I'm about to TRY to replace a blown head gasket in my 97 Z28.

I'm no master mechanic and plan to get a book, and dig in. This is the first time I've done anything more than add K&N Cold Air Induction, and a B&M Ripper shifter to this car. Lord only knows how long this will take me, but I figure while I'm taking parts off and back on, might as well improve things where I can.

While I'm in mechanic mode, I'm thinking I'll replace plug wires with MSD's, and put on an underdrive crank pulley. There's a 'free' mod I can do to the Mass Airflow sensor to remove the screen and cut away some obstructions, so I'll look at that. A buddy at a local shop who builds custom exhaust for big 4x4 trucks offered to build an exhaust for me, so I'll probably add that.

What about having the heads ported/polished? Should I do this?
What other things would you guys recommend? Throttle body bypass?
I don't want to go crazy but want to do the things I can fairly easily and cheaply do while I'm working on the car.
(I'm also going to put on those Eibach springs that have been sitting in my garage for two years).
Thanks for any advice,
DH

 

Advice? Read all you can (online and books/manuals) and don't mess around with the MAF.

 

Your opening several large cans of worms in this one short post.

Best advice would be to do a search, since your new its ok, but the search tool is one of the most useful functions on this board, not only for you, but also to not "waste" others time on a topic that is discussed daily.

MAF, leave it

TB bypass, do it

PP heads, do it if you have $1000 to send them out to LLoyd elliot, or to a local engine builder, other than that, dont touch them.

Wires, do em
Plugs, replace em
Exhaust, go for it

 

it has taken me like 3 weeks to get the heads off, and that is with only 2 days a week to work on it. You will go into this with plans to replace the blown gaskets and come out with some other stuff done.

I havent even bought my gaskets yet, but already purchaed MAC headers, single cat(no way in hell did I want to put thos manifold back on only to have to take them off for a future header swap), plugs, taylor OTVC wires, an MSD coil. Im also currently looking for a good used loudmouth or borla(for a good price) to mate up to the single cat exhaust. Im also considering 1.6 rockers now

its not too tough to get the heads off, but you will run into **** that gets hard, like getting the manifolds off. When it comes time to removed the Intake manifold, refer to shoeboxs cam install page

dont forget to drain the coolant

 

I'm not trying to 'waste' others time Jonaddis84. Just trying to get some feedback from those that know what I should do/replace on my car with 75,000 miles on it. What things may I be in there doing that I might as well correct at the same time.

I've done searches for blown head gaskets and advice about that and the overheating that contributed to my problem, so I didn't have to ask about that. I got tons of good information before making my post.

I know I've seen mentions of removing EGR valves and air pumps??? But don't know if that's something that's generally recommended. I have a 97 Z with 75,000 miles, should I replace distributor? Would now be a good time to go ahead with headers?

Shortened version of the question. If you're going to replace a blown head gasket and don't want to get into the engine again, you might as well go ahead and....???

Just asking for advice from you guys who know a LOT more about it than I.

 

It all depends how much money you have to spend. I would definitely do headers, the brand depends on your smog situation and goals, etc. I would have the heads ported if I had the cash, which makes for an easy cam swap down the road. I wouldnt start replacing parts such as the opti if they worked fine when removed. What do you want to get out of the car??

Brandon

 

I wasnt being smug about it by any means, just saying it sounded like you knew what you WANTED to do, you covered all the "while im in there" bases, and what you didnt I mentioned, but things like MAF, ported heads, all that stuff you knew about it, then you do a search on it. sorry for the mixup

 

No problem. Thanks for the advice. and though I touched on some things I'm thinking, I just want confirmation on what I'm planning, and get suggestions. Like I'm surprised to hear a few say forget messing with the MAF, I kind of thought everyone did that.

As for what the car is used for and what I want out of it.
This is just a street car, my 'second' car, I have an Avalanche that is my daily driver, so this is a toy, but I want it to be a reliable, not so loud or high strung that I don't drive it toy. Just faster, better handling, better sounding.
I ordered it from the dealer exactly as I wanted it, have build sheets, all my original paperwork, etc, and will probably keep it forever, literally.

 

Hey man, I have the same car (97 with 75k on the clock) and I just did heads/cam/new headers/everything in my sig at once! You won't believe how much money you will either spend or want to spend on the motor once you pull the heads! It makes other mods so easy to do from then on. Yes, get rid of AIR and EGR, do yourself a favor though, have your computer tuned by madwolf (madz28.com) after you remove those components so you won't throw a code or two. Also have him power tune your car, it's cheap and helps a lot! I have headers for sale that have 5k miles on them for a 97 like your car if you're interested. I'll PM you.

 

DH1-you have mail

 

I'll check my messages as soon as I get to work 30Anniv. Thanks.

I live in Florida and we don't have any emissions test hear, haven't heard of any plans for anything like that, so I guess it's safe to remove the EGR stuff.

I love that 30th Anniv edition. I ALMOST ordered that, I really liked the outside, but didn't like my interior options with it, and my wife HATED the white/orange, so I went with Sebring Silver, which I also love.

 

Since you blew your head gasket the heads definately will at least need to be looked over, you might as well have them ported and increase the valve size to 2.00/1.56s. have a good performance valvejob done and make absolutely sure that they are flat when you get them back (use a straight edge at the machine shop when you pick them up). Might as well change cams too, sthere is a big question there on which to go with.For a daily driver with a little extra lope I'd go the 224/230 comp cams XE. Headers are a must , go with want you want, but remember the long primary tube headers will give you the largest gains with what you have. Air and EGR can go by the way side if you arent required to have them, unless you keep your cat, then you need em. Computer tune it and verify your fuel systems condition. and let er rip.
Soon after this you'll realize its not enough and you'll go get more money and then suddenly the wife if yelling at ya and your sleeping on the couch

 

DH1- not your e-mail, your private messages. If you don't know how to check those, go to User CP and you will see them. I also live in FL and if you want my headers, we can arrange pick up, depending on where you live.

 

Hey Sick. I'M not sleeping on the couch! I'm in the catbird's seat on this one. My WIFE was driving(who were you racing to blow my engine up honey?) when the head gasket blew(though it may be worse, I don't know yet).

Ok, the whole story.

My low coolant(?) light had come on, but temps looked fine. I checked resorvior and there was plenty of coolant in it. I drove on home, and had about 50 miles on it like that. Parked it, figured I'd figure out why the light, when temps were fine and coolant level, at least in the overflow tank looked ok, later. Not my everyday driving car so I just parked it till I had time to deal with it, never mentioned it to my wife. One morning, she has several errands to run plus a 40 mile jaunt to a dr. appt. Her car batter is dead, so she hops in the Z28.

Calls me from out on the road to ask if I knew the coolant light was on, "Yes, it's been on, I was going to look at it when I had time, I hadn't planned on driving it till I'd checked it out"... In a VERY loud voice I hear "Oh my God, I think the car's on FIRE! Hold on!" A few minutes later, she's back, on the phone, had pulled over, was out of the car and running away from it.

When I got there, car was very overheated, I put 1 1/2 gallons of water(all I had) in the radiator, and that didn't fill it. Car cranked but barely, white smoke engulfed the car. I shut it down and had it towed to the house. She knows the agony I went through selecting this car several years ago, driving corvettes, mustang cobras, etc. Finally to select and order this one. My Baby, and SHE blew it up.
When I said I might just try to sell it and be done with it, she came to the cars defense, 'Can't you fix it? Don't sell it, you love that car'

SO, I'm going to make the big sacrifice of hours and banged knuckles to TRY to get this car going again. "You know honey, I'd be HAPPY to mop the kitchen floor and help fold clothes, but I have to work on my car, that you blew up. I know you didn't mean to, who was that you were racing? Oh yea, life is good.

 

Man thats perfect!!! This way you can say that since its apart... etc. etc.