It's I/C TIME!!!!!!!!

[techniques]

Hey guys, I was at work today to do a price check on a Powerstroke i/c and the parts guy told me $270. I was a little bit hesitant to purchase it and all but I just said what the hell, go ahead and ring it up. He then says oops, it looks like you'll only have to pay $240 for it and we have one in stock. So I stood there for a second trying not to burst open in sheer happiness ( trying to keep that stern co-worker image I have!) So I got the I/C, ripped it open like it was Christmas or something to see that this thing is F#@!^NG huge! So now, with all that in mind, I need some help from all you cool air/hot air guys:
1. Will this be okay in its full size with my stock turbo (for about 2 1/2 months, I'm looking into a ta49)?
2. should I relocate my t/b or is it ok in the stock location?
3. Where can I get the silicone hoses from for the pipes?

Thats all the questions I have for now, if any of you can give me a detailed build up or some good pics so I can get an idea of how I want to plumb this, please e-mail them to me at mrtechniques@yahoo.com

Later,
Jason

 

[techniques]

also will 40# injectors be okay or will 36# injectors do the job fine?

 

[cool 84]

Congrats. If you think it looks big now, wait until you get it on the car! Redshotair has gone 133mph with it so we know it flows and my car ran just as cool with it as without it so it doesn't affect your engine cooling.

Silicone hoses and the good T-bolt clamps can be found at any diesel parts place. The silicone isn't cheap but I've found it to be slightly cheaper than most vendors sell it for. For plumbing, get a pre mandrel-bent tailpipe section from a good muffler shop. Should only cost ~$30 for 12' with various angles. Don't bother with just prebent elbows and such as each bend costs nearly that much. You might have to buy two sections but it's still cheap compared to the alternative. Figure out where to cut to make it fit and join it with your silicone hoses. Running the plumbing took me ~30 minutes and that was cutting with a hack saw.

Definately relocate the TB. Get an 86/87 throttle cable or go to the junkyard and get a FWD cable with the Buick motor. When you order your new turbo get a TE series with the cast in inlet or you will have to buy an extra inlet bell. Put the TB as close to the intake manifold as possible. I have mine joined to the elbow coming out of the intake by a silicone hose and an inlet bell. Basically, it goes intake manifold-aluminum elbow adaptor-silicone hose-86/87 turbo inlet bell bolted to the TB outlet. I found it cheaper to run 3" tubing rather than 2.5" because there's no need to run adaptors from the intercooler inlet/oulets and TB to tubing. With it relocated you can now use the later bleeder valves inside the car without the annoying hiss, you can run alky injection without it syphoning out under normal drivng and spoolup, power, and throttle response will be greatly improved. The IC and tubing make no extra lag. You might want to get a BOV as it makes the same sound as the later cars when you let off the gas but much louder.

The part I hate is the fitting of the IC. You have to cut two holes in the core support for the inlet and outlet+ a small part of the plastic inner fender. The main goal is to get the IC to sit as low as possible. This will make it much easier to fit your bright lights. You also have to trim quite a bit of the header panel which is unnoticable when installed. Also, one of the braces has to be left out.

When all is said and done you will be very glad you did it.

 

[mycarsucks]

If you have a friend with a plasma cutter he might just become your new best friend. I also did this mod, and am waiting to get a wastegate. (if you guys have any cheap options please tell me) The thing really is massive, and looks pretty good to you behind the grill and most people dont know any better. I agree on the 3 inch being the cheapest. I did however have a problem getting the tubing past the alt, and actually ended cutting part of the support off..... There is probably a way around this. Good luck its definately not a plug n play thing but very rewarding when you get it in.

 

[cool 84]

Originally posted by mycarsucks
If you have a friend with a plasma cutter he might just become your new best friend. I also did this mod, and am waiting to get a wastegate. (if you guys have any cheap options please tell me) The thing really is massive, and looks pretty good to you behind the grill and most people dont know any better. I agree on the 3 inch being the cheapest. I did however have a problem getting the tubing past the alt, and actually ended cutting part of the support off..... There is probably a way around this. Good luck its definately not a plug n play thing but very rewarding when you get it in.

That's a good point! I forgot that I cut my alt bracket like 4 years ago because it was cracking in that spot. I bet that would get in your way. I had a guy come over just the other day and he thought it was an AC condensor and he owns a 10sec Vette. It's actually more stealth than the regular FM ICs because it's so huge.

 

[mycarsucks]

I live in a small town and the only thing I really dont like about my setup is that the 3 inch pipe really screams I'm not stock. I was looking forward to beating on a few people, and telling them I had a v-6. Now if they look they wont feel as bad.

Does your new intercooler have aluminum or plastic end tanks? I think the plastics are not as wide and make it easier to keep the headlights.

 

[techniques]

okay thats what I was thinking as far as a te instead of a ta series turbo. So for the record, I will be okay w/ the stock turbo until I get an aftermarket one? Also, which bov is the best for my set up? I was thinking a base HKS type bov but if you guys know of something better let me know.
Jason

P.S- Is there a way to route the pipes under the radiator? I was looking and it looks possible.
Also if any of you have a some detailed pics of the tb relocation on a stock intake please send them to me.

 

[mycarsucks]

I haven't gotten to try out my new cooler with any boost at all, but I know turbowrenchhead reported that his stock turbo just wasn't up to the task.

If you are considering propane anytime in the future you might look into a bypass valve instead of blow off. If not blow off will be fine.

There are all sorts of ways to route the pipes. I did what seemed to work best for me. You'll find that 2.5-3 inch pipes are a little harder to route than you origionally thought. Some people buy pre-mandrel bent pipes others weld and so on. I went the buy route. Silicon hose will be an expense as well.

If I did have any pictures of my tb relocation i think i would be too embarrased to show them but isn't there a sticky at the top of this forum???

 

[cool 84]

I was going through my parents' computer and I found all the detailed pictures of my relocation that I thought were lost. The problem I have just like last time is making them small enough to post on here. If someone could help out I'll post them.

 

[mycarsucks]

As long as they dont total up to be 10 megs send them to ryanv@trib.com and I'll host them.

 

[techniques]

Originally posted by mycarsucks

If you are considering propane anytime in the future you might look into a bypass valve instead of blow off. If not blow off will be fine.

I was actually considering the alky route instead of the propane. For some reason I just dont like the looks of the system and it looks like a good value and all but I cant help but think bar-b-q!?!


That sucks that the stock turbo cant handle the i/c. Now, I dont have to do any cutting on the i/c itself to get it in do I? ( I hope not!)

 

[crazygn]

I didnt cut mine any to get it in, when you look into that ta49 you where talking about in the first post that will help you alot more, i love mine and the 49.

good luck

 

[cool 84]

The stock turbo will work with the IC. No cutting of the IC other than cutting off the mounting ears. You'll see what I'm talking about when you try to fit it.

 

[HOTSIX]

I'd lve to attempt this mod - but I have a big problem cutting the car up to get it in.

What about taking the Powerstroke IC to a rad shop and having them make it more narrow so it fits in (left to right) without cutting the car ?

Its the wideness that causes the fitment problem right ?

Dont think it would be that much to cut off and i'm sure the performance would be the same.

 

[techniques]

Originally posted by HOTSIX
I'd lve to attempt this mod - but I have a big problem cutting the car up to get it in.

What about taking the Powerstroke IC to a rad shop and having them make it more narrow so it fits in (left to right) without cutting the car ?

Its the wideness that causes the fitment problem right ?

Dont think it would be that much to cut off and i'm sure the performance would be the same.

I would think after doing all of that, you would probably be better off buying a pre-fabbed kit. I think cutting a very replaceable header panel is a small price to pay for good performance on a budget. Plus after looking at some pics, I doubt anyone will really notice any cutting after the i/c is in place.

 

[techniques]

another question

how much more power will the te49 be over the ta49? and what kind of boost levels can I get? Ive read some places that the te49 flows 50cfm more and other places say 100cfm more, which is true? Also, who has the best prices on the te49? I was lookin at Postons but it seems they want an exchange?!?! Or is it that I just give them my stock turbo. Because it wouldnt make any sense to "exchange" if I already have the upgraded turbo.

 

[turbowrenchhead]

Sorry for the late Q in. Yes I ran my stock turbo with the i/c. Steet driving it was awesome. But in the last 100 ft of the quarter the turbo just can't keep up. I ran .2 better in the quarter and maybe 1 mph better. But the low end grunt is good. I can't wait to get a bigger turbo and see how if flys.
As for the shortening of the cooler. You can't. I needs to be long enough so the outlets go on the outsides of the radiator.
I am currently trying to get a personal loan so I can finish my year long project here. I have been waiting too long. I can't take it no more. Wish me luck.

 

[crazygn]

you dont want to cut the intercooler from side to side, you can take some off the top [ top 3 rows or so] this will make it fit a little better, i run a full uncut one like most of the guys on here and it just takes time to get it in there but its been done.

 

[cool 84]

Re: another question

Originally posted by techniques
how much more power will the te49 be over the ta49? and what kind of boost levels can I get? Ive read some places that the te49 flows 50cfm more and other places say 100cfm more, which is true? Also, who has the best prices on the te49? I was lookin at Postons but it seems they want an exchange?!?! Or is it that I just give them my stock turbo. Because it wouldnt make any sense to "exchange" if I already have the upgraded turbo.

I doubt you'll notice a difference between the TE and TA turbos. Now over stock it's huge difference especially if you're already intercooled and you have a few mods in place. I did my TA49 as my last mod on my old motor and I picked up 5mph at 7psi less boost. To say the stocker was maxed out was an understatement.

 

[mycarsucks]

Did you ever try a run with that extra 7lbs back in it, or was something else starting to limit you then?