The only options on the car are PEG1 and Monsoon with 12-disc changer in the trunk. PEG1 consists of power windows, locks, driver's seat, remote keyless / alarm, and cruise control.

This document chronicles the history of my modifications and my car. Read on if you dare. ;)

Short list of current (March '02) installed mods: B1 Cam Kit, Grotyohann Longtubes / 3" O-R-Y / SLP Catback, Pro5.0, DirectFlo / K&N, Home Ported TB, FRA, EGR Blockoff Plates (header & intake), !CAGS, Cartek Clutch & Hydraulics, Moser 12-bolt 33/1350/4.10's, Denny's NR Driveshaft, BMR LCA's & Adj PHR, Jeg's DS Safety Loop, Hurst Linelock / Thunder Racing lines. And of course, LS1_Edit programming. :)

On September 7th, 2001 I took it to Amarillo Dragway. This was my first experience with a 6-speed. It ran a best of 14.29 at 100.1 mph (2.3 60' times - I stink). The car was bone stock, down to the paper air filter and factory exhaust. The only modifications were !CAGS, removed spare tire, and removed driver's side power seat mechanism (replaced with manual seat rails). The density altitude was approx. 5200 ft.

First modifications were: Direct Flo lid, K&N Filter, free ram air. Also picked up a set of the Second Edition '98 Helm Manual (all 4 books) and AutoTap.

The weekend of October 20-21, I installed an MTI B1 camshaft (221/221, .559/.559, 114LSA), MTI/Isky Springs (stock diameter with internal dampener), MTI/Lunati Titanium retainers, MTI Chromemoly pushrods, new valvestem oil seals, an Agostino Racing modified LS6 oil pump, a Cloyes oversize timing gearset with a Jwis Kettin / IRL timing chain from Katechengines.com, and a gasket kit from Thunder Racing. With the stock exhaust on there, you could not really tell I have a cam in the car. :) Really need to ditch the stock programming, the rev limiter hits way too early.

Bought a used Pro5.0 Shifter, quick and easy install in early November.

The weekend of November 17-18 2001, I installed the Grotyohann longtube headers, a 3" Y-pipe (not quite environmentally friendly ;) ), and the SLP "2-on-the-left" catback (removed from my 94 Z28). These headers fit perfectly, and installed easily, no monkeying around with hoisting the engine or anything. Biggest snags were extending the O2 wiring (I extended the car harness wires), and I cracked the EGR valve tube when trying to mate it to the header (blockoff plates magically appeared shortly afterwards). I bought the headers used - with Y-pipe - and although the Y-pipe is ugly, it fit well, with no banging since it'd already been 'clearanced'. The car sounds like a V8 now, not a Toyota. But, it surprised me at how quiet it still is. I expected it to be much louder - it is not, but it does sound very good, and rowdy when I get on the throttle. When the 94 had this SLP exhaust, Random Tech cat, and mid-length SLP 1 3/4 headers, it was MUCH louder than the '98.

December 16th I started the Cartek clutch install. New Cartek hydraulics as well. I was surprised at how easily the 6-speed tranny came out. Much easier than A4's. :) Everything went smoothly until I tried to remove the pilot bearing by packing it with wet toilet paper. This trick works great on solid core crankshafts. It was at this time that I learned that the crank on the LS1 was hollow. D'OH! A $5 rear crankshaft oil gallery plug later, and I was OK. Whew, crisis averted. Cartek clutch feels good. In fact, it feels so good, that I'm not sure that I've got it 100% installed correctly. Heh heh heh. I finished the Cartek install about January 20th or so. Yeah, it takes me a while to get stuff done sometimes.

January 27th I installed my Moser 12-bolt with 4.10 gears, Eaton HD posi, 33 spline axles, 1350 U-joint (ordered from Thunder Racing), and BMR LCA's and adjustable PHR. This allowed me to get the measurement for the Nitrous Ready Driveshaft from Denny's Driveshaft (44 1/4 inches was the measurement I gave them). I ordered the DS on Jan 28th, got it on Feb 11th. Installed it and got everything cinched down on Feb 17th.

February 22/23 I installed a driveshaft safety loop from Jeg's, and the Thunder Racing linelock setup. Woo hoo, smoky burnouts! Tires I'm using are 16" x 10.5" x 26" ET Streets mounted on my 94 Z28 Salad Shooter wheels.

Mods that are up next (but on hold due to job situation) are probably a torque arm and HAL/QA1 shocks and drag springs.

Made my first trip to Amarillo Dragway on February 24th with the above setup, with the optimistic goal for the above setup being a best of 12.9 at 106-107 here at 3700 ft, with probable 13.0-13.1's at 104-105.

Actual Results? Figuring out how to lauch a 6-speed was interesting - especially one built to handle clutch dumps. But my best run was 13.16 @ 105.97 with a 1.911 60' time. I think with a little more tuning, a little suspension tweaking, and a little tire pressure experimenting, I can hit the above goals.

On March 3rd, I decided to replace the front brake pads & rotors, because the stockers were warped and had small radial hairline cracks. The steering wheel would really shimmy when I was braking hard... While I was under the front of the car, I took off the front swaybar. :)

On March 7th, Brian at BV Performance helped me out with some tuning with LS1_Edit. This included a more aggressive spark map and worked VE and PE/RPM tables. I've also set the rev limiter to 7000. Props to Brian for some great ideas and tuning help. :)

WOO HOO! On March 10th, ('02) I took the car to Amarillo Dragway once again. Results? 12's at high altitude!. I had 3 12-second passes for the day, but the best was a 12.849 @ 107.13 with a 1.80 60' time. I was launching at around 6000 RPM and dumping the clutch. I've done no 'weight reduction' other than the driver's side seat rails, front swaybar, and AIR/EGR systems, so that will probably be the next step.

I'm using LS1_Edit for '98 LS1's to tweak the computer. It rocks. :)

Well, this info above is old. Last updated 2002. Short update to 4/2003: Moved to Waco, TX April 2002, Broke tranny (2nd gear) at Ennis in June '02, car sat until September '02, not much happened until Feb '03. Put used Richmond 4.56's in the 12-bolt, Fast Toys Ram Air, 30# SVO's, and 28" ET Drags. In March '03 I ran a best of 11.96 @ 116.3 at Temple Academy Dragway. Unfortunately a friend of mine ran an 11.85 at 114 on the same night in my car, on his second of two passses in it. Dangit!

Shortly thereafter, a NX kit went on the car. With a 100 shot, it ran a best of 11.28 @ 121.29, with a 1.51 60' time. The car was running low 12's that night (it was warmer than the 11.9x night). My best N/A run was 12.18 @ 113 MPH - so a 100 shot gained me .9 sec and 9 mph. :)

And shortly after that, the car was hauled to Thunder Racing in Baton Rouge, LA, for a few upgrades... Such as a new motor, tubular K-member, and some other goodies. Before it went under the knife (with the 'old motor', which is still perfectly fine), it was dyno'd, and it put down 354 RWHP N/A, 446 RWHP with the 100 shot.

As of late May, the car has the new motor installed, and was shuffled over to Futral Motorsports in Louisiana to get some suspension and exhaust work done. I hope to have it back after the first week of June '03. Dyno numbers on the new motor? Secret for now. ;) But a solid roller, GTP LS6-heads, forged internal, big nasty cam (>240 / >>.600) should rock the house pretty good...

Updated pictures of the car are found here - with the Bogart Racing wheels.

http://www.akmcables.com