RSX302 transformation update (Ford302 to 370 LQ9)

[RSX302]

Fab'd my new turbo manifolds and I must say, it kicked my butt. My tig skills could be better in terms of pretty but has good penatration. Took me 12hrs of welding alone. Glad that's done..

1 1/2" primary and 2" log to turbo sch10 304 stainless pipe.

Stayed with the small existing Ford turbos (Garrett GT2871R) and replaced the turbine housings from AR64's to the larger AR86's. Also staying with the external waste gates.

[Flash68]

Looks killer. Did you upgrade the LQ9 bottom end?

[Payton King]

Glad to see you are still pecking away at it. I assume that the motor is complete and you just need to finish plumbing the turbo and tune it?

[DJW32]

The logs look great. The header flange looks to be 1" thick!

What fuel injectors are you using?

[RSX302]

The logs look great. The header flange looks to be 1" thick!

What fuel injectors are you using?

Thx..

All flanges are 1/2" thick stainless. Amazing enough, they still moved during welding. All will get surfaced too get them flat again. Not too bad..

Injectors are Holley 75#er's transferred over from the Ford.

[RSX302]

Glad to see you are still pecking away at it. I assume that the motor is complete and you just need to finish plumbing the turbo and tune it?

Yep..still pluggin away.

Unfortunatly the motors not complete. It requires much more attention. I just got my CHE modified rockers today. Tested with the Comp 7.400 push rods and they have .120 preload. I thought people were shoting for .070, but have heard of using .120? The 7.400's look to be the standard replacements. Also using the Caddie Hyd Lifters.

Still need to figure out the front accessory drive system with dry sump pump and water/air intercooler plumbing. I'll be very happy to hear it fire up. Shooting for Aug..

[RSX302]

Looks killer. Did you upgrade the LQ9 bottom end?

Thx..

The LQ9 is a short block from Texas Speed. Has Wiseco -20cc dished pistons(ceramic coated), Callies Comp Star rods, ARP studs, etc..

[nicks67camaro]

Looks great....what did you decide on for an intercooler? Air to Air or Air to Water?

[RSX302]

Looks great....what did you decide on for an intercooler? Air to Air or Air to Water?

Thx..

I've decided I will be going with air/water. Haven't decided on which design intercooler yet. Once the engine bay gets closer to completion, I'll get a better idea of the left over space.

The only thing I don't like about air/water system is the electric pump. Don't know why I'm so hung up with that? I was looking at trying to somehow use the water pump instead (Stewart/Wagner Pro Series). Tap off the supply side and run thru a heat exchanger, then to the intercoolers and back to the radiator. Figure the heat exchanger will need to cool ~6gpm 75deg delta. (150ish down to Amb). Assuming the radiator cools from 200 to 150? I think the Ron Davis aluminum two pass can do ~50 deg delta? Whatcha think? Wost case I guess I can get a pump if it doesn't work.

[csx4766]

Very impressive work!

[RSX302]

Very impressive work!

Thx Morgan..do appreciate it...I try..no formal training...my motto; keep trying til you figure it out.

[ModedCB2]

Ron, on the air/water set up. Don't be afraid of the electric pumps on the market. Heck the Lightning/GT500/Ford GT pumps are off the shelf units and flow more than enough water for over 1100hp.

The real concern is in the aftercooler/exchanger design. Afco makes a great piece. but there are tons out there now thanks to the GT500 being so popular. Dual fans on the exchanger and direct airflow are key. I know on my Harley F150 (lightning with 4 doors) I saw almost a 45% decrease in cooler fluid temps around town with the Afco exchanger and (2) electric fans with about a 20% duty cycle. Using the stock Harley/Lightning exchanger pump.

On yours its likely going to be more of a packaging issue, with the need for either one large 5"+ or dual 3" inlets and then a single 90-100mm outlet kind thing.

Since you are replacing the SBF, I am sure you are no stranger to 5.0 Magazine or MM&FF there are hundreds of vendors offering odd intercooler arrangements and upgraded pumps.

Rob

[RSX302]

Ron, on the air/water set up. Don't be afraid of the electric pumps on the market. Heck the Lightning/GT500/Ford GT pumps are off the shelf units and flow more than enough water for over 1100hp.

The real concern is in the aftercooler/exchanger design. Afco makes a great piece. but there are tons out there now thanks to the GT500 being so popular. Dual fans on the exchanger and direct airflow are key. I know on my Harley F150 (lightning with 4 doors) I saw almost a 45% decrease in cooler fluid temps around town with the Afco exchanger and (2) electric fans with about a 20% duty cycle. Using the stock Harley/Lightning exchanger pump.

On yours its likely going to be more of a packaging issue, with the need for either one large 5"+ or dual 3" inlets and then a single 90-100mm outlet kind thing.

Since you are replacing the SBF, I am sure you are no stranger to 5.0 Magazine or MM&FF there are hundreds of vendors offering odd intercooler arrangements and upgraded pumps.

Rob

Thx Rob, I'm not so much afraid of elect pumps, but more so the statement; less is more. If I go with a pump, I think a production piece is the way to go. Also I will definetly check out the afco stuff..thx

I haven't checked out MM&F and 5.0 mags in a while, but yes I use to subscribe to them both for years. I bled blue for many years. My two daily drivers are Ford (F150 Crew & Expedition) and proud of itI love GM to te fullest as well.

I'm wondering if an intercooler is even needed since I'm running 8.5:1 with only 10-12psig boost.

[csx4766]

Do you ever go to cars and coffee in So.Cal? I am planning to go with my Cobra next weekend. Will be there for the Concour de Nice car show in Costa Mesa on Sunday.

[RSX302]

Do you ever go to cars and coffee in So.Cal? I am planning to go with my Cobra next weekend. Will be there for the Concour de Nice car show in Costa Mesa on Sunday.

I haven't...I'll have to check it out. Unfortunately in the last 7 years my Camaro has been on stands more then the road. Hopefully the next couple of years, I'll switch that around.

[WS6]

Very cool. Why add the distributor though? Keep up the good work Ron. Good luck making August too.

[andrewb70]

....Why add the distributor though?......

So that he can keep his existing EFI system.

Andrew

[RSX302]

Very cool. Why add the distributor though? Keep up the good work Ron. Good luck making August too.

So that he can keep his existing EFI system.

Andrew

BINGO Andrew...

Thx Trey..I will do my best meeting Aug..It's freakin killing me..Power is sublime!

My old Ford 302HO ACCEL DFI GEN 7...Go figure.. and the LS GM Dist conversion uses my existing Ford Accel dual sync distributor too..LOL The Ford injector harness is easy to convert as well.. Just Swith Cyl 3 & 8..BAM!!

[RSX302]

Here's what I'm dealing with now..Stock rocker height geometry on AFR head.. ??? I don't like how far back it hits the valve. Glad I caught now. I think this is a valve guide killer not to mension a rocker wear issue!

First image is with the factory rocker stand. Second photo is with the CHE Precision +.100 height rocker stand. Looks much better. Need to cycle for a valve sweep, but still think it should be higher. I'll try another 0.05" shims to see if it's better. If so, I'll see if CHE can manufacture a taller rocker stand. The .100" taller stand was made for use with the taller Ti valves when used.



+.100 CHE Rocker Stand

[nicks67camaro]

so is this thing blowing doughnuts yet?