Project "Insert Really Cool Title Here"

[kerber63]

I welded in bungs and installed an 02 sensor, for a wideband air/fuel gague, and a pyrometer. Then I wrapped the whole exhaust system with header wrap, stopping just below the inner fender.

[kerber63]

I installed new Autometer gauges - boost/vac, pyrometer, air/fuel ratio. I used a sheet of 1/8" aluminum left over from the long-ago fuel tank build. It's riveted to a piece of steel that I welded to a couple cabinet hinges - they lock in place both up and down, so the cluster can stay tucked away if I don't want it sticking out.

[aggie91]

Cool story of the build. Looking forward to more on your turbo install.

[kerber63]

3" aluminum tube makes up the intake side of the turbo. I stole a bead roller idea out of the tools and equipment area on the forum and made all my own beads for the tube ends. I modified a set of vice grips by welding a washer to the top jaw and cutting a recess in the bottom - simple to make, easy to use, great results.

[kerber63]

I re-modified my intake riser to use as a carb hat. I split the riser into 2 chambers by cutting it in half and welding in a plate. The top chamber is now the fresh air intake going into the turbo, and the bottom chamber is pressurized from the turbo going into the carburetor. The riser is kept tight to the carburetor with all-thread rod. Nuts keep the carb tight to the intake, nuts keep the riser tight to the carb. Here's a before and after pic, you can make out the plate and all-thread in the second picture.

[kerber63]

3" silicone 90 degree elbows connect the tubes to the riser and the outlet of the turbo, a 4" to 3" reducing elbow connects the tube to the turbo inlet.

[kerber63]

The weather held out long enough for me to take my first test drive to see where I was and where I needed to start for tuning. I had run the motor a few times in the garage, just to make sure everything was hooked up right. The first time I drove it down the driveway I could tell an immediate difference compared to how it had run without the turbo. The motor felt like it ran a little smoother. I putted up and down the street real quick, making sure that my air/fuel ratio stayed somewhat in control. When I convinced myself that it was good enough, I hit the road. I pulled out on a main road and hit the throttle, and I almost shot through the back of the cab. The big block had plenty of power before, but it was incredible what a difference there was. The motor went reeeeally lean reeeeally quick, so I didn't run too hard. The turbo starts whistling immediately off of idle. No turbo lag whatsoever. I drove around for a bit, planning my first changes to the setup, with a huge smile on my face of course.

[kerber63]

That's where I am right now. I took the carburetor off and tore it apart again. I've re-bushed the throttle shafts and upped the primary jets .003". I've modded my APT screw so it's adjustable without taking the carb apart. I've modded my secondary throttle shaft to be completely mechanically engaged, no more spring wind-up to open, and the secondaries open more agressively. Hopefully the roads will dry out by tomorrow so I can hit the road again and see what my changes have done.

[chad64chevy]

looks killer! wheres the video??

[Bomp]

Late to the party as usual, following along now.

Have to hook up sometime and check out your truck. I may live in Keizer but I work in Albany,.

Cool truck.

[kerber63]

Originally Posted by Bomp

Late to the party as usual, following along now.

Have to hook up sometime and check out your truck. I may live in Keizer but I work in Albany,.

Cool truck.

Thanks, yeah we'll definitely need to meet up. I've just got a few more bugs to work out, then I think I'll call it done (again).

[kerber63]

I got my exhaust system finished up - 4" straight pipe running to a turn down & out in front of the passenger rear tire. No muffler, the thing sounds great at idle. I'll try to get a youtube video put up soon.

[kerber63]

I'm pretty happy with the way this is turning out, I drove my truck all last week, with daily trips to Salem. I've still got some carburetor bugs to figure out, but all in all its pretty wicked to drive. Peeling out in 4th is a new experience for me, and I don't exactly have the best record of self control... It whistles like a SOB and I'm happy with the way it's boosting. I just need to richen up the mix a bit and decide how I want the whole system to work. Darn, more street tuning.

[aggie91]

I see a rear sway bar in that last pic, which one did you use?

[kerber63]

Originally Posted by aggie91

I see a rear sway bar in that last pic, which one did you use?

The rear is a 7/8" bar out of a late 80's Z28. I flipped the rear bar over so the hoop sits below the diff, then moved it forward up the trailing arms until I was happy with the placement. I used the Camaro mounting brackets on the frame, and everything went together pretty easy.

I also put a big 1-1/8" bar out of a mid 70's 1 ton up front.

They've made a huge difference, the only thing that rolls around while cornering is me.

[kerber63]

FYI, at 7 pounds of boost all the vacuum hoses and plugs on the carburetor will shoot off the carb. The motor doesn't run very well when that happens.

[kerber63]

Not much progress lately. Still tuning, changing rods, tuning, adjusting rods, tuning, changing rods back, tuning, and tuning. If it would stop raining I'd be able to dedicate a good chunk of time to it.

[kerber63]

I'm so close I can taste it. I modified the idle bleed tubes and the rod hanger on the secondaries and went out for a test drive. I was surprised when I started pulling out of the driveway and a killer orange and white truck pulled up next to me. NEWFISHER happened to be out for a sunday cruise and saw me messing around and stopped by. Always nice to meet another member from the board. He's got a killer setup going on.

My mods have improved performance quite a bit - still running a little lean at 80 on I5. Next up I'll tighten up the secondary air valve a little bit and drill out my secondary pickup tubes. When I finally get everything dialed in and I'm happy with the way it works, I'll try to put together a writeup on my quadrajet mods. They're not as bad as everyone seems to think they are.

[NEWFISHER]

Good to meet you too! That thing sounds killer when you turned the opposite way from me. 4" exhaust with a turbo on a small block makes a distinctive cool sound.

[1963c-10]

Very cool build!!! Keep up the good work and updates.

[kerber63]

Here's a link to a video of my truck idling. Don't mind the noise from the fuel pump.

http://youtu.be/yKQgS2rGT94

I'll start working on getting a vid of me rolling down the road.

[66chevy43]

Well I just found this thread and sign me up! Love the build and hope to see your truck around town and she sounds real nice.

[kerber63]

Originally Posted by 66chevy43

Well I just found this thread and sign me up! Love the build and hope to see your truck around town and she sounds real nice.

Thanks, I'm always driving somewhere between Salem and Springfield/Eugene so you'll probably see me buzzing around somewhere. It's almost car show season and I'm planning to hit as many local shows as I can. Hope to see you around.

[kerber63]

Here's a youtube video of my gauges operating as turn signals.

http://youtu.be/ziV1d22JqOQ

[McMurphy]

What an awesome build!
Would sure like to get a look at it this summer as I am hoping to be in the Eugene area for a few days in August!
I will have both my trucks with me too.... heheheh could be fun