Lots of goodies going on this weekend!

[MoparJ]

After a very long wait, I'm finally ready to install a $hitload of parts this weekend! I've had my FRI street/strip heads sitting in a box for 3 months now due to huge delays in getting the Eagle intake, rails, spacers, etc... I've finally got it all together so the following will be going on the car this weekend...

1. FRI street/strip heads
2. Eagle Intake
3. CTP spacers
4. Eagle fuel rails
5. 6.1 injectors
6. Innovate Motorsports LC-1 A/F wideband with red DB gauge
7. Johan toon as well :-)

I'm also pulling the entire exhaust off to install custom gaskets where the header meets the midpipes, and to cut slits in each of the catback connections in hopes of getting a better seal to eliminate any leaks.

I'll keep you guys posted, but I'm psyched to get some extra power installed. If anyone is bored and wants to stop by Friday evening or Saturday, let me know. I'm just glad it's warm out now as opposed to the cam install back in january!

[Orangepeel815]

Very nice you have fun

[RTCHAS]

Good Luck I hope to do the SRT full exhaust system myself this weekend!

[sinistr]

Cool. Good luck with install. After letting the engine come up to temp and then cool off, double check the intake manifold bolts. They do loosen up, I resnugged mine twice.

Some time in the future I've got to do this install too. I've got the new cam and I picked up the heads from the machine shop on Thursday now all I need is time! I've still got the SRT Diff to swap in too, just not enough hours in a day.

[MoparJ]

I got a late start on it today and am about half way through the install. However, I did find that I am missing a valve cover bolt on the drivers side. I don't think I forgot to install it during the cam install a few months ago, so I'm wondering if i forgot to torque one and it came out. Luckily I never had a leak, but I'll have to get one soon. Now I know how Chuck feels about his caliper bolt! LoL. I'll keep you guys posted on the install.

[RTCHAS]

Well I started Friday around 7pm and had it all apart by 11pm the manifolds are no joke I see now why guys pull the heads with them attached. I need tiny tools and little people hands to get the bolts out! lol, Today I had to run to Bergey's to get the SRT header bolts to put it back together. Well I ended up putting GM bolts in cause they had no SRT one's in stock and could not get them til Wed! It all worked out and I was able to hook up the O2's and dipstick with very little trouble had to bend the dip stick tube alittle and the Pass/side header had one less bolt hole then the 5.7 manifold so I drilled it out to take the extra bolt. I used the Stick car pipes I had because it had smaller mufflers and a True cross over pipe. I am very happy with the whole outcome. It gets up fast with no stumble or hesitaion the sound is so much deeper on start up even idle. I can hear it running now and when you mash the gas it sounds NICE! Just like my Charger did. LOL so I have to give this one a 10 out of 10 on the cheap mods list. I spent $14 on SRT gaskets from dealer and $12 on the bolts another $350 on the whole Auto system then $100 on the 6spd cat back. I already sold the Auto catback to a Guy on CL so I should get $100 back! Well worth the money and It looks stock and had no problem going on the car other than the tight fit of the manifolds. Lol

[MoparJ]

Well, long story short, the beast is still down.

After getting everything buttoned up on Sunday, I topped off the oil and coolant. Within a minute I heard an unpleasant leaking sound and quickly found a coolant leak coming from between the passenger side head/block near cylinder 2.

I quickly realized that I must have gotten the left and right head gaskets switched. And of course, I ruined the 6 quarts of Mobil 1 I just dumped into the car since there was now coolant all over the floor and in the oil pan.

So yesterday I was able to tear down, switch gaskets, and reinstall everything in under 6 hours! I could probably do this in my sleep now :-)

Unfortunately the car still will not run on its own. I've got to give it gas to start and to run. Initially I decided to bump up the idle which didn't help. Then I found that I forgot a vacuum hose connection on the back of the intake manifold. Still nothing. Now I'm leaning towards a push rod slipping of place which would easily explain everything. Hopefully I'll locate the slipped push rod and have this baby running tonight.

[moddog]

Sorry to hear about all your oops but always take picks and make a check list. I do hope you get it running OK

[MoparJ]

I should have taken pictures just to create a how-to article. I just got turned around with the gaskets and made a stupid mistake that cost me 6 hours :-)

I'll get her running tonight. Just need to pop off the valve covers and find out which push rod popped out. I'll post an update later....

[RTCHAS]

I take pictures. lol I got your Opps beat Jay! Im not going to talk about it here maybe later after it gets corrected just in time for Carlisle! DOOH !

[MoparJ]

Can't wait to hear that one Chas... But I did get her running last night. I accidentally slipped the push rod for the intake valve on cylinder 2 into the wrong hole (hate when that happens... LoL!)

Buttoned her back up and she fired right up. I think I actually fixed the exhaust leak at the header/midpipe too!

I didn't get a chance to drive around yet, still need to run her a little while and play the coolant game to get all the air out of the system and get it filled. Should be able to take it for a spin tonight and maybe even get some logging done for Johan.

I didn't get a chance to get the 02 bung welded up to the midpipe over the weekend because of my timely mistake. I was hoping a buddy of mine could do it, but because the bung is stainless steel, he insists that it should be TIG welded. However, I'm sure that if I take it to an exhaust shop, they would just MIG weld it. Anybody know if this would be a problem?

[moddog]

Well if they do not purge it with argon then it well sugar on the inside other words slag. I don't know if that will mess with the flow or not.

[RTCHAS]

I have a Mig with argon and did some spot repair on Claude's Mid pipe cat's after I Punched them out a little to good! LOL Looked good to me when it was finished

[MoparJ]

So everything is installed and running. I've already got one revised tune from Johan and will probably need one or two more to take care of some idling issues and to help lean out the AFR on the top end. Car definitely runs stronger, but I'm wishing I had a different cam now. The cam makes most of it's power above 3800rpm, so it's a little weak on the bottom end. Maybe one day I'll degree the cam or just get a different one. Hopefully I can get some more logging in and get everything finished up by the weekend.

[claude9039u]

get a torque converter!

[MoparJ]

get a torque converter!

I drive too much on the highway and can't afford the TC or more gas at this point. If I ever get a beater car, a TC will be one of the first things I get

[RTCHAS]

LOL ! With all you just did your going to worry about MPG and your drive? If you get a good TC with Lock up and a good trans cooler it wouldnt be that bad would it? I need one in my Turbo truck just dont have the coin right now and I would be down while it is installed so it will wait.

[MoparJ]

true. I would like to take more advantage of the mods. I'll have to start saving :-). I'd really like brakes too, but a TC is much cheaper. I guess thats how it is though, too much stuff I want and not enough $$

[345PAHemi]

true. I would like to take more advantage of the mods. I'll have to start saving :-). I'd really like brakes too, but a TC is much cheaper. I guess thats how it is though, too much stuff I want and not enough $$

thats always the case. u start one mod, then that aint enuff, then another....and another...etc..but the $'s always make it tuff

[sinistr]

J you could also upgrade to a diff from a newer 6speed challenger with 3.73 or 3.90 gears and it will keep you up in the rpm range of the power band of the cam. The stock diff/half shafts in the r/t are the weak link anyway.

[MoparJ]

I was wondering about that as well John. I think I'll start with an MTCM, then move on to a 3200 stall. Since I don't plan on hitting the drag strip much, I think I can wait on the rear/axles. Even if I do go to the track occasionally, I won't be running slicks. I'll probably look towards an FTI TC since I've heard some of the cheaper TC's are a little loose and aren't great for a DD. Of course that means I'll have to spend more $$... LoL

[sinistr]

Sounds like a good plan. The newer diff setups from the Challenger are the only ones that have multiple gear ratios available. The str8 diff has some but the stock r/t has few if any. The 2.82 gears kill the bottom end.

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