1970 GTO Version 2.0

[mikes2nd]

What ECU are you using? The 2011 Camaro transmission has a VSS on it. Nothing crazy about it. Just plug n play.

Andrew

I am using a LS1 ecu, drive by cable, the lingerfelter reluctor computer, fast throttle body on a ls3

[andrewb70]

I am using a LS1 ecu, drive by cable, the lingerfelter reluctor computer, fast throttle body on a ls3

You should be able to plug that harness with into the vss on your transmission.

Andrew

[wayward]

Andrew,

I have read in a post in the past from you that you had a really high effert steering box.

Do you know your ratios and effort valve numbers?

I have a chance to pick up a new 600 box with a 12.7:1 and a .250 valve. But am concerned that it will be too stiff. I'm really just looking for a reference from someone with real world experience..

Thanks,
Eric

[andrewb70]

Andrew,

I have read in a post in the past from you that you had a really high effert steering box.

Do you know your ratios and effort valve numbers?

I have a chance to pick up a new 600 box with a 12.7:1 and a .250 valve. But am concerned that it will be too stiff. I'm really just looking for a reference from someone with real world experience..

Thanks,
Eric

Eric,

Sorry for the delayed response. I am using a steering box made by AGR. It has a 12.7:1 ratio. I do not know what valve it has, but I can tell you that the steering effort is much higher than a stock box. I am sorry for not having more tech on the subject. Keep in mind that tire size will also effect effort.

Andrew

[wayward]

Thanks. I'm going to try it. I assume I can have it revalved in needed...

EL

[andrewb70]

It is time to post a few updates on the car. I haven't really been driving it much this summer because of a lack of time, but I am getting excited for my next event. I just registered for the Holley LS Fest and it is time to get the car ready. Here is a list of things that I plan on doing.

1. I noticed when the car gets hot, while siting in traffic, the steering effort increases. I double checked the fluid level and even though it doesn't seem to be boiling or spilling out, I decided to add a power steering cooler. I realize there are various options for this, but it seems that the easiest and most sanitary install will be to use the 4th gen f-body cooler that mounts in the upper radiator hose. Several people have mentioned that this might not be the best solution, but I have the cooler already and I will give it a try.

2. I changed my rear brakes over to 4th gen f-body "LS1" brakes using Raybestos premium pads. I chose these pads after several conversations with Toby at Kore3. As much as I want to believe that I have a race car, I do not, and thus I need my brakes to work even when they are cold. The Raybestos pads have a similar friction profile to the Hawk HP pads. I will be swapping out the Hawk HP pads, that I have in the front, to the Raybestos premium pads, to match the rears.

3. There is no denying that having bigger front tires is more desirable. My current tire size is 255/40-18. I've been running this size mainly because my front wheels are only 8" wide. During the recent brake upgrades, I've had the opportunity to really examine how much room I have in the front, and it was clear that I can go with a wider tire and wheel in the front. I managed to track down Alan Balis, who used to work for Kinesis wheels, and after getting some measurements, he sent me these:



The beauty of having 3-piece wheels is that they can be altered to suit the needs of the application. These are wider inner hoops that will increase the width of my front tires to 9.5"

4. With the increase in the front wheel size, I now need bigger tires. I struggled long at hard over my tire choice. My current tires are Falken R615s, which are admittedly an older tire technology. Falken does make a new version of that tire, called the 615k, but I was reluctant to use them because of size availability. I currently run a 295/40-18 in the rear. This is a 27" diameter tire. I want to run a 275/35-18 tire in the front, which is 25.5" tall. I felt that from an aesthetic perspective, the front tires would look too small compared to the rear and it would look funny. Again, as much as I want to believe that I have a race car, I don't, and looks are a factor. Ideally, I would run a 295/35-18 in the rear, but Falken doesn't offer that size in the 615K....

So, the choice was pretty clear. BF Goodrich just came out with their new Rival tire, and by all accounts, this tire kicks a$$. So I pulled the trigger on a set of these:



The 275/35 fronts and 295/35 rears are a perfect match. The rear is about 26" tall, which is a hair taller than the fronts. They are designed to be used on 9.5" and 10.5" wide wheels, which is exactly what I will have after widening the fronts. The Rivals are a true street tire, with a tread wear rating of 200, which allows me to use them at events like the Holley LS Fest. Using the Rivals was just a natural choice. I am very excited to get them on the car and see how they work, both on the street and on the autocross track.

I will be doing these upgrades sometime in August, so stay tuned for more pictures of the installation process.

Andrew

[69*Goat]

That is pretty sweet Andrew. My 295/35-18 Rivals will be here Friday!!!!!

[Ron Sutton]

Andrew asked me to work up some brake calcs for the new system.

Andrew, you mentioned possibly going to a 7/8" dual M/C. I was already on that page & included it in option #2 & 3.

Here they are with options.

[andrewb70]

Ron,

Thank you for working up the numbers. What kind of total braking torque numbers should I be shooting for, given the weight of my car?

Andrew

Andrew asked me to work up some brake calcs for the new system.

Andrew, you mentioned possibly going to a 7/8" dual M/C. I was already on that page & included it in option #2 & 3.

Here they are with options.

[Ron Sutton]

Ron,

Thank you for working up the numbers. What kind of total braking torque numbers should I be shooting for, given the weight of my car?

Andrew

With the tire you're running ... I suggest somewhere around 2500# to 3000# of brake torque.

[andrewb70]

With the tire you're running ... I suggest somewhere around 2500# to 3000# of brake torque.

Ron,

I am going to try to locate a Dodge 7/8" bore MC in the area and see if I can adapt it. I know that the mounting holes don't quite line up, but I have heard that the spacing is not that far off. Are you at all familiar with this swap?



Andrew

[Ron Sutton]

Ron,

I am going to try to locate a Dodge 7/8" bore MC in the area and see if I can adapt it. I know that the mounting holes don't quite line up, but I have heard that the spacing is not that far off. Are you at all familiar with this swap?

Andrew

Sorry, I am not. Frankly, I'm the worst guy to ask about swapping parts from different applications.

I simply don't have experience in that area. I always marvel at hot rodders that know this part & that part off of one car will work on another. But my experience is primarily building race cars. So I'm used to working with new parts ... or in certain cases, stock parts off a production car ... when race series rules call for it in specific classes.

I do believe Wilwood makes a 7/8" dual M/C. Best wishes.

[andrewb70]

Ron,

Thanks for the help. Wilwood does make a 7/8" bore MC, but it is $230 bucks and has a very annoying reservoir cover that requires an allen wrench to remove.

I am going to get the Dodge MC, which I can find locally for $60 bucks. It has a plastic reservoir with screw on caps. Hat tip to Carl C for the Dodge MC trick.

Ill keep everyone posted on my progress.

Andrew

[howehot]

I used a 70 corvette unit. $23.00 but weights a lot.

[andrewb70]

I used a 70 corvette unit. $23.00 but weights a lot.

I think the 70 Corvette MC has a 1" bore. That's not going to work. I am trying to increase the pressure to the caliper which requires using a smaller bore MC than I have now. Currently I have a 15/16" bore MC that has worked OK, but I think I can do better. I just picked up a new Dodge 7/8" bore MC at the parts store for under $60 and it looks great. It has a deep hole for the pushrod and is aluminum with a plastic reservoir and screw on caps. I'll post a picture a little later.

Andrew

[howehot]

I think the 70 Corvette MC has a 1" bore. That's not going to work. I am trying to increase the pressure to the caliper which requires using a smaller bore MC than I have now. Currently I have a 15/16" bore MC that has worked OK, but I think I can do better. I just picked up a new Dodge 7/8" bore MC at the parts store for under $60 and it looks great. It has a deep hole for the pushrod and is aluminum with a plastic reservoir and screw on caps. I'll post a picture a little later.

Andrew

My memory may be wrong but I believe the 70 Corvette, manual disc brake, mc is a 7/8 bore. This has worked great with my 13" Wilwoods. I know a lot of people are using the dodge mc in drag cars but couldn't convince myself to put it on my Chevy.

[andrewb70]

My memory may be wrong but I believe the 70 Corvette, manual disc brake, mc is a 7/8 bore. This has worked great with my 13" Wilwoods. I know a lot of people are using the dodge mc in drag cars but couldn't convince myself to put it on my Chevy.

The 70 Corvette manual MC has a 1" bore:



I would be curious to know what the rest of your system consists of and how much your car weighs. Your pedal must be pretty firm unless you have a high pedal ratio.

Andrew

[subtlez28]

Andrew

I cannot remember right off the top of my head which MC was suggested to me for my C5 brake set up on the Buick. I think it was mid 70's GM A-body w manual brakes.

A quick look on Rockauto shows a 15/16" bore unit for a 75 Malibu.

I'll get back to you if I can locate the exact info.

[andrewb70]

Andrew

I cannot remember right off the top of my head which MC was suggested to me for my C5 brake set up on the Buick. I think it was mid 70's GM A-body w manual brakes.

A quick look on Rockauto shows a 15/16" bore unit for a 75 Malibu.

I'll get back to you if I can locate the exact info.

Shaun,

No worries. I think I was the one that suggested to you to use the 1977 Malibu 15/16" bore MC. LOL...I already have that MC installed on my GTO. I am looking for a low cost 7/8" bore manual MC. This Dodge unit seems to be the ticket. I like the all aluminum construction and the plastic reservoir.

Andrew

[NvrDun71]

Happen to have the part # for the Dodge unit?