My Build: The Good, The Bad & The Progress
12-29-2008, 01:34 PM
#163
And so it begins.....
Shortblock assembly was this Saturday and I was like a kid on Christmas 
. Frank blocked off a whole day so he could work slow and explain how everything comes together. I learned quite a bit about the inner workings of the VQ bottom end. Frank offerred for me to get my hands dirty, but I passed on this particular project since I don't want to learn on something that is this important.
You can see where the cooling passage has been clearanced for the HR head gaskets.
. Frank blocked off a whole day so he could work slow and explain how everything comes together. I learned quite a bit about the inner workings of the VQ bottom end. Frank offerred for me to get my hands dirty, but I passed on this particular project since I don't want to learn on something that is this important.
You can see where the cooling passage has been clearanced for the HR head gaskets.
12-29-2008, 02:26 PM
#168
Frank was explaining how all the pistons need to be weighed out and balanced, then add up the piston + rod + some grams for oil and then use this to balance the crank correctly. Also, there are a lot of measurements taken to be sure the bearings are sized correctly as well as the piston rings themselves. I believe that most machine shops that specialize in motors have a program that can spec a block to check cylinders and head surfaces.
12-29-2008, 03:17 PM
#170
Thanks for all the positive feedback guys. I did have a "what am I doing" moment after Frank and I sat down and went over all of the expected costs to get things installed and ready for a tune - lets just say that $30K is like the new $20K 
.
We hope to have the heads back this week since there was another delay when Headgames found a slightly bent valve and Ferrea had to make one since it wasn't in stock. On the plus side it worked out that no new buckets were required to set the valves, so I saved appx $400 there. My parts arrived at Jethot today and that should be a two week turn for them and I hope to see them back in mid January. I am also hoping to see my headlights and some other neat little goodies I just purchased from the classifieds.
What I really need is a serious buyer for my old kit, lots of interest and nobody with cold hard cash
. Either way, the build moves forward at full speed. If all goes well I will be doing longblock assembly on Saturday this week and I will see how the color scheme for the motor looks as it comes together. I am the powder coater's best friend right now and am sure I have single handedly helped him have a merry Christmas.
Frank and I discussed where the power bottleneck will occur first as we try for max HP - 650cc injectors, single 255lph Walbro fuel pump, stock fuel rails or the turbos themselves. Frank thinks the fuel pump may be the weak link if we modify the rails slightly, but we are open to any input from the 550+whp veterans. We are also waiting to get input from Dave at F:T, as things come together we all want to be on the same page as to what is best. Lots more to come, it was a very busy weekend.
.We hope to have the heads back this week since there was another delay when Headgames found a slightly bent valve and Ferrea had to make one since it wasn't in stock. On the plus side it worked out that no new buckets were required to set the valves, so I saved appx $400 there. My parts arrived at Jethot today and that should be a two week turn for them and I hope to see them back in mid January. I am also hoping to see my headlights and some other neat little goodies I just purchased from the classifieds.
What I really need is a serious buyer for my old kit, lots of interest and nobody with cold hard cash
. Either way, the build moves forward at full speed. If all goes well I will be doing longblock assembly on Saturday this week and I will see how the color scheme for the motor looks as it comes together. I am the powder coater's best friend right now and am sure I have single handedly helped him have a merry Christmas.Frank and I discussed where the power bottleneck will occur first as we try for max HP - 650cc injectors, single 255lph Walbro fuel pump, stock fuel rails or the turbos themselves. Frank thinks the fuel pump may be the weak link if we modify the rails slightly, but we are open to any input from the 550+whp veterans. We are also waiting to get input from Dave at F:T, as things come together we all want to be on the same page as to what is best. Lots more to come, it was a very busy weekend.
Last edited by Cass007; 12-29-2008 at 03:23 PM.
12-29-2008, 03:33 PM
#171
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Unless you dump more money - you are kinda locked in on the turbos (already purchased, correct?)....DONT skimp on the fuel delivery, especially if your looking to go big and not boom 
I'm not sure if you recall our one conversation but ANYTHING to keep cool......thicker Rad, oil coolers, nismo thermostat, rear cooling mod, water wetter, water injection, ANY heat coating for the exhaust/turbo components....also be mindful with your exhaust system so you don't cause any restrictions 
I'm not sure if you recall our one conversation but ANYTHING to keep cool......thicker Rad, oil coolers, nismo thermostat, rear cooling mod, water wetter, water injection, ANY heat coating for the exhaust/turbo components....also be mindful with your exhaust system so you don't cause any restrictions Frank and I discussed where the power bottleneck will occur first as we try for max HP - 650cc injectors, single 255lph Walbro fuel pump, stock fuel rails or the turbos themselves. Frank thinks the fuel pump may be the weak link if we modify the rails slightly, but we are open to any input from the 550+whp veterans. Lots more to come, it was a very busy weekend.
12-29-2008, 03:44 PM
#173
What's your hp goal?
I got north of 550 hp with a single Walbro and a CJ Motorsports Stage 2 fuel return system. On the track, though, the single Walbro sucked the stock swirl tank dry and it leaned out a couple of times, even when I started the 20 minute session with a full tank (which ran down to less than 3/4 pretty quickly). If you want to stick with the stock fuel pump assembly, you may want to try drilling holes in it to allow more fuel to run in.
I have not yet tried out the SPR tripple pump hangar on the track (2 pumps active, 1 as a spare), but it does not use an internal swirl tank and I'm a little nervous about losing fuel pickup in high G turns. For that reason, I am adding an external swirl/surge tank. According to SPR it may not be needed, but I don't want to risk a motor over it since in the overall scheme of things, it's really not that expensive. I'm either going to run two in-line Walbros from the surge tank, one for each rail, or run a single Aeromotive A1000 fuel pump. Right now I'm leaning toward the A1000, but I'm going to consult with Roger on this before I make a decision.
I got north of 550 hp with a single Walbro and a CJ Motorsports Stage 2 fuel return system. On the track, though, the single Walbro sucked the stock swirl tank dry and it leaned out a couple of times, even when I started the 20 minute session with a full tank (which ran down to less than 3/4 pretty quickly). If you want to stick with the stock fuel pump assembly, you may want to try drilling holes in it to allow more fuel to run in.
I have not yet tried out the SPR tripple pump hangar on the track (2 pumps active, 1 as a spare), but it does not use an internal swirl tank and I'm a little nervous about losing fuel pickup in high G turns. For that reason, I am adding an external swirl/surge tank. According to SPR it may not be needed, but I don't want to risk a motor over it since in the overall scheme of things, it's really not that expensive. I'm either going to run two in-line Walbros from the surge tank, one for each rail, or run a single Aeromotive A1000 fuel pump. Right now I'm leaning toward the A1000, but I'm going to consult with Roger on this before I make a decision.
12-29-2008, 04:27 PM
#174
- You would know!!
I am adding an external swirl/surge tank
I'm either going to run two in-line Walbros from the surge tank, one for each rail, or run a single Aeromotive A1000 fuel pump. Right now I'm leaning toward the A1000, but I'm going to consult with Roger on this before I make a decision.
12-29-2008, 04:58 PM
#175
Frank was thinking of adding an inline pump and running a higher gauge electic line to the pump to max it out. I would be interested in you setup for the dual Walbros, one feeding each rail. Jim Wolf has some tricks for the fuel rail that should allow them to flow better. Phunk has given me an idea as well. My goal is 600whp on the heartbreaker at Function:Tuned.
Last edited by ttg35fort; 12-29-2008 at 05:05 PM.
12-29-2008, 05:04 PM
#176
Unless you dump more money - you are kinda locked in on the turbos (already purchased, correct?)....DONT skimp on the fuel delivery, especially if your looking to go big and not boom I'm not sure if you recall our one conversation but ANYTHING to keep cool......thicker Rad, oil coolers, nismo thermostat, rear cooling mod, water wetter, water injection, ANY heat coating for the exhaust/turbo components....also be mindful with your exhaust system so you don't cause any restrictions
I'm not sure if you recall our one conversation but ANYTHING to keep cool......thicker Rad, oil coolers, nismo thermostat, rear cooling mod, water wetter, water injection, ANY heat coating for the exhaust/turbo components....also be mindful with your exhaust system so you don't cause any restrictions Nismo Thermostat - Check
Pathfinder Cooling Mod - Check
Water/Meth Injection - Check
Jet Hot on Downpipes and Wastegate pipes + Manifolds - Check
Exhaust - 3" APS True Duals - Check (coming soon)
No Cats - Check
Not trying to skimp, just looking at any and all solutions so I don't max out before I hit my goal and have to re-tune after buying more parts.
12-29-2008, 05:24 PM
#177
Turbos are purchased already.
Nismo Thermostat - Check
Pathfinder Cooling Mod - Check
Water/Meth Injection - Check
Jet Hot on Downpipes and Wastegate pipes + Manifolds - Check
Exhaust - 3" APS True Duals - Check (coming soon)
No Cats - Check
Not trying to skimp, just looking at any and all solutions so I don't max out before I hit my goal and have to re-tune after buying more parts.
Nismo Thermostat - Check
Pathfinder Cooling Mod - Check
Water/Meth Injection - Check
Jet Hot on Downpipes and Wastegate pipes + Manifolds - Check
Exhaust - 3" APS True Duals - Check (coming soon)
No Cats - Check
Not trying to skimp, just looking at any and all solutions so I don't max out before I hit my goal and have to re-tune after buying more parts.
Also, unless you are going to go with another plenum, I would recommend adding the Motordyne 5/16" plenum spacer to your stock plenum. I have done the research on this. For FI, it seems to be the most cost effective option for high hp, like you are shooting for. The Cosworth seems to be a little better for FI, but it isn't cheap and there is a long wait for one. (I waited for months).
I'm assuming you have a clutch to handle 600 RWHP. If not, you need one of those too. I started with a Clutchmasters FX600 twin disk, but fried it the first time I tried launching hard. I now have a Carbonetics triple disk. It's working well.
Last edited by ttg35fort; 12-29-2008 at 05:32 PM.
12-29-2008, 05:35 PM
#178
Sorry, I missed that part (playing playstation with my son at the same time). I already have the F:T custom fuel return setup as well.
I have an APS Tallboy plenum. I have a pic of the powder coating I had done in the thread, but I didn't like the silver and have sent it back out to have it redone in a different color scheme. I also didn't like the textured look it had to it, so I will make sure its sanded smooth before its recoated. Details, Details, Details ..... I just want it back in one piece.
I have an APS Tallboy plenum. I have a pic of the powder coating I had done in the thread, but I didn't like the silver and have sent it back out to have it redone in a different color scheme. I also didn't like the textured look it had to it, so I will make sure its sanded smooth before its recoated. Details, Details, Details ..... I just want it back in one piece.
12-29-2008, 05:42 PM
#179
Sorry, I missed that part (playing playstation with my son at the same time). I already have the F:T custom fuel return setup as well.
I have an APS Tallboy plenum. I have a pic of the powder coating I had done in the thread, but I didn't like the silver and have sent it back out to have it redone in a different color scheme. I also didn't like the textured look it had to it, so I will make sure its sanded smooth before its recoated. Details, Details, Details ..... I just want it back in one piece.
I have an APS Tallboy plenum. I have a pic of the powder coating I had done in the thread, but I didn't like the silver and have sent it back out to have it redone in a different color scheme. I also didn't like the textured look it had to it, so I will make sure its sanded smooth before its recoated. Details, Details, Details ..... I just want it back in one piece.
