Wackstack
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- Wackstack Member
Purchased Karter2026's build on Aug 15th, 2020. Original build log here.
First off, the man did it right. His attention to detail is impressive. Everything was documented and labeled, down to the bolts purchased for the build. I can't express enough how much work he put into the car and it is fantastically fun. It literally turns heads everywhere I go.
With that said, there were a few minor things that needed attention so this will be a log of maintenance, upgrades, and changes I've made to make it mine.
Originally I had planned to have it Dyno'd on Aug 26th as it sat. Life and weather happened and so didn't happen until February. Its best pull was 181.
Ron informed me it needed some more tuning. The tune on it got it going but had some significant hiccups and gaps. Trying WOT on anything below 3.5k would induce a ton of lag. fuel/air maps were close but just not right. It would run dangerously lean on higher RPMs. I chose to not have it tuned at that time. I didn't want to pay for another tune after planned upgrades.
Another issue (that Ron informed me of when I purchased) where the AIT2 temps. They were wayyyyy too high. I purchased a ZZP dual pass endplate and new cores to combat temp. This drastically helped. He had accidentally installed the cores as if they were used on a duel flow...but without a duel flow endplate. (IDK if this would have made the temps any higher? there are not any check valves in the cores. let me know what y'all think. ) I also drained the system and refilled it with water wetter and distilled water. Getting air out was fun. A buddy and I used a come-along and lifted the car into the air to bleed. I saw a -5 degree difference with the water wetter than with the coolant originally in it. I'm now within 20ish degrees of intake temps. Decided to go down to a 2.8" pulley on the SC now that the temps are under control.
Aside from tuning, the only other mechanical thing I wanted to do was as get a bigger throttle body. The stock TB on this car was a little laggy with the current tune. The car wanted to do more, it just needed more air (and a better tune). I opted to go with the LS4 TB. The stock LSJ TB is 67.4mm and the LS4 is 75mm. I picked an LS4 TB and adapter plate from ZZP. Quick and easy install. 10/10 would recommend.
A tune brings it all together.
Had it dyno'd and tuned with the above changes. The best pull was 246. We decided not to push it any harder. With stock internals, I don't want to be sitting on a bomb. TBH karter probably had a lot more than what we originally got if the tune was more on point. The TB and cooler AIT2 temps made a hella difference. The response will literally set you back in the seat. If you want power, just step on the pedal and it's there.
Mechanically that's all I've done. I have a full set of AEM gauges purchased and on hand. I'm working on modeling some 3D printed brackets for them. I'll post pics and .stl if anyone is interested.
I've also upgraded the shitty stock shifter with something a little more fitting. A short-throw shifter with a billet look/feel. I will post pictures changes soon.
Pics attached are for prosperity. All in all, I love this thing. It is a ton of fun to drive and it creates a ton of conversation with all who see it.
First off, the man did it right. His attention to detail is impressive. Everything was documented and labeled, down to the bolts purchased for the build. I can't express enough how much work he put into the car and it is fantastically fun. It literally turns heads everywhere I go.
With that said, there were a few minor things that needed attention so this will be a log of maintenance, upgrades, and changes I've made to make it mine.
Originally I had planned to have it Dyno'd on Aug 26th as it sat. Life and weather happened and so didn't happen until February. Its best pull was 181.
Ron informed me it needed some more tuning. The tune on it got it going but had some significant hiccups and gaps. Trying WOT on anything below 3.5k would induce a ton of lag. fuel/air maps were close but just not right. It would run dangerously lean on higher RPMs. I chose to not have it tuned at that time. I didn't want to pay for another tune after planned upgrades.
Another issue (that Ron informed me of when I purchased) where the AIT2 temps. They were wayyyyy too high. I purchased a ZZP dual pass endplate and new cores to combat temp. This drastically helped. He had accidentally installed the cores as if they were used on a duel flow...but without a duel flow endplate. (IDK if this would have made the temps any higher? there are not any check valves in the cores. let me know what y'all think. ) I also drained the system and refilled it with water wetter and distilled water. Getting air out was fun. A buddy and I used a come-along and lifted the car into the air to bleed. I saw a -5 degree difference with the water wetter than with the coolant originally in it. I'm now within 20ish degrees of intake temps. Decided to go down to a 2.8" pulley on the SC now that the temps are under control.
Aside from tuning, the only other mechanical thing I wanted to do was as get a bigger throttle body. The stock TB on this car was a little laggy with the current tune. The car wanted to do more, it just needed more air (and a better tune). I opted to go with the LS4 TB. The stock LSJ TB is 67.4mm and the LS4 is 75mm. I picked an LS4 TB and adapter plate from ZZP. Quick and easy install. 10/10 would recommend.
A tune brings it all together.
Had it dyno'd and tuned with the above changes. The best pull was 246. We decided not to push it any harder. With stock internals, I don't want to be sitting on a bomb. TBH karter probably had a lot more than what we originally got if the tune was more on point. The TB and cooler AIT2 temps made a hella difference. The response will literally set you back in the seat. If you want power, just step on the pedal and it's there.
Mechanically that's all I've done. I have a full set of AEM gauges purchased and on hand. I'm working on modeling some 3D printed brackets for them. I'll post pics and .stl if anyone is interested.
I've also upgraded the shitty stock shifter with something a little more fitting. A short-throw shifter with a billet look/feel. I will post pictures changes soon.
Pics attached are for prosperity. All in all, I love this thing. It is a ton of fun to drive and it creates a ton of conversation with all who see it.
