The Official "GMC INDY HAULER" build thread (Page 23/26)
motoracer838 MAR 15, 09:32 AM
Overdue update, the truck is back together, got the flat top pistons in, couldn't use the roller cam, block didn't have the provisions for it, much to my surprise... Set the cam 4 degrees advanced to boost the lower end a touch.

Currently working with the tuner to fine tune with the higher comp ratio, surprisingly getting very little kr. It feels much better but still lacking a bit, I believe that the TBI combo is holding it back, to that end I have bought the TPI that Italagt was running on his car, will also add some headers to help the breathing, but that will have to wait as I have my 88 Northstar project and the Fauxrrari to make progress on.
ITALGT MAR 26, 01:16 PM
motoracer838 APR 17, 12:33 PM
Frankenstien, aka the Indy Hauler hit the dyno last Friday to see the results of the work done over the winter, the results were impressive and dissapointing (but not unexpected) all at the same time. Max hp was up 9, torque up 19 for a total of 210 hp and 262 torque. There is an upside to this, in the meat of the powerband there were significant gains at 3500 rpm it made 33 more hp and 50 more ft lb's of torque, you can feel this very clearly driving the truck, the downside is it drives a lot like the 4.9 cad I had in my '8coupe, it's all done by 4200 rpm and falls on it's face. This will make a nice engine for a late '80's early '90's truck or 3rd gen f body. I want more...

Lesson learned, the GMPP Vortec TBI manifold sucks, if you have something with an sbc running the TBI, don't bother it's too much effort for the results.

I am gathering parts for another engine, I could rework this one but the block doesn't have the provisions for a roller cam, and I want to take some weight off the nose of the truck, soo I'm better off starting over I already have a roller cam that has specs very close to the GM LT4 hot cam and a TPI setup I got from ITALAGT that is set up for Vortec heads, need to pick up a Vortec 350 short block and distributer (L31) and a set of aluminum heads (many good parts to choose from on ebay these days.) a set of High flow runners from Arizona speed and marine and a 58mm throttle body.

Super Chevy and GM high tech magazines both ran this artical on mods to an L98 350.
http://www.superchevy.com/h...ealth-tpi-induction/
Getting impressive hp and torque, 458 hp, 524 torque, yes it was a 383 they built, I think it held them back a bit as even with the mods the TPI will still have issues breathing on top, personally I think it will work better on a 350.

By going with a Vortec 350 as the base, I not only gain the provisions for the roller cam but also gain a crank position sensor and a cam position sensor in the dizzy, giving me the ability to go obd2 using the LS1 0411 pcm, see here
http://www.thirdgen.org/for...oughts-opinions.html

The 8 most expensive words in the Engilsh language,
While I'm at it, I might as well... Joe
motoracer838 APR 24, 07:43 PM
I hate photosuckit...

[This message has been edited by motoracer838 (edited 08-07-2017).]

motoracer838 JUN 27, 12:50 AM
It was a good Craigslist day, moving the Hauler closer to the new engine today, picked up a brand new set of Hooker shorties that I can modify to get what I need for $50.00 and a Vortec 350 with some "issues" but good in the ways it needs to be for $300.00

Joe
motoracer838 JUL 21, 08:04 PM
Ok, I'm bummed, the flexplate (new when I got the truck running 2 years ago) is cracking, haven't driven the truck in about a month, damn I miss that truck. Looks like I need to push the engine upgrade ahead since I need to pull the trans, (things are tight in there, easier to pull the front clip and yank the engine and trans as a unit) Still need to get the heads, high flow runners and 58mm throttle body...

What are the eight most expensive words in the english langanuge?
While I'm at it, I might as well...
Joe

[This message has been edited by motoracer838 (edited 07-21-2016).]

motoracer838 AUG 19, 05:49 PM

quote
Originally posted by motoracer838:

It was a good Craigslist day, moving the Hauler closer to the new engine today, picked up a brand new set of Hooker shorties that I can modify to get what I need for $50.00 and a Vortec 350 with some "issues" but good in the ways it needs to be for $300.00

Joe



Frack me...The Vortec 350 turned out to have more issues than I thought, the block is cracked. LOL, the only thing usable is the crank. that's even less than the TBI 350 I stared with (block and crank) that's in the Hauler now... Effin' scrap metal...

Rant off, the good news. flexplate is fine, it's a rattle in the exhaust, been driving it daily while buying parts for the next phase. Phase 2 will be a comeplete makeover of the drivetrain/suspension, basisclly scrapping everything I've done up to this point. (jeez I have a real talent for being my own worst enemy...)

Hey, I see a light at the end of the tunnel,
Oh crap, it's a train... Joe
motoracer838 JAN 07, 11:26 AM
Got another Vortec 350 block, ($100) have it at the machine shop now, once it gets back I need to get a couple more parts, then I can start assembly. Once it's together, I'll set it aside as it'll probably be next winter before I can get to "Phase 2".

Winters here suck, the Hauler sits waiting for nice days to get out and stretch it legs, come on spring.

Joe
motoracer838 FEB 04, 09:28 AM
Got the block back from the machine shop, looks great, can't wait to assemble the new engine. of course I got another project going at the moment (have I mentioned I'm my own worst enemy!!!) so it'll be a while before I get to it. I'd post pics but my PC isn't recognizing new pics on my phone. (jeez, I'd swear it's always something with my damn phone...)

Joe
MinnGreenGT APR 06, 04:37 PM
BTW - I was just telling my Dad about this project the other day.... glad to see you're still working on it - even if gradually. I've thought a number of times of undertaking an Indy Hauler project, but it's always stayed pretty close to the bottom of my list

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