Darth Emma's CGM 2SS/RS [COTW 10/11/10]

[speedster]

Originally Posted by Darth_Emma

Stopped over at IPS yesterday for an update. They polished the Hogan intake. It looks great. I'll get some pics of it when they start assembling the engine. Right now, it's all wrapped up to keep it safe. We've decided to anodize the fuel rails and make them black to match the other engine bay pieces.

The car is at the paint shop. He should be finishing up the paint work on the cage this week.

Once the car is back (I hope by next Monday), then things should start moving along quickly. All the parts are now in and they just need to put it all together. That's easier said than done. IPS is growing rapidly. They have something like 50 cars in the shop right now.

Any new target date set ?

I betcha didn't think it would be this long... :(

It ALWAYS takes WAAAAAAAAY longer than we think.. Hang tough.

[HufferSS]

Originally Posted by stieger

that exists?!? Me want.

http://www.optishift.com/compare.shtml

Might have misspoke on paddle shifters but manual shift is commonly available.

[Darth_Emma]

Originally Posted by HufferSS

http://www.optishift.com/compare.shtml

Might have misspoke on paddle shifters but manual shift is commonly available.

Thanks for the info.

I spoke with RPM transmissions last week. They strongly recommended that I go with the PCS transmission controller. It's the only one they use and recommend. I'm going to stay with that.

[The Stig]

Did they say why they only go with that one?

[gahammerle]

Have you looked into this shifter?

[HufferSS]

Originally Posted by Darth_Emma

Thanks for the info.

I spoke with RPM transmissions last week. They strongly recommended that I go with the PCS transmission controller. It's the only one they use and recommend. I'm going to stay with that.

Me too...I was just showing that manual shift is available.

[The Stig]

Originally Posted by gahammerle

Have you looked into this shifter?

That's awesome. Where did you find that?

[gahammerle]

Originally Posted by stieger

That's awesome. Where did you find that?

Jalopnik

http://jalopnik.com/5907534/oh-so-th...orks-in-movies

[CamaroSpike23]

Originally Posted by Darth_Emma

My understanding is that the 4L80 is better for street driving (like you said, OD). But also, I think the 4L80 is stronger. I'll stick with the 4L80.

The big question is whether I should go with manual shift (mostly for the fun of it) or go with the controller for auto shift (for the speed of it).

Couple questions Emma. are you going with a regular valvebody or a reverse valvebody?

you could go with a reverse manual valvebody which would give you two things.
1. the ability to run a transbrake at the track
and
2. the ability to shift up and down the gears with the console shifter... only downside with a manual VB is that you HAVE to upshift and downshift all the time. basically a clutchless manual setup. all the fun of rowing the gears... well, slamming the gears really, without the hassle of a clutch (time delay while shifting, clutch burning out, clutch bleeding, etc)

however, with the camaro, you don't have the normal PRND54321 arrangement on the shifter, so some fabbing may be in order to actually utilize a manual valve body.

and the big difference with a regular VB vs a reverse VB is that instead of P-R-N-4-3-2-1 arrangement, its P-R-N-1-2-3-4

Originally Posted by Darth_Emma

Fear not... no matter which way I go, I still won't have a clutch pedal!

see above.

Originally Posted by HufferSS

Why not have both....use a transmission controller that allows for manual shift and put some paddle shifters on it. You can run automatic or manual shift whenever you want.

I would NOT let him talk you into a TH400.....the 4L80e is as strong and has an overdrive which for me is a MUST.

4l80e is the way to go for sure... well, a 4l95e would be nice too..lol

Originally Posted by stieger

that exists?!? Me want.

http://www.retrotekspeed.com/product...ion_pdf-59.pdf

Originally Posted by speedster

4L80E for sure. DO NOT go with a T400. It is tough as nails, but old school. A 4L80E is a superior transmission for YOUR usage. Also, personal preference is to keep it auto. You can manually shift it anytime you want, but let the computer do it the rest of the time.

We have the 4L85E in the SST set such that if you manually put it into 1st, the line pressures are set by the computer to 'max kill' and the rev limiter slides to 8,000.

and traction goes out the window....

Originally Posted by Darth_Emma

I can and have driven a car with a manual. I can't do the clutch thing easily anymore due to my spine problems. I think I could manage a "manual auto" though. But, I think the purely automatic will be faster, so I'm leaning toward putting the controller in.

I just wanted to see if anyone had something to add about the options that I hadn't considered.

Thanks for the input, guys!

auto will be faster. see above comments

Originally Posted by Darth_Emma

Got the new truck today.

no diesel?

Originally Posted by Darth_Emma

Give me a few days...

The guy is coming out today to put the clear bra on it. (Same guy who did my Camaro from clearbraohio.com.) It goes in Thursday to have a Line-X bedliner sprayed in. I need to make an appointment to have the windows tinted.

I don't think I'll be lifting it. It is really high as it is. I'm glad I had those step bars installed.

I already have the off-road tires on it AND I learned my lesson and put 18" wheels on it rather than 20s (that was an option). It also has the off-road suspension.

I need to get my Camaro back before I consider anything else (headers, etc.).

how much off roading will that thing see?

Originally Posted by PQ

Needs Raising.

Where's Pete to say it needs lowering?

Originally Posted by HufferSS

http://www.optishift.com/compare.shtml

Might have misspoke on paddle shifters but manual shift is commonly available.

should be able to work something out with the BCM and the TCM to integrate the paddles

Originally Posted by Darth_Emma

Thanks for the info.

I spoke with RPM transmissions last week. They strongly recommended that I go with the PCS transmission controller. It's the only one they use and recommend. I'm going to stay with that.

if that works... it works


guess we'll see

[Darth_Emma]

Originally Posted by CamaroSpike23

Couple questions Emma. are you going with a regular valvebody or a reverse valvebody?

you could go with a reverse manual valvebody which would give you two things.
1. the ability to run a transbrake at the track
and
2. the ability to shift up and down the gears with the console shifter... only downside with a manual VB is that you HAVE to upshift and downshift all the time. basically a clutchless manual setup. all the fun of rowing the gears... well, slamming the gears really, without the hassle of a clutch (time delay while shifting, clutch burning out, clutch bleeding, etc)

however, with the camaro, you don't have the normal PRND54321 arrangement on the shifter, so some fabbing may be in order to actually utilize a manual valve body.

and the big difference with a regular VB vs a reverse VB is that instead of P-R-N-4-3-2-1 arrangement, its P-R-N-1-2-3-4


see above.


4l80e is the way to go for sure... well, a 4l95e would be nice too..lol


auto will be faster. see above comments


no diesel?

how much off roading will that thing see?

Where's Pete to say it needs lowering?

should be able to work something out with the BCM and the TCM to integrate the paddles


if that works... it works


guess we'll see

The truck is the Vortec V8 6L. Not a diesel. I wanted the diesel, but it was too much $. I don't think I'll be towing enough to make the diesel pay off in the time I'll have the truck. It might see some off road time. I'm a geologist. We like to get up close to the rocks!

Back to the transmission... I asked RPM if I sould consider a turbo 400 transmission. I also asked if I should consider making the 4L80 a manual shift. Here is there response:
"The 4L80e was a great choice on your part. I would highly recommend installing the transmission controller. The full manual 4L80e transmissions are very harsh shifting because they require the transmission to operate at max line pressure 100% of the time. The beauty of an electronic overdrive transmission is, when opperated with a transmission controller, it doesn't have to operate at max pressure. It can run at lower pressure for smoother shifts at light throttle and the trans controller can shift the transmission perfect every time it shifts. That means no need to install a shift light and stress over if you are going to hit the shift every time while drag racing. The PCS transmission controller is the only one we use and recommend. It works perfect and is fairly easy to operate."

I'm hoping they can figure out a way to make the paddles work. We'll see.

[Darth_Emma]

I talked to Tom at IPS yesterday. He said my car would be arriving back to IPS yesterday from the paint shop (cage was being painted).

I'll be heading over there later today to get some pictures.

[SSE 4 2SS]

Originally Posted by Darth_Emma

I talked to Tom at IPS yesterday. He said my car would be arriving back to IPS yesterday from the paint shop (cage was being painted).

I'll be heading over there later today to get some pictures.

Awesome, can't wait to see the progress..

[Mr Twisty]

Is it later today, yet?

[Darth_Emma]

It is now later today... here are some pics of the painted cage. I'm very pleased with how it turned out. I was thinking of going with black in stead of CGM, but I'm really glad I went with CGM. It looks great.