Project Death Rocket 5.3 MP70 Sonoma
 

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.:devil:

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. :cheers:

This is what I started with
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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:emb:.
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Got the 243 D shaped heads

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

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

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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.

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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.

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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
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Finished
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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 =:gay:. I cant believe what a steamy pile there customer support is.
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Nice billet fuel rails, big injectors, and boost referenced FPR, like a Zit right in the middle of your for head.
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Now time for some 3" tail pipes thanks again to 63continental for holding it for me :) hahaha
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returned wategate dump
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slap the turbo here
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Now lets run the intercooler piping.
You can see the oil return pump here. Beautiful unit.
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Through the core support
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Into the intercooler
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out of the intercooler and through the passenger side core support under the battery.
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and in to the throttle body.
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Add a transmission cooler. I run mine from the radiator into the cooler and back to the transmission
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put the front end back on.
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lower it a bit.
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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. :nod:

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. :barf:

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

:devil: 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?