I like that time of year for the show but if people are allowed to socialize, and the show does go on, I will be at Watkins Glen that weekend for the NASCAR race. I have the camping and seat tickets ready to go.
Just an update on my build. (this is a long story but I will try to make it short) I have had a B***h-of-a-time trying to get my engine to run right. The last time I was at Carlisle the engine put out white "smoke" from the exhaust. That "smoke" was actually water vapor! The 32-valve hemi-heads were made with porous aluminum castings and the engine was sucking water into the combustion chambers. So off came the heads and on went original LT1 heads. The engine STILL would not rev past 3000 RPM so I changed the ignition system including a new optispark, eliminating the MSD box, trying a new standard LT1 ignition system, etc., etc., etc. NOTHING WORKED! So I sought computer experts to help. I was told the FAST XFI system was "old school", I needed the Holley Terminator X. So I completely revised the computer system along with rebuilding the heads, installing new st. stl. headers and eight coils, and a whole bunch of extras to make everything fit.
First try at starting the engine and it did not start! After a dozen or so calls to the Holley help line I am the one who found out the wires to the crank sensor were connected to the wrong terminals (much to their surprise). Still no start! More calls, still no answers. Finally I found the wires to the cam sensor were connected to the wrong terminals! AHA! Now it will start! Not exactly. It does start and run but not well. Lots of pops and rough running. I think I have the answer now but am waiting for supplies to test my theory. Meanwhile I have addressed some finishing details, wasted a years worth of state inspection and insurance and NOW I'm faced with where to get it re-inspected and when I am ready to drive, where to?
For clarification:
The Holley Terminator X wired the crank and cam sensors for the sensors used on an LS engine. The GM sensors used in the adapter kit for the LT1 are wired backwards to the LS sensors. Both sensors used the identical plug connectors so plugging them in offered no clue they were wrong. That's why I had the issue but Holley could not tell me that might happen. There are only three wires but they were wired left to right and I needed right to left. Therefore, not quite Holley's fault but I think they should have known this was possible and alerted me about it.
Guys, I will let you know when everything is good to go. Sorry I won't be at this year's Carlisle. Stay safe, we need everybody.
RT
