Hey Guys I just wanted to post up a project of my Turbocharged sonoma. Its a fun truck to drive that eats tires like a son of a bitch.

About the Build

2000 5.3 w/ 243 heads with studs and MLS head gaskets sprayed with copper, and Z06 Cam shaft.

MasterPower T70 turbo, tial 38 mm wastegate, and a EMUSA 50mm BOV

4L60e transmission rebuild by myself with a kit from Dana at probuilt automatics.

The build took place in my Garage. Lets get started.

This is what I started with


Heres the engine out on the stand. I had the shop open up the top rings .010 to handle the boost, also installed ARP studs and we found a bent rod.


Got the 243 D shaped heads



All buttoned up. You can also see the provision for the oil feed tapped into the passage above where the oil filter goes.



I also installed the heavy duty ls2 chain? While i was at it you can see the difference in the two here.



Getting it all tucked back in. For those who are wondering. This is the H3 alpha pan commonly refered to now as the Hotrod pan. I did notch the frame for relief for the oil pan and also the A/C compressor.



I figured since I was gonna be making more power I had better come up with a way to stop the bee-atch also so here it is. A wilwood caliper designed to work with a stock rotor so I didn't have to order special rotors every time I burned up a pair. Also retains ABS.



Now on to the Transmission. I suggest that if you want to learn how to do this find some good material and read read read read. I cant stress this enough. Building one of these critters is nerve racking and stressful because if you goof its a lot of work to get it out. again and go threw it. Fortunately I nailed it!!!!

Starting

Finished

Powder coated by Brandon at monzter motorsports and Torque converter from Greg at FTI. Both awesome to deal with!

 

Next up was the upgraded fuel system. A walbro 255 and a stand alone Racetronix harness for this. BTW racetronix support behind there products =. I cant believe what a steamy pile there customer support is.

Nice billet fuel rails, big injectors, and boost referenced FPR, like a Zit right in the middle of your for head.

Now time for some 3" tail pipes thanks again to 63continental for holding it for me hahaha

returned wategate dump

slap the turbo here

Now lets run the intercooler piping.
You can see the oil return pump here. Beautiful unit.




Through the core support

Into the intercooler

out of the intercooler and through the passenger side core support under the battery.


and in to the throttle body.

Add a transmission cooler. I run mine from the radiator into the cooler and back to the transmission

put the front end back on.

lower it a bit.

And bang you got yourself a sleepy hotrod.
lets try it out.
Death Rocket ignition - YouTube
Me driving project "tire thread chunk chucker"! - YouTube

 

Nice project man. I bet it is really fun to drive.

Factory 4.3 5 speed truck? I have an 01' with that combo, and I also had the third shock option I see you have. It's been a while since I've brushed up on my s10 stuff, but I thought that was the only combo that received the extra shock, I might be wrong though.

 

Thanks man, pretty intense build but I think its fun and I learned a lot.

Actually it was a 1997 SLS Sonoma w/ZQ8 package suspension. Basically an GMC's answer to the S-10 extreme with out the Body kit. But it did have the 4.3 from the factory.
So you're half right haha.

I need to finish the project with a 9" and and some caltrac's. I had thought about the 8.8 explorer swap, but I already have the 9" laying in the garage I just need to cut it up. I'll have to wait a couple months till there's some snow on the ground.

 

Sick project bro. Youll need that 9" for that little bad girl lol

 

Great build! Glad you posted a lot of pics!
I'm planning something very similar for my Colorado with a Magnum T70. What size injectors are you using? You wouldn't happen to have a tune file I can look at, do you?
Tony

 

i bet that thing moves!

 

Using a 73 lb injector from FIC. So....that's about 80 something at 4bar. Its actually more injector than I'd ever need prolly the run about 40% at WOT 8psi. 60lb inj would prolly be perfect. Sorry on the tune tho its with the tuner

 

maybe.....hahaha. No track time yet sadly
Thanks for the compliment

 

Very Nice! I am glad to see some more people doing these. It also really helps me decide to build a rear mount. What oil pump are you running, and do you have an oil restrictor in the turbo? How much boost have you had through it?