1965 C10 - Turbo LS Ratrod

[Gumby83]

so i turned my attention to building the Hotside for my turbo and mounting the intercooler (i jump around alot, either waiting on parts or having to do something in order so i dont fk myself down the road) While my block is at the machine shop, i am using the original 5.3 that came with the truck as a mockup engine. While doing this, i saw i had alotta room under the bed of the truck, between the frame rails... after taking out all that steel from the bed my truck had a rake to it, so i decided if i go with air ride suspension, so i can adjust my ride height to clear stuff like railroad tracks and i can go low. My buddy sean came by and decided to build the box to keep the air ride manifold/tank and compressors out of the elements while i figured out the wastegate.

[Gumby83]

Now it was time for me to finish prep for boxing the frame rails. I used 3/16 plate in the enginebay to compensate for taking half of the top of the framerail. the rest of the frame i went with 1/8" plate and in-set it about .2 inches from the lip of the framerail so i could get a good fillet weld. i put a 1.25 inch pipe over the parking brake cable so i could seal up around it on the framerail. but before i commit and weld it out, i have to finish the exhaust. its a 4 inch downpipe, which will go to a QTP 4" electric cutout (after it passes inspection, illegal in canuckia) then to a 4 inch to dual 3 inch splitter, to two Spintech 6000's then out under the passenger side step on the box.

[Gumby83]

I got to spend 6~ hours welding out my frame rails, 1.5 inches at a time. alternating sides and what end i was welding at to eliminate any chances of the frame being warped by the heat. But, after thats done, it was time to finally do something with the box. It was a hot mess, missing supports. box sides cut up etc. So i had to basically just wing it. i am not going to spend a boatload of money on a box kit when i'd have to cut into it for my fuel cell sump and battery box cables. So i cut the inner fenders in equal arcs, and mini-tubbed it. I went to the hardware store and picked up some 2x6's, carrage bolts and hinges. My buddy had some epoxy resin stuff they use for making tables. I tried to weather the boards so they didnt catch any attention/looked normal but the resin is shiney as sin.. least they are waterproof for life now.

[Gumby83]

With the frame rails welded up, i could finally run my air lines and electrical for the compressors/tail lights. Found these weld-on metal zip-tie holders which worked great. I relocated the coil packs to be hidden on the new engine, and routed the air lines before removing it all to paint the crossmember. also ran new brake lines to the rear drums. next on the snowballing out of control list is the vintage air kit... This install was easily the biggest pain in the ass yet, from wrong fittings, to wrong compressors (twice the vintage air guys pointed me at the wrong compressor) to the drier interfearing with the intercooler. Really wish i left this one in my shopping cart bth. But after that, my CPP order came in, i had lower control arms (9/16 ubolts), disc brakes and a hydraulic booster to put on.

[Gumby83]

After the front end was all together, i focus'ed on the cab (was tired of being under the truck constantly). I decided to Sound deaden the ever living hell out of it, and mount the computer and my regulator. after that was done, i got a phone call for my engine block. I quickly gave it a scrub adub dub, (all the galleys, anywhere metal could of gotten) and painted it up. then started on a journey of discovery and self inflicted OCD. I never built a engine before, i read about it, watched videos. talked to professionals and even bought a book which turned out not to be really any help over what i already knew. but i got the tools and went ham. First off was assembling the rods and pistons (Summit ProLS, -11cc dish pistons, 6.125 rods to go with their 3.622 crank), then file-fitting the rings. went with .028-.030 on the top ring and .030-.032 on the bottom ring. after that was all good, i ended up deburring the oil galleys that fed the cam bearings, then started hammering away on the bearings. I ended up mangling a bearing and had to order another set, along with a better cam bearing installing tool. then it was measuring for main bearings and rod bearings. i ended up going half and half (one std size and one oversize) to get to .0025~ on the rods and ~.0027 on the mains. Then it was time for the goodies to go in. BTR Stage 2 Turbo Camshaft, Melling 10296 oil pump, ATI Super Dampner, set of Trickflow 225 GenX CNC heads w/ Titanium Retainers, Johnson Axle Oiling Link-Bar lifters, Smith Brothers .116 wall pushrods (built to length), Comp Cams Ultra Gold 1.72 Roller Rockers and capped off with a Fast LSXRT intake, plumbed for direct port methanol injection from Pro Meth.

[Gumby83]

Before the engine went in i mounted the Radiator and built an aluminum combo tank. Closest to the front is the windshield washing resevior, middle tank with a sight glass is the coolant overflow and the farthest tank is the catch/breather can for the valve covers (it has a drilled plate dividing the breather filter from the inlets, and its jammed full of 316 stainless steel wool to trap any oil) After the engine goes in it is just a endless amount of fiddly small stuff. I rebuilt the drums and rear end with a detroit truetrac, 3.71 rear gear and some moser axles and mosers brace to help it live. And this is pretty much where i am right now. I have the electrical done, fuel is plumbed. I just need to prime the engine with oil, prime the fuel system. check for leaks. fill the coolant and power steering then start the engine break-in.