C3 78' Corvette LS1/T-56 with Holset HX-55 Turbo build
10-11-2017, 01:34 PM
#121
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I redid all the wiring on the interior of the car and made a new fuse panel. I used all weather pack style connectors so everything is super easy to work on.
10-11-2017, 01:46 PM
#122
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And if that isnt quite enough work dont worry there is more.
I redid the entire plumbing of the turbo system as well. I put on block huger headers, rerouted the cross over under the car because I swapped in the borgeson steering box so it gave me the room I needed with the hydraulic ram out of there. Rerouted the charge pipe from the turbo to the intercooler for clearance of the hood. Wrapped all the hot side in heat wrap, and some of the cold side as well to help keep heat out of it, and put a larger filter on the turbo.
I redid the entire plumbing of the turbo system as well. I put on block huger headers, rerouted the cross over under the car because I swapped in the borgeson steering box so it gave me the room I needed with the hydraulic ram out of there. Rerouted the charge pipe from the turbo to the intercooler for clearance of the hood. Wrapped all the hot side in heat wrap, and some of the cold side as well to help keep heat out of it, and put a larger filter on the turbo.
10-11-2017, 01:55 PM
#123
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Oh wait there is more.............
After a track day I pulled the intake manifold and was greeted with the beautiful sight of coolant on top of the valves. I knew I needed to upgrade the top end being turbo but just put it off. I finally had the visual to get myself in gear and make it happen, so I did it right. 317 heads, LS9 gaskets, Texas speed dual springs with titanium retainers, comp pushrods, trunion upgrade, New locks, and ARP 12 point studs.
After a track day I pulled the intake manifold and was greeted with the beautiful sight of coolant on top of the valves. I knew I needed to upgrade the top end being turbo but just put it off. I finally had the visual to get myself in gear and make it happen, so I did it right. 317 heads, LS9 gaskets, Texas speed dual springs with titanium retainers, comp pushrods, trunion upgrade, New locks, and ARP 12 point studs.
10-11-2017, 02:06 PM
#124
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The heads I got off craigslist for $120 and the guy threw in a brand new oil pan, dip stick, and windage tray. Ended up selling the extra stuff for $150. I was pretty pumped. One of the heads did have a casting flaw though and I was questioning its integrity. I ground out the crack welded it back full, then just used some hand sanding techniques to flatten it back out. Checked everything with an engineers straight edge and was good to go. Free heads!!
10-11-2017, 02:10 PM
#126
Launching!
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And finally smoothed out the edelbrock logo on the intake manifold, painted it, the valve covers, water pump, and turbo piping and put some heat reflective gold on some bits. Thats about the gist of the work so far.
Starting to get the itch to paint the body. Its been nice having a rough exterior for working on it and not having to care, but it would be nice to have a clean look finally.
Starting to get the itch to paint the body. Its been nice having a rough exterior for working on it and not having to care, but it would be nice to have a clean look finally.
10-11-2017, 02:39 PM
#127
Staging Lane
While having a nicely painted car would be awesome, having the chipped up exterior is kind of the allure of this car. Looks unassuming from far away, but start looking closely, and hints of the true capability of this car starts to make themselves known.
10-11-2017, 02:45 PM
#128
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10-11-2017, 03:05 PM
#129
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That is also very true. But then again hearing it going down the road isnt exactly subtle. something about turbo whistle and the blow off valve opening isnt exactly sleeper like.
10-11-2017, 10:56 PM
#130
You've been busy. Sucks to find the coolant. Awesome on the heads and fixing the one!
The c3's aren't very sleeperish either way. White (or grey) is pretty subtle. I don't know about you but mine gets a little more attention then I like sometimes. Glad I didn't go with a red, yellow or anything to call more attention my way.
Paint sounds good. Or do like my brother does and try the plastidip route (he's done is busa about 5 x's now).I wouldn't do it over a nice paint job but it may tide you over for a while.
Ryan
The c3's aren't very sleeperish either way. White (or grey) is pretty subtle. I don't know about you but mine gets a little more attention then I like sometimes. Glad I didn't go with a red, yellow or anything to call more attention my way.
Paint sounds good. Or do like my brother does and try the plastidip route (he's done is busa about 5 x's now).I wouldn't do it over a nice paint job but it may tide you over for a while.
Ryan
10-12-2017, 02:55 PM
#132
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I really like the improved racing oil pan baffle setup for the LS1 engine but couldn't justify spending the money. Found out they sell just the hinged trap doors separately for a great price so I purchased a set of those and made my own. Very happy with the result and now dont have to worry about the chance of oil starvation on the track.
10-12-2017, 03:12 PM
#133
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10-16-2017, 07:18 AM
#135
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I have not had it tuned since rebuilding the top end and adding the 317's. I haven't even had a chance do drive it yet. I'm sure I will have it tuned but will drive it first and see how it does, if a tune is inevitable I will be adding a cam before I do. Would make no sense to me to do all this work to the engine and retune with a stock cam.
