My engine bay and engine redo - 98 TA
10-18-2010, 01:57 PM
#61
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Still plugging through, been a busy month. Maybe tonight I can get some work done on it.
I might be changing plans slightly. I noticed with the battery and fuse boxes relocated, there is plenty of room for two turbos. Hmmmmmm.....
I might be changing plans slightly. I noticed with the battery and fuse boxes relocated, there is plenty of room for two turbos. Hmmmmmm.....
10-18-2010, 10:23 PM
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No work done tonight, dad called and his t-stat in his Montana went south. Spent my night over at his house getting him back on the road. Always something.....
10-19-2010, 09:16 PM
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Well, changed plans SLIGHTLY. It now only involves one turbo, but it is defintely going to be turbo'd. Sold my headers and y-pipe today, no turning back now!
11-17-2010, 11:53 AM
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Quick update, I'll try and post some pictures soon. I finished the fuse box relo, I'm going to mount the k-member in the car to be sure I'm not rubbing on it with my wiring harness. Should be good to go though.
I bought a turbo off a local guy and some hot side parts off of ebay. The ebay stuff looks ok, it is all stainless and the welds seems strong (although they should fire their welder or send him for some more training) so I'm pretty happy with it.
I bought a turbo off a local guy and some hot side parts off of ebay. The ebay stuff looks ok, it is all stainless and the welds seems strong (although they should fire their welder or send him for some more training) so I'm pretty happy with it.
12-15-2010, 08:54 PM
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Quick update, haven't done anything to the car other than bolt up the k-member to get it rolling again. My garage door is all busted up and coming off the tracks, so I bought a new one and had to clean up the shop so they can install it. I did buy my intercooler today though, and hopefully the engine will be done soon too.
12-16-2010, 03:59 PM
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looks like amazing work so far! i have to admire the amount of work your putting into this i have done engine swaps into these cars and did a little wire tuck but damn! keep up the good work!!
04-11-2011, 07:15 AM
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Been crazy while, I'm finally getting some work done again on the car. I finished welding up the holes in the engine bay and was prepping it for paint when I thought it might be smart to mock up the turbo setup on the car to make sure I don't need to do any modifications to the body before I paint it.
I threw a 5.3L block I had in there with my T56 and bolted it up. I started bolting up the turbo setup, and I realize why cheaper is not better.
I have the eBay PTK knockoff hot side parts, and I think they must have been machined by a drunk, crosseyed, mildly retarded Chinese man. The front bolt holes in the headers are nowhere near where they should be, some of the mounting surfaces of the flanges on the kit have slag on them and don't fit right, and some other stuff.
It really doesn't bother me too much, as I have the tools and ability to fix this kind of stuff. The cost I saved is worth it to put a little work into it since my labor is free. Luckily I have everything out of the engine bay so it was easy to get to everything. Can't imagine trying to do this while the radiator/ brake booster, computer and wires, etc were all in there.
Nightmare I tell ya.
If you plan on installing this kit in your driveway with a set of hand tools, think again. I used the grinder, dremel, c-clamps, vise, and stong will. Plus I did it in a clean garage with plenty of space to work, and I took up a lot of the driveway laying out parts to try and get them ready to go on the car (did I mention there were no instructions, too?)
Anyway, I'll keep plugging away at it. This week I'll hopefully have it ready for paint.
I threw a 5.3L block I had in there with my T56 and bolted it up. I started bolting up the turbo setup, and I realize why cheaper is not better.
I have the eBay PTK knockoff hot side parts, and I think they must have been machined by a drunk, crosseyed, mildly retarded Chinese man. The front bolt holes in the headers are nowhere near where they should be, some of the mounting surfaces of the flanges on the kit have slag on them and don't fit right, and some other stuff.
It really doesn't bother me too much, as I have the tools and ability to fix this kind of stuff. The cost I saved is worth it to put a little work into it since my labor is free. Luckily I have everything out of the engine bay so it was easy to get to everything. Can't imagine trying to do this while the radiator/ brake booster, computer and wires, etc were all in there.
Nightmare I tell ya.
If you plan on installing this kit in your driveway with a set of hand tools, think again. I used the grinder, dremel, c-clamps, vise, and stong will. Plus I did it in a clean garage with plenty of space to work, and I took up a lot of the driveway laying out parts to try and get them ready to go on the car (did I mention there were no instructions, too?)
Anyway, I'll keep plugging away at it. This week I'll hopefully have it ready for paint.
04-12-2011, 01:55 PM
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Looking good!
I like your thinking....this winter I did heads/cam and some other crap...next winter I'm gonna relocate my fuse box, PCM, and either relocate the ABS block or remove it. You have any pics showing how you mounted the fuse box better than the one you posted? I'm thinking about removing the passenger air bag, making the air bag dash cover velcro accessible, and putting the fuse box back there and the PCM in the glove box.
I like your thinking....this winter I did heads/cam and some other crap...next winter I'm gonna relocate my fuse box, PCM, and either relocate the ABS block or remove it. You have any pics showing how you mounted the fuse box better than the one you posted? I'm thinking about removing the passenger air bag, making the air bag dash cover velcro accessible, and putting the fuse box back there and the PCM in the glove box.