1995 Firebird 4.8L Street/Strip Turbo Project
06-14-2014, 06:55 AM
#241
1) My wife is very cool with my hobby. She spent time with me while I was outside working on the car.
2 & 3) Factory front air dam getting trimmed down.
4) Holes drilled and tapped to attach the air dam.
5 & 6) Painting POR-15 to the most recent engine bay metalwork alterations.
7) I decided that instead of flat gray, I preferred the look of gloss black on the turbo piping. Therefore, the cold-side piping got resprayed with VHT Flame Proof ceramic paint. A few miscellaneous brackets also got sprayed black while I had the paint out.
8-10) A combination of Wal-Mart Gloss White spray paint and Rustoleum Gloss White paint was sprayed and brushed onto the new parts of the engine bay. I know having a white engine bay is going to be a nightmare, but I just really like the way it looks.
2 & 3) Factory front air dam getting trimmed down.
4) Holes drilled and tapped to attach the air dam.
5 & 6) Painting POR-15 to the most recent engine bay metalwork alterations.
7) I decided that instead of flat gray, I preferred the look of gloss black on the turbo piping. Therefore, the cold-side piping got resprayed with VHT Flame Proof ceramic paint. A few miscellaneous brackets also got sprayed black while I had the paint out.
8-10) A combination of Wal-Mart Gloss White spray paint and Rustoleum Gloss White paint was sprayed and brushed onto the new parts of the engine bay. I know having a white engine bay is going to be a nightmare, but I just really like the way it looks.
Last edited by y2k_ta; 06-14-2014 at 05:56 PM.
06-14-2014, 07:04 AM
#242
3) Exhaust manifolds sanded down and ready for paint. Exhaust shields are headed to the scrap yard.
4) Brackets for upper radiator support & transmission cooler mount that I fabricated.
6) Bracket I fabricated to mount the "headlights" to the crash bumper.
7 & 8) "Headlights" installed
9) Backside of bumper cover showing the "headlights" mounted. I had to make a slight clearance in the crash bumper for the bulbs to attach.
10) Small notch I made in the passenger-side front subframe so the exhaust manifold would clear.
4) Brackets for upper radiator support & transmission cooler mount that I fabricated.
6) Bracket I fabricated to mount the "headlights" to the crash bumper.
7 & 8) "Headlights" installed
9) Backside of bumper cover showing the "headlights" mounted. I had to make a slight clearance in the crash bumper for the bulbs to attach.
10) Small notch I made in the passenger-side front subframe so the exhaust manifold would clear.
Last edited by y2k_ta; 06-15-2014 at 08:17 AM.
06-14-2014, 07:05 AM
#243
1) Oil catch can mounted in it's new location. The breather filter will be changed for a smaller one at a later time.
2 & 3) Coolant overflow tank in it's new location. I had to move it so I'd have room for the cold-side piping.
4) Front of engine block repainted & 90 degree fitting installed at oil drain in timing cover.
5) Wiring completed for "headlights" and intercooler fan.
6) Passenger-side truck exhaust manifold installed with ARP fasteners.
7 & 8) V6 radiator and fan assembly reinstalled in the freshly-painted engine bay.
9) Installing oil drain fitting to underside of turbo before I drop it into the car.
10) Final installation of Turbonetics turbo about to begin!
2 & 3) Coolant overflow tank in it's new location. I had to move it so I'd have room for the cold-side piping.
4) Front of engine block repainted & 90 degree fitting installed at oil drain in timing cover.
5) Wiring completed for "headlights" and intercooler fan.
6) Passenger-side truck exhaust manifold installed with ARP fasteners.
7 & 8) V6 radiator and fan assembly reinstalled in the freshly-painted engine bay.
9) Installing oil drain fitting to underside of turbo before I drop it into the car.
10) Final installation of Turbonetics turbo about to begin!
Last edited by y2k_ta; 06-15-2014 at 08:24 AM.
06-14-2014, 07:07 AM
#244
1) Turbo mount piping and lower radiator hose installed.
2) Turbonetics turbo bolted into place for the final assembly.
3) Oil drain line for turbo installed.
4 & 5) I made an upper support for the turbo. I used rod ends on both ends so that movement is still allowed, but it will still help with "hanging" support.
6 & 7) Underside shots showing how everything has it's place and fits together within the space allowed.
8) Support for intercooler inlet piping. The braided lines in the photo are the fuel lines, and I will be adding a support bracket for them at a later time.
9 & 10) Wastegate installed during final assembly.
2) Turbonetics turbo bolted into place for the final assembly.
3) Oil drain line for turbo installed.
4 & 5) I made an upper support for the turbo. I used rod ends on both ends so that movement is still allowed, but it will still help with "hanging" support.
6 & 7) Underside shots showing how everything has it's place and fits together within the space allowed.
8) Support for intercooler inlet piping. The braided lines in the photo are the fuel lines, and I will be adding a support bracket for them at a later time.
9 & 10) Wastegate installed during final assembly.
Last edited by y2k_ta; 06-15-2014 at 08:34 AM.
06-14-2014, 07:08 AM
#245
1) Oil feed line for turbo. It actually snakes between the serpentine belt.
2 & 3) Intake tube from intercooler outlet & blow-off valve shown in this photo.
4) The intake tube passes through the factory opening for the factory coolant over flow container.
7) Well I goofed up on the hole I made for the exhaust body exit. Now I get to rework that so it looks better.
9) Air filter clearance is minimal with the subframe. I will be making a fiberglass enclosure/scoop for the air filter.
10) The upper radiator hose. I took a stock upper radiator hose and added to the end of it. Now it includes the fitting for the coolant temp sensor & is long enough to now reach the relocated radiator.
2 & 3) Intake tube from intercooler outlet & blow-off valve shown in this photo.
4) The intake tube passes through the factory opening for the factory coolant over flow container.
7) Well I goofed up on the hole I made for the exhaust body exit. Now I get to rework that so it looks better.
9) Air filter clearance is minimal with the subframe. I will be making a fiberglass enclosure/scoop for the air filter.
10) The upper radiator hose. I took a stock upper radiator hose and added to the end of it. Now it includes the fitting for the coolant temp sensor & is long enough to now reach the relocated radiator.
Last edited by y2k_ta; 06-15-2014 at 08:41 AM.
06-14-2014, 05:41 PM
#246
1) The Jegs brand exhaust cutout (the one I didn't sell) fits nicely in front of the passenger-side of the engine. I recently tested it's dashboard switch, and can verify that it does open and close 
.
2) The 02 sensors required the wiring to be lengthened in order to hook into the Tech Rods engine harness.
3) The transmission fluid temperature sensor was mounted into one of the transmission pan drain plugs on the front of the pan.
4) The passenger-side 02 sensor threaded into place.
5) The Turbonetics manual boost controller
6) Knock-off Chinese wastegate
8) Threaded fitting for top of radiator to use AN lines for transmission cooler lines.
.2) The 02 sensors required the wiring to be lengthened in order to hook into the Tech Rods engine harness.
3) The transmission fluid temperature sensor was mounted into one of the transmission pan drain plugs on the front of the pan.
4) The passenger-side 02 sensor threaded into place.
5) The Turbonetics manual boost controller
6) Knock-off Chinese wastegate
8) Threaded fitting for top of radiator to use AN lines for transmission cooler lines.
Last edited by y2k_ta; 08-30-2014 at 10:46 AM.
06-14-2014, 05:45 PM
#247
1) I boogered up the factory ls1 dipstick tube that I had for the car so badly that I couldn't use it. Replaced it with this really nice Lokar unit.
2) Bottom transmission line mount on radiator, Converted to AN fittings, and had to jog it around the downpipe.
3 & 4) Transmission cooler line routing.
5 - 7) Vacuum line routing and split-loom on the wiring.
8) Used raised aluminum valve covers that I bought on ebay, No need for the factory valve covers with spacers now.
9) Previous owner of valve covers drilled holes for his pcv system. I was able to utilize the rear hole on the driver's-side for my pcv system. Later I will tap this grommet.
2) Bottom transmission line mount on radiator, Converted to AN fittings, and had to jog it around the downpipe.
3 & 4) Transmission cooler line routing.
5 - 7) Vacuum line routing and split-loom on the wiring.
8) Used raised aluminum valve covers that I bought on ebay, No need for the factory valve covers with spacers now.
9) Previous owner of valve covers drilled holes for his pcv system. I was able to utilize the rear hole on the driver's-side for my pcv system. Later I will tap this grommet.
Last edited by y2k_ta; 08-30-2014 at 10:56 AM.
06-14-2014, 05:46 PM
#248
1) This photo shows the rubber tubing I installed for the transmission overflow tank. You can also see the braided lines that run from the transmission to the radiator/trans cooler & back.
2) I'm leaving some sort of PCV system on the car, so I installed these ports onto the passenger-side valve cover. They were leftovers from the wastegate.
3) Here you can see where the braided lines for the transmission attach. They required unique fittings that I picked up from Jegs.
4 & 5) The front air dam required a hair cut since it's mounted lower than it was from the factory.
6 & 7) Installed the used valve covers that don't require a spacer like I needed with the factory valve covers (in order to clear my rocker arms)
8) The coil brackets are back in black and the coils themselves got a good cleaning before I reinstalled them.
9 & 10) I used DEI insulation products to help shield the fuel lines where they passed in close proximity to the engine.
2) I'm leaving some sort of PCV system on the car, so I installed these ports onto the passenger-side valve cover. They were leftovers from the wastegate.
3) Here you can see where the braided lines for the transmission attach. They required unique fittings that I picked up from Jegs.
4 & 5) The front air dam required a hair cut since it's mounted lower than it was from the factory.
6 & 7) Installed the used valve covers that don't require a spacer like I needed with the factory valve covers (in order to clear my rocker arms)
8) The coil brackets are back in black and the coils themselves got a good cleaning before I reinstalled them.
9 & 10) I used DEI insulation products to help shield the fuel lines where they passed in close proximity to the engine.
Last edited by y2k_ta; 10-31-2014 at 04:35 PM.
06-16-2014, 08:55 AM
#249
1) My "PCV" system lines hooked up
2) Lots of minor details to finish up the engine bay. Routing of wiring and securing them out of the way is very important.
3) A close up of the underside of the fuel line tray that I fabricated for the driver's-side. It attaches to the valve cover where the coil brackets attach.
7-9) Moroso plug wires and Lingenfelter plug wire boots.
2) Lots of minor details to finish up the engine bay. Routing of wiring and securing them out of the way is very important.
3) A close up of the underside of the fuel line tray that I fabricated for the driver's-side. It attaches to the valve cover where the coil brackets attach.
7-9) Moroso plug wires and Lingenfelter plug wire boots.
Last edited by y2k_ta; 10-31-2014 at 04:40 PM.
06-16-2014, 08:56 AM
#250
1) Cleaned up the routing of the wiring around the engine.
2) Really other than the overflow tube on the coolant reservoir, this thing is ready to be fired up.
-------------------October 31, 2014 Update---------------------
3) This would be attempt #2 at installing the carbon fiber door panels (see post #240 https://ls1tech.com/forums/drag-raci...l#post18149650). I looked back through my thread a couple times because I thought I'd already discussed this....maybe I have thought about what I was going to type about it one too many times. Anyway, here goes... I purchased these from a member of another message board (think primary color + what exits out of a gun) several years ago. Now I'm not only an artist, but I also have mild OCD. I try not to pick apart things, but sometimes I just can't help it. To say I was less than thrilled with the door panels is quite an understatement. My biggest disappointment was how one didn't mirror the other. In fact, I thought I'd been sent two different panels for two different cars. I questioned it and got some less than pleasant responses. So I made the best of it, and tried to make them as similar as possible. They required a substantial amount of modification and trimming in order for them to fit well.
To read this in chronological order, skip the next post (#251), and go to post #252.
4) Dressed the door up a little with some black spray paint. I didn't want the white to show through once the panel was installed.
5) I used a strip of masking tape to mark where I wanted to drill the screw holes along the top of the panel. I suppose I could have glued the panels on, but I want the ability to access what's inside if the need ever arises.
6 & 7) Completed installation pics of the driver's-side and passenger-side panels.
8) How they look from the inside.
9) After reading an article in in Fastest Street Car Magazine by ls1tech member & moderator Villian281H, I decided to put an AEM Methanol Injection kit on the car.
10) This is a backside shot of the panel that I fabricated for the tank and pump.
2) Really other than the overflow tube on the coolant reservoir, this thing is ready to be fired up.
-------------------October 31, 2014 Update---------------------
3) This would be attempt #2 at installing the carbon fiber door panels (see post #240 https://ls1tech.com/forums/drag-raci...l#post18149650). I looked back through my thread a couple times because I thought I'd already discussed this....maybe I have thought about what I was going to type about it one too many times. Anyway, here goes... I purchased these from a member of another message board (think primary color + what exits out of a gun) several years ago. Now I'm not only an artist, but I also have mild OCD. I try not to pick apart things, but sometimes I just can't help it. To say I was less than thrilled with the door panels is quite an understatement. My biggest disappointment was how one didn't mirror the other. In fact, I thought I'd been sent two different panels for two different cars. I questioned it and got some less than pleasant responses. So I made the best of it, and tried to make them as similar as possible. They required a substantial amount of modification and trimming in order for them to fit well.
To read this in chronological order, skip the next post (#251), and go to post #252.
4) Dressed the door up a little with some black spray paint. I didn't want the white to show through once the panel was installed.
5) I used a strip of masking tape to mark where I wanted to drill the screw holes along the top of the panel. I suppose I could have glued the panels on, but I want the ability to access what's inside if the need ever arises.
6 & 7) Completed installation pics of the driver's-side and passenger-side panels.
8) How they look from the inside.
9) After reading an article in in Fastest Street Car Magazine by ls1tech member & moderator Villian281H, I decided to put an AEM Methanol Injection kit on the car.
10) This is a backside shot of the panel that I fabricated for the tank and pump.
Last edited by y2k_ta; 10-31-2014 at 08:00 PM.
10-29-2014, 02:41 PM
#251
I know it's been a while since I've posted, and I have lots of updates to share.....but in the meantime it's ALIVE!!!!!! Today is my 40th birthday, and I can't think of a better gift to give myself This is only the third time the car has run since I've owned it, and that's been a long 7 1/2 years! The first time as I drove the anemic V6 into the alley only to have it die. The second time in November 2010 as the first N/A combination, and that was only a brief start up before it would die.
I knew back in the Summer that I was at the point of being ready to start it up. However, I kept finding other things to do (i.e....trailer) because deep down I was afraid of failure. I was fearful it wasn't going to start after all the work I'd put into it. One day I just decided that it was time to give it a try, and it worked out that I was off work the morning of my birthday. Please excuse the poor quality video from my phone that was then compressed for YouTube. It's the sound I was going for, and not what I was filming per say. UPDATE: I also want to apologize for the first video being turned on its side. I just didn't know any better at the time I filmed it.
1) The car sat for so long with a small amount of gas in it. That unfortunately made for the demise of the first fuel pump I put on the car. So, I upgraded to the A1000 from Aeromotive.
2) The long gap of no updating is somewhat contributed to this thing. I have spent the past several months refurbishing a car trailer that I purchased earlier in the year (https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachmen...-trailer_4.jpg).
3) With the car running, I scrambled around it checking for leaks, sparks, etc. Then I noticed I had a leak at the radiator. I forgot to tighten the top AN fitting for the transmission cooler at the top of the radiator. During the second start up, I found a small oil leak at the rear of the driver's-side valve cover that will need to be taken care of.
4 & 5) Accel Wideband unit. I cut a piece of aluminum to hide the nasty-looking factory openings for the factory air box, and then mounted the unit on top of it. I have yet to use it, but it was already installed on the car at the time of start up.
6-10) New front and rear bumper cover supports that I fabricated.
This is only the third time the car has run since I've owned it, and that's been a long 7 1/2 years! The first time as I drove the anemic V6 into the alley only to have it die. The second time in November 2010 as the first N/A combination, and that was only a brief start up before it would die.I knew back in the Summer that I was at the point of being ready to start it up. However, I kept finding other things to do (i.e....trailer) because deep down I was afraid of failure. I was fearful it wasn't going to start after all the work I'd put into it. One day I just decided that it was time to give it a try, and it worked out that I was off work the morning of my birthday. Please excuse the poor quality video from my phone that was then compressed for YouTube. It's the sound I was going for, and not what I was filming per say. UPDATE: I also want to apologize for the first video being turned on its side. I just didn't know any better at the time I filmed it.
1) The car sat for so long with a small amount of gas in it. That unfortunately made for the demise of the first fuel pump I put on the car. So, I upgraded to the A1000 from Aeromotive.
2) The long gap of no updating is somewhat contributed to this thing. I have spent the past several months refurbishing a car trailer that I purchased earlier in the year (https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachmen...-trailer_4.jpg).
3) With the car running, I scrambled around it checking for leaks, sparks, etc. Then I noticed I had a leak at the radiator. I forgot to tighten the top AN fitting for the transmission cooler at the top of the radiator. During the second start up, I found a small oil leak at the rear of the driver's-side valve cover that will need to be taken care of.
4 & 5) Accel Wideband unit. I cut a piece of aluminum to hide the nasty-looking factory openings for the factory air box, and then mounted the unit on top of it. I have yet to use it, but it was already installed on the car at the time of start up.
6-10) New front and rear bumper cover supports that I fabricated.
Last edited by y2k_ta; 12-24-2018 at 10:01 AM.
10-31-2014, 03:35 PM
#252
I apologize for this being out of order, but the AEM Methanol Injection was already installed on the car at the time of starting it on October 29, 2014.
1) Here is where the tank and pump will be living.
2) The little black line runs from the pump up to the nozzle that is installed in the intake tubing.
3) Here is my fabricated bracket finished up with everything it was meant to house installed on it.
7) I fabricated this bracket to mount the controller onto the rollcage.
8 & 9) The bracket and controller installed.
10) Wired up and ready to go!
If you read post #250 and decided to read the events in order, that meant you skipped ahead to this post (#252). Ok, you may go back up to post #251 now to read it, and then skip this post (#252) since you just read it. If you didn't do any post jumping, just carry on as usual. Have I confused you yet?
1) Here is where the tank and pump will be living.
2) The little black line runs from the pump up to the nozzle that is installed in the intake tubing.
3) Here is my fabricated bracket finished up with everything it was meant to house installed on it.
7) I fabricated this bracket to mount the controller onto the rollcage.
8 & 9) The bracket and controller installed.
10) Wired up and ready to go!
If you read post #250 and decided to read the events in order, that meant you skipped ahead to this post (#252). Ok, you may go back up to post #251 now to read it, and then skip this post (#252) since you just read it. If you didn't do any post jumping, just carry on as usual
. Have I confused you yet? Last edited by y2k_ta; 10-31-2014 at 04:23 PM.
10-31-2014, 03:36 PM
#253
2) Wire routing cleaned up and safely secured.
3) The unit is energized by one of the toggle switches below the switch panel.
4 & 5) I made a bung out of a pipe nipple that I cut down & then welded it to the intake tube. I'd already painted the intake tubing, so that required a little touch up work to the paint after I finished welding.
6) The nozzle installed into the intake tubing per the thorough instructions provided by AEM.
3) The unit is energized by one of the toggle switches below the switch panel.
4 & 5) I made a bung out of a pipe nipple that I cut down & then welded it to the intake tube. I'd already painted the intake tubing, so that required a little touch up work to the paint after I finished welding.
6) The nozzle installed into the intake tubing per the thorough instructions provided by AEM.
Last edited by y2k_ta; 10-31-2014 at 04:27 PM.
10-31-2014, 07:58 PM
#255
11-15-2014, 10:36 PM
#257
No problem! Glad I could help!
Car is on the trickle charger and treated with Stabil while it hibernates under a car cover for the snowy months. Spring can't return soon enough!
----01/16/15 Update----
Lexan windshield and hatch by Five Star Bodies. Purchased through Jerry Bickel Race Cars. Jump ahead to the beginning of the install in January 2016 here: Post #267 https://ls1tech.com/forums/drag-raci...l#post19107711
Car is on the trickle charger and treated with Stabil while it hibernates under a car cover for the snowy months. Spring can't return soon enough!
----01/16/15 Update----
Lexan windshield and hatch by Five Star Bodies. Purchased through Jerry Bickel Race Cars. Jump ahead to the beginning of the install in January 2016 here: Post #267 https://ls1tech.com/forums/drag-raci...l#post19107711
Last edited by y2k_ta; 01-13-2016 at 04:50 PM.
01-25-2015, 06:10 PM
#258
TECH Fanatic
Damn y2k_ta!! I just went thru all those pages, and what a job! That was a plain jane at first. Then the transforming began! You did a hell of a job! Looks damn good!
01-31-2015, 04:29 PM
#259
Last edited by y2k_ta; 11-13-2015 at 10:32 AM.
11-13-2015, 10:30 AM
#260
I took this past year off of working on the car to build a 2-car garage onto the front of my 1 1/2 car garage. Both my 'birds and my wife's vehicle have indoor storage now. I'm currently finishing out the inside of the new garage, and will get back to working on the "maid mobile" once I'm finished
12/24/18 UPDATE: Building this garage was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I did it all myself, and have been enjoying it for nearly four years now.
12/24/18 UPDATE: Building this garage was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I did it all myself, and have been enjoying it for nearly four years now.
Last edited by y2k_ta; 12-24-2018 at 10:04 AM.