Thanks for the kind words everyone! You're right, I am overdue for an update. Got busy with work and it slipped my mind. So here goes, and it's a bit long (you're warned)!
The turbo blanket (think that's what you're referring to) was made by
Levi of
Turbo Performance Products (he's a vender here). I got a whole bunch of exhaust blankets from him, and they all were very well made, and shipped in no time flat! I'll buy again as soon as I think of an excuse to get more.
So, I got the new cold-side IC tube in. Shiny! Had to modify the heater lines though:
Not to worry, heater lines are easy to cut.
Once everything was fitted, my truck was thirsty:
Left to right: ATF to replace what drained out during the swap to a LML (driver's side) dipstick tube, new coolant, motor oil, and distilled water to mix with the coolant.
Got it all installed:
Yes, that is the PCV running over the intake. Don't hate, lol. The factory PCV doesn't go to the intake, and I've never had any problems with it, so I left it functional.
Started getting the WOT tuning dialed in a bit, and blew various intercooler boots off. All in all, blew 5 boots. After tightening the clamps to the point of insanity, it held together.
Of cousre, it then found the next weakest link, and launched my boost sensor right off the hose several times. Ended up having to get the swege-on (perminent) type clamp before it held on.
Then, the truck started hosing fuel out the return lines. If I turn on the lift pump (engine off) it would leak past the hose clamps. Seems weird that the return lines would be pressurized that much without the truck even running.
Better hose clamps solved the problem, but now I'm wondering how much pressure is normal for the return lines. Oh well, it builds/holds rail fine, so I'll see what happens.
So how's it run? Well, despite a "race weight" of 8,200+ lbs, it got me this:
:woott:
What you've been waiting for:
Why only 14's? Well, first, I was running in 2 wheel drive, and I suck at launching in 2 wheel drive. I'll get better, I promise!
Next, my CP3 has 285,000 miles on it, and I think it's tapped out.
Finally, the track wouldn't let me run faster than a 14.0 without a new helmet, so I didn't try too hard to go faster than that. I'll give it a better shot next time.
Daily driving isn't bad at all with this turbo. It spools up a hair slower than stock (I had to raise my shift points back up to stock). After resetting my shift points, I don't ever notice it unless I'm on the lower end of 5th, and roll the throttle on. It'll smoke for a bit longer than the stocker before it lights, but once it does, I think it provides more air down low (1800 RPM). I've yet to hook up to a real load and see how it tows, but I don't think I'll have to change the shift points at all from what I've seen so far.
Also worth note, now that I've got a bit over 1,000 miles on my Industrial Injection 60% over injectors: they seem to be doing well. Balance rates were +/- 4 on 3 of them on the first start, but they've all settled down to +/- 2 or better now, and are getting better every day. Time will tell how long they last, but I'm happy so far. They're not too hard to tune, either, and I've never tuned bigger than stock injectors before.
The sound of the turbo is very nice, and not overpowering. You can hear it in the cab over the engine, but only a little. (That is exactly what I wanted, and why I used so much sound deadening mat underhood.) It is not a whine or screech sound like the Ford turbo, but more of a soft hiss with a lot of woosh to go with it. Hard to describe. You can tell it is moving a LOT of air! I could listen to the sounds all day, not something that will get on my nerves at the end of a 12-hour trip.
I am also pleased with the DiamondEye 4" exhaust. I went with the "QuietTone" front pipe and am running their muffler. There is no drone at all in the cab. In fact, below 50% throttle, you don't hear the exhaust at all, even listening for it. From 50% to 75% throttle you can hear it a bit. I wouldn't say it is much louder than stock. Towing should be pleasant enough. From 75% to WOT, it starts to sound nice and even a bit angry. It gets a healthy bark, and you can hear it easily (even more so outside the truck). It will turn heads at high throttle (or maybe its the tires squealing
).
Overall, I am extremely happy with the build so far. I hit my goals exactly:
- Virtually stock appearing when driving down the road (not a cop magnet)
- Quiet enough for a 12-hour trip without getting annoyed
- 100 MPH in the quarter! (fast enough for me, for now)
- Sounds good when I step on it
Oh, and the mileage: it's a bit early to tell for sure (only filed it twice), but it seems to be doing well. First fill was 650 miles of highway and mountains (from CA to ID). Got
18.1 MPG, hand calculated. Most of the trip was above 70 MPH, often 80 MPH. Next fill was 250 miles of screwing around (including the drag racing) and tuning. I was NOT easy on the throttle at all. Got 14.3 MPG, which isn't bad for how I drove it.
If you have any questions, let me know, and I'll do my best to answer them.
Thanks!
~David
P.S. I won't be back at the dyno for a while. Probably this winter. I want to use the same dyno to get a more meaningful before/after. If you guys want to make power guesses, I'll declare a winner once I get the actual numbers.
