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Turbo time!

xjtony

xjtony

Well-Known Member
Location
Grantsville, Ut
I have an old Bluepoint OBD1 reader that I picked up years ago. The FWD logic module was reading an excessive rich code. The MP one is showing code 54. I've replaced the HEP with a NOS Mopar one. The car runs and boosts fine when cold. After the O2 sensor kicks in it goes into limp mode and won't build boost. The O2 got beat up taking the turbo in and out several times, and honestly it probably got soaked in oil from the leak so I'll start by replacing it
 
TurboMinivan

TurboMinivan

Still plays with cars
Location
Lehi, UT
Decided that Tony shouldn't be having all the fun to himself, so yesterday I buttoned up the Shelby's engine.

20241111_114938.jpg

My plan was to take advantage of today's beautiful weather and go to the DMV this morning, get a temporary operator's permit, drive the Shelby to the local car wash and remove 3+ years of garage dust, then drive it to work today and have it smog tested, then go get my new registration/tag tomorrow. Great plan! Can't miss!

It wasn't until I pulled into the DMV parking lot in the Corvette that I remembered today is Veterans Day.. and thus the DMV is closed. So much for my plans.

(BTW: THANK YOU to all you veterans who have served our country!)
 
xjtony

xjtony

Well-Known Member
Location
Grantsville, Ut
@TurboMinivan get her out there! I've been trying to get a group of TD owners together to maybe hit a few car shows next summer. These cars are not well represented, but seem to draw a lot of attention at the shows.

I've started pulling the engine apart on the Charger. I'll post a full update this evening, but long story short.... fully CNC ported head (runners and chambers), big valves with back cut, ported intake and exhaust manifolds, O ringed block and 3 forged pistons and one slightly melted forged piston.

Here is my question for now. This is the only damage to the head. Fixable? Useable as is? Engine appears to have less than 10k on the build, everything but the piston is super clean
20241113_174524.jpg
 
TurboMinivan

TurboMinivan

Still plays with cars
Location
Lehi, UT
xjtony said:
@TurboMinivan get her out there! I've been trying to get a group of TD owners together to maybe hit a few car shows next summer. These cars are not well represented, but seem to draw a lot of attention at the shows.
Click to expand...

In years past, I have taken this car to a couple of shows around SL and UT counties. Perhaps I'll get back into that.

Oh, and maybe I'll drive it up to your place some time just for a quick visit.

xjtony said:
Here is my question for now. This is the only damage to the head. Fixable? Useable as is?
Click to expand...

I feel like the potentially damaged spot is in the shadow in this photo and thus difficult to see. What looks bad to you, in particular?
 
xjtony

xjtony

Well-Known Member
Location
Grantsville, Ut
You're more than welcome to come out any time! The "damage" is just the pitting along the right side of the chamber. Everywhere else is 100%.
20241113_174524.jpg

Here is where the real damage is. The bore itself doesn't look damaged, it appears that part of the piston melted to the wall maybe? I'm going to start with scotch bright pads and go from there to see how bad it really is. The hardest part might be finding 1 forged piston.
20241113_175820.jpg

I'm going to pull the oil pan and this piston tomorrow so I can get a better idea of what happened.
 
xjtony

xjtony

Well-Known Member
Location
Grantsville, Ut
TurboMinivan said:
I'm no expert, but since the gasket mating surface seems to be unharmed I'd probably just run it.



Oh, gee, I think one of the vendors sells individual slugs. Maybe FWD Performance? I can ask around for you if needed.
Click to expand...
I tend to agree on the head damage. I'm going to clean it good tomorrow and stick the scope down the runners, but i don't expect to find anything serious.

I'll pull the piston tomorrow and see who made it.

@Gravy I'll pick some up tomorrow and give it a try. I'd like to get away with a dingle ball resurfacing. The engine appears to be maybe a 10k rebuild or less. The only wear is that piston.

The head is fully CNC ported (intake and exhaust runners as well as the chambers) and has oversized back cut valves.
20241113_174603.jpg
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The intake and exhaust manifolds are also ported.
20241113_174351.jpg
20241113_174404.jpg

All the hardware has been ARP stuff.
 
xjtony

xjtony

Well-Known Member
Location
Grantsville, Ut
Stratton for the WIN!
20241115_154905.jpg
Muriatic acid removed the melted piston. The cylinder is fine but it'll need a light hone. There are some imperfections that will need smoothed out.

The pistons are JE forged units.
20241115_161254.jpg
20241115_132016.jpg
Rods are Eagle forged.
20241115_161242.jpg
20241115_132028.jpg

Custom ( appears to be anyways) windage tray.
20241115_132204.jpg

Everything else shows almost zero wear.
 
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xjtony

xjtony

Well-Known Member
Location
Grantsville, Ut
Installed a 3 inch exhaust on the Laser since it's money saving time for fancy forged Charger parts (replacing all 4 pistons and upgraded turbo). I had a 3 inch builders kit and used the race cat and muffler from the Charger parts. It's nice being able to complete a project with stuff you have laying around.
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The turbo spools much quicker now. I set the MBC to 15 psi and it's full spooled by 3500 rpm, even at part throttle.


It still has to re-learn return to idle flowing so much more than the 2.25 inch stock stuff
 
TurboMinivan

TurboMinivan

Still plays with cars
Location
Lehi, UT
Sitting at my house, I have a complete 3" exhaust system for a minivan--turbo flange to tailpipe, cat and muffler included--just ready to bolt in should I ever buy another turbo Caravan/Voyager.
 
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