Targa Truck '71 GMC build - The first truck in Targa Newfoundland.

[snopro]

Looking great mark, love the hood I am planning something similar for my truck. I still need to come out to CTMP to see this thing in action im sure it would kick my a$$ into gear to get going on my own.

Keep up the great work
Chris

[68byrd]

Mark, what you are doing is so cool. Its awesome to see all the people supporting you. I missed out on the kickstarter, i looked at it and wanted to donate but I missed it. Do you have the t-shirts for sale anywhere else? I know you are very busy and have a ton of things to do, but your designs are great i would love to order a couple. If not, no worries. You have a great story and are talented on many fronts. Good Luck!

[bovey]

Mark, what you are doing is so cool. Its awesome to see all the people supporting you. I missed out on the kickstarter, i looked at it and wanted to donate but I missed it. Do you have the t-shirts for sale anywhere else? I know you are very busy and have a ton of things to do, but your designs are great i would love to order a couple. If not, no worries. You have a great story and are talented on many fronts. Good Luck!

Thank you so much. Honoured. And no sweat on the kickstarter. I do plan on having a little online store set-up for people who want to help/join in on the fun. I'm currently having the t-shirts and posters printed. More soon. But I need to focus on finishing the truck. It gets loaded in a car hauler in 2 weeks. Yowza.

[bovey]

Fine folks of pro-touring. Sorry for being MIA. A lot has been happening.

Where do I begin...

I know, the rad. I had put a new stock replacement rad in it last year, but it wasn't as well made as my previous one and was not up to the task. So, an aluminum rad went in. This is made by a Canadian Company called "Northern". My hard core race guys swear by them, so I tried one.


In it went and everything was fine. Next, it as time to take it to the track and try to make it over heat. No dice. AMAZING. This rad combined with my twin Spal fans works amazing. Crazy hot day, I did not let it cool down. The idea was to push on it and see what breaks...



Sigh... What breaks is kinda a long story, so I'll jump to the ending. I set the starter on fire. Yup. Towed off the track and everything. However, there is an upside - I learned how to push start the truck - super easy so long as you have 4 friends to help you out!


Got it home no problem and my local speed shop, Performance Improvements was able to get everything I needed next day. Slam it all together - good as new.


It should be noted that Performance Improvements has taken interest in the truck and is sponsoring me for some parts, they have been so helpful over the last few months.

Now back to fixing heat issues.

While I was under the truck doing the work to keep the starter safe from heat, I noticed my brake lines might want some help too. So I DEI'd everything.


FYI - I run 1 7/8 primaries on my LS. And with an LS in these trucks, the frame rails are not exactly wide so it's a tight fit. The headers really hug the starter which helped caused the failure. IT SHOULD BE NOTED that this was not all the fault of heat, I also over cranked the starter trying to get the truck going track side which compounded the issue. And it wouldn't start because I got the fuel to hot... Again - long story.

The larger issue is heat. And obviously, these truck were not meant for prolonged track days at high speed, so GM never was too concerned about how badly they trap and hold heat.

So, I decided to make a new hood... I post this soon. P.S. Thanks guys for updating the post while I was out breaking stuff!

Oh and also, here is an blog on the truck from Track Enthusiast.
http://track-enthusiast.com/the-targa-truck/

[bovey]

So as mentioned, I had under hood heat issues. So, I decided to go full crazy and try building a heat extractor hood.

Bill's Truck Shop, my long time parts source since I was 16 donated a nice hood to the cause. Besides, everyone buys cowl hoods now...


Basically, I looked at race cars on line and GT40s. Measured it out and started cutting. Ideally it would have a box to completely close off the inside of the hood, but I do not have time for that.


Then I figured out how big the vents could be. From what I understand you try to get the bottom of the vent to line up with the front of the block and push it down as far as you can. Each vent hole is around 14" x 11".





Fortunately, I have some proper builders following my build and one of them sent me a message about putting these on to help create a low pressure area over the vent. I was terrified these made it look a bit too Tokyo Drift....


... but I figured out how to fix the fast and furious problem. Add some Mad Max, paint rollered flat black makes anything look badass.


Then came the interesting part. For one of my sponsors I offered them the chance to let their customers paint the company logo on the hood. I masked it off and basically had a bunch of attractive women paint my hood. It turned out really neat and everyone had a great time.

FYI - the truck was parked on the side of the street infront of the business which is a fresh bar. I know - fresh bar? Turns out the owner sponsors MMA, boxers, etc, etc and was excited to add a "race car driver" to the mix...


After a few hours we said it was done, sprayed it with a clear and yanked off all the tape.


The finished hood.


And done.


It seems to work. However, I am amazed at how each hole has a different temperature of air and volume of air coming out of it at rest. And after running all day the hood is not near as hot and my old closed hood was. Far from scientific, but I'm outta time and need to focus on brake cooling and electronics.

And if I don't run out of time, I'll paint the edges of the hood and make it sexy. For those wishing to do this, I also seam sealed all of the welds. I did not prime, nor bondo anything. I sanded - paint rollered it. Done. Because race truck.

[no1udknow]

Because race truck.

This should be painted on the side of your truck....best line of all!

[RobNoLimit]

Rock & Roll baby, Rock & Roll!

[RMerritts]

I love that you kept it long bed.. Now if I could find the gmc front for the c10 we just picked up....

[68byrd]

This is the COOLEST DAMN THING it have seen in a long time. Love the hood. Awesome.

[bovey]

Thanks everyone. Here is my current task - getting air to the brakes. Sadly, with the stock suspension, there is not much room. So, only 1 hose will be used for now on each side.

[low68]

Awesome! Can't wait to hear how all this upgrades perform in the race.

[67goatman455]

holy crap that hood came out so bad ass! for the love of god finish painting the edges though haha.

[srh3trinity]

I must be in the minority, but I like the hood as is.

[bovey]

Awesome! Can't wait to hear how all this upgrades perform in the race.

You and I both. This is the toughest the truck has ever been, but have I built it tough enough. By the time I know, it may be too late.

I have to say that hiring Ron Sutton was the smartest thing it have done - when I get concerned about something, his experience has been amazing and calming to be honest.

[bovey]

holy crap that hood came out so bad ass! for the love of god finish painting the edges though haha.

I have a plan, but am not sure about the time worst case - I'll break out the paint roller again.

[bovey]

I must be in the minority, but I like the hood as is.

LOL. You are not the only one. I kinda like it too, but I have a plan that will look better. I have an appointment with an amazing hand painter this week.

[shortrack]

Oh here you are!.....looking good Mark and nice meeting you at Autofest. Keep diggin'

[bovey]

Oh here you are!.....looking good Mark and nice meeting you at Autofest. Keep diggin'

Nice meeting you as well. And it was awesome to experience your car in the flesh. LOVE IT.

[protouring70]

That hood is awesome! Great work

[Peter Mc Mahon]

Looks great Mark, when do you leave?