I picked up a HSP Compound Kit from ATP Trucks recently, and wanted to do a quick reveiw.
First off, Dustin (sickdiesel), Rob (IdahoRob) and all the guys at ATP Trucks are very helpful and always treat you fair. I'm almost impossible to please and I have done business with them on my LB7 and my LLY and have always been 100% satisfied.
Now, the kit and the install:
Opening the HSP kit, you can obviously see that everything is amazing when it comes to quality and craftsmanship. Joe does a great job in making these kits. Mine was a earlier generation than what is offered now, that required the passenger side battery removal and no coolant tank low level sensor.
I was worried about installing the Y-bridge (which was beautiful btw). I had heard the horror stories of not being able to reach the front lower nuts, but I was able to set the bridge on with the front lower passenger nut just barely threaded on. For the front drivers side lower nut, I used my small telescoping magnet and a screwdriver to get it started. From there, with a swivel head 10mm gear wrench and some patience, I was able to tighten them down. All the others were easy to get to with 1/4 extensions.
The Next hurdle was the oil pan tapping. I f**ked it up. lol. I tapped to close to the starter and wasn't able to get the lower starter bolt in because it was so close. With some help from Dutton at Custom Auto, we got a hex head bolt to fit, and with a little persuasion on the starter (a grinder) we were able to get everything to fit. I would love to see the makers of twin kits add a nice metal template that would butt up against the outer edge of the oil pan and bolt down on the lower starter bolt so you could tap in the right spot with no worries about being too close to the edge or the starter. Just saying...it might be nice for idiots like me. ha ha ha.
I'm not a huge fan of the charge pipe boot that was in the kit. I would like a little bit longer boot so the clamps aren't so easy to slide off. I worry about blowing the boot off because of this. 1/2" more would make all the difference.
With my truck being a 235,000 mile, original head gasket LLY, I really didn't like the idea of getting rid of my factory coolant reservoir and losing the ability to see the level and color of my coolant and also losing my low level sensor. A sight tube will be added to my tank because of this reason. I would like all the twin kits that replace the stock coolant overflow to have this. Just my $.02. LIKE SO:
All in all, if you are thinking of getting a compound kit for your truck, HSP is what you want. The fit and finish of HSP products are second to none. ATP Trucks can hook you up with one, so quit reading this and PM Sickdiesel already!!!
First off, Dustin (sickdiesel), Rob (IdahoRob) and all the guys at ATP Trucks are very helpful and always treat you fair. I'm almost impossible to please and I have done business with them on my LB7 and my LLY and have always been 100% satisfied.
Now, the kit and the install:
Opening the HSP kit, you can obviously see that everything is amazing when it comes to quality and craftsmanship. Joe does a great job in making these kits. Mine was a earlier generation than what is offered now, that required the passenger side battery removal and no coolant tank low level sensor.
I was worried about installing the Y-bridge (which was beautiful btw). I had heard the horror stories of not being able to reach the front lower nuts, but I was able to set the bridge on with the front lower passenger nut just barely threaded on. For the front drivers side lower nut, I used my small telescoping magnet and a screwdriver to get it started. From there, with a swivel head 10mm gear wrench and some patience, I was able to tighten them down. All the others were easy to get to with 1/4 extensions.
The Next hurdle was the oil pan tapping. I f**ked it up. lol. I tapped to close to the starter and wasn't able to get the lower starter bolt in because it was so close. With some help from Dutton at Custom Auto, we got a hex head bolt to fit, and with a little persuasion on the starter (a grinder) we were able to get everything to fit. I would love to see the makers of twin kits add a nice metal template that would butt up against the outer edge of the oil pan and bolt down on the lower starter bolt so you could tap in the right spot with no worries about being too close to the edge or the starter. Just saying...it might be nice for idiots like me. ha ha ha.
I'm not a huge fan of the charge pipe boot that was in the kit. I would like a little bit longer boot so the clamps aren't so easy to slide off. I worry about blowing the boot off because of this. 1/2" more would make all the difference.
With my truck being a 235,000 mile, original head gasket LLY, I really didn't like the idea of getting rid of my factory coolant reservoir and losing the ability to see the level and color of my coolant and also losing my low level sensor. A sight tube will be added to my tank because of this reason. I would like all the twin kits that replace the stock coolant overflow to have this. Just my $.02. LIKE SO:
All in all, if you are thinking of getting a compound kit for your truck, HSP is what you want. The fit and finish of HSP products are second to none. ATP Trucks can hook you up with one, so quit reading this and PM Sickdiesel already!!!
pretty sure I can get my hand on another one
