LB7: First timer Mini build/overhaul

[heavrolet98]

Alright guys I've been looking for some advice on my build in many places and not getting much feedback so any good input here would be appreciated. little history here I bought my truck about 8 months ago with 250k on it. It was completely stock and injectors going out so I did the cleaning procedure a couple times to get by while I saved some money. In the mean time I installed a profab turbo horn, PPE boost valve, MBRP 5" straight pipe exhaust, LML drivers side manifold, Fabtech tie rods, MOOG hubs, MOOG upper control arms, edge insight cts for gauges, and converted it from a long bed to a short bed. Now I'm at 262k and cant hold off the injectors anymore so I gave Brent at Lincoln Diesel a call and ordered Reman 45% over injectors, ARP head studs, grade c head gaskets, FASS titanium 150 lift pump, MBRP downpipe, cat filter adapter and filter, LBZ FPR, and a injector install kit for new seals and gaskets. I've also picked up a new water pump and had it welded, thermostats, glow plugs, A/C compressor(went out a week ago) and receiver/dryer all of which is AC Delco. I'm going to be ordering a Wetzel wheel in the next week or two and doing a port and polish on my stock turbo to get me by until I can upgrade. With all that said the truck is my daily driver and yes I like to get on it a little once or twice a week to mess around with my buddies or little annoying ricers in town. I don't tow much and when I do its nothing major just a car or truck. I'm looking to make 600-650rwhp once I have my tranny built so until then ill just be running little tunes. I was going to have PELA motorsports dyno tune the truck because their only a hour away from me but ive been hearing bad things about them lately so most likely ill end up getting a autocal from Kory. My real question is should I do anything else that wont cost a ton of extra money while the motor is out of the truck and apart? I looked into having the pistons delipped and they said 25-30 per piston and that the rotating assembly would have to be rebalance afterwards for another 350 plus the cost of new bearing. I've also had people recommend getting a lbz cp3 and not just installing fpr in my lb7 cp3 not really sure of the benefits though. I'm already into this for just under 6k for the new parts I already have and the money im planning on spending for the Wetzel wheel and tunes so I really don't have much more to work with right now but if there is something more I need to do while its apart id rather find a way to afford it now rather than have to take it all back apart 6 months from now.

 

[heavrolet98]

I guess I said too much or just sound like I have no idea what I'm talking about??? Wondering why no one has replied

 

[zf>allison]

Motor mounts or bolt your stockers. Maybe weld a bung in the oil pan if you ever think you might do twins.

 

[Ne-max]

I would look into some lbz\lmm rods and have your crank keyed while its out. But you are on the right track.

 

[heavrolet98]

I was just looking at merchant mounts and the bung in the oil pan for future twins actually crossed my mind yesterday. I was looking into lbz rods but not entirely sure it's worth all the extra money it would cost me with the power level I'll be at.

 

[PureHybrid]

Do the lbz pump not just the reg. Unless the truck NEEDS injectors I'd leave them and put $ into the bottom end. Injectors can be done later and easier than another rebuild.

On edit, I read the inj debacle. May just want stockers instead, 45% overs aren't cheap and can be modified later. Jmop

 

[TheBac]

I couldnt read the post without my eyes hurting, so I have no idea what you're doing. No idea what year engine you're building but 650 is pushing your luck on a stock bottom.

 

[Ne-max]

I was just looking at merchant mounts and the bung in the oil pan for future twins actually crossed my mind yesterday. I was looking into lbz rods but not entirely sure it's worth all the extra money it would cost me with the power level I'll be at.

Just bolt your stock motor mounts.

 

[heavrolet98]

It needs injectors that's the whole reason for all of this. It was suppose to be just a injector job that's kind of getting out of control. I'm going to go ahead and do the whole lbz cp3 because everyone keeps saying that and it can't hurt since I don't know if mine has ever been replaced but can anyone tell me what the benefit of that is? Also Ne-max what do you mean just bolt my stock mounts?

 

[heavrolet98]

Trying to see if my signature will show up now

 

[Skeans1]

Why not keep the extra money and look for a spare transmission to build up so you're not down in the future if yours goes out.

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[lonelyposto]

Im in the same boat... Need FPR,CP3 and injectors and somehow that may turn into buying a junk truck with motor and tranny build donor

 

[Hot COCOAL]

@heavrolet98
Seems like you're on the right path man...I feel for ya, as you've not had the rig that long and this is a pretty major undertaking as a first project with a new (to you) rig and I'm sure you would've liked to have more time to learn before you started this

Get the LBZ Cp3, its produces more PSI and IIRC moves more volume as well, Im pretty sure that the ECM needs to be tuned for it tho

While youre messing with the turbo, I'd highly suggest adding a batmowheel to it or sending it out to Mark Broviak or the member "yellow chevy" for a rebuild, P&P and a bigger billet wheel. Or you could just say screw it and get a sweet performance IHI charger...but there is tweaks you can make to the stock charger that will make a significant difference for less money

As far as injectors go...everyone has an opinion right, lol
Since youve got some big(er) goals...and own the dredded LB7...
Me personally, I'd get bigger injectors now, they're not that much more expensive (in the big picture) than stock ones and then when you want to turn up the wick, they're already there, no waiting and no more work needed to be done (which is a big deal with LB7 injector swaps!)

Now would be a good time to do a little trick with the PCV hoses, if you have a PCV re-route already or plan to do one, hands down the best alternative is to route the gasses into your down pipe... There are several threads about how to do that in the archives.

Its also a good time for an EGR delete, if it hasn't been done already, it needs to be done to achieve your HP goals...wait, LB7...nevermind

Tuning is a personal matter but EFI is hands down the best software to use.
There is a slew of reputable tuners out there, and about 4x's as many crappy ones...
Good ones are (and not limited to) Mark @ Danville, Kory @ PPEI, Tony's @ ridge runner and his moonshine tunes, Nick and Bob @ DuramaxTuner...any one of them will set you up

Now that you're this deep into the engine bay, I'd highly suggest at a very minimum, getting a 3" one piece y-bridge installed and if you can swing it, maybe look into getting something like a big air kit from DHD...cuz it sounds like you've got some goals that would benefit from these parts...cuz 600-650whp coming out of a factory built LB7 is a pretty big deal and you're gunna need all the help you can get to get there...

As far as actually diggin into the engine and de-lipping pistons and adding rods...no offense, and I'm not questioning your ability and knowledge, but I don't think you're ready for that yet and I'd suggest just getting it back together with some basic mods that yeild more power and enjoying that while you build your knowledge base and make a really good plan to achieve the goals you want

 

[Hot COCOAL]

Since you do have it tore down this far (I know others will say its not necessary) it may be a good time to think about a better intercooler...as the LB7 intercooler isn't the best and yours is already out...and, since you're planning on the added HP, adding a 5sp trans cooler would be an awesome idea at this point too:hug:

 

[Hot COCOAL]

Fak man, I don't see a built trans in your plans or already acquired parts?
Gonna need that too
:cool2:

 

[Awenta]

Yes you would need to rescale for the lbz fpr

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[heavrolet98]

Ok so after all these months of having my truck down I'm finally starting to close in on completing this. It's taken so long mainly because I bit off more than my wallet could handle all at once and for some reason I bought new rims and tires right in the middle of buying engine parts just because they looked good and I had to have them lol. Anyways I finally have all of my parts now just waiting on my wetzel wheel to get here so I can send the turbine assembly out to be balanced and once it comes back with my rebuild kit for the turbo I'll get that all reassembled and start putting the motor back in. I did end up buying a complete reman lbz cp3 from Lincoln diesel instead of running just the lbz fpr and I also purchased merchant motor mounts due to mine falling apart when the engine was pulled and arp rocker shaft bolts and arp crankshaft bolt. Since I'm running 45% over injectors and the lbz cp3 I went ahead and drilled the fittings in my fuel rails with a 5/64 drill bit just to make sure the fuel is getting in there. I'm still thinking about running 1/2" fuel line to the cp3 with the larger fitting to ensure plenty of fuel flow and I seen something about deleting the test port for the fuel system that bolts next to the alternator but I can't seem to find that info now. I want to do that just to clean things up and I don't see any reason I'd ever use it. Does anyone have any little tips or tricks for anything else I should do while it's all still apart? I did purchase a complete spare 03 LB7 engine last week that had a bad piston and a bad head but I got it for cheap just so I can have a short block on the engine stand to build a solid bottom end as funds become available and not have to have my truck down for so long when I'm ready to swap them out