baked free of pollutants.
# They are then pressure tested to assure there are no cracks present that cannot be detected by the eye.
# New Valve Guides are installed.
# The head is resurfaced with a Poly Crystalline Diamond to 25-35 ra (roughness average) which far exceeds OE specifications.
# Each unit is near completion with a triple angle valve job for maximum performance.
# Each head is individually assembled by an ASE certified cylinder head technician.
# When complete, a final quality control check is done to ensure nothing but the finest products.
# He also gave me a 1 year unlimited millage no questions asked warranty on them

And he's installing my beehive springs on them for free, on top of me getting them for a helluva deal since i didn't want the cams on them. Dirk's a good guy. I think i actually feel good about putting these on my car, ha!

you can see the Poly Crystalline surfacing here:
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