🔧 BUILD Broke EF turbo LS SC400 Build

General Information

I may have never posted on here before, but for some reason I am inspired to post my build up here. I am going to copy and paste from another site to get us all up to speed. I will try and clean up anything that was specific to the thread I am pulling from. Now that I am getting started on the main fab work I will update this thread in real time.

For anyone who doesn't want to read it all here is the short version. I bought the car on a whim in June of 2016. It is a 1993 SC400 that was from this area, and was meticulously maintained at the dealer. I was going to stay with the original 1UZ so you will see I started installing a procharger on it. I ended up selling off the stock motor, trans, ecu and harness to a local guy and got an iron gen 3 5.3 motor. I am doing a Precision LS-7675 turbo with a truck manifold based kit (more or less). It will be backed up by a TH400, and for now will use a stock ECU with HP Tuners.

Alright, time for the massive dump of info.


A couple years ago I picked up a 1993 SC400. I wasn't really looking for a car, but a late night search found this one, and I have always liked them. I decided to go down and give it a look in person, and it was even cleaner than it looked in the pics so I bought it. Here are a couple pics of when I first got it.

1688880498236.png


IMG_0281%20copy-X3.jpg


IMG_0280%20copy-X3.jpg


I wont bore you with all of the middle shit, just hit you with the highlights.

I removed a couple tons of wiring that used to be an alarm system.
IMG_20170402_160725-X2.jpg


I had the gauge cluster fixed/updated with white LED's.
IMG_20170502_171237-X2.jpg


Fixed up the wiring that was kind of hacked up from the alarm. Changed the steering wheel, etc. etc.
IMG_20170415_185539-X2.jpg


I then updated the climate control, and put in a nice head unit.
IMG_20170529_183249-X2.jpg


Just a bunch of little changes and fixing up small things here and there. The car was extremely well maintained and really did not NEED much. My plan was always to make it fast of course, and do drag week with it. The factory 1UZ motor is a very good starting point and can make some really solid HP. The stock trans can be built to live as well. Packaging was kind of a nightmare as you can see, but other than that it was a good option.

I ended up stumbling upon a great deal on a procharger kit that was actually on an SC400 locally. It was a P1SC that came with some shitty piping, a way too small intercooler, but a Tial blow off valve that actually had the right spring it it! I started installing that setup.
IMG_20171203_122857-X2.jpg


You can see one of the things that was constantly in the back of my mind for making this a drag week car. Look how complicated that engine looks! If I had a problem on the road not only would parts be an issue, but just the time to do simple repairs is a nightmare. For example the starter is under the intake manifold in the valley.

So when a local kid hurt the motor in his SC I offered mine up to get him back on the road since that is his only car. We struck a deal and I ripped that shit out the next day.
IMG_20180303_152426-X2.jpg


IMG_20180303_152436-X2.jpg


It happened to work out that a 5.3 LS came up for sale for the same money I just sold my old motor for, so I jumped on it.
IMG_20180310_134838-X2.jpg


IMG_20180311_152247-X2.jpg




Its update time! Nothing really exciting, but I have been slowly chipping away at things.

First up was wiring. I am planning on using the stock ECU for a little bit with HP Tuners, so I had some wiring work to do.

Harness as I got it with the motor
IMG_20180407_110933-X2.jpg


Stripped of all of the brittle loom and crappy electrical tape.
IMG_20180407_150330-X2.jpg


Unfortunately I ended up having to move it around after I had stripped off all of the crap, and it got pretty tangled.
IMG_20180410_202653-X2.jpg


So I decided to just fully depin everything since I only need a few things from that mess.
IMG_20180415_115305-X2.jpg


Here is the pile of junk I didn't need from that harness. There is actually a bit more, but that is 99.99% of it.
IMG_20180415_141238-X2.jpg


And here is everything all apart, ready to be cleaned, routed, extended, and loomed.
IMG_20180415_141159-X2.jpg


Next up I got some mounts for the LS from Dan Perlenfein. He even made me a custom trans mount for the TH400. These are very nice pieces, and I got them really quickly.
IMG_20180413_185341-X2.jpg


IMG_20180413_185356-X2.jpg


Got them set in the car, fit like a glove! (BTW they are not bolted down in any of these pics, just have the nut on the other side a few turns)
IMG_20180421_175418-X2.jpg


Next up I pulled the oil pan off my motor so I could drop it in and see what I am working with.
IMG_20180421_195003-X2.jpg


Bit of wishful thinking seeing of the truck intake would clear the hood. It wont.
IMG_20180421_195141-X2.jpg



So keep in mind that the mounts are not 100% bolted down yet. I need to get my trans from my buddy so I can get that in place before locking everything in place (just to take it all back out again). Once I have put the trans in then I can check a few things, and it can all come back out. Engine bay is going to get cleaned up, and the motor will get some TLC as well. I am still planning on trying to get it running and driving this year, but we will see if it happens. I am not one to let things be "good enough" so I may end up spending a bunch of money and time on the motor even though it will remain a stock bottom end.

Anyway I am really happy with the fitment, and how much space I have! This seems to be more room than I remember in an F-body (on the sides) even with a tubular K-Member. Should be able to get a big single in there no problem with a 4" down pipe to run out back. I am really glad I went LS!



Well time for a small update on the thread that nobody follows :) I got the trans, and a converter from my buddy a while back. Turns out the trans was shot, and needs a rebuild. That pretty much killed my plans for just getting it running this year. The good news is that I will be able to use it as a core to verify the trans mount, and hold everything in place so I can do all the fab work and wiring. I need to get un-lazy and move the car over in the garage so I can get the trans in one of these days. Its been hot as balls, and until I got my turbo there hasn't been much of a reason to bother getting it done. That excuse is out the window now though, since this came in last week

IMG_20180628_171023-X2.jpg


Its nothing special, just a Precision LS 7675, which is a cast wheel journal bearing 76mm. It should be able to max out the 5.3 though, so it will do for now. This weekend (it was hot as balls) I went out to the garage for a bit to try and get some idea where I was going to place the turbo so I can start getting an idea for a materials list. First up I got the radiator sitting in place (close enough)
IMG_20180701_152311-X2.jpg


These were the most obvious positions (turbo would need to be clocked differently for most) that I snapped some pics of not in any particular order.

Inside forward facing 45
IMG_20180701_153344-X2.jpg


TA style
IMG_20180701_153416-X2.jpg


Inside forward facing
IMG_20180701_152800-X2.jpg


Outside forward facing
IMG_20180701_153704-X2.jpg


That is really about all I got right now. I guess I also got the LS6 intake since my last update. That is still sitting on the truck steam ports which is why it isn't flat. I also got a set of non-EGR truck manifolds to use as the base of the turbo kit.

So right now I need to get everything mounted temporarily. That includes the trans, front accessories, exhaust manifolds, intake manifold, etc. Then I can lock down the turbo placement 100% and order material to start work. I also need to delete the ABS so I can mount the ECU over there and get started on the wiring. Well that's all for now, thanks for following along the journey of me seeing how dirty I can get my car.



Time for a small update, just because why not :)

I needed to get the trans in so I could check the fitment of the mount, as well as get everything locked into position for fabricating. Doing a trans by yourself is no fun, worse when you don't have a lift, and worse yet when you have to do some modifications for it to even fit. I ended up grabbing a trans jack from Harbor Freight to make my life a million times easier.
IMG_20180721_134707-X2.jpg


IMG_20180721_135212-X2.jpg


The only downside to it is that it is quite a bit taller than having the trans on my regular jack, but other than that it was SO MUCH BETTER. I could slowly move it into position and make small changes to angle and overall position with ease. Not to mention how nice it is to have the trans stable as you are moving around to get a good look at everything. It turns out it only needed a little massaging to get it bolted into place. Again, that is without a shield on it (or a bell) but I was glad I didn't have to spend hours hammering overhead.

Ignore the mess, the garage is in process of getting a lot of work as well.

IMG_20180721_142130-X2.jpg


IMG_20180721_164237-X2.jpg


IMG_20180721_164256-X2.jpg


Next up I wanted to see what I was working with on the exhaust manifolds.
IMG_20180721_195621-X2.jpg


Driver side is actually hitting the frame, but that is fine since I always planned on v-banding them anyway.
IMG_20180721_195629-X2.jpg


Plenty of space on the passenger side
IMG_20180721_195634-X2.jpg


Next up was trying to get an idea of what to do for accessories. There are about a million options out there these days. I started by trying to place the stock truck pieces just to get some idea.
IMG_20180722_145737-X2.jpg


Clearly those weren't going to work, but it was worth a shot. I have since figured out what I am going to do, but I will post more about that when I get all the parts. After that I reassembled the main fuse box under the hood. I need to patch where I cut for the procharger bracket, but the car is going to be outside for a bit while we finish the garage so I wanted to close off the fuses and wiring.
IMG_20180722_160242-X2.jpg


That was about it. Got the car back on the ground and pushed back out of the way for now.
IMG_20180722_170737-X2.jpg


Not really a crazy update, but progress none the less. While we are finishing the garage I will get the rest of the parts needed for the accessory drive setup. Once that is all in place I can start on fab work (FINALLY!), so hopefully the garage wont take too long. That's all I got for now, thanks for following along!



Nothing exciting, but parts have been coming in lately. I had to figure out and order up all of the front accessory drive components. Luckily there are a LOT of options for that kind of stuff these days. I ended up with a set of ICT billet brackets that will use a mix of F-body and Truck pieces.

IMG_20180912_173650-X2.jpg


While I am at it, I got all new everything else too since most of it required f-body pieces anyway.

New tensioner
IMG_20180912_173543-X2.jpg


New power steering pump pulley
IMG_20180912_173526-X2.jpg


I have a new water pump, but no pic of it. The new power steering pump will be here early next week as well. I haven't ordered an alternator yet, but I will later when I get a crank pulley.

Next up is some of the fabrication pieces for the turbo kit. I have only ordered the parts and pieces for the hot side so far.

All stainless steel T4 flange, four 2.5" 90's for the crossover, and a 4" 90 for the start of the down pipe
IMG_20180911_173107-X2.jpg


The stainless steel adapter from the weird 3-5/8" outlet of the turbo to 4" tubing.
IMG_20180912_173248-X2.jpg

IMG_20180912_173307-X2.jpg


I am still waiting on the 2.5" stainless v-band assemblies and the stainless O2 bung. I will also run another section of stainless on the downpipe, then a bellows, then adapt to aluminum for the rest of the exhaust. I probably wont start on that until after I do the cold side piping, which I will hopefully be able to start directly after the hot side fabrication is done. My garage is currently being finished, so I wont be able to start work for a couple weeks still, but its great to see parts coming in! That's all I got for now, thanks for following along.


Here are the 2.5" stainless steel v-band assemblies and the stainless steel O2 bung.
IMG_20180913_171751-X2.jpg


They are very nice with indexed flanges built in
IMG_20180913_171808-X2.jpg


Quick release clamps, another nice touch!
IMG_20180913_171818-X2.jpg


GM reman power steering pump came the other day as well
IMG_20180915_180641-X2.jpg


I was a bit surprised to see that the pump did not come with the pulley bolt, or the reservoir cap. Not a big deal, just slightly annoying. That is all I have for now. The garage is taking longer than expected, but I have also been working on the wife's car anyway. Sometime next week I will probably stock up on welding supplies so I can be ready to go. I should have enough to get started, but I know I will need some soon.




On to a bit of news, my garage is 90% done!! Paint went on last night, so now I can trim it this weekend and move everything back. Here are a couple quick pics.

IMG_20181004_194711-X3.jpg


IMG_20181004_195248-X3.jpg


IMG_20181004_195256-X3.jpg


For reference, here is a pic of the garage when we did our inspection (before we bought the house)
i-XdxpGfh-XL.jpg


It had a single light bulb, and the opener was plugged into an outlet next to the switch with an extension cord duct taped to the drywall.

Here is a shot after we had added the sub panel, lights, and pulled down the drywall. I then insulated everything, and put up new 5/8" drywall.
IMG_20170716_000704-X3.jpg


I know not car related, but it has been a massive project that has delayed the car so I figured I would throw it in there now that I can see light at the end of that tunnel. Next update will be all car!



Well nothing too exciting to report still. I have been busy as hell finishing the garage, and getting our house ready for a party this weekend. I did however order up a bunch more material and pieces. I should have everything to build the intercooler piping except the intercooler (which is on backorder). I have all of the material to build my exhaust, but will probably need a couple v-bands so I can section it. Anyway, here are a couple pics.

Half stainless, half aluminum 4" V-band. I have two stainless steel 90's to come out of the turbo and get me to about the firewall, then it will be aluminum from there to the bumper. The other three pieces are 3" aluminum clamshell clamps for the intercooler piping.
IMG_20181019_151027-X3.jpg


Detail of the 4" v-band
IMG_20181019_151035-X3.jpg


And one of the clamshell clamps pulled apart.
IMG_20181019_151137-X3.jpg


I also got two boxes of piping as well. Those have a single stainless steel 4" 90, ten 3" aluminum 90's, six 4" aluminum 90's, two 4" aluminum 45's, two 2' long aluminum straight sections, a 3" silicone coupler, and a 3" to 3.5" silicone adapter with T-Bolt clamps. I am really hoping to start fabrication next weekend now that I should be done with all of these other projects. My pile of parts/material is starting to take up too much space!




Finally time for a bit of an update! After busting our asses on Friday night, the garage is now 99% done. All that really means for non OCD people is that I have more than 2 outlets (a LOT more) and don't need to drag extension cords all over! Let me back up a second, I needed to get the steering rack out of the car since it was wore out and I got a replacement for it. I also wanted to take the motor out to make taking the rack out easier, and so I could do some things with it on the stand. Thursday night I got under the car and pulled the trans.

IMG_20181115_193240-X3.jpg


Pretty easy to do with nothing really connected at all. Friday the car and the bike went outside while my buddy and I did the massive amount of electrical work in the garage. Saturday got mostly eaten up cleaning the garage from the previous nights thrashing. In the evening I got the car pulled back into the garage and was able to get back to work on it.

IMG_20181117_174835-X3.jpg


I let the snow melt off and dry up a bit before getting to work pulling the motor. Not terribly hard (again, nothing to disconnect or move), but kind of a pain in the ass since I have to come at it from the side.
IMG_20181117_215801-X3.jpg


So one of the first things I wanted to try, was see about fitting AC. I don't think I would run it this year, but if I could build with it in mind it would make things easy down the road. I grabbed a bracket and a junk compressor from a buddy so I could mock it up. He also had this manifold laying around, so I took that as well.
IMG_20181117_220835-X3.jpg


It is clearly a tight fit, but I think I could make it work. It pretty much kills running a 4" downpipe on the passenger side though, so I grabbed a piece of tubing to see what it looked like on the driver side.
IMG_20181117_224759-X3.jpg


IMG_20181117_224809-X3.jpg


Again, very tight but I should be able to make that work if I need to. I still haven't decided if I am going to mess with it or not, but its good to know about options. Next up was getting the front accessory drive all installed.

All laid out on the bench (minus the water pump since I forgot where I put it!)
IMG_20181118_113216-X3.jpg


IMG_20181118_121217-X3.jpg


Unfortunately I have the wrong tensioner, and I clearly still need parts (balancer, thermostat housing, alternator, etc.) but I can move forward with fabrication for now. Once that was done I pulled out the old rack.
IMG_20181118_134723-X3.jpg


IMG_20181118_134714-X3.jpg


Then I got the new poly bushing installed in the new rack
IMG_20181118_142656-X3.jpg


Then got it put in for now.
IMG_20181119_170503-X3.jpg


I am going to change the "EVO component", intermediate shaft, and outer tierods but its in the car so I can fabricate around it for now and keep it out of my way.

Then I got busy organizing all of my material so I could clear the space under my bench.

Pile of tubing!
IMG_20181119_133726-X3.jpg


Ahhhh thats better
IMG_20181119_134710-X3.jpg


At that point I was going to call it a night, but I decided to dive in and try and get something done. So I busted out the big boy grinder
IMG_20181119_172004-X3.jpg


Then I hacked off the end of the driver side manifold
IMG_20181119_173313-X3.jpg


Unfortunately, that was where I had to end it. Its been so long since I have welded, the batteries in the hood were dead! I am going to stop and get some on my way home today, and I am also waiting on some welding supplies. It was great to FINALLY be working on the car again! Like I said I am still unsure on the whole AC deal, but I think for now I am going to cut up that manifold and see whats up. I will also be putting the motor back in the car as soon as I get my new steering parts (that is a whole story on its own). Thats all I have for now, thanks as always for following along!




WHEW, that was a lot of info! I ended up having to pull the post from a site I had already done this same thing on. So I again apologize if it doesn't make a ton of sense since it was a catch up on a catch up. Going forward this will get updated in real time though. I have some tools and supplies coming this Friday, so hopefully I can get a good jump on some of the fab work. I guess we will see how it goes. Look for an update later in the weekend, or Monday. Hope you guys enjoy the build, I look forward to hearing from you guys.


Thanks,
Sean

Broke EF

TCG Elite Member
Dec 8, 2017
1,724
4,345
The sticks
Jesus you are NOT fucking around :bowdown::bowdown:
I wish I was though :( It'll be bad ass when its all back together, but they way this all went down has been much more stressful than enjoyable. I wanted to do mainly wiring over the winter, MAYBE suspension, spend like 2k max. I clearly blew that out of the water on just the engine. I still have a lot more to do on the car besides the engine and trans. Oh well, that's cars for ya! I'm glad I was in a position to be able to keep everything going and have a pretty nice engine at the end so I cant complain too much.
 
  • Care
Reactions: IDAFC21

Broke EF

TCG Elite Member
Dec 8, 2017
1,724
4,345
The sticks
Today was the day to start engine assembly! I am just going to basically photo dump since itll be a video soon anyway.

i-tJ9dn2J-X2.jpg


i-VXz6vMz-X4.jpg


i-kLcmTMr-X4.jpg


i-7GZvKR5-X4.jpg


i-hmcb4FC-X2.jpg


i-WZHLfjF-X4.jpg


i-Vtj28NH-X2.jpg


i-5JxkXvH-X4.jpg


i-B6VtdmP-X4.jpg


i-CsgF3tR-X4.jpg


i-cL3DNjf-X4.jpg


i-F3g5QRb-X2.jpg


i-DmLF52c-X2.jpg


i-ncgWcL3-X4.jpg


i-vJ9SCM4-X4.jpg


Everything went really smooth other than my own stupidity a couple times. He had the rings marked for which cylinder, and when I went to go install number 6 I realized that the rings were on an even piston (valve relief at the bottom). So then I looked and noticed number 8 was the same, so techincally 4 were wrong. Then after I swapped the rings around and got one side all in I finally noticed that the caps and rods were matched. I thought they would be, but I was looking earlier and didnt notice anything. The caps were not on the rods so I figured maybe it doesnt matter since they are not a cracked rod. So I had to take them apart and swap em around. But now everything is in the proper locations and its all torqued down to spec, and turns over silky smooth!
Tomorrow I am gonna do the cam, lifters, and get the heads on. I want to measure for pushrods so I can get them ordered up this week and button this thing up so I can get it back in the car ASAP.
 
  • Love
  • Like
Reactions: Five-0 and IDAFC21

Broke EF

TCG Elite Member
Dec 8, 2017
1,724
4,345
The sticks
Alright, got her mostlty all buttoned up today.

i-VdnTsmT-X4.jpg


Gotta say, this Summit Pro LS cam looks nice as fuck. Not that it means anything, but still better than it looking like shit I guess.
i-pQjHfmk-X2.jpg


Cam in, new retention plate (with new hardware) "old" timng set back on with the "old" ARP bolts. Its lined up dot to dot, but it moved a bit before the pic.
i-PFKQ4Tp-X2.jpg


After I did this I thought to myself, dont I have a timing chain guide... And it turns out I did!
i-7ZtMR5x-X4.jpg


I bought it new when I put the other engine together but the spacing of the bolts was different so I couldnt use it. But it works on this one so why the hell not!
i-gQzQn3N-X2.jpg


New lifters in new trays, with new bolts
i-H5pqMzT-X4.jpg


New APR headstuds laid out with the BTR small bore MLS head gaskets.
i-QmrbsJ7-X4.jpg


Head studs intsalled
i-HjsNqzK-X2.jpg


Heads on!
i-7vxHDWZ-X4.jpg


And just for shits and giggles I threw on the valley plate and valve covers
i-sQjFpVD-X2.jpg


Took a closer pic of the bottom end for the heck of it
i-q9HSGTR-X4.jpg


So I need to order new bolts for the oil pump since I have a problem LOL. I also started to measure for push rods today, and wasnt really confident in the numbers I was getting. I am going grab a bigger caliper from work tomorrow to double check my math on the length checker. I also need to better verify the preload on the LS7 lifters.

Once I get the bolts I can button up the botton up the bottom so it stops leaking all over my garage. I dont think it will be going back in the car next weekend, but soon, very soon.
 

Broke EF

TCG Elite Member
Dec 8, 2017
1,724
4,345
The sticks
You seriously have a Billet aluminum engine to stand adapter? F****** race car
Its not billet, but yeah I have had it for a long time now. This stand does a terrible job at holding an LS, plus this allows it to be on the stand with the flex plate. Now I just need that new Harbor Freight stand to really complete the "race car" look.
 

Broke EF

TCG Elite Member
Dec 8, 2017
1,724
4,345
The sticks
Small update since I was pretty busy this weekend. First up, during the week I got a few items.

20230404_171836-X4.jpg


Just some breakin oil, a turbo blanket (finally) and some pushrods. After checking and checking again, and measuring a few differen ways, and thinking about it and checking again.... I surpisingly came up with needing 7.400" pushrods. I am confident in the number, just seems really odd to me since the old motor (same heads that were surfaced), same lifters, etc needed 7.350 and this block was decked. I guess the cam base circle is pretty different between the cams. Who knows for sure, but I guess I'll find out.

Anyway, I wanted to get the engine buttoned up so I started with the windage tray and pickup. I had to drill some of the holes in the windage tray to clear the ARP studs. I also had a bit of trouble with the pickup and the pump. I noticed when I took the old engine apart that the oring was not sitting flat. Well when I put it all together this time I noticed it was doing the same thing. So after messing with it a while I got it how it should be. Basically the pickup tube is probably slightly too long. I didnt put too much time into it because I want to change both covers, and the pan, pickup, and windage tray soonish.

20230408_111358-X4.jpg


20230408_111417-X2.jpg


I then cleaned and installed the front cover. No pics of that for some reason. The only annoying thing there is I have the motion timing pointer. I had it powder coated at my work recently, and there are two spacers for it. I either never brought them in, or we lost them somewhere along the line. I ended up digging through a box of shit and finding the other two ARP bolts for the cover so its on line normal without the pointer for now.

Then I cleaned up the rear cover and installed that. The front and rear covers torque to 18 ft/lbs, and the front was no issue. The rear on the other hand, first bolt stripped. I got the next 2 I think then another was not good feeling. Also, it onlt got to around 15 ft/lbs before it let go, so not a lot of torque at all. Most of them did not feel great, so I went 15 on the rest and hopefully thats fine. Not really happy about that at all though. Before anyone asks, they are ARP bolts as well, and were the same ones with the same cover and gasket I had on the old engine.

Once that was done, and I had decided fuck it, I moved on to the flex plate so I could get it back on the stand. This was pretty straight forward and those ARP bolts torqued up just fine :)
20230408_140519-X4.jpg


Today I got the pan on. This ALSO torques to 18 ft/lbs and they were not great feeling again. I did them all to 15 or 16 and will just hope for the best. Again, the same APR bolts, pan and gasket from the old engine. I point this out because my only thought is that there isnt enough thread engagement, but I dont actually think thats the problem.

20230409_163111-X4.jpg


I pretty much think that this engine was fuckng trashed before I got it for too much money. There was a lot of evidence of it being apart multiple times (heads off for sure). I would not be suprise if they rear cover and pan had been off and they ugga duggaed it all back together and fucked up the holes. Really upsetting after all the work I have into this block, but like I siad hopefully its sealed up fine and I wont have issues.

Moving on to better things, I also picked up some new (to me) rears.
20230408_215634-X4.jpg


They are 15x8 Billet Specialties Street Lites with 5.5" back spacing. I do want to run a 275/60 on the car, but I originally wanted a 15x10 and a different offset. Here they are on the car.

20230409_113755-X2.jpg


20230409_113801-X4.jpg


20230409_113812-X4.jpg


20230409_113818-X4.jpg


I am unsure yet on the fitmet. Ill clearly need to roll the the lip flat, and seems like probably also strech it some. But before that I need to change the rear brakes, and also the wheel studs. They are just a wee bit beffier than the old setup though :D

20230409_115801-X2.jpg


20230409_115809-X4.jpg


Thats all for now. I need to get some hardware for the damper and I can get that back on. I also need some solution for my ultrasonic so I can clean up the rockers before I finish that all up. Should start coming together pretty quick now. I want to get it wrapped up and testing soon so I can be good and ready for June :D
 

Broke EF

TCG Elite Member
Dec 8, 2017
1,724
4,345
The sticks
Time for another boring update.

I thought I fucked up my damper when I pulled it, but it was really just lock tite in the threads. Ran a tap through all the holes, and she was good to go!
20230409_173907-X2.jpg


I love new hardwarwe day!! I got a bunch of miscelanious stuff, and also the bolts neded for the AC pulley on the damper since those were actually fucked.
20230414_192705-X4.jpg


Cleaned up the rockers. Some of them were pretty bad actually. But a few runs though the ultrasonic and they were all moving freely and ready to go.
20230415_161153-X2.jpg


While those were running I stripped the powder coat off the top theads of my expansion tank. I dont know why they didnt make em, but I cant complain for free.
20230415_161719-X2.jpg


One side in and torqued
20230415_171131-X4.jpg


And the other
20230416_121855-X4.jpg


And all together!
20230416_171109-X4.jpg


20230416_171238-X2.jpg
 

Broke EF

TCG Elite Member
Dec 8, 2017
1,724
4,345
The sticks
It was a super lazy weekend, so I kind of just putzed around with the car. I probably should have gotten more done, but the weather was kinda shitty so I didnt want to have the car half in and half out to put the engine back in and that is my next big step.

Got some parts the other day. Starting with new longer wheel studs for the back of the car, and also the correct lug nuts for the wheels out back.
20230420_172619-X2.jpg


I also got the window net mount that Boostie Boostie recomended. I would have actually installed this, but I forgot I am out of gas in the TIG.
20230420_172632-X2.jpg


I got around to reinstalling my seat. Looks so good without the cover!
20230422_113856-X2.jpg


But it needs the cover to be ussable, so on it goes. I am going to have to replace it sooner than later though!
20230422_114707-X2.jpg


Got the expansion tank put back together with some new fittings, and installed back in the car
20230422_132614-X2.jpg


Since I got the correct lug nuts for the rear, I wanted to install it and see how everything fits.
20230422_142938-X4.jpg


Turns out I 100% do need to change the brakes. I had thought they would clear when it wasnt fully bolted on before. I could do the f-body method of grinding them since it is very close to clearing, but I wont.

Then I decided to install the shoulder straps on the passenger side. Its actually a 5 point, but I am not going to bother with the 5th point for now. I am likely going to change that to another kirkey soonish, swap my harness over there and replace mine since its out of spec next summer.

Quick shot of the interior before I did more BS
20230422_153540-X4.jpg


Next up I wanted to get the ECU off the floor to give the passenger a bit more leg room, and generally just to keep it out of the way. I bought a mount from Motion and put it up on the dash bar.
20230422_174052-X4.jpg


Then I dedided to get to work fitting and installing the center console trim piece. I have had this around for years, but havent wanted to cut it for the shifter. First step was to install the titanium spacers my buddy Lou made for the shifter. Dont ask me why he made them out of titanium, I told him I needed some spacers, gave him the specs and thats what he sent over. Once they were in I started slowly trimming out the hole for the shifter. Its not perfect, but its good enough, at least for now.
20230423_161108-X4.jpg


I am going to re-powder coat it so ignore the sanding marks. I will also install some USB/Power plugs later when I go to do the final install. That hole in the top left was for the hazard switch, which I no longer have.

The only other thing I did was take apart the steering wheel extension so I could also powder coat that along with the push bar.

Well thats all, like I said I was super lazy this weekend. I have a feeling I will have some extra time for the car soon, but regardless I need to really get moving on it. I do have a couple things I want to get done before I get the engine and trans back in. Some of it would be a lot easier with the car on the lift. I guess we will see how I end up attacking those jobs as the clock keeps ticking!
 

Broke EF

TCG Elite Member
Dec 8, 2017
1,724
4,345
The sticks
Nah, I should have done a bunch more. I was really not motivated though, not sure if its the weather or what. I still have some little things to get done before it is ready to go. I am also struggling with NOT diving into fixing/changing things that I don't like but work. Mainly wiring stuff from last years rush. I am even debating changing out the main supply line for the boost controller. I will re-route it for sure, but I don't think I am going to change the whole line. I will bring it with on Sick Summer just in case.

The car will be more finished than it has been, but still not really up to par for what I want. I am already thinking about after sick summer taking it completely down to a bare shell and doing everything.... Who knows
 
  • Like
Reactions: IDAFC21

Broke EF

TCG Elite Member
Dec 8, 2017
1,724
4,345
The sticks
Well I kinda sorta worked on the car a bit today. I am waiting to start my new job, and said fuck it to the old one, so I have some time to get shit done. Unfortunately I am waiting on a bunch of small shit that should be here tomorrow. So today I kinda just messed around and cleaned up a little.

Here was the start of the day
20230503_130847-X4.jpg


I put the fans back on the shroud and wanted to see how bad the burned up wiring was. Turns out it was pretty bad LOL
20230503_152427-X4.jpg


I also pulled off the front end and the intercooler
20230503_161533-X4.jpg


Last year I lowered the car onto a stool and bent the fuck out of the intercooler. So since all the piping was off, and the front end I figured nows a good time to see how bad they are and probably fix em.
20230503_161436-X2.jpg


I guess it was pretty bad for these as well! I thought it only bent the one, and I thought I had gotten it back pretty close. I will probably just bend these back and call it good for now.

Tomorrow should be a better update. I have a bunch of little things to fix up and get done before I can stab the engine back in. I am hoping to fire it up this weekend, and I would LOVE to get some testing in before I start the new job.
 

Broke EF

TCG Elite Member
Dec 8, 2017
1,724
4,345
The sticks
Another day of kinda sorta lazily making some progress. Started off with getting some parts, hardware, oil etc. The only pic worthy one was this DEI thermal barrier.

20230504_103846-X2.jpg


Then I decided a good way to waste time was to re-asseble my push bar. I know I am going to need it soon so why not, plus this should take like 20 seconds right. RIGHT. Well they basically powdercoated the threads.
20230504_112742-X2.jpg


I shouldnt be suprised, I had to drill every hole, and chase all the other threads from everything I had done at my old work.. Anyway, my buddy gave me a shit ton of taps and I had the correct size in there.
20230504_113546-X4.jpg


And now all stainless hardware. Jam nut is black coated stainless.
20230504_113513-X4.jpg


The whole deal looks pretty decent now :) Well the powder on the bar is kinda shit, but close enough.
20230504_114227-X2.jpg


Next up came painting the radiator and the intercooler. I have wanted to do this since the start, but then I just kinda got it together and then never wanted to take it apart to paint it. Today was the day though!
20230504_135056-X4.jpg


Cleaned up
20230504_135102-X4.jpg


First coat
20230504_140600-X4.jpg


While everything was already apart I figured I may as well put the highbeams back in.
20230504_141135-X4.jpg


But of course that meant actually taking it MORE apart
20230504_143631-X2.jpg


And done!
20230504_175618-X4.jpg


Except that I need to take it all back off to get the intercooler back in. That is gonna wait until tomorrow now :D

I did also fix the intercooler mounts though!
20230504_170845-X2.jpg


Tomorrow I will get the intercooler back in, and start the intercooler piping. The main thing I need to get done is the thermal barrier in the trans tunnel. Then I can start getting the engine and trans back in for good. I still want to fire the car up this weekend, and text next week, so TICK TOCK!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: IDAFC21

Thread Info