The regulars are aware of this already, but i'm planning a Turbo build with the aid of an experienced friend. Decided to go the unconventional route and go for a rear-mount setup for a few reasons: to keep engine bay temps down, retain A/C, utilize airflow underneath the vehicle to aid the intercooler by further cooling down the exhaust (therefore making the air temps a bit lower before entering the engine), and to keep as much space up front as possible.
Why am I going Turbo?
Because I honestly don't want to do just another 5.3 swap. Yes it's a much simpler having helped a close friend do-so on his TB a few months ago, but power-adders for a V8 are more expensive. Yes, you can get even more power, there's plenty of parts, how-to's, and documentation out there, but what about guys like me whose pockets aren't too deep? I also want to be part of the small number of 4.2 enthusiasts out there to have a Turbo'd 4200. Some guys call this engine the "American 2jz" These engines have a lot of power to offer, that power depends on how much you want to spend to get "X" amount of power.
What Turbo are you using?
Small frame GT37, really suited for a remote setup like this.
What kind of power am I seeking?
400-500HP range, running anywhere from 8lbs to 14lbs of boost, 8lbs daily driven. The donor motor I have to get ready for this build is a 2005, out of a TB with roughly 170,000 miles IIRC. This motor was well taken care of and maintained vigilantly. Most of all internals are being replaced with new GM, Mahle, or Clevite brand ones.
Forged internals?
I could not find any forged bearings or rods readily-available, so i'm just going to replace the bearing with bi-metal ones that Mahle has. The reason for me not getting forged parts is due to the lack of their existence, since there is nearly nothing aftermarket-wise available for this engine to begin with; as well as pricing for having them made custom. $1700* for a set of pistons and rods. We know that a 4.2 with bone-stock internals, average mileage & wear can handle Methanol Injection and up to 17lbs of boost, albeit that's not what you'd normally run everyday obviously on a street-driven vehicle: http://vortec4200.com/forum1/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=798 - Quite an informative & interesting read-through. So all-in-all i'm not as worried as I once was about internals.
Lower compression pistons?
I haven't researched into that aspect yet. But I can't imagine those being cheap to be made-up.
Plans for after this project is complete?
Bring it to the 1/4 mile track every month or so to have some fun and to get some spot-light on the GMT360's again as well as the Atlas LL8.
This build is not going to be anything quickly moving, i'm still in the process of getting all the parts for the 2005 engine for the 1st phase of this project. The first phase will be getting the donor motor freshened up with new parts, swap in the donor motor with Kooks headers I have waiting to go on. I am also converting over to Efans with a larger capacity Mopar aluminum radiator. Once everything is in place and the motor is running fine we can swap the PCM for a 2006 one, and wire that all together with the '05 harness. I just want to ensure the engine is operating properly prior to switching over to the '06 PCM and accompanying MAF sensor. Once the '06 PCM and everything is operating correctly I can go ahead and install the 80lb fuel injectors and have the '06 PCM relearn idle. Once this phase is complete, we can move on to the second phase and focus our attention to the Turbo aspect, the whole point of this build. Figure out the best location to mount the Turbo, scavenge pump, run oil lines, best places to tap into block and/or oil pan, install intercooler & intercooler piping, install BOV, run colder plugs, figure out a warning system in-case the pump fails, etc. Then lots of tuning and testing until everything is dialed in and we have everything running smoothly.
Any comments and suggestions as this projects progresses will be highly appreciated. This thread will eventually be full of pictures, knowledge, and insight to share as it continues.
Why am I going Turbo?
Because I honestly don't want to do just another 5.3 swap. Yes it's a much simpler having helped a close friend do-so on his TB a few months ago, but power-adders for a V8 are more expensive. Yes, you can get even more power, there's plenty of parts, how-to's, and documentation out there, but what about guys like me whose pockets aren't too deep? I also want to be part of the small number of 4.2 enthusiasts out there to have a Turbo'd 4200. Some guys call this engine the "American 2jz" These engines have a lot of power to offer, that power depends on how much you want to spend to get "X" amount of power.
What Turbo are you using?
Small frame GT37, really suited for a remote setup like this.
What kind of power am I seeking?
400-500HP range, running anywhere from 8lbs to 14lbs of boost, 8lbs daily driven. The donor motor I have to get ready for this build is a 2005, out of a TB with roughly 170,000 miles IIRC. This motor was well taken care of and maintained vigilantly. Most of all internals are being replaced with new GM, Mahle, or Clevite brand ones.
Forged internals?
I could not find any forged bearings or rods readily-available, so i'm just going to replace the bearing with bi-metal ones that Mahle has. The reason for me not getting forged parts is due to the lack of their existence, since there is nearly nothing aftermarket-wise available for this engine to begin with; as well as pricing for having them made custom. $1700* for a set of pistons and rods. We know that a 4.2 with bone-stock internals, average mileage & wear can handle Methanol Injection and up to 17lbs of boost, albeit that's not what you'd normally run everyday obviously on a street-driven vehicle: http://vortec4200.com/forum1/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=798 - Quite an informative & interesting read-through. So all-in-all i'm not as worried as I once was about internals.
Lower compression pistons?
I haven't researched into that aspect yet. But I can't imagine those being cheap to be made-up.
Plans for after this project is complete?
Bring it to the 1/4 mile track every month or so to have some fun and to get some spot-light on the GMT360's again as well as the Atlas LL8.
This build is not going to be anything quickly moving, i'm still in the process of getting all the parts for the 2005 engine for the 1st phase of this project. The first phase will be getting the donor motor freshened up with new parts, swap in the donor motor with Kooks headers I have waiting to go on. I am also converting over to Efans with a larger capacity Mopar aluminum radiator. Once everything is in place and the motor is running fine we can swap the PCM for a 2006 one, and wire that all together with the '05 harness. I just want to ensure the engine is operating properly prior to switching over to the '06 PCM and accompanying MAF sensor. Once the '06 PCM and everything is operating correctly I can go ahead and install the 80lb fuel injectors and have the '06 PCM relearn idle. Once this phase is complete, we can move on to the second phase and focus our attention to the Turbo aspect, the whole point of this build. Figure out the best location to mount the Turbo, scavenge pump, run oil lines, best places to tap into block and/or oil pan, install intercooler & intercooler piping, install BOV, run colder plugs, figure out a warning system in-case the pump fails, etc. Then lots of tuning and testing until everything is dialed in and we have everything running smoothly.
Any comments and suggestions as this projects progresses will be highly appreciated. This thread will eventually be full of pictures, knowledge, and insight to share as it continues.
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