So glad you're getting to enjoy the truck!
It only gets better from here, bigger turbos, more power, more carnage, better parts and more speed.
Welcome to the boosted world my friend.

 

oh yeh things are definitely getting better, I'm already thinking in my mind what I'm going to do next. It's already got a 2/4 drop on it and the frame has been c notched but I'm thinking of putting some good springs on it. Just havent really decided on what's a good brand for mostly street use and occasional track. Then I want to do alot more heat prevention, blanket on turbo, bigger radiator, bigger overflow reservoir. Then from there I think I'll get an aluminum 5.3 block and slowly build it and when it's time to make that transition I'll go back with a holley system, and naturally a bigger turbo, I'll enjoy what I have for the next few months tho.

 

Just pick up an L33 or LC9 short block, gap the rings and let'er eat.
Heat control is a big one, keeping it as much of it inside the exhaust as possible will also improve performance.
Don't settle on the Holley yet either, HP Tuners is coming out with a system as well as I think Haltech with a new entry level system.

 

yeh that's the plan, this iron block I have is supposed to have better rods and supposed to be gapped but I really dont want to go off the guys word i bought it from, seems many people will say anything these days. Wow thats interesting, hopefully by the time im ready those will be options. Im in no rush

 

If the guy said it, I'd run it, worst thing it can do it pop a ring land.
The car I bought supposedly has H-Beam rods and forged pistons and I'm gonna whack it with as much boost as it takes to hit 1,000whp.
We gonna find out son!

 

lmao yeh you right, thats why im going to get another block and start building it and ill push the hell out this one and see what happens. Sounds like i need to get a different ecu tho. The guys on performance trucks pretty much said the same thing about my ecu having limits. They said I need to get an ecu from an 03 up or from a gto or make the switch to an aftermarket ecu

 

If you swap to a different factory pcm, use a 12587603. With HPtuners it can do everything the GTO computer can do except for lean cruise. If you are willing to go down the non-commercial software rabbithole, the 12587603 has some serious support for additional capabilities such as spark cut rev limits, wideband integration, and much more.

 

wow, ilk run that by my tuner, what vehicle does that ecu come in?

 

May have to add a second wastegate for the time being, it seems to want to over boost. He's going to switch the spring out and see if that helps and if not then going to add a second wastegate. It's pushing about 2 pounds more then he wants it too

 

That operating system comes in the P59 computers of several trucks, but I don't remember which specific models. One day I may look into seeing if I can make that OS play nice with the BCM in my GTO, since it has a p59 pcm. You can find out more info in the pcmhacking forum if you look for BoostOs. However, non-commercial software means use at your own risk.

 

I think I'll eventually just switch to an aftermarket ecu, once the labor work is done it seems alot easier to tune. That new hp tuner core ecu seem pretty bad ***, and if it's not ready when I am then I'll just go holley

 

A little update, it was over boosting because the wastegate had a plug screwed in the tip, once plug was removed it stopped. The head gaskets are blown. I guess the original tuner blew my head gaskets and failed to tell me. I had a multi layer gasket on the way from speedway and I got some arp head studs so I guess back to turning wrenches. Also the new tuner wants me to weld install the newer style maf sensor, the card style. So I got the weld in bung and a gm ls3 maf and the adapter on the way. When it builds boost it blows the coupling off the maf so we're going to do away with that

 

you confirm my approach/philosophy: what you dont do yourself goes down the hill quckly. unfortunately.

 

yeh your 100 percent right, this new guy im using to help me out with the tune has been alot of help tho man. His prices are much more reasonable and hes called me every step of the way and any issues hes found hes told me right away and he even got me the arp studs at his discounted price so even with the bad news at least I'm figuring everything out and can move forward from it

 

what engine are we actually talking about here?

 

iron block 5.3 with 243 heads and we decided to just weld in a bung and an iat sensor since we're only using the maf for that anyways

 

Pulled the intake manifold, and turbo and plugs today. #4 spark plug was slightly wet and the oil was slightly milky. Tomorrow I'll get the heads pulled off. I'm limited with time considering I'm doing this after work and the last time change has it getting dark here fairly early

 

New btr head gaskets installed, arp head studs installed, tomorrow I'll get the intake back on and Monday I'll get the bung welded in for the iat sensor. Also ordered a turbo smart e boost street electronic boost controller. So I can get a little control of this boost. Hopefully all goes well with these new parts.

 

Took the truck for a drive last night, seems to be much better. I'm just waiting on the boost controller to come in and my pinion seal has a slight leak so I'll get that changed this afternoon

 

A little update, things didn't work out to great, the motor locked up on me. Tried turning the crane with a ratchet and it doesn't budge. Weird thing it was running perfectly fine, didn't do any hard pulls or anything. Did a few text drives and then went at a later date and attempted to crank it and it just clicked like the battery was dead and low and behold the motor now doesn't spin. This truck has gotten the best of me