SY 2373 Ramblings

randy merritt

Donating Member
Re: vortec swap

Re: vortec swap

Couple of clearer pics. One is motor finished, one show how easy it is to get to front of motor with grill, rad, a/c removed. Sorry for all the pics, but I like looking at pics of other's work.

randy
 
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randy merritt

Donating Member
Re: vortec swap

Re: vortec swap

OK

melted side of #1 piston, here is my short block build costs so far

part source cost

pistons (JE extreme duty) board member - good 400
rings estimated 120
arp studs RPM 75
eagle rods Hood 350
pro gram mains RPM 230
melling select oil pump RPM 125
cometic head gasket estimated 170
gasket rebuild set RPM 110
bore .30 over machine shop 100
line hone, four bolt main modify machine shop 200
assemble (long block) machine shop 500
clearance for eagle rods machine shop 75
turn stock crank .010 machine shop 150
clean machine shop 45
balance machine shop 250

still need SFI flex plate, bearings (clevite heavy duty), and SFI balancer. Reused cam (comp 415) and timing chain (new Edlebrock). Using stock crank (after much talk and searching). Turbo was checked out by Shiver Diesel and Injector here in Tallahassee, and was given a good bill of health. Total so far is $2610. Pretty good, I think. Machine work is by a GN guy, that is as close as I can get around here.
 

randy merritt

Donating Member
Re: vortec swap

Re: vortec swap

Ouch. I dont think piston should look like that. Any thoughts? DM showed no knock when motor gave up the ghost.
 
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Suny

Member
Re: vortec swap

Re: vortec swap

Ouch. I dont think piston should look like that. Any thoughts? DM showed no knock when motor gave up the ghost.

How long ago did the motor pooch on you? looks like its been like that for a bit, judging by the soot on the first ring groove and the side of the top of the piston starting to round off. Also because of the angle the where the break is next to the first compression ring its looks pretty flush. Might have been cause by detonationand and it kept chipping away at the piston.
 

randy merritt

Donating Member
Re: vortec swap

Re: vortec swap

How long ago did the motor pooch on you? looks like its been like that for a bit, judging by the soot on the first ring groove and the side of the top of the piston starting to round off. Also because of the angle the where the break is next to the first compression ring its looks pretty flush. Might have been cause by detonationand and it kept chipping away at the piston.

About a month ago. It did crank and run it after the "incident", but it was smoking pretty bad. Motor was running very fat (9:1, approx.) before this happened. There was no bang or knocking, it just shut down after a modest (10 psi) boost run. I have been very viligant about watching the knock over the years. Could it be a ring failure? I have heard that the stock pistons are weak.
 

Poconojoe

Donating Member
Re: vortec swap

Re: vortec swap

Ouch. I dont think piston should look like that. Any thoughts? DM showed no knock when motor gave up the ghost.

Are you sure the knock sensor even works?
One of the guys I know took out the second LS based turbo'ed moto,r before he realized his knock sensors were defective
 

randy merritt

Donating Member
Re: vortec swap

Re: vortec swap

Are you sure the knock sensor even works?
One of the guys I know took out the second LS based turbo'ed moto,r before he realized his knock sensors were defective

Good point, you are most likely right. I am replacing the knock sensor with the new build. I plan to tune slowly, reading the plugs as I go.
 

randy merritt

Donating Member
Re: vortec swap

Re: vortec swap

OK

been back in business for a few weeks now, and so far no probs. will be dyno tuning next weekend. turns out there is an AWD Mustang chassis dyno a few miles from me (in Tallahasse by the airport). installed Tial BOV (I know, I know, I did not need it, but the sound when you let off the throttle is much more pleasing than the "fart sound" blowing back through the compressor wheel). Also installed a scoop of sorts below the bumper to direct air to the relocated trans cooler. Think what you like: it works like a champ. Some pics

View attachment 4882

View attachment 4883
 
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autoaddictions

Active member
Re: vortec swap

Re: vortec swap

You mentioned that before the engine let loose you were running real fat 9.1. You can also hurt the engine this way. The extra fuel washes oil off the cylinder walls and causes the rings to stick to the wall under load. Most of the time it cracks the ring lands. Normally you see the ring blues or the molly on the rings is worn off. The second problem is you end up with tons of fuel in your oil witch will kill all your bearings as the oil thins out.

Just thought id share that with you! GLW the new motor.
 

randy merritt

Donating Member
Re: vortec swap

Re: vortec swap

You mentioned that before the engine let loose you were running real fat 9.1. You can also hurt the engine this way. The extra fuel washes oil off the cylinder walls and causes the rings to stick to the wall under load. Most of the time it cracks the ring lands. Normally you see the ring blues or the molly on the rings is worn off. The second problem is you end up with tons of fuel in your oil witch will kill all your bearings as the oil thins out.

Just thought id share that with you! GLW the new motor.

I agree, but there must have been some problem that I did not catch. With new motor, same tune, everything is just fine. Little fat on AFR's for now, but not bad. Everything is the same except for the bottom end. Had injectors flow tested, OK. Oh well, can't dwell on past. Must have detonated motor sometime shortly after I did the head/cam upgrade.
 

Injected1

Member
Re: vortec swap

Re: vortec swap

Congrats randy!! So how's it running right now?AWD Dyno by the airport???? Never heard of it but I will be headed that way soon if it is there, what's the name of the place?
 

randy merritt

Donating Member
Re: vortec swap

Re: vortec swap

Here is pic of dyno tuning at SS Performance here in Tallahassee. This was on their Facebook page. Alex is working away, and I seem to be looking at the back tire.:lol:
 

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randy merritt

Donating Member
Re: vortec swap

Re: vortec swap

Here are pics of dash overlay installed (from Coverlay), worked and fit great, but I did have to remove the instrument panel trim to get it to fit good.
 

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BoostedSUV

Active member
Re: vortec swap

Re: vortec swap

Fit looks good on the overlay. Have any more pics of it installed? I'm looking for an option other than removing my cracked dash.
 

randy merritt

Donating Member
Re: vortec swap

Re: vortec swap

More pics. Fit is great around the speakers (tried to show it in pics, but hard). When you look through the front glass now, there are no cracks. Only complaint is how it fits around the side defrost vents, but overall, not bad and it looks much better than the old cracked dash. Color match is better than it looks in pics.
 
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BoostedSUV

Active member
Re: vortec swap

Re: vortec swap

I see what you're saying about around the defrost vents but all in all it looks great :tup: I will definitely be looking into this if I can't find a perfect dash pad.
 

BoostedSUV

Active member
Re: vortec swap

Re: vortec swap

which color did you go with? I'm wondering how black would look since its not an exact match. Black might give a nice two-toned look :dunno: $106 isn't a bad price consisdering some cheap carpet overlays cost half that.
 
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