Write-Up: L32 (Series III SC) Install/swap, the saga continues

how's it running?

RhinoFLA wrote:

how's it running?

Short answer: Freakin Awesome!
During a short cruise I chirped the wheels from a roll.


Long Answer: Car has a hard start problem, and I am trying to track down the reason. One squirt of starting fluid and it roars to life. With some help I have narrowed it down to:
1. Water in gas: Will try sea-foam and more fresh gas
2. Walbro Fuel pump, this pump has a bad rep: $$$= Racetronics pump
3. 97 riv PCM cant accomodate, higher compression and XP cam=retune

Other problem which is a little scary, after first oil change there seemed to be a little bit of coolant in the oil. I have changed the oil 2x since the install. I am going to change again this week. If the oil isnt clean, I am going to first replace the front cover gasket and run it again. I installed the front cover gasket dry and this is how GM does it. However many folks say that you need to copper spray these for a good seal. I ordered a new gasket, which should be here this week. If this isnt it, then it is the head gaskets, or the LIM gaskets.

Many times even a little coolant in the oil = Death in these engines. Maybe I will get lucky, because it is a new engine and I havent really driven it. I will be pretty sad and embarassed if I croak this new engine. On the other hand I have never done anything like this before. I just hope this doesnt end up being an expensive learning experience.

scary indeed bro.. hopefully it's just a gasket.. does the l32 pull harder then the l67? i wanna see some 1/4's!

RhinoFLA wrote:

scary indeed bro.. hopefully it's just a gasket.. does the l32 pull harder then the l67? i wanna see some 1/4's!

I have not done any launches or full on WOT runs. The new engine still needs some break in miles. Also I dont want to beat on it, till I am sure everything is good gasket wise. It only has about 8 miles on the new engine, and about 30 mins of idleing at 1-2k.

That being said, I have goosed it a little. You know..to make sure the rings are sealing. Right now it is running a 3.4 pulley and a conservative 5* of advance. And yeah it pulls like a mofo when the boost hits, I usually let off before the down shift.

Ill tell you one thing, I forgot what a torquey car feels like. Helps remind me why Im built up this thing in the first place.

Quote :

You know..to make sure the rings are sealing

i smell an excuse

how much did u end up paying for that L32

RhinoFLA wrote:

Quote :

You know..to make sure the rings are sealing

i smell an excuse

how much did u end up paying for that L32

I got a great deal on it. The engine wholesaler was trying to sell it as an L67 'replacement' and it is according to GM. I told the engine seller that it was an L32 and his price was way low. He said it was likely being sold as an L67 replacement because there were 20X more cars that used an L67 then the L32 and that the price was their typical price for new short block. Anyway, after selling some of the parts that I didnt need it ended up costing around 1900.

This is what low low miles L67s go for, so after talking to the wholesaler a few times I went for it.

SOLVED the hard start problem! It turned out being the PCV valve. I pulled it and it was a tad gummed up from oil and other vapor. It could also have been faulty from sitting a few years. Anyway swapped it out and it fired up fine.

Changed the oil again, and ran some seafoam to further 'dry out' the oil pan ect. Took the car out twice for some further break in.

Bump... I was curious to see how the car was running.

oldsman105 wrote:

Bump... I was curious to see how the car was running.

The car runs good. I ended up using a dose of one of those coolant system sealing crap. I really didnt want to put any gunk into the coolant system. But from asking around, it seemed like good insurance.

In Aug. I moved again, so I am waiting to get the car re-registered. I have only put 100 miles on the new engine, so I am dying to get the car legal and back on the road. I REALLY need to buy a tuning tool before I do ANYTHING. It should be able to run a 3.0 pulley, but I cant take any chances. Wish I knew a local guy with a tuner, that would be a big help.

Right now I am working on installing gauges, and getting the interior and grill, put back together.

Ill have some new times come april, or when ever the track opens up around here.

urbsnspices wrote:

oldsman105 wrote:

Bump... I was curious to see how the car was running.

The car runs good. I ended up using a dose of one of those coolant system sealing crap. I really didnt want to put any gunk into the coolant system. But from asking around, it seemed like good insurance.

In Aug. I moved again, so I am waiting to get the car re-registered. I have only put 100 miles on the new engine, so I am dying to get the car legal and back on the road. I REALLY need to buy a tuning tool before I do ANYTHING. It should be able to run a 3.0 pulley, but I cant take any chances. Wish I knew a local guy with a tuner, that would be a big help.

Right now I am working on installing gauges, and getting the interior and grill, put back together.

Ill have some new times come april, or when ever the track opens up around here.

How far are you ?

oldsman105 wrote:

How far are you ?

My job took me back to Chicagoland. Moving around a lot really kills this hobby. Anyway, I will be getting an HPtuner once I sell my Blue riv.

The Riv should be back on the road this summer.

Anyone ever watch a good movie and it just end with no warning?

Still haven't decided how to proceed with my blown head gasket on high mileage Riv for a couple of reasons.

I have the 97' to drive for another 2 weeks
I have been unemployed (but that will change in a week.)

Options
1-Replace Head Gasket-$1500
2-Replace Engine with GM Parts Reman-$4500 parts and labor

Thought of another option
3-Find a used L32 and swap it in. I know it has an electronic throttle and Gen V M90.
Besides just finding one, how practical would this be?

An L32 swap is a great option. You'll need a different throttle body to make it work, many have done this.

By different TB, you mean different from what is on the L32? Would a N* work?

sburch23 wrote:

By different TB, you mean different from what is on the L32? Would a N* work?

Yup, its your best option.

Good news. It was a LIM gasket, not Head gasket. Cost was $600. If I could have done it myself, it would have been less.

Bad news. I don't get to get a L32!
More Bad news. I shared the Good news with my wife who has immediately laid claim to the $900 difference that I had been preparing her for. We have been married for 26 years and I still haven't learned.

Thats great news, and $600 isn't a bad price to have LIM done. Also dont forget ,when the wife is happy, everyone is happy!!!

sburch23 wrote:

Good news. It was a LIM gasket, not Head gasket. Cost was $600. If I could have done it myself, it would have been less.

Bad news. I don't get to get a L32!
More Bad news. I shared the Good news with my wife who has immediately laid claim to the $900 difference that I had been preparing her for. We have been married for 26 years and I still haven't learned.

AAAAAh, that $900 is just this semester's tuition in the School of Knocks.

Very funny. At least She Who Must Be Obeyed is allowing me two extra rounds of Golf.

Has anyone done a L67 to L32 Swap? My 96 Riv dropped a valve and smoked the L67. I have a L32 located with a new lower end. Are all the sensors in the same location and what parts do I need to swap from the L67 to the L32?

Man this guy is a jerk. All this and then he disappears. WTF?!?


  

6 years later - Urbs lives!!!

AA wrote:

6 years later - Urbs lives!!!

Yes, I suppose I do. And so does the Rivi!

In one way or another the Rivi has been in storage all this time! This was the first car I ever bought, and only a car guy, or more specifically a Rivi Car Guy would under stand the patience I have had holding on to this car. It has been two jobs and two homes but a month ago the Rivi finally came home. I almost registered again on the forum, forgetting that I was already a member.   It was fun reading through this thread. I kept thinking, wow, I did all that?!? Impressive past self! Thanks. You're welcome.

Anyway the real update is this. After about 50 miles of 'break in" on the new engine. One of the comp cam springs broke. If anyone has an excellent memory, there was a run of 6-9 months(5 years ago) that Comp springs had serious quality problems. Luckily the broken spring bound up on it self and caused no damage. In the process of swapping the spring, I ended up dropping a the valvce into the cly. Well with my brothers patience and my help we managed to pull it back up. 50 Miles later and it basically went back into storage.

Fast forward to today. I swapped in a freshly charged battery and, holy cow it started right up! It never leaked a drop of anything this whole time. I took it around the block and all seemed good. Man I missed the lope of the cam and that SC whine!

I needs an interior and exterior detailing. And I am having a friend who owns a shop check over and replace some of the more sketchy looking brake lines...

Holy shit! Welcome back Raoul!
same thing happened to me with the compcams springs. sucks very much.