Matt's Red Dragon Build Thread

[Matt35]

I'll double-check the firing order. Everything smooths out completely over 2kRPM but under that there is a good amount of shake and it doesn't sound super happy.

[patwhac]

I'll double-check the firing order. Everything smooths out completely over 2kRPM but under that there is a good amount of shake and it doesn't sound super happy.

Just curious, have you verified your hot idle oil pressure? I've never seen mine go below 15psi on a super hot day, usually it idles at 20psi. For valve train noise the first thing I make sure of is good oil pressure, at least on a V8. I'm still new to all this overhead cam stuff 

[Matt35]

I'm starting to think that's the issue. Looks like factory oil pressure specs are as low as 4psi at idle, and the issue is only at idle. I was idling a little low but I turned it up to 750, checked timing, and checked everything ignition related.

I'm going to change the oil to a 10w40 conventional and I may pick up the oil pressure regulator from LC engineering to see if that smooths everything out. It's a pretty cheap part for them, 27 bucks.

[patwhac]

I'm starting to think that's the issue. Looks like factory oil pressure specs are as low as 4psi at idle, and the issue is only at idle. I was idling a little low but I turned it up to 750, checked timing, and checked everything ignition related.

I'm going to change the oil to a 10w40 conventional and I may pick up the oil pressure regulator from LC engineering to see if that smooths everything out. It's a pretty cheap part for them, 27 bucks.

Not a bad idea! I'm not sure how the 22RE crank driven oil pump functions, but I'm sure LCE could give you some advice. I would also add an oil pressure gauge to your shopping list. The stock one doesn't really tell you anything useful. You'll likely need an adapter from BSP to NPT such as this one that I used:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079DFR55L/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You can also find them with an extra BSP female prot if you want to keep the stock gauge working as well.

Lastly, LCE has a page in the back of their catalogue about how to set the valve lash, maybe try checking that as well? Should be free, just some time spent removing/checking.

[Matt35]

Got some brake hardware in today. Wheels are on the way.

[ozzie]

Oil pressure shouldn't make a huge difference on a 22RE idling, since it doesn't have hydraulic lifters. I would check the valve lash. Also, pull one spark plug wire or injector plug at a time and see if there's one that doesn't make the noise change, that will tell you if it's just one cylinder.

[Matt35]

 Well I changed the oil today and put some non-synthetic high mileage 10w 40 in there. The oil pressure came right up and stayed up and the idle smoothed out a fair amount. In another news my wheels just came in.

[patwhac]

Well I changed the oil today and put some non-synthetic high mileage 10w 40 in there. The oil pressure came right up and stayed up and the idle smoothed out a fair amount. In another news my wheels just came in.

Glad to hear the new oil helped! Nice wheels, what are the specs?

[Matt35]

Those are 15X8's. I've got a set of Toyo Proxes R888R's coming in Friday. I'll snap some pics once I get them all mounted up.

[patwhac]

Those are 15X8's. I've got a set of Toyo Proxes R888R's coming in Friday. I'll snap some pics once I get them all mounted up.

Nice! What offset are you running? Also what tire size? Those are some pretty serious tires, are you going to be track only with this car?

I'm about ready to switch to some 15x9s with -15 offset. I'm hoping they will clear everything with GTS flares. I was going to go with a set of Toyo R1Rs (because you get a discount on them through NASA!), basically the lowest treadwear tire I'd feel comfortable running on the the street. 

[Matt35]

Here she is with wheels and tires. 15X8 Enkeis, 0 offset. 235/50 R15 Toyo Proxes R888R's. Everything seems to fit well and nothing rubs.  This is primarily my Track/AUTOX car so I wanted a set of wheels and tires just for that. I've got a 4x4 Ranger as my daily.  I like the way everything looks.

[patwhac]

Looking good!

[Sigma Projects]

that's some serious rubber. What is your alignment setup looking like?