Slightly less fail sub $1000 turbo build... - TBSSOWNERS.com Forums - The #1 TrailblazerSS Dedicated Owners Forum

darkhorizon · Apr-10-12, 04:36 PM

While I have built many cars, and never posted a build thread before they were well underway... I decided I would make a small exception here as I have only put together a few boosted LS cars, and none were LS2s, so I have a few questions while I gather the rest of my parts.

Anyway, plan is put a 60mm VGT turbo under the passenger seat, STS style I guess, toss some valve springs on the valves, toss a deatchwerks 300LPH fuel pump in the tank, and run E85 on some 50# injectors. Should be good for a 70whp gains and some extra power under 4000rpms. I had this turbo on a LS1 camaro for awhile and it was an absolute monster down low. The exhaust side will leave some to be desired but I am not looking to set power records here.

Trans is built with a stock converter. Tuning will be done via HPT if I ever get a new pair of PCM/TCMs for it as mine are currently locked out.

Scavenge pump is decided, I just dont know if I should get the "exa" brand or the base model?

http://turbowerx.com/Scavenge_Pumps/...odel_Pump.html

As far as valvesprings go on a stock cam, I was planning on some comp blue stripes, but if someone else has a better suggestion let me know.

Currently planning on no intercooler... Going to run a LT1 maf and hope for the best on not maxing it out. I dont expect to run into issues with the 1bar map right?

Any other little mods I should make? I am just doing this for gains similar to a cam, without the side effects. I run E85 in all of my other race car stuff so that just comes with my style I suppose. Its going to be used for 95% tow duty as well, my sub 10 second rides dont drive themselves to the track much anymore.

not quick · Apr-10-12, 04:44 PM

How do you control the vanes?

ForceFed · Apr-10-12, 04:47 PM

Interested in seeing this.
Good luck.... And less fail shouldn't be too hard since you're not shooting for the moon with a BB Gun.

darkhorizon · Apr-10-12, 04:49 PM

On MOST of the VGT mods I have setup I just use a DSM wastegate actuator that pops the VGT open under boost, and holds it about 30-50% open, then the actuator pushes it open around 8psi.

The function of it will not be particularly as good this go around as I will not be making enough boost pressure to make most any actuator work the way I want, so I plan on just putting a spring on, and adjusting the tension of it, as well as the starting point (it will probably remain half open or even more at "idle".) The boost pushes on the vanes hard so it works pretty decent.

darkhorizon · Apr-10-12, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForceFed

Interested in seeing this.
Good luck.... And less fail shouldn't be too hard since you're not shooting for the moon with a BB Gun.

I hope that things go smoothly, as I have installed a good handful of boosted LSx stuff, and personally own 3 turbo cars I built myself (honda crx, and 2 turbo fieros).

Bullnettles · Apr-10-12, 05:44 PM

Subscribed, can't wait to see how it turns out. Good luck.

not quick · Apr-10-12, 05:46 PM

Can you show more on the waste gate on the vg part of it. I thought they had an electric motor/servo on them.

ti28 · Apr-10-12, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by not quick

Can you show more on the waste gate on the vg part of it. I thought they had an electric motor/servo on them.

That big silver block with the wire is the servo.......

not quick · Apr-10-12, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ti28

That big silver block with the wire is the servo.......

I under stand that but, I was curious on how the waste gate hooked up to the disk that controls the vanes.

ForceFed · Apr-10-12, 07:05 PM

If its like a diesel variable vane turbo, there is no wastgate, the vanes control all
The boost.

justanotherssuv · Apr-10-12, 07:10 PM

It looks like its off a 07.5-08 Cummins...

not quick · Apr-10-12, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForceFed

If its like a diesel variable vane turbo, there is no wastgate, the vanes control all
The boost.

Yes But he is using a wg to control the vanes of it. I'm thinking like a internal style wg actuator

ForceFed · Apr-10-12, 07:28 PM

The vanes are on a ring that spins. Have you ever seen how they are setup? If not, there's a nice YouTube demonstration on how one works. Search it.

jake 03 · Apr-10-12, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justanotherssuv

It looks like its off a 07.5-08 Cummins...

not quick · Apr-10-12, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForceFed

The vanes are on a ring that spins. Have you ever seen how they are setup? If not, there's a nice YouTube demonstration on how one works. Search it.

Yeah, I rebuild one on a 6.0 for a guy at work. I just want to see how this custom set up works. It seems pretty Interesting.

**JD_SS** · Apr-10-12, 07:46 PM

Exa pump!!! do not settle on scav pump! And you really should get a pressure switch with alarm otherwise if your pump fails you may not realize you are losing oil pressure, pushing your turbo seals and potentially injesting oil via throttle body! Stainless steal lines. Also need to get a catch can with check vales like the rx can. Fuel pump is not necessary and 42lb ford racing green top injectors would be perfect. Header wrap will help a ton with spool.

darkhorizon · Apr-10-12, 08:34 PM

here is how I did it in the last one.

Quote:

If its like a diesel variable vane turbo, there is no wastgate, the vanes control all

It does not control boost at all... Even slamming it open from almost closed will not decrease the intake boost pressure at all... It may slow it down some but it will still make 20psi+ without a wastegate. The VGT part is basically a hamburger that crunches around the exhaust wheel to increase or decrease the velocity of exhaust hitting it.

I will start off using a light spring and a stopper at about 50% open... The TIP should push it all the way open, then I can just hope the spring brings it back.

Quote:

Also need to get a catch can with check vales like the rx can. Fuel pump is not necessary and 42lb ford racing green top injectors would be perfect.

Not going to cut it for E85 though. I have a good idea what I need here I believe.

Pics look great, thanks for posting them.... Any reason you couldnt push it up closer to the trans mount bar? I was hoping to nearly have it coming right off the factory Y pipe. I have already deleted my cats, so I am hoping to gain huge in spool off that mod... although I am not too worried about it with the VGT.

Where did you run the oil return from the exa to? I did it to the oil cap in the last STS I setup... Worked OK I suppose but I would like to put it back in the oil pan....

ScarabEpic22 · Apr-10-12, 08:52 PM

You're gonna need a 2Bar MAP at least, dont bother with a 1Bar MAP.

Looks like a cool setup to me, I like the idea behind VGTs a lot!

What year truck is yours, Ive got an extra set of E67/T42 computers I might be willing to part with. They have the 08 stock OS currently.

darkhorizon · Apr-10-12, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScarabEpic22

You're gonna need a 2Bar MAP at least, dont bother with a 1Bar MAP.

.

Why would I need a 2bar? I would rather just delete the MAP sensor if I have to deal with bodging on a 2bar (although I have a box full of 10+ 2bar sensors).

I am not too sure the compatability between the 07 and the 08 pcms? I know that a 06 will not work but would an 08 go into a 07/.

XMONTE · Apr-10-12, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justanotherssuv

It looks like its off a 07.5-08 Cummins...

That's exactly wat I was thinking..

it looks like a holset turbo, if it is were having alotta problems wit them on the Orion hybrid buses.. the variable vain sys is jamming and not letting the turbo spool up..