331ci 86GT - Just for fun. (Page 2/8)
fishsticks MAY 05, 02:03 AM
So, let's talk about this guy.



This is a VS Racing 78/75 that I bought a few years back to turbo my 6.2 LS truck with. That project just sorta never happened.

So, hey! Let's take a turbo I bought for a 5000lb truck with a liter more motor and put it on a 2700lb car! Great idea right? Right.

Well, I haven't actually done that yet.

See, the FiTech that came on the car can't read into boost, can't control timing, and it's VE table is 3 cells wide by 3 cells deep. Not exactly the pinnacle of tuning ability...

Here's where the irony sets in. One of the reasons I used to convince myself building the SBC was a neat idea was that I wouldn't be spending an extra $1000 on a Terminator-X.

So I spent $1800 on a Super Sniper and Hyperspark setup instead.



This thing reads 2.5bar, has timing control, VE tables, fueling curves, IAT and CTS offsets, extra I/O, nitrous control and the same software as the Terminator. Cool.

Why not go multi-port? Well, I'm running out of room.

See, I'd like to keep the trunk, so the turbo will need to mount over the transmission. That leaves precisely zero room for an A2A or A2W cooler. I don't want to run meth injection. BUUUUUT blow through carb fuel atomization has been shown to be a VERY effective air charge cooler. The same effect applies to a throttle body injection system.

So started putting that on... Also, those chrome valve covers? Leaked. Even with new gaskets. Red aluminum covers look cooler anyway.



The turbo project was supposed to ramp up last winter, but work took off in a big way and I found myself with exactly zero free time. And honestly, I'm pretty happy with the car as it sits.

BUT. I did do something with that horrible, booger welded, overly bendy 2" exhaust.

I cut it off and booger welded my own exhaust on. With 2.5" mandrel bends and stainless pipe. It's true dual, mostly because it was simpler and there was no room for an X pipe.




Also replaced the leaking (surprise) Sanderson headers with coated Patriots.


Pipe alignment or Fiero Takeyari?



Yeah, I know. "But you'll need to redo it again when you turbo!" Oh well. It cleaned up the exhaust note quite a bit, and it's actually quieter in the car now. Mandrel bend kits are cheap on Amazon.

https://youtu.be/HCbLI6z0w_A

This is what the engine bay looks like these days. I did loom up those couple wires that are showing.




We're basically up to date now. I've been driving it since it's been nice out. It's very well mannered. The broad torque curve lets you cruise around without shifting much, but it freight trains all the way to 6500 without missing a beat. On the freeway, 80-120 happens VERY quickly without shifting out of 4th.

Well, it did at least. Last week just cruising about 2 miles from home, the motor started to load up a bit. I got it home without much drama, but it stalled the moment I pulled it into the shop. When I started it the next day it was pig rich and running super rough. I poked around thinking maybe the FPR was stuck. Turns out I broke the #8 exhaust valve spring.

The guy on the phone at Lunati assured me those springs were good to .600 lift and 6500rpm all day long. Maury Povich has determined that to be a lie. At least it held onto the valve.

I have a set of new PAC1218 beehive springs sitting in the box here. I ordered the retainers I need, which show up tomorrow. Maybe I'll be able to get away from work and get those on.

I'll try to get some driving vids or something so there's something in here other than my endless typing...
Shho13 MAY 05, 04:47 AM
This is such a badass thread!!! Way cool dude, nice work, she's lookin' great!!!

------------------
"Discord"
Red 1988 GT under restoration!

Let's Go Mets!

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

mafv8 MAY 05, 04:26 PM
Good build, nice to see an SBC build, keep the updates coming.

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84SE, aero body, 4 speed and an injected 355 V8

fishsticks MAY 05, 09:45 PM
Well, it looks like I may have some bigger problems. I've got coolant in places I shouldn't.

Don't feel like dinking with it in the car so I'll pull it this weekend. Need to clean the shop first. At least then I can pull both heads and use my real spring tool.

I'll take pictures.
La fiera MAY 05, 09:47 PM
Nice job mate!! Looking forward to the results!!
Will MAY 06, 10:47 AM

quote
Originally posted by fishsticks:

Well, it looks like I may have some bigger problems. I've got coolant in places I shouldn't.

Don't feel like dinking with it in the car so I'll pull it this weekend. Need to clean the shop first. At least then I can pull both heads and use my real spring tool.

I'll take pictures.



That sucks... looks like a head gasket?
fishsticks MAY 06, 08:11 PM

quote
Originally posted by Will:


That sucks... looks like a head gasket?



Yeah. Pulled the plugs to start moving each piston to TDC. Had the key on which ran the waterpump. Started getting a small dribble from one spark plug hole.

Couldn't find any ARP studs in stock when I put the heads on in 2019, so I bought China studs. I think they stretched. Should have just put stock bolts in, lol.


So the damper was the only thing keeping that valve and piston from an unfortunate meeting...
La fiera MAY 07, 07:44 AM
That's a bummer!! Did you put silicon seal on the head bolt threads?
Will MAY 07, 09:01 AM
Chinese valvespring too?
fishsticks MAY 07, 03:15 PM

quote
Originally posted by Will:

Chinese valvespring too?



Right? Lunati springs. Maybe they relabel General Tso's valve springs.


For anyone else wondering WTF I was talking about when I mentioned weed burners and flywheels, this is how you pull a ring gear. MAP and Oxy torches work too. But you'll be there all day trying to use a small propane torch.