I am not a completely clueless when it comes to working on my LT1, but there are some things that are just beyond my expertise. The C3VR Mechanic Directory does not list anything in California.

  Bob Jennings Dyno Tune in North Hills, Bob.  He has been in business for over 30 years. does a lot of work for Hot Rod, Car Craft and the like. I also know a real good Chevy mechanic in Valencia...He has fixed Kalynn's car as well. I used to be the service advisor at this dealership and he is one of the top techs in the country. And a hot rodder to boot!.

The Blue Beast just doesn't have the get-up-and-go that it should have, despite the fact that it has 77000 miles on the clock. It has a bit of a vibration, at speed, which feels like it's running on 7, but at idle, when you blip the throttle, it growls instantly. I attempt to test the vacuum off the intake port, and the needle was shaking back-and-forth wildly, from 5 to 10 inHg. This makes me suspect a valve or two isn't closing properly. I do have a couple of rockers that whack the inside of the valve cover; could that cause a problem? Spark plugs, cap, rotor and wires are less than two months old.

 Nothing should be hitting anything other than your foot on the throttle...Didn't you have J&D adjust the valves about a year ago? Also, your car has solid lifters which do require periodic adjusting. I would check the valve lash  to see if that cures the whacking of the valve cover......I don't know of anyone in the South Bay area to help you out. You may just have to go north young man!

  You know Bob, if you were in Ohio or Pennsylvania or one of these states with lots of members, I would not be the only one replying...LOL!!!!!!!!

You would think that California, the cool car capital of the country, would have a bazillion good cool car mechanics!

You would think that, wouldn't ya? Weird...