Tail of the Dragon prep

[g8-ish]

Hello,

As the title suggests I am looking to prepare for a trip to drive the famous 318 curves in just 11 miles thru the smokey mountains. I will be going in late August and I have much to do before then. The car in question is my 2012 which is currently running with DOD deleted, a BTR stage 2 cam (springs, trunnions , lifters, etc.), speed engineering headers, Roto-Fab air intake, and the CATS have gone missing and been replaced with 3 inch back to ebay J-pipes.

I have added around 8k to the odometer since then, bringing its total to just over 100k. I will be doing routine maintenance to prepare but would like to give the car a little more capability.

At the top of my long list of concerns is the state of the transmission. I intend to pull it this week and begin an upgraded rebuild. I also intend to locate a high-stall converter (perhaps a Summit racing unit would suffice? https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-700344

A brake and gearing update may also be in order. I will be searching for a 3.45 diff or maybe just a 3.27, and at minimum upgrading break pads and tires. Otherwise I am considering coil-overs, rotors, and will be learning HP TUNERS to the extent needed for this operation.

I'll be driving these roads with some family in their BMW X5M and M8, so I do not intend to keep pace by any stretch. I have done a fair bit of reading on the forum so I have some sense of direction forward, but I would appreciate any specific suggestions from the experts.

IMG_1274.jpeg (5.3 MiB) Viewed 7668 times

[elc32955]

I've got a set of those wheels in my garage, ran them on my 2011. Now if I could only find the correct bowtie center caps for them. The set I found were someone's G8 winter rims, bought them in case the '16 Camaro rims didn't work out.

I almost took a side trip to do the Dragon when I was ferrying a 2015 out to Oklahoma from NC last year, however it was fresh out of govt service and I didn't want to chance it with someone else's ride. It was tempting though for sure!

Only thing I can really contribute is if you have a choice go 3.45's. Just personal opinion, but I had them for 60K+ miles on my 2011 and that was the gearing that was supposed to be on the 6.0 Caprice before the bean counters got involved with CAFE standards....

Good luck!
Eric

[g8-ish]

Thanks Eric, I’d also like to find bow tie caps for the g8 wheels (I’ll let you know if I do)

I am still considering the 3.27 diff and a ZL1 converter as options because I would eventually like to add a blower.

I have begun ordering parts and learning HPTUNERS, but am still undecided on a few items…

Any recommendations for “must have” transmission upgrades while I have it taken apart?

I’m considering H&R lowering springs, and hoping the stock camber bolts have enough adjustment range, but I wonder if anyone has had issues fitting G8 wheels with H&R springs without rolling fenders?

[Mooseman]

The torque converter is the weak link. When it wears out, it sends shrapnel through the pump destroying it and everything else. If it's an OEM ZL1, it might not have a beefed up TC clutch face. And as luck would have it, I just watched this video today:



For tuning it, just program to lockup the TC just in 5th and 6th and at 100%. No PWM slip engagement. Cuts down on that wear and heat. A tranny guy told me the rest of the stock tranny tune is fine. However, this is with the stock gearing so might need to change things to accommodate the new gears.

There is a tool called the Blue Cat Tool that can give you the proper parameters to enter after entering the details. It is on the more conservative side for pressures and stuff so you don't destroy it. I had a whacked tuner put the pressures and shifts to the max and almost destroyed my tranny. I just put the stock tune back with the TC mods above and it's been mostly fine but may have been hurt.

[g8-ish]

Thanks for sharing the video and info Mooseman. I will definitely check out the Blue Cat tool and be sure to lock up the converter appropriately. This morning I put a dent in the wallet and got the major items ordered, with the exception of tires as I am still deciding on those.

On the way are BC coilovers, ZL1 converter (with billet face), 3.27 LSD, Front and Rear Brembos, SS rear rotors, HPTUNERS MPVI4, deep trans pan setup, knock sensors/ pigtails, and a few other minor pieces. I will take some photos when everything arrives and I get started making it all work. I am sure I will have questions at that point and I appreciate the help.

[g8-ish]

UPDATE

I finally got the trans done. Pressure regulator was very worn and clutches were somewhat cooked, but no major destruction or bad clutch-hub friction welds, so I resealed, replaced wear items, and re-installed with a new ZL1 converter.


Next up is getting the very stubborn axles out to put in the resealed 3.27, and deciding on a wheel & tire setup that will work with the brembos and BC coilovers. I am certianly no expert at this calculation, but my searches are leading me to believe this setup should work???

Front
• 19x9 +35 to +38
• 255/40R19

Rear
• 19x9.5 +40 to +45
• 275/35R19

[JoeR]

That pressure regulator valve looks whipped.

The only prep I can advise for running the dragon is being prepared to drive really slow. You'll spend most of your time spent behind trains of Miatas that have to slow down to get their picture taken and Harley riders that can't ride. I ride through that area on occasion and avoid the dragon like the plague.

Joe

[g8-ish]

UPDATE

I found a good deal on a set of SS wheels that need a bit of refurb so my hunt is over. I’m thinking 245/40 and 275/35 should work with a small spacer in front to allow a little more clearance?

Also, I’m wondering what the guru thoughts are on my new OE parking brake shoes fitting very tightly to the inside of my new SS rear rotors even with the tensioners fully relaxed?