Hood clearance ideas?

[jrm81bu]

Something else for you to think about. The truck intake is plastic and will only handle so much boost before it breaks. You can get aftermarket ls1 style intakes that are cast aluminum. I know its not cost effective, but it could solve a big problem that you could face later. Replacing multiple plastic intakes and the cost of an aftermarket hood starts to add up, equalling the cost of a good aftermarket cast aluminum ls1 style intake. Just another thought.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

I tend to agree that the plastic intake will be boost limited and may break under hard use. Another thing to consider is a used intake off a GTO or F body from someone who is upgrading. Try E-Bay and Craigslist periodically as one is sure to turn up. A good fiberglass hood is pretty pricey, and will more than offset the cost of the new intake if you can find a good deal.

Oh, I just thought of one more: they used the LSX in a FWD application in either the Grand Prix or Impala, and that may offer yet another possibility for an intake. The one bad thing about the truck accessory drives though will be that they may not work with a lower intake manifold inlet, and you may have to alter them.

 

[bobcat]

Something else for you to think about. The truck intake is plastic and will only handle so much boost before it breaks. You can get aftermarket ls1 style intakes that are cast aluminum. I know its not cost effective, but it could solve a big problem that you could face later. Replacing multiple plastic intakes and the cost of an aftermarket hood starts to add up, equalling the cost of a good aftermarket cast aluminum ls1 style intake. Just another thought.

Hmmm, I should see what kind of boost they're running on the stock manifolds. I can't really see breaking them, but pushing out seals and stuff is a real possibility. I find that every time I raise boost in my Celica, even a little, something weird happens. The last time, I got on it in first, hit second gear, it popped, lost power, and sputtered to the side of the road. The vac/boost reference line for fuel pressure got blown off the manifold. No harm, but another line to clamp....I never seem to get 'em all.

I guess I need to do some more homework.

 

[bobcat]

Old September 21st, 2008, 09:05 AM
parish8 parish8 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BandAid View Post
any new info on this ..
fairmont is still running strong. ran a best of 9.49. hundreds and hundreds of runs in the 500-600rwhp level. stock 5.3 other than cam and springs. cheap mp70 turbo, mid 10's on pump gas at 8-9psi. our 5.3 cost $250 but we got a good deal. you can find them all day long around here for $450.

i think a single turbo 5.3 is a hard combo to beat if your on a budget.
__________________
www.turbotruck.net

I copied this from TurboBuicks. The Fairmont had the stock intake at this time.....they cut the hood and let the Vortec top cover show through like a shaker. That's something I don't want on my car. The manifold is holding up to boost though.

 

[jrm81bu]

I think that's actually pretty cool. But then again I'm not opposed to cutting hoods 😀 (but it would be nice if i didn't have to). I guess when I hear turbo I tend to think of larger boost numbers.

 

[Blake442]

That car was in HotRod a while back. You may have noticed David Freidburger holding up the hood in the second shot.

 

[bobcat]

I think that's actually pretty cool. But then again I'm not opposed to cutting hoods 😀 (but it would be nice if i didn't have to). I guess when I hear turbo I tend to think of larger boost numbers.

Haha, if I was building something like the Fairmont, I wouldn't mind it either....but my GP is clean enough to care about it looking good.

Most people think of high boost and small engines, or high boost on a V8 for monster power. My plan (like Parish did) is to keep it reasonable but still make some decent hp. My current turbo car makes about 200hp at the wheels, on an engine that is rated at 115 crank in NA trim. Nearly double, at 10 psi. Do the same with a good sized V8 rated around 300hp, and you're running 11s or better.

 

[bobcat]

That car was in HotRod a while back. You may have noticed David Freidburger holding up the hood in the second shot.

It's all over the internet too. I believe it was built for Pinks, not sure. Reading about the power it makes and the engine's longevity was what inspired me to give it a try....I have experience with engine swaps, turbos, fabrication, and Megasquirt EFI, so it's nothing I can't handle. It looks like it might be fun.

 

[Stoopud]

Make one yourself. Go with a Pontiac look and get creative, there is allot of history to draw from. I made mine from fiberglass, raises the center of the hood about 2", I think it looks Pontiac (no vortec under it, but it is functional). How about a turbo bulge style like the early 3rd gen Firebirds.

 

[RG496]

If you are going to build one and want a glass hood as a starting point, I've got a used cowl glass hood for sale cheap.

It's a custom around 2-1/2" - 3" cowl that has a little damage. Four dzus fasteners ripped through (3 holes the size of a quarter and one like a cigarette) and there is a surface stress crack on one side of the cowl. It was in a blow off so it needs a little work but nothing crazy. It is a pin on style. $100 OBO or Trade.

Problem is shipping is a fortune so you'd need to have someone passing through NJ. PM me if interested.