hadvw

I didn't mean that - I meant that they'll let you pass smog/emissions with a V8 in your car.. Trying that in CA would be way too expensive to even try to pass smog

Really? A 6.2L V8 in an LGT? Wow.. Man, I gotta move to Texas

If you put the bolt holes in the right locations, the bolts will hold in side rails as a "side" benefit I already prototyped that with my own, similar design (done independently, possibly before/just after the BulletProof mod was invented). The bolts held the sides just fine..

The channels tap on (i.e. a bit of a press/friction fit). That is, they won't slide off on their own due to gravity, for example. However, they're quite easy to remove with a screwdriver. It won't happen in a day or two, but in a year? I could easily see them rattling loose. From reading mixed reviews, and a bit of my own tests, JB Weld seems to be somewhat overhyped.. I spent a bunch of time brainstorming about how to do this, and I kept coming back to bolts... OTOH, I am not a mechanical engineer...

Can I jack up just the back half, if the rears should be independent, or not THAT independent? What about the back wheels with respect to each other? If I turn one in one direction, should the other turn the same, the opposite, or not at all?

I frequently get tire squeal from the rear doing this (doing u-turns, etc, although without too much throttle). Is that a sign of an impending problem? Man, sometimes I wish I hadn't bought an AWD automatic turbo (all firsts for me - used to FWD manuals, one with a supercharger).. All this new stuff to learn and worry about..

When I tried the same mod on my own earlier, IIRC, I found them at Lowe's. Either that or Home Depot, I can't remember 100% because I know I went to both - one of them fits VERY nicely (just a little tapping with a hammer). I actually found two sizes of U-channels that would fit inside each other (from the same store) to do extra reinforcement. However, SeeeeYa's machining skills (he sent me a kit) are WAY beyond mine. I did find his kit rubbed on the driver's side front, as I expected it might (it's a REALLY tight fit there) so I didn't install it there (I had not yet tried mine there, so I can't say if there is any solution). Trying to make a "fits every variation out there" kit is tough.

Sniffer, probably. Visual? I doubt you'd pass in CA. They regularly take away shop licenses for people "faking" smog certification. Quick summary (found on another forum, but I believe it's accurate): So, you'd have to use a 2005 or later Buick engine - AND include all emission equipment from that car. Even if it passes the sniffer, it still has to pass a visual. They actually check under the vehicle for the correct number of cat bulges in the pipes, the correct engine, etc. IIRC, they also check for the OEM stamp on the turbo for turbo cars. So, bye bye Holset.. Guess why I went with OEM pipes (delete 1st cat), stock TMIC (reinforced), and a BNR evo16g? I passed smog. The sniffer wasn't a big deal - the visual inspection is what I was worried about...

I can imagine. If only CA allowed this kind of modification! Ontario wasn't too bad - I added a supercharger to my Corrado VR6, and it passed smog just fine..

This morning (Tuesday) on 237 Westbound.. You were driving a red LGT sedan - I was the black wagon..

Agreed. Good luck. Wish I had more time (job with tight deadlines currently, wife, 2 small kids..). I work in EDA (one of the big 3 for EDA software), so if someone can figure out which chip they need documentation for, there's a small chance I might be able to help obtain it, assuming it's not available online. And, I could help with a bit of general-purpose programming (C/C++/Java), but I'm assuming I'm not the only one here with those skills..

Someone who understands what format the numbers are in, what they are used for, etc.. At this point, it's just a bitstream, and could in theory mean anything..

Wow, if CA allowed anything remotely close to this.. I'm sure it'd be a popular upgrade!

I'm more in favor of: Infamous performance partners with ClimberD, so I can get all my trans work done in SoCal in one weekend..

Are you talking about your extra, or in general? I'd gladly pay $2-3k for a built 5EAT..

Glad to see this is moving along!

Yeah, it's kinda crazy, but.. if I could have a Viper with 4 doors and room for the family... For maybe $20k in parts and did most of the work myself (like this guy).. Of course, the swap might be much easier if done into something like a Chrysler 300 or Magnum. Of course, if you have the $$$, just buy a CTS-V wagon or somesuch..

Any news? Sorry if I'm jumping the gun...

Something seems strange. Is the bottom axis rpm? Why does it go to 12,000 rpm? Why do tq and hp not cross at 5252 rpm?

Thanks! I appreciate the effort!

Can you get pointers to any shops on the West Coast (SF/Bay Area/San Jose/etc)?

Car: 05 LGT (5EAT) IPT mod: no Will pay? Heck yeah! (Assuming I can find someone local to install it, etc)

<topper> I could tell you what year the dime was made. </topper>

Interesting. I'd love to see your solution for that one up close and/or a parts list...

Yeah, I did tighten it down a bit much. HOWEVER... Not sure if you noticed what I said: I have one channel WITHIN another one. The one that's tightened is the outer one. The inner one is shorter, just enough to cover all the tabs, so I doubt it's bowed. The outer rail holds on the inner rail for the long part, so I'm not too worried about it..