Weepy Pumpkins

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mikecronis
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Weepy Pumpkins

Post by mikecronis » Sun Jan 01, 2017 4:12 pm

I noticed there's a little "moisture" near my left rear axle next to the pumpkin differential, but it's not dripping out anywhere. It's about an inch or two starting from the rear-diff and continues towards the wheel. It doesn't seem like there's a leak, though I noticed the rear differential is a bit whiny compared to my 1999 Firehawk I used to have. Hoping it's not that pesky seal issue I've heard about (probably is). I'm afraid there's no fluid in that rear-diff (or very low). I know how to check it but I have no jack-stands so I'm taking it in for a flush & fill of the radiator fluid, putting in a 160 'stat, and Bilstein/Eibach SLP "upgrade" from DeCarbons. When I do this, I'll have them check the level and replace the fluid. Though not Auburn (pretty sure it has to be Torsen for a 2002 since there's no cooling fins) I hear that it's still suggested to add the 1 oz. GM slip-additive. It's at 25k miles and GM sent out a service bulletin years ago about this, that you should make an initial rear-diff fluid-change at 10k miles and I doubt the original owner did this or the flush & fill. At 15 years old it can't hurt. Engine bay is clean and gorgeous though.

Opinions?

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Scott Chab
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Re: Weepy Pumpkins

Post by Scott Chab » Sun Jan 01, 2017 9:50 pm

Opinions about what?
'94 Hawk #110
Back on the road helping me make bad decisions again

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sleepinghawk
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Location: Fredericksburg,Va

Re: Weepy Pumpkins

Post by sleepinghawk » Wed Jan 04, 2017 7:09 pm

I would make sure you check your rear more often .I went thru a bad time when I had no leaking signs on my driveway for a couple years. The oil was coming out when I drove it. I found the signs underneath on my drive shaft and up under the bottom side.I had a long post about it over on LS1Tech years ago. I had the guy replace the seal shortly after I found that it was leaking. I didn't have that much oil left in it when I checked, but nothing was damaged. I would guess I had about 40,000 miles on it when it happened. I use Amsoil with the anti-slip and have no problems at 75,000 miles now.
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2002 Trans am FireHawk #1426

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BLACK-HAWK
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Re: Weepy Pumpkins

Post by BLACK-HAWK » Thu Jan 05, 2017 8:51 am

I think they like to be driven more then 1,600 miles a year.
2001#194 (Unicorn)

mikecronis
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Location: Denver, CO

Re: Weepy Pumpkins

Post by mikecronis » Wed Jan 18, 2017 5:52 pm

Well, I just got it 2 months ago here in snowy Colorado and still was able to put 1600 miles on it with almost every day being below 20 degrees, so there's that.

I had a 1999 #423 that was my daily and only driver in North Dakota working at Cavalier Air Force Station. I used winter tires and did just fine and put 89k miles on it. Foolishly, I sold it for a Lotus Elise Touring in 2007 and went through several cars before finding a 2002 'Hawk sans-Bilstein with crazy-low miles..

In between, and frustratingly I owned:
2006 Lotus Elise (new)
2008 Saturn Sky Redline (new)
2012 Corvette Grand Sport 100th (mostly new)
2008 Saturn Astra XR (used)
2014 Cadillac ELR (used, still own)

During that time, I drove my wife's cars as well:
2002 BMW Z3 2.8i
1996 Saturn SC2
2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
2008 Saturn Aura XR
2012 Chevy Volt Premium (she still owns this)

We also owned the following motorcycles:
1999 Suzuki 600 GSX
2002 Kawasaki Ninja 250 x2
2007 Kawasaki Ninja 250 x2
2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250 x2
2005 Honda Superhawk
2005 Honda CBR F4i
2007 Honda 600RR
2013 Can-Am Spyder RSS and RTS (selling)

Several track days later...

I find the 2002 to have a bit more "Mojo" but the idle is a hint lopey like the Corvette GS LS3. I think it's the LQ4 camshaft. No one else seems to notice this though. It has the SLP-LM exhaust but it seems quieter than my 1999's, though it's not the LM2.

Today I took it in for what I suspect is necessary maintenance. The original owner did not document these, though he documented a TON of stuff, to include WAX applications (!) I have a huge phonebook binder of things he did. Today it's getting:

160 deg. SLP 'stat & coolant flush & fill
70002 Bilstein shocks/strut/springs upgrade SLP
Rear-diff check and fluid change w/additive (GM Bulletin in 2006 recommended the 1oz additive anyway with the Torsen)
Road-Force high-speed Balance and alignment

Feel free to ask me about all those cars, my impressions, etc.

PontiacFan
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Re: Weepy Pumpkins

Post by PontiacFan » Wed Jan 18, 2017 6:53 pm

If you do the 160 thermostat, typically the fans are reprogrammed also.
You go thru way too many vehicles, ..., :lol:

Are you still military in Denver?

mikecronis
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Location: Denver, CO

Re: Weepy Pumpkins

Post by mikecronis » Sat Jan 21, 2017 12:34 pm

Yes, you're right! I didn't have my Hypertech Programmer III with me from the shop to home so I drove without the fan adjustment and the temp went to about 190 as expected. Got home and programmed the fan-on to 160-'stat so all will be well.

I owned a 1999 Firehawk from 2000 to 2007 as my daily driver and learned a LOT about programmers, mods, tires, issues, etc.

The Bilstein SLP 70002 kit transforms the car from the DeCarbon junk which reminded me of the V6 Firebird "floaty-ness". It feels unsafe at 100mph. The Bilstein really makes it nice. I have to figure out what shock/spring setup was on my 2006 Solstice Mallett. That was pretty awesome.

I live in Colorado Springs. I was considering the Procharger D1SC kit but it's pricey and "molest-y". I'll probably go for the SLP subframe kit first (bolt, not weld).

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BLACK-HAWK
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Re: Weepy Pumpkins

Post by BLACK-HAWK » Sat Jan 21, 2017 12:40 pm

Winter weather will hinder driving an Fbody for sure. glad to hear you got it figured out
2001#194 (Unicorn)

mikecronis
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Location: Denver, CO

Re: Weepy Pumpkins

Post by mikecronis » Sat Jan 21, 2017 7:59 pm

Turns out my rear-diff fluid level was good. I had them add the 1oz GM additive for good measure when they changed it per a later service-tech bulletin on LS1 Tech website. Car is running sweetly.

Anyone try the SLP Subframe kit? Opinions on that?

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sleepinghawk
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Re: Weepy Pumpkins

Post by sleepinghawk » Sun Jan 22, 2017 8:35 am

mikecronis wrote:Turns out my rear-diff fluid level was good. I had them add the 1oz GM additive for good measure when they changed it per a later service-tech bulletin on LS1 Tech website. Car is running sweetly.

Anyone try the SLP Subframe kit? Opinions on that?
I installed the bolt on style myself, right after getting the hawk in 05. Can't say I really noticed a change, but I have no complaints about doing it. I'm sure it helped. I changed alot on the suspension,

SLP Subframe Connectors
UMI Tubular Lower Control Arms
UMI Tubular Panhard Bar
BMR 32mm front(solid) Sway Bar
BMR 22mm rear(solid) Sway Bar
BMR Torque Arm
UMI Performance Heavy-Duty Billet Aluminum Sway Bar Mounts
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2002 Trans am FireHawk #1426

Hawk640
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Re: Weepy Pumpkins

Post by Hawk640 » Sun Jan 22, 2017 12:07 pm

SLP finally came out with bolt-in sub-frame connectors for 4th gen convertibles back in 03 or 04, I don't remember for sure, but as soon as they did I bought them. Made all the difference in the world on my Z28 convt., in fact when I sold it in 2013, the new owner said it felt better at 100k than many they had driven with under 30k.

2002 red hawk
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Re: Weepy Pumpkins

Post by 2002 red hawk » Sun Apr 30, 2017 11:59 pm

I put right around 200 miles a year on my birds. Being proactive, I used high heat rtv to seal the pumpkin cover. Guaranteed not to leak. SLP subframe connectors on my Hawk, bolt on, with Stranos & Konis set to full hard. Car handles like it's on rails.

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