New guy from Riverside County Ca.
10-26-2017, 01:26 AM
#1
Newb
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 14
Total Cats: 2
New guy from Riverside County Ca.
Hello,
Long time lurker, first time poster. I've had my 2003 LS (or maybe its a base with LS options?) since 2012 and I can't tell you for life of me why it took so long for me to buy one. I'm 48, so I remember when they first came out in 90 but, at the time, I was really involved with Corvettes (and still have my 75 Stingray), so I put it off because I could't afford more than one toy at a time. Then came career (retired Marine), marriage, kids, and I guess you all know the story. And yes, still married.
Anyway, my car is completely stock right now and I'm just now getting around to playing with it. I already have an MS3 w/3X that I'm building myself (former avionics tech) and plan to run a parallel with a Subi TD04L on a log manifold I have put together with weld L's. I plan to run water/meth injection as well as an intercooler. I've been playing around with the idea of water/air, but will probably just go with the tried and true air/air. Don't kill me on my first post, I've done a lot of reading here, and I get ideas that I like to toss around - mostly gained from other projects here. Having said that, I have to thank braineack and sturovo for their posts and inspiration - even though I've never actually spoke to either. I'm a do it myself kind of guy and I enjoy the challenge and education so yes, there may be cheaper or easier ways to go about it, but that's just not me.
Now, before I get ahead myself here, I am setting up the drive train and chassis for boost before I add it. Right now I am in the process of replacing the 5 speed with a 6, adding a new clutch (going with 949 organic unless somebody can advise me differently) and I am thinking about also using the lighter flywheel (read all about them and still unsure). In the meantime, I am replacing all of the seals in the transmission, and when the 5 speed comes out, I'll also replace the rear main. I don't want to get into it for my first thread, but the car only has 62K on it (I got it with 12k, clean title) and the 5th gear synchro is gone so, that's one of the reasons for the 6 speed (yes, I drive the snot out of it and I guess it was just one hard shift too many). So anyway, my fault.
The car still has the 4.30 rear end and I am going to keep it that way until I add boost, and then I'll change it to the the 3.63 with an LSD. I know it might be a little revvy with the 4.30, but that's what I want for now and I spend more time above 4k than below so I'm not afraid of revvy, and I wouldn't call this my daily. I currently have stock brakes on it with Hawk pads - dirty but stop well and good feel. I might do some track days with it before and after boost so I may add Wilwood brakes before boost also. Stock shocks are okay for now also, but when they go, I'll upgrade and lower it a bit at the same time. I have the curved spoke 16" wheels on it that came on the LS, and I like them a lot so I plan to keep them. For right now the idea is to have a quick NA until I can add boost. The car is driven mostly around town and back roads, some highway, but I avoid that as much as possible.
Some may ask why I'm doing this to an all original car with 62k on it? The answer is, because its mine and I do what I want with it. I'm pretty sure everybody here can respect that so that's why I'm here and not someplace else. I buy parts as I can, and put them in a pile until its time, so it can be time consuming I guess, but I know what I want out of it - my wife thinks I'm nuts and hates it, but doesn't comment much beyond that so I'll call her supportive.
So that's me. Probably too much for my first post. This board has been a great help to get me this far, and probably has too much information for me to really digest, but I try - sometimes for hours at a time, and yeah, I've made spreadsheets to track things. Crazy right?
Long time lurker, first time poster. I've had my 2003 LS (or maybe its a base with LS options?) since 2012 and I can't tell you for life of me why it took so long for me to buy one. I'm 48, so I remember when they first came out in 90 but, at the time, I was really involved with Corvettes (and still have my 75 Stingray), so I put it off because I could't afford more than one toy at a time. Then came career (retired Marine), marriage, kids, and I guess you all know the story. And yes, still married.
Anyway, my car is completely stock right now and I'm just now getting around to playing with it. I already have an MS3 w/3X that I'm building myself (former avionics tech) and plan to run a parallel with a Subi TD04L on a log manifold I have put together with weld L's. I plan to run water/meth injection as well as an intercooler. I've been playing around with the idea of water/air, but will probably just go with the tried and true air/air. Don't kill me on my first post, I've done a lot of reading here, and I get ideas that I like to toss around - mostly gained from other projects here. Having said that, I have to thank braineack and sturovo for their posts and inspiration - even though I've never actually spoke to either. I'm a do it myself kind of guy and I enjoy the challenge and education so yes, there may be cheaper or easier ways to go about it, but that's just not me.
Now, before I get ahead myself here, I am setting up the drive train and chassis for boost before I add it. Right now I am in the process of replacing the 5 speed with a 6, adding a new clutch (going with 949 organic unless somebody can advise me differently) and I am thinking about also using the lighter flywheel (read all about them and still unsure). In the meantime, I am replacing all of the seals in the transmission, and when the 5 speed comes out, I'll also replace the rear main. I don't want to get into it for my first thread, but the car only has 62K on it (I got it with 12k, clean title) and the 5th gear synchro is gone so, that's one of the reasons for the 6 speed (yes, I drive the snot out of it and I guess it was just one hard shift too many). So anyway, my fault.
The car still has the 4.30 rear end and I am going to keep it that way until I add boost, and then I'll change it to the the 3.63 with an LSD. I know it might be a little revvy with the 4.30, but that's what I want for now and I spend more time above 4k than below so I'm not afraid of revvy, and I wouldn't call this my daily. I currently have stock brakes on it with Hawk pads - dirty but stop well and good feel. I might do some track days with it before and after boost so I may add Wilwood brakes before boost also. Stock shocks are okay for now also, but when they go, I'll upgrade and lower it a bit at the same time. I have the curved spoke 16" wheels on it that came on the LS, and I like them a lot so I plan to keep them. For right now the idea is to have a quick NA until I can add boost. The car is driven mostly around town and back roads, some highway, but I avoid that as much as possible.
Some may ask why I'm doing this to an all original car with 62k on it? The answer is, because its mine and I do what I want with it. I'm pretty sure everybody here can respect that so that's why I'm here and not someplace else. I buy parts as I can, and put them in a pile until its time, so it can be time consuming I guess, but I know what I want out of it - my wife thinks I'm nuts and hates it, but doesn't comment much beyond that so I'll call her supportive.
So that's me. Probably too much for my first post. This board has been a great help to get me this far, and probably has too much information for me to really digest, but I try - sometimes for hours at a time, and yeah, I've made spreadsheets to track things. Crazy right?
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10-26-2017, 12:05 PM
#2
Moderator
iTrader: (12)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 20,668
Total Cats: 3,015
Sounds perfectly normal to me.
Welcome to the forum. We have several active and former military here. And lots of DIY guys. Very few people here drop their cars off for shops to work on.
I think there are a few members in your area that are track rats, too.
Welcome to the forum. We have several active and former military here. And lots of DIY guys. Very few people here drop their cars off for shops to work on.
I think there are a few members in your area that are track rats, too.
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10-27-2017, 05:20 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: San Diego
Posts: 557
Total Cats: 54
Welcome!
If you care what your car is - LS or base with options it's easy to find out. Dont forget to include pics of upgrades, it's always fun to see progress and even more fun to critique others
If you care what your car is - LS or base with options it's easy to find out. Dont forget to include pics of upgrades, it's always fun to see progress and even more fun to critique others
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10-28-2017, 12:42 AM
#4
Newb
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 14
Total Cats: 5
Welcome! I too, have a 2003 LS. I'm actually pretty close to you. I'm in North county San Diego! You should try to make it to a Cars and coffee sometime. Fallbrook has a great one. Also, don't feel bad. My 5th gear synchro killed itself too. I think it's pretty common with these cars.
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10-28-2017, 11:44 PM
#12
Newb
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 14
Total Cats: 2
Thanks for the welcome! Good to hear I'm not the only one to kill 5th. I'm actually getting ready to come out of retirement for a new position in Palmdale (been retired at 48 for a year and a half), so I'll be going back and fourth now between home and a place I have out there during the week. I actually like the drive down 138 with the top down. Something about blasting through the desert at night with the top down just does it for me. Kind of like in Less Than Zero, only its not my Corvette, and nobody dies in it.
I've been shy of posting pics on the internet anymore since my restored 87 GSX-R 750 was stolen in Monterey in 2006. Kind of stay away from events anymore too for the same reason. I put a lot of money and heart in that bike to have it taken by some undeserving slimeball while I was looking at other bikes in the show. So... Just have to take my word for it, its red, garaged, and driven like its meant to be - fast and with the top down. Once I start doing mods to it, I'll probably be even more shy of showing it off. I guess some folks are different, but I just never came back from that.
I would like to meet some of you though, talk about the cars, mods, get to know what's good and what's not. I usually overthink things. My 949 clutch was here today, but I wasn't here to sign for it so I won't have it until next week. Damn. Got the puck version with the lightened flywheel. This is the new supplier so I can't wait to put it in with the new 6 speed and post a review, most of the posts for the 949 clutch seem to be pre-2017 but I was convinced its what I want. I got all new seals for the transmission, and a shifter rebuild kit from 5X with the bronze bushing, all I need to do now is decide on a shift **** and get this stuff installed. I'm thinking the 4.30, with the puck clutch, lightened flywheel, and weighted shift **** should make for some good sprints in an NA car. If it sucks, I'll be doing the rear end sooner than I expected.
BTW, I'm long winded.
I've been shy of posting pics on the internet anymore since my restored 87 GSX-R 750 was stolen in Monterey in 2006. Kind of stay away from events anymore too for the same reason. I put a lot of money and heart in that bike to have it taken by some undeserving slimeball while I was looking at other bikes in the show. So... Just have to take my word for it, its red, garaged, and driven like its meant to be - fast and with the top down. Once I start doing mods to it, I'll probably be even more shy of showing it off. I guess some folks are different, but I just never came back from that.
I would like to meet some of you though, talk about the cars, mods, get to know what's good and what's not. I usually overthink things. My 949 clutch was here today, but I wasn't here to sign for it so I won't have it until next week. Damn. Got the puck version with the lightened flywheel. This is the new supplier so I can't wait to put it in with the new 6 speed and post a review, most of the posts for the 949 clutch seem to be pre-2017 but I was convinced its what I want. I got all new seals for the transmission, and a shifter rebuild kit from 5X with the bronze bushing, all I need to do now is decide on a shift **** and get this stuff installed. I'm thinking the 4.30, with the puck clutch, lightened flywheel, and weighted shift **** should make for some good sprints in an NA car. If it sucks, I'll be doing the rear end sooner than I expected.
BTW, I'm long winded.
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