IT LIVES! My Z/LE ZL1 + 1LE + 2SS = Z/LE ;o) LSA SC [COTW 2/09/15]

[hammdo]

Here is how I routed the hose:

First, I removed the 'second' section of the booster hose from the booster to the coupler:



and put the v6 'booster' side hose there. Once I figured out the other hose had the check valve, I remove this hose and put in a check valve so it would prevent the vacuum pump from 'sucking' on the manifold side:



This way, I was sure the pump was only pulling vacuum on the booster.

Once I setup this, I then connected all the hoses together and routed them behind the supercharger lid:





Driver's side ready:





Passenger's side:







Pretty nifty!

I know that when I switch the ignition on, the vacuum pump will be running and will run for 4 minutes (based on the micro-controller programming I did).

That was fun! Now, put the wheel well back together and take it for a ride!

-Don

[hammdo]

I'll take a video of 'first cold' start so you can see how the brake pedal behaves. I tested the pump several times so I didn't have a 'cold' start video. Will do that tomorrow and post it...

-Don

[JOHNSONROD]

ok you probably said and i missed it but... whats the timer for? why does it shut off? is there a low vacuum time period? straighten me out. im just curious.

[hammdo]

OK, because of the cam I have, there is low vacuum during initial startup (usually cold start) until the engine gets pass the initial startup phase -- about 4 to 5 minutes.

So, what I did was program a micro-controlled switch so it would allow the vacuum pump to run for 4 minutes -- after the ignition switch turns on since I didn't want to tap into the ECM circuit like the V6 does. This micro-switch resets when the ignition is turned off. So, start the car, the pump runs for 4 minutes -- during that ignition cycle. Stop the car, start it again, pump runs again just for 4 minutes.

After the 4 minutes is up, the micro-switch programmed timer turns off the power, and then, the pump shuts off. Car is then running on manifold vacuum.

NOTE: there are 2 check valves, one on the manifold side, one on the pump side. Since the pump has way more vacuum, it closes the manifold check valve. Once the pump shuts off, the manifold vacuum closes the pumps check valve and wa-la -- vacuum is coming from the engine. Using this vacuum pump allows me to start the car and go instead of waiting for the warm up. Also, this micro-switch has a 'toggle' wire that I could invoke the timer manually if I needed to do that.

BTW, these pumps were not designed to run all the time, just for the 'start up' phase.

Alice gave a great description here of what the LLT/LFX v6's need it for:

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showpo...06&postcount=7

So, after my car warms up, the vacuum is fine and I don't need the assist anymore!

Its just the initial start where the vacuum is not enough (you know, the cam sucks it all ;o).

Works like a champ! I just got back after my test drive -- video of the initial startup coming...

There are electric pumps that can run all the time and you would need a 'relay' with switch power (very easy to do) and then a vacuum switch that can shut off/on when the vacuum is not needed/needed. I chose this way since I didn't need it all the time.

-Don

[hammdo]

Here you go, cold start up with the electric vacuum pump:



BTW, that slight 'whirling' noise is the vacuum pump running...

-Don

[jose1003]

Wow still amazed of how your maro has turned out,
Awesome job

[hammdo]

Thanks! I can't wait to install the ported blower and pulley...

Just a lot of fun to experiment, learn, and teach...

-Don

[hammdo]

Well, gave it a quick bath, took it out for a drive to test the operation of the vacuum pump. Did excellent, was able to cold start, and immediately take off since the brakes had full vacuum from the pump. City driving and Highway driving, worked great. Stopped a couple of times to verify pump operation -- did excellent! Glad the V6 folks discussed this pump as it gave me the idea of using it for my brake booster needs -- and the pump is easy to get!

-Don

[hammdo]

Brett from Jokerz Performance contacted me today -- looks to be about 3 weeks before she is ready. In the mean time, I'm going to get the gaskets:

19180613 (Intake Manifold Gaskets)
12212467 (Cooler Insulator Gasket -- intercooler brick)
12613457 (Cover Assembly Gasket -- lids 'green' gasket)

Got new intake manifold bolts (will keep the others as they are not TTY).

I have everything else that I'll transfer (fuel rail/line, injector clips, boost valve, evap) so that will make it easy to swap!

Then, I'll be looking for a new belt -- I'll get an idea once I have the sc installed....

-Don

[hammdo]

Longer test drive tonight (1 hr). Electric Vacuum Pump worked perfectly. Car ran like I expect -- super! Gonna drive it for a while until the ported blower get's here -- then, depending on timing, I'll see what I can get done:

1) Blower/pulley/injectors/tune!

2) Valve Springs/C.H.E. Trunnions/Valve Stem Seals/LSA Valve Covers. Still have about 5-6k miles before I get to the point where I really need to do these. This will probably be in the winter since its just maintenance.

After that, if Mishimoto gets their Oil Cooler setup right, I'll probably add that which would complete my cooling needs (minus the diff -- since I have the LPW cover on it, can't really go that route -- unless I want to 'cool' the gear oil itself -- but that would require a pump etc...)

Ah, the choices...

-Don

[hammdo]

LSA Gasket set came in:

Lid gasket (green):

part #: 12613457

Intercooler brick gasket (orange):

part #: 12612467

Lower manifold gaskets:

part #: 19180613



Just waiting on the ported blower and pulley now!

-Don

[hammdo]

Brett from Jokerz Performance has started on the blower. We discussed the 'rebuild' of it, and, while it has been rebuilt, not all of it was updated, and, we found the solid isolator/coupler is not quite what I wanted.

With that I've asked Brett to 'make it right' and it will be to his satisfaction as far as how its rebuilt. I got the blower @ the right price, so this is not a big deal. I'll know it will be one solid blower when I get it back!

Pics to follow once Brett has a chance -- can't wait!

-Don

[hammdo]

Well, talking with Ryan from GPI, Andy from ADM, and Steve from RDP, I'm going dual pumps for the fueling, from ADM. For the very short term, I'm using the MSD BAP to hold me over until Andy has time in his schedule to install this.

I know the BAP is a 'bandaid', but for the short term until Andy's schedule opens up, it will hold me over.

Waiting on Brett from Jokerz, he is working his magic. Ryan will be adjusting the tune for me (ID 850's, etc.) and once all this is ready, I'll take it to GPI for the fine tuning.

Should be fun!

-Don

[QUICRNU]

So I guess they are expecting More than 650 RWHP