Ecotec turbo sandrail.

TurboLark · Post by **TurboLark** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 9:26 pm

Figured I'd start a new post so I dont take up the others.

Ok, all I can say is Holy Shizit!!! This thing rocks!! Still untuned, but fully functional, I drove around the block a few times. the boost wants to come in quick, and the front suspension tops out with only 50% throttle. When I take it for tuning, I will be wearing my goggles so I can see. 3rd gear visibility is minimal without them. I'll have to take some video when we are tuning.

1FASTHOE · Post by **1FASTHOE** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 10:25 am

looking good turbo. i've been following along @ glamisdunes.com...lurking

Plasticfantastic · Post by **Plasticfantastic** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 3:49 am

AWESOME Phil!!!!
Can't wait for a full report on drivability once you get it tuned.

A quick question, I couldn't really find it addressed in any of the other threads. What's with the solid lifter mod? (what do you gain, how is it done, what parts are used)
Thanks!
Jeff-

TurboLark · Post by **TurboLark** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 2:00 pm

Plasticfantastic wrote:AWESOME Phil!!!!
Can't wait for a full report on drivability once you get it tuned.

A quick question, I couldn't really find it addressed in any of the other threads. What's with the solid lifter mod? (what do you gain, how is it done, what parts are used)
Thanks!
Jeff-

Solid lifter...OK here is what I was told. The stock hyd lifters are very tiny. If a little piece of trash gets in them, they either lock fully extended(hangs valve open) or it locks partly shut(too much clearance, rockers fall out and bugger up the whole top end). In a stock app it isnt a huge concern, and shows no benefit other than maybe more reliability. In a turbo motor, it shows gains in RPM ability(8000rpm with stock cams vs. 6500 max NA with stock cams). In a turbo motor with hyd lifters, the power stops at 6500 and levels off. In a turbo motor it keeps climbing. I'll keep ya posted on the rpm range I will be working with.
this is a mod you need and experienced Ecotec race mechaninc to perform. The replacement lifters need to be ground to set valve clearance, and you need to keep an eye on rocker to vavle retainer clarance as well. It's about a 750.00 job depending on what other problems arise.

TurboLark · Post by **TurboLark** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 3:01 pm

Were were doing some tuning on Wednesday. Was cut short when we realized we were datalogging at 26lbs of boost!! A/F ratio was still staying pretty steady at 9-1..a tad rich. Car still ran like a raped ape though. Gotta get a lighter spring for the WG and try again.

Plasticfantastic · Post by **Plasticfantastic** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 4:36 pm

Sweet! Cant wait to hear some audio of that thing coming up on boost!

Thanks for the info on the solids. I saw it mentioned in the Eco build handbook but very little info was provided. I definately will add it to my upgrade list.

Jeff-

volksnut · Post by **volksnut** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 6:09 am

hey Plasticfantastic, any pictures and where there posted of your bus/set up

Plasticfantastic · Post by **Plasticfantastic** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 5:02 pm

There are a few posted over on TheSamba, follow this link;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_ ... lfantastic

Buildup pics over the past couple years.

There may also be some on Ebay in the coming weeks

.

Jeff-

mazda_6t9 · Post by **mazda_6t9** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 5:07 pm

awesome work turbolark, so you were pushing 25 lbs of boost? wow. I wonder what numbers you would put down with that?

plastic are you selling the whole bus?

Plasticfantastic · Post by **Plasticfantastic** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 5:53 am

Yes.
I need to fund getting my shop finished and now that I have all the stuff on the bus sorted out, it is a dependable little hotrod that I could sell without excuses.

Jeff-

volksnut · Post by **volksnut** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 2:52 pm

did you ever run it at the track...too bad you have to sell it, that thing is bad ass....

Plasticfantastic · Post by **Plasticfantastic** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 3:14 pm

Nah, it still has a stock T1 tranny. A couple of drag starts by a novice would probably gut it.
Is ok, I've got another project to work on later. My big concern financially is getting my shop finished and some driveway down. Anybody priced 16,000 sq ft of concrete lately?

Jeff-

TurboLark · Post by **TurboLark** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 9:21 pm

[quote="mazda_6t9"]awesome work turbolark, so you were pushing 25 lbs of boost? wow. I wonder what numbers you would put down with that?
quote]
Not sure until it ends up on the dyno. But, my fabricator drove it up the street, and only ran 2nd gear, and said it felt alot faster than his 450hp LS1 motor in his sandrail.
I'm waiting for a 10lb wastegate spring to arrive, then will retune and do some dyno time. I wish I could run an electronic boost control, but they dont seem to handle the sand very well. Then I could do multi-boost settings for the dyno.

TurboLark · Post by **TurboLark** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 1:47 pm

Ouch...motor didnt like 27lbs of boost for too long. Not sure if I blew a rad hose off and then blew a headgasket or blew the gasket and then blew the hose of. Either way, I gotta fix it.
Ran like a raped ape for 5 hours at Glamis though. Scared a kid after giving him a ride up Olds Hill.

Plasticfantastic · Post by **Plasticfantastic** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 4:07 pm

Phil! This is not good news! I know you used the ARPs and the Cometic? Wonder whats going on? I was really looking for this thing to take some heavy boost and keep thumping. Do I need to add o-ringing the block to my already growing parts list?

Jeff-