Engine Balancing and Other Stuff

[Guest Greg Ross]

My Series I is out of the Rebuild Shop now and here's the Spec. they worked to;

This information was obtained apparently from GM, "Rotational 100%" and "Reciprocating 36.6%" (reciprocating is the thrown weight ie; Pistons, Pins and small ends of the Connecting Rods)

The 36.6% value is for moderate reving engines, and that value can be boosted up to 50% for High Rev Projects. With a Stock Valve Train there was no point in moving away from the 36.6%

Was told the toughest part of the Job was the Neutral balancing of the Flywheel, the Casting is made with an integral counterweight that runs around a portion of the front face. This lump was completly machined off down flush with minimum thickness profile. Then the clutch face side was machined and circular ground down to the thickness of .84" to suit the Getrag 5-Spd.

In the Sh** Luck Dept. there was a side bonus to the engine workover. Upon disassembly the rear main seal was found to have been improperly installed during the GM Rebuild. The Live Seal lip was folded over and would have no doubt been a major dissappointment at start-up-Oil spewing out the back right into the clutch!!!!

This coming week is Swap Time now, the first version of the ECM PROM from Padgett works. It no longer operates the Transmission TCC lock-up (or the EGR) The only glitch was an EO 26 relating to the EGR when it was unplugged. Version II will overcome that Padgett tells me. The unknown at this point is the VSS and any error will be evident once the Car is driven in the 5-Spd. Mode.

GETTING EXCITED NOW!

Had Dinner with "Mike from ReattaDudes" last night, he stopped in to deliver a few Parts on his way back from Fla. trailering their latest acquisition-a '91 R and T. He and his partner are getting into some interesting "New Parts" developments over the next while. "Door Panels" and Reel Wood" interior Trim Kits. Going to be Awesome! He told me they're close to getting the Door Panels right-Foam Density in the Armrest area isn't quite right yet. R & D in the Final Stages on that. They're going to be offering an "Exchange" type deal I guess on Both of these products.

Don't know if I'm "Letting-the-Cat-out-of-the-Bag" here or not, but it's really great to have some Vendors making an investment in some renewal pieces we sorely need-Door Panels in particular. My Suede Trim Seats are the best accent/ improvement I've done to BB in six years.

[Guest EDBSO]

Go to the casino and also buy a lottery ticker as you evidently have horse shoes!!!

Fingers are crossed for additional good luck! Robert

[padgett]

Particularly when the new PROM works: most of the reprogramming so far has been simple changing of constants but to eliminate the E026 error and make certain that a strange MPH reading from the VSS doesn't cut the fuel off at the wrong time am having to make actual code changes.

Reasonably certain have changed the right instructions but will not be home for long enough to test.

Just in case would let idle for long enough to go into closed loop before driving, wouldn't want a transition to occur on a Louisiana highway.

[Guest Brolliar]

Thanks for the summary on how Betsy Blue is coming along. I am sure many Reatta forum members enjoy, like myself, hearing how the project is coming along. Interesting that an engine/transmission swap is no longer just a mechanical changeout, like it was in the good old days, what with computer engine controls and all. Hope Padgett's programing meshes well with the new setup and Betsy gets up and running quickly.

[2seater]

What a cool project! I think I understand what you meant about the neutral balance we first talked about. I forgot about all the different parts you were trying to integrate and I never thought about the counterweighted flywheel and such. Wasn't that from a Chebbie engine? I do believe you are breaking new ground with a stick on a 3800 unless the Aussie's have them in their Holden's. Keep us informed, thanks.

[Guest Greg Ross]

Hal,

Yes the Flywheel is from a 3800 Chebbie" as used on a RWD Camero, circa early 90's but, no,

I'm not really breaking any new ground, just applying info from other applications, ie; Fiero modifications by other 'Interest Groups". The 5-Spd Getrag Gear Box is as well being used to Swap 3.4's, 3800's and NorthStars into the Rear Engine Fieros'. The only difference between FWD and RERWD with the Getrag is I will be running the FWD configuration with extension shaft to the Passenger side a'la early 90's Cutlass, Grand Prix or Lumina.

Sahein (Robin) did some dimensioning for me from a "W" Body Project of his and it appears (fingers Xed) the Track Width is close enough between the E and W bodies that the latters' Drive Axles are going to fit. "E" and "W" Bodies both use the same front Wheel Bearing so it's going to be close!!!

In the "Integration Dept" if it were not for this Forum/ and Padgetts' Experience, Intellect and Patience I'd be having to get really creative.

I suppose the ECM could be fooled into thinking it's running a TCC and EGR by retaining the Solenoids so electrically/ mechanically the ECM is getting the Feedback from these circuits it requires to be "Happy". But good engineering is so much cleaner, and as Padgett said recently on this Forum, we are evolving the Reatta in a form consistant with where GM left off (or words to that effect)

"Creative Solutions to Complex Problems"

[Rawja]

Ross-

I hope you're photo-documenting the conversion process, as I'm sure I am not alone in wanting to see pics of Betsy. I'm especially interested in seeing the re-covered seats as well.