Drop In Piston Install while motor is IN THE CAR

bpang1234 · 10-13-2018, 01:53 AM

OK so I know I have some other threads on here but I am trying to make this one pretty specific to the actual installation of Drop In Pistons while the motor is in the car. I know it is possible...if you watch Lethal's videos, Cunningham did his while the motor was clearly in the car. Others have noted that Vengeance and other tuners have done this often as well.

However, when I go on Youtube, this forum or the Corvette forums, there is little information about the install. I am not near any of the shops of note for our platform but I have a very capable mechanic shop I have worked with for more than a year now. They asked me to send anything I could find on this work so we can set this all up.

I have bought the following from Jannetty Racing:

10-WD-00144 - Wiseco Gen 5 LT1 Drop-In Piston Set For Stock Rods: 4.065" Bore, 3.622" Stroke, -.6cc Volume, (STOCK COMPRESSION) .943" Pins For Stock Rods, Includes GFX Ring Set, No Balancing Required.
ARP High-Performance Connecting Rod Bolts, Stock LS1 Crank Rods.
GM MLS Head Gaskets, 2014+ 6.2L LT1
GM 2014+ LT1 Head Bolt KIt For PAIR of Cylinder Heads. 6.2L LT1 Stingray Single Allen Head. LT1 2014+ Head bolt standard

USAFS197 · 10-13-2018, 07:01 AM

Total side note from all of this but, why the stock LS1 rods?

bpang1234 · 10-13-2018, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USAFS197

Total side note from all of this but, why the stock LS1 rods?

Didn’t buy rods that is just the description for the rod bolts. It was probably them just cut and pasting text from the product description and not highlighting the whole thing that listed all the other motor codes.

Boost Creep · 10-13-2018, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpang1234

OK so I know I have some other threads on here but I am trying to make this one pretty specific to the actual installation of Drop In Pistons while the motor is in the car. I know it is possible...if you watch Lethal's videos, Cunningham did his while the motor was clearly in the car. Others have noted that Vengeance and other tuners have done this often as well.

However, when I go on Youtube, this forum or the Corvette forums, there is little information about the install. I am not near any of the shops of note for our platform but I have a very capable mechanic shop I have worked with for more than a year now. They asked me to send anything I could find on this work so we can set this all up.

I have bought the following from Jannetty Racing:

10-WD-00144 - Wiseco Gen 5 LT1 Drop-In Piston Set For Stock Rods: 4.065" Bore, 3.622" Stroke, -.6cc Volume, (STOCK COMPRESSION) .943" Pins For Stock Rods, Includes GFX Ring Set, No Balancing Required.
ARP High-Performance Connecting Rod Bolts, Stock LS1 Crank Rods.
GM MLS Head Gaskets, 2014+ 6.2L LT1
GM 2014+ LT1 Head Bolt KIt For PAIR of Cylinder Heads. 6.2L LT1 Stingray Single Allen Head. LT1 2014+ Head bolt standard

While I haven't done it on a 6th gen Camaro, I have done it on dozens of GM V6 and 4 cyl engines as well as dozens of Toyota 4 cyl engines.

You only need to remove heads and oil pan to access the connecting rod bolts and pop the pistons out.
One piece exact size ring compressors make the job just a little easier.

I would do head studs, but that's just me.

oldman · 10-13-2018, 10:30 PM

would be interested in the recommended honing procedure... I'm used to plateau honing.

laynlo15 · 10-14-2018, 07:08 AM

Is yours a M6 or A8? If its an A8 you can have it out of the car in about 7 hours and that includes taking all the accys off.

L78toLT1 · 10-14-2018, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laynlo15

Is yours a M6 or A8? If its an A8 you can have it out of the car in about 7 hours and that includes taking all the accys off.

How long for a m6?

oldman · 10-14-2018, 10:42 AM

The M6 needs the trans dropped, it maybe able to do it with dropping the subframe 4" the problem is you can't yank it the engine out as the double clutch pack binds between the trans housing and thus the pan can't clear the K member. You may on an M6 consider taking the pan off first. Now that I have BMR engine mounts it is about 1.5 hour job to drop the pan.

For the M6 I would seriously think about dropping the engine and trans from the bottom.

laynlo15 · 10-14-2018, 11:02 AM

What old man said.

L78toLT1 · 10-14-2018, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldman

The M6 needs the trans dropped, it maybe able to do it with dropping the subframe 4" the problem is you can't yank it the engine out as the double clutch pack binds between the trans housing and thus the pan can't clear the K member. You may on an M6 consider taking the pan off first. Now that I have BMR engine mounts it is about 1.5 hour job to drop the pan.

For the M6 I would seriously think about dropping the engine and trans from the bottom.

I'm considering the bmr mounts primarily to free up some room. How is the nvh with these? I have heard speculation that the nvh increase may result in the ecm commanding false knock retard.

oldman · 10-14-2018, 03:05 PM

Don't know about the knock retard, there is a little more vibration, it is hard to tell because I did the cam at the same time.

bpang1234 · 10-15-2018, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laynlo15

Is yours a M6 or A8? If its an A8 you can have it out of the car in about 7 hours and that includes taking all the accys off.

It's an A8.

bpang1234 · 10-30-2018, 01:26 PM

Update - my mechanics ended up pulling the motor. They also found chunks of my primary cats loose in the exhaust so I ended up replacing with Kooks Long Tubes and Cats.

Car should be done early next week.

DenverTaco07 · 01-22-2019, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpang1234

Update - my mechanics ended up pulling the motor. They also found chunks of my primary cats loose in the exhaust so I ended up replacing with Kooks Long Tubes and Cats.

Car should be done early next week.

how did it turn out?

10-13-2018, 01:53 AM	#1
bpang1234 You can only YOLO once. Drives: '16 2SS & '15 Subaru Forester Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Albany, OR Posts: 1,677	Drop In Piston Install while motor is IN THE CAR OK so I know I have some other threads on here but I am trying to make this one pretty specific to the actual installation of Drop In Pistons while the motor is in the car. I know it is possible...if you watch Lethal's videos, Cunningham did his while the motor was clearly in the car. Others have noted that Vengeance and other tuners have done this often as well. However, when I go on Youtube, this forum or the Corvette forums, there is little information about the install. I am not near any of the shops of note for our platform but I have a very capable mechanic shop I have worked with for more than a year now. They asked me to send anything I could find on this work so we can set this all up. I have bought the following from Jannetty Racing: 10-WD-00144 - Wiseco Gen 5 LT1 Drop-In Piston Set For Stock Rods: 4.065" Bore, 3.622" Stroke, -.6cc Volume, (STOCK COMPRESSION) .943" Pins For Stock Rods, Includes GFX Ring Set, No Balancing Required. ARP High-Performance Connecting Rod Bolts, Stock LS1 Crank Rods. GM MLS Head Gaskets, 2014+ 6.2L LT1 GM 2014+ LT1 Head Bolt KIt For PAIR of Cylinder Heads. 6.2L LT1 Stingray Single Allen Head. LT1 2014+ Head bolt standard __________________ 2016 Camaro 2ss -Summit White / Ceramic White -8A, NPP, MRC, Ceramic White package plus knee pads, black bowties. -1st Car to have the "full" SEMA High Performance Graphics kit from 6LEDesigns. -1st Car to have the 6LEDesigns Blade Spoiler. -Borla S-Type w/ custom H-Pipe -Procharger P-1X Stage 2

10-13-2018, 07:01 AM	#2
USAFS197 Drives: 2018 Audi TT RS Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 1,915	Total side note from all of this but, why the stock LS1 rods? __________________ 2018 Audi TT ▊RS 2.4X 0-60, 1.6X 60', 120+mph 1/8th, 4.XX 60-130, 150+mph traps on 255/35/18 R888R tires on the street (unprepped). 2019 Audi RS3 About as fast as the TT RS 2019 Camaro ZL1 1LE Sold 2018 Camaro SS 1LE Sold 2019 Corvette Z06 Sold 2021 Charger Hellcat Redeye Widebody Sold

10-13-2018, 10:30 PM	#5
oldman Drives: SS 6 speed of course Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Hilo, HI Posts: 4,316	would be interested in the recommended honing procedure... I'm used to plateau honing. __________________ Forged short block, large duration sub .600 lift Cam Motion cam, 7200 RPM fuel cut, Pray Ported Heads, 3.85 pulley D1X, stage II intercooler, DSX secondary low side, DSX E85 sensor, Lingenfelter big bore 2.0 pump, ported front cats, 60608 Borla, LT4 injectors, ZL1 1LE driveshaft and Katech ported TB, ported MSD intake, BTR valvetrain, ARP studs, ProFlow valves, PS4 tires.

10-14-2018, 07:08 AM	#6
laynlo15 Drives: 2022 Lt1 A10 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: clark, mo Posts: 8,860	Is yours a M6 or A8? If its an A8 you can have it out of the car in about 7 hours and that includes taking all the accys off. __________________ 2022 Lt1 6.2 A10, Maggie 2300, THPSI Port Inj/10 rib, Rotofab, E, Nickey, SCOL, Griptech, RC Bandits, Hoosiers/MT 9.80@142.96 1.44 60ft, 6.34@112 707/669 RWHP/TRQ. 16SS Maggie 2650 9.41@147 1.35 60ft, 5.99@119. 16 C7 A8 10.90@128 Bolt on stuff

10-14-2018, 10:42 AM	#8
oldman Drives: SS 6 speed of course Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Hilo, HI Posts: 4,316	The M6 needs the trans dropped, it maybe able to do it with dropping the subframe 4" the problem is you can't yank it the engine out as the double clutch pack binds between the trans housing and thus the pan can't clear the K member. You may on an M6 consider taking the pan off first. Now that I have BMR engine mounts it is about 1.5 hour job to drop the pan. For the M6 I would seriously think about dropping the engine and trans from the bottom. __________________ Forged short block, large duration sub .600 lift Cam Motion cam, 7200 RPM fuel cut, Pray Ported Heads, 3.85 pulley D1X, stage II intercooler, DSX secondary low side, DSX E85 sensor, Lingenfelter big bore 2.0 pump, ported front cats, 60608 Borla, LT4 injectors, ZL1 1LE driveshaft and Katech ported TB, ported MSD intake, BTR valvetrain, ARP studs, ProFlow valves, PS4 tires.

10-14-2018, 11:02 AM	#9
laynlo15 Drives: 2022 Lt1 A10 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: clark, mo Posts: 8,860	What old man said. __________________ 2022 Lt1 6.2 A10, Maggie 2300, THPSI Port Inj/10 rib, Rotofab, E, Nickey, SCOL, Griptech, RC Bandits, Hoosiers/MT 9.80@142.96 1.44 60ft, 6.34@112 707/669 RWHP/TRQ. 16SS Maggie 2650 9.41@147 1.35 60ft, 5.99@119. 16 C7 A8 10.90@128 Bolt on stuff

10-14-2018, 03:05 PM	#11
oldman Drives: SS 6 speed of course Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Hilo, HI Posts: 4,316	Don't know about the knock retard, there is a little more vibration, it is hard to tell because I did the cam at the same time. __________________ Forged short block, large duration sub .600 lift Cam Motion cam, 7200 RPM fuel cut, Pray Ported Heads, 3.85 pulley D1X, stage II intercooler, DSX secondary low side, DSX E85 sensor, Lingenfelter big bore 2.0 pump, ported front cats, 60608 Borla, LT4 injectors, ZL1 1LE driveshaft and Katech ported TB, ported MSD intake, BTR valvetrain, ARP studs, ProFlow valves, PS4 tires.

10-30-2018, 01:26 PM	#13
bpang1234 You can only YOLO once. Drives: '16 2SS & '15 Subaru Forester Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Albany, OR Posts: 1,677	Update - my mechanics ended up pulling the motor. They also found chunks of my primary cats loose in the exhaust so I ended up replacing with Kooks Long Tubes and Cats. Car should be done early next week. __________________ 2016 Camaro 2ss -Summit White / Ceramic White -8A, NPP, MRC, Ceramic White package plus knee pads, black bowties. -1st Car to have the "full" SEMA High Performance Graphics kit from 6LEDesigns. -1st Car to have the 6LEDesigns Blade Spoiler. -Borla S-Type w/ custom H-Pipe -Procharger P-1X Stage 2

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