J.B.

No problem, I just did the trans refurb and the V-pan, it is now too hot out to do major work on the car. I needed a brake from the wrenching and see it run before moving on and doing the chain guides.

Also, my Tundra needed a 100k service before taking it to SC, it is done but I still need to replace the timing belt on it as well....and my 4.8 needs a new LF airbag.....

By now I have seen enough of the chain guide replacement to know that it can get very involved taking off the bottom end of the engine and if I can get away leaving it on and only doing the guides/vanos, then I will do that. A lot depends on the wear of the chains though. If they need replacing it seems the bottom end will come off, I'll see when I get in there.

In the mean time September and October are bulging with work at the office....I guess I'll take it one day at a time. Love your gauge mod! Very crafty.

I like your idea of keeping it hidden. Here is the A/F meter in my E39 I did a few years ago.

http://www.my02.com/images/af/af4.jpg

http://www.my02.com/images/af/af1.jpg

I hear ya man, one day at a time for sure. Couple questions for you sir.

- How was the airbag determined bad?
- Are the oiled chains a wear item? (Plastic guides are weaker, should wear first/most?)

Thanks on the gauge thing, definitely glad to be getting a more accurate read on water & stuff. :)

Actually, I've been looking into that (my trans was replaced at 53k, but the worry is always in the back of my mind), and Level Ten Transmissions in NJ, which is known for mainly building racing transmissions (Ford 4R100s and any GM trans you can think of) does do the 5HP24 and 30. I'll be taking my truck there if it needs it.

What's up PS! Level Ten sure has been around a while! Heard both good and bad over the years. I just have to wonder whats in the secret recipe to their "built" 5HP24 trans.

Regarding the TC itself, I'll likely go with Precision of New Hampton, but the problem of sourcing a tougher trans still keeps me stumped. Really, I just need to shoot some more e-mails out here and there...

Hi guys, been away from the forum a bit. Work has been absolutely insane for what seems like a while.

Random update for whoever gives a crap. X5 and I achieved flight at the crest of a sharply ascending onramp. Was at top of RPM range and when the wheels lifted off the ground, the inertia spun the engine up past the usual 7.2k-7.3k limit. I let off before we came in for a landing, and limped it home. Results from my idiocy:

- cylinder 5 tested at 140psi, cylinder 6 tested at 160psi, all other cylinders tested at 185-190psi.
- piston height on 5 and 6 matches other cylinders
- leakdown on 5 and 6 observed at tailpipe
- with heads removed, alcohol did not flow from the intake ports past the intake valves
- with heads removed, alcohol did flow from the exhaust ports past the exhaust valves on 5, 6, 2, and 3.
- no apparent valve damage, could not view seat
- some valve guides show wear, on the portion that could be viewed
- no burn marks on cylinder walls
- no contact was made from any valve to any piston
- piston crown appears normal, unable to view ring lands
- all cams and their cam bolts spun about the cam gears. Roughly 15 degrees on 1-4, and 10 degrees on 5-8.
- no apparent catastrophic failure

She just wasn't meant to fly. :( So, heads are off to VAC for a Stage I deal. The option of stock size S/S intake & Inconel exhaust valves was added. A new OEM oil pump is being sent up there as well for VAC's oil pump "fix".

Meanwhile, I'm bored, and not about to dig in to my other project / garage ornament. That can wait until the X5 is back online.

When I get bored I end up buying crap that I really don't need. In example:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...st1resized.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...st2resized.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...st3resized.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...st4resized.jpg

Poor Tubi, the tips are going to be hacked off and replaced with the stock 4.6iS tips.

Can't just leave well enough alone...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ic1resized.jpg

Dr. Gas X-pipe (2.25in/2.50out) & Magnaflow 14379 (2.50 DIDO no-x). I have no idea how this will sound, and very likely will revert back to stock. But if.... IF at full load it sounds like I just ran over a Ferrari and am now dragging it along underneath, well... I might deal with the noise for a bit.

TL;DR - It might get loud.

I'll post some pics of the not pretty stuff tomorrow.

Nice to see you back. Where have you been anyways?

Damn. I've had it airborne a couple of times. Always let got off the throttle though. Now I know that I should not do this anymore.

Car looks great. Can wait to see more pics.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...oldremoval.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...lePlateOil.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...PCVfailure.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...M62Valley2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ders1-45-8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...X5/Runner1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...X5/Runner2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...X5/Runner3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...X5/Runner4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...X5/Runner5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...X5/Runner6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...X5/Runner7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...X5/Runner8.jpg