Could it be those thin o-ring gaskets on the intake manifold to engine and TB? The plastic gets warm then pressure pops things back?

 

It's different on an SS, donbrew. Aluminum manifold, 1-piece metal gasket to the head, and IIRC, a hefty O-ring to the TB. That's the stock setup, drummerboy0088 has gone to a TTR intake manifold, I'm guessing it uses the same gaskets, but I really don't know.

 

Correct RJ, I got a new GM gasket to go between the engine head and intake manifold. As for the throttle body, you take the O ring and place it in the TTR manifold groove.


The TTR uses the same gaskets - and if I ever replace, I always go OEM just to be safe.

 

Arrived at the shop this morning and to my surprise, GM part 12653854 is the entire vacuum tank assembly. Solenoid, tank, and all vacuum lines connected and ready to go!

Stay tuned...

 

What a nice surprise!

I'm tuned...

 

She's together, and she's boosin'!!!

Looks like the bypass solenoid was bad. Brother couldn't remove the line from the solenoid to the lower charge, so he cut it and we heard back pressure from the solenoid. Mounted the new vacuum tank, connected all lines from solenoid, put the car in launch mode on the lift and was getting 12.5psi . Road tested and little past light throttle getting 5psi, mid throttle got up to a little past 11psi.

Still get engine whine with the oil cap, so we road tested with that Clean Side Seperator in place, just not connected to anything. Kind of like a breather filter some people put.

 

That's good news, Nick! Be prepared for CEL/codes with the CSS not connected. Unmetered air entering, metered air escaping. Might not, but who knows?

 

I just looked at your link again. When you scroll down to #525, there are 2 of them. The 12633411 is $46 (probably just the solenoid). The 12653854 is $100 and, as you said, is the whole assembly. So it looks like GM is going the same route as they did for the boost control solenoid - make the solenoid alone unavailable, now we have to pony up more money for the whole assembly instead.

 

Good to know with the part numbers! I think it's better to get it all - and I'm sure GM is doing that to make it idiot proof - last thing you want is connecting lines to the wrong ports on the solenoid.

I know there could be a few more kinks to iron out, but for now she's good.

 

Took the SS out tonight since it was nice and we're back to no boost...

Drove it 8 blocks before I turned around and parked it back in the garage.

Popped the hood to check all the lines and the line from my catch can to the turbo inlet was loose (so loose it came right off). Also the line from Air Intake to valve port 1 was loose enough to pull off. Removed the hot charge pipe from the turbo (neither the turbo or charge pipe had oil THANK THE LORD), reconnected the two hoses and tightened the gear clamps. Those things aren't moving now.

Re connected the hot charge pipe, tightened the v-band clamps and that's all super secure too. Took it around the block, and no boost still. Even tried launch control and got up to 5 psi....BOOST LEAK(?)

Back to the garage, and now I see the vacuum line to the manifold is loose. That line has a Corbin pinch clip, but I think the vibrations from the motor rattled it loose. Brother is going to get me a gear clamp to hold that in place - hopefully that does a better job than a pinch clip.

We're also going to remove the large hose from the air intake to the turbo to check and make sure the turbines are okay - now there's a mini squeak when we turn the motor off. We're also going to recheck all the connections and cover them in soapy water to see if it bubbles anywhere.