just read the whole thread, great work man, and in for results

 

Thought I'd update this. Truck is down for big modifications.

As the saying goes, anything that can go wrong will go wrong!

For some reason I thought it would be a great idea to pull the torque converter without draining the trans (I wanted to conserve the fluid). Well, the second I pulled the dipstick tube out it was a blood bath. Trans fluid everywhere.

Got that out pretty uneventfully otherwise and had the converter restalled from the 2B to 1A. Goal is to go from a 550 shift extension to 800-1000.

Re-installing the torque converter was another joy. I knew the combo of the billet input shaft and aftermarket TC was a bitch the first time around, but this time I said screw it and took the rubber mallet to it while spinning the converter. Go it seated fully in verifying by measurement (~1" from bellhousing). Converter still pulled out easily so no damage done using the mallet and I also asked CircleD about this they said it was fine.

I've got the harbor freight scissor trans jack (chinese POS). So I get the trans all the way up but then had to bring it down to re-align it. Mind you, the truck is on jackstands so I'm working on my back here with a fully loaded 80e. The combo of the trans fluid coating everything and next thing I know the trans was slipping off to the passenger side. The way this jack works, the sides go up and down asymmetrically so it automatically causes tilt. I knew this wasn't going well so I started bringing down the trans from a height of about 12" and next thing I know the trans slides off the side and comes down on the ground. No damage done externally but now I had to figure out how to get a 250lb trans back on the jack under the truck. Somehow after much cursing I was able to lift/pull the trans back up on the jack and install it. But, not after I forgot to put the dipstick in. Note, the dipstick CANNOT be installed after the trans is in place. So I get the trans in, dipstick located. Trans fully bolted up and then I cannot get the rubber grommet seated in the dipstick hole! Had to pull the trans off the engine again, remove the dipstick fully, push the grommet in and re-install. After that fiasco I got everything installed, driveshaft back in, and all electronics reinstalled to the trans.

Note, converter to flexplate spacing was 3/16". Interesting tidbit from Brian@CircleD. Spec on the flexplate spacing is 1/8" - 3/16" however, if the spacing is too close it can cause the clutches in the converter to try to apply in park, idle, reverse. This may be the cause of chattering that some get with the triple disk, I'm not sure. The cure to this is to open the converter gap up on the bigger side and in fact, a gap up to 1/4" is acceptable and promotes more flow to the pump.

So, Now all I'm waiting for is my DEI titanium wrap to arrive. I wasn't going to wrap my hotside, but KB convinced me with his anecdotal evidence with his rear mount setup.

The new turbo is a hoss to say the least, and the 80mm wheel looks sweet compared to the 75. The workmanship on the new kit from Kyle is incredible. He's made some tremendous upgrades to the kit compared to my old one. I should be up and running by the end of this weekend and I'm really just hoping when I fire this thing up there's no issues, no leaks and it runs just like it did before I tore it down.

 

good work man. I have the same jack and it did the same thing to me. Mine also fell off the jack and landed on my hand... Like you i was pissed... Glad you got it back together...

 

Progress!! Good work. Believe me I feel your pain... And I hope like hell it runs as it should when you first Fire it up!

 

Good to see progress! I think we've all been there...when you're working on your own stuff the worse is bound to happen, never fails. Anyways I love this truck/build so I'll be anxiously awaiting updates

 

Also have same jack and when i was using it for a th400 or my jeeps trans it was fine


My 4l80 tipped the jack over....i like the idea of how it uses the impact but it didnt like the weight of a 80e

 

I upgraded to that trans jack after my usual method of a floor jack with some 4x4s finally caught up with me (because I accidentally bumped the handle as I was walking around the truck with it balanced on there). The trans jack is way better than that method which usually involved me holding the trans steady while on my side under the truck and using my leg/knee to crank the jack handle. Quite impressive I think.

A short burst of silicone spray makes that grommet slide right in btw.

 

The big T6 is alive! Had some serious difficulty getting all the pipes line up as I was adding an extension pipe to hook up with my catback utilizing 2 slip fits and 1 vband joint.

Oddly, I noticed my front coolant line where it slips on the water pump fitting was weeping a little bit before I had started the truck. I figured it got moved a bit while I was installing the oil line/turbo? Maybe the rubber is degrading from the nearby heat. Once the truck got up to temp, no leak. So I think I'll run it and see what happens. The thought of draining the coolant and redoing the hose right now...

The new turbo kit has a built in cutout too, can't wait to open that up and see what this triple 12 sounds like.

 

 

So what are you waiting on? Get that thing to the track!!

What's the difference in feel driving-wise?