Truck under-go's turbo relocation surgery
#1
Truck under-go's turbo relocation surgery
Ok, So I've had the STS kit on my truck for two and a half years and have been quite happy with it. No real problems, just a few miner one's with extreme cold with the oil pump blowing fuses and the waste gate freezing. So I decided to build a custom front mount setup, using the same turbo and waste gate, so I could judge the difference in spool speed. All I can say is, WOW! This thing spools SO much faster with this front mount. To be fair though, I did have some exhaust leaks pre-turbo I found when I took the STS off which probable was slowing spool time, but still, wow.
The first thing I did was pull the STS kit off, (yes I know its dirty )
Then I started building a passenger side manifold. I built it out of schedule 10, 304 stainless steel pipe and 90* weld-alls.
Came out pretty good I think
I also built a jig wile I was at it, so I could replicate this manifold in case anyone wanted to buy one (PM me for Pricing )
Then I built a crossover from the stock manifold on the drivers side to the back of the custom manifold on the pass side. It was built out of 2 1/2" mandrel bent aluminized tubing with a SS flex in it for longevity, and a down pipe
I also mounted the waste gate in the crossover under the truck (it was more convenient and it works GREAT!)
I only had to modify one of the charge pipes to connect my existing intercooler.
Everything came out pretty good,
I also built all new 3" exhaust out the back of the truck reusing the old Warlock muffler (after a good wire wheel job and some high temp ceramic paint) and mandrel bends. It exits in the stock location, very sleeper I will have more picks of it later when I put it up on my buddy's lift.
Oh and I have a few turbos laying around too
The first thing I did was pull the STS kit off, (yes I know its dirty )
Then I started building a passenger side manifold. I built it out of schedule 10, 304 stainless steel pipe and 90* weld-alls.
Came out pretty good I think
I also built a jig wile I was at it, so I could replicate this manifold in case anyone wanted to buy one (PM me for Pricing )
Then I built a crossover from the stock manifold on the drivers side to the back of the custom manifold on the pass side. It was built out of 2 1/2" mandrel bent aluminized tubing with a SS flex in it for longevity, and a down pipe
I also mounted the waste gate in the crossover under the truck (it was more convenient and it works GREAT!)
I only had to modify one of the charge pipes to connect my existing intercooler.
Everything came out pretty good,
I also built all new 3" exhaust out the back of the truck reusing the old Warlock muffler (after a good wire wheel job and some high temp ceramic paint) and mandrel bends. It exits in the stock location, very sleeper I will have more picks of it later when I put it up on my buddy's lift.
Oh and I have a few turbos laying around too
#2
Oh, and did I mention, I did all this in a little over a week and i didn't work on it 3 of those day, cuz I was too tired after work,
I am have a little problem with a bit of smoke after I let off the gas after I make a run, I think I didn't put my oil drain high enough in the oil pan (it's just above the low oil level sensor) and it is backing up to the turbo when in boost. I put a restrictor in the feed line to the turbo, will see if that helps. And I have a exhaust leak in the v-band clamp at the back of the turbo manifold, but I think If I make a aluminum gasket to put in there, it will seal it up. It is a shitty V-band . Surprisingly, my tune is still very close.
I am have a little problem with a bit of smoke after I let off the gas after I make a run, I think I didn't put my oil drain high enough in the oil pan (it's just above the low oil level sensor) and it is backing up to the turbo when in boost. I put a restrictor in the feed line to the turbo, will see if that helps. And I have a exhaust leak in the v-band clamp at the back of the turbo manifold, but I think If I make a aluminum gasket to put in there, it will seal it up. It is a shitty V-band . Surprisingly, my tune is still very close.
#5
Originally Posted by SSilverSSurfer
thats kickass, looks really good for a weeks worth of work. what size turbo did you use?
#6
TECH Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Texas
Posts: 6,157
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You do some fast work thats for sure! Im impressed!
I rode in a front mount PTK system and didnt notice any lag... I wound up ordering it later that day Front mount is the only way to go IMO
I rode in a front mount PTK system and didnt notice any lag... I wound up ordering it later that day Front mount is the only way to go IMO
Trending Topics
#10
Well, made it to the track today. Last time out up here DA was 8800' and best runs was a 14.59@99mph and could only builds 1-2psi of boost on the line (2.39 60' i think).
Today, DA was 8400' and best run was 13.21@103.5. Same boost (11.5psi) and tune. Could easily build 8-10psi of boost on the line . I'm pretty happy with my front mount
Today, DA was 8400' and best run was 13.21@103.5. Same boost (11.5psi) and tune. Could easily build 8-10psi of boost on the line . I'm pretty happy with my front mount
#12
10 Second Club
iTrader: (2)
Originally Posted by Beaflag VonRathburg
It's good to see a direct before and after test of moving the turbo up front. So many people say their STS kit is the greatest thing ever and this just proves otherwise.
I wouldn't put a rearmount on a truck in the first place though, lot's of engine space. F-body or Y-body i'd consider sticking it in the *** due to space. If I could have a front mounted turbo on my setup without it over heating out here and keeping a/c I would.
#13
OWN3D BY MY PROF!
iTrader: (176)
Originally Posted by Zombie
Yes and no. On his setup yes, but there are a lot of variables. I've ridden in a front mounted t76 car and it's spool was only a hair quicker than my rearmount. I've got my setup optimised pretty good though, more than most.
I wouldn't put a rearmount on a truck in the first place though, lot's of engine space. F-body or Y-body i'd consider sticking it in the *** due to space. If I could have a front mounted turbo on my setup without it over heating out here and keeping a/c I would.
I wouldn't put a rearmount on a truck in the first place though, lot's of engine space. F-body or Y-body i'd consider sticking it in the *** due to space. If I could have a front mounted turbo on my setup without it over heating out here and keeping a/c I would.
#14
10 Second Club
iTrader: (2)
There is no cost advantage to using a rear mount. It's main advantage is ease of install in a crowded engine bay.
I seriously doubt I could put a turbo in the engine bay, keep a/c, and not have it over heat here in vegas. As soon as you lose the stock fans it's game over. Road temps are 150+ EVen stock the cooling system is just barely adequate. Every stockish car i've scanned in summer here with the a/c on runs 240 degree coolant temps... sucks.
I seriously doubt I could put a turbo in the engine bay, keep a/c, and not have it over heat here in vegas. As soon as you lose the stock fans it's game over. Road temps are 150+ EVen stock the cooling system is just barely adequate. Every stockish car i've scanned in summer here with the a/c on runs 240 degree coolant temps... sucks.
#16
Originally Posted by JAvenger007
looks good who makes that blanket? Also, isn't the STS charge piping aluminum?
No, the charge pipes on the sts kit is coated steel tubing.
To be fair guys this really isn't a good comparison of the STS and a front mount. Altitude REALLY has an affect on getting the STS to spool up, especially with the small exhaust leaks I had and that where my big gains are. I don;t think my sea level times will be near this much of an improvement. I will find out next time I go down to AZ. Here is a link to more discussion of it with more detail and screen shots of the EFILive logs of the 2 runs. Let me know what you think.
http://www.performancetrucks.net/for...d.php?t=397911
#17
Originally Posted by Zombie
There is no cost advantage to using a rear mount. It's main advantage is ease of install in a crowded engine bay.
As for cost, building the front mount for me was a lot less expensive then the STS kit, but I did all the work and have the know how. Took me probable about 40-50 hours or so. When you buy a kit, you pay for a lot of other things, like shop over head, R&D and some money in the guys pocket. You pay a premium for the "kit" convenience of it.
#19
LS1Tech Sponsor
iTrader: (12)
Nice setup. Looks just like a Trick kit.I would figure spool would be alot better with it upfront on a small 4.8l. Thanks for posting the hr's it took to build too.By our shop rates it still looks cheaper for the customer to go with a Trick kit than for us to make it.
#20
Originally Posted by Slowhawk
Nice setup. Looks just like a Trick kit.I would figure spool would be alot better with it upfront on a small 4.8l. Thanks for posting the hr's it took to build too.By our shop rates it still looks cheaper for the customer to go with a Trick kit than for us to make it.