Noting has really happened in the last two weeks. I went to Barrett-Jackson Auction. So i lost a week there and I also realized you can be bald, fat and as ugly a possom and still have at least one beatiful women at your side if you have money and a Cowboy hat.

Right now we've been collecting the new parts for the upcoming firewall modification. So far i have the brakes and we are still waiting to order the new steering column.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._01_25_001.jpg

I looking forward to this as i will be able to make in cab adjustments of the brakes.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._01_25_004.jpg


here's a close up of the pedal

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._01_25_005.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._01_25_006.jpg


more to come next week.

Okay it's been a long time since i've done an update. Dave cut up the P-Side of the Firewall so we could see if it was possible to make it perfectly flat. Well in the end it looks like we are going to cut it off and completly and start over. I'll keep ya posted as i plan to run out to the shop on Wednesday to take a quick look.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_10_001.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_10_003.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_10_002.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_10_007.jpg

More to come next week

all I can do is sit here and admire all of the work you are doing and have done .It takes a lot of planning and patients and skill to do what you are doing.How do you find the time ? Great job!!!!

justin

I've given up sleep. Which is a good thing it's amazing how much you can get done in a day when you only sleep 4 hours

Okay so i left work early today to beat the traffic and Head to the Chassis shop to work on the Firewall. Dave removed the entire firewall and had it almost perfectly flat and moved back an 1". It was my turn to build a mock up firewall. Dave had his doubts on my idea but i think he loved it when he saw it mocked up.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_16_002.jpg

Bracing to keep the cowl from moving

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_16_004.jpg

flat firewall

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_16_008.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_16_009.jpg

with the recess for the looks

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_16_017.jpg

A close up of the radius bends
http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_16_021.jpg

This give's you an idea how much we moved it back

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_16_023.jpg

Inner Fender mocked up
http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_16_032.jpg

I havn't been by this board in a while. This thing is coming along quite nicely. I like that inner fender design, simple, yet complex. lol. It looks custom with the cut outs for the turbo, very unique! Keep up the awesome work

Looks like your are coming along well. Keep us posted more often. It is fun to watch you go through (and pick up ideas) the different steps. Can't wait to see the day it rolls under its own power.

Looks good! But I can’t believe you put so much work in making the firewall flat. I prefer when it isn’t completely flat.. But that’s me. Keep it up!

Christmas in February is alway's a good thing.

I've had the Big Stuff 3 for some time now but i pulled it out to look at it finally.
I had to take pics for John so i thought that i would share them for you.

BS3 with Trans Controller

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_17_001.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_17_003.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_17_004.jpg

Now this is something really cool.
In advance I want to thank Ken Debol who went out of his way to pick this block up for from the dealer and drop it off at Fed Ex so i would have to drive to Detroit to Pick it up.
Thanks again Ken.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_20_001.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_20_003.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_20_004.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_20_006.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_20_007.jpg

Why the change from the Aluminum Block - maybe were going for just a little more HP.

project
 

I have not said much on your truck, but I think it is cool as all get out(can you tell I was raised in Arkansas)

Looking forward to more progress and pics.

Thanks for the compliments and many more pics to come.

hey watch that arkansas crap .

just a little :lol: -like 300-350hp more??????

maybe 800hp total

on pump gas? What about on some good fuel? Not that 800hp isn't enough or impressive just wondering of that was on pump gas?

yep 800hp on pump gas is the goal. Not sure if it's possible but we are going to try.

I got 800 out of my 6yl but it was on C16 and 32psi. :unibrow:

On pump I would say 600ish is really doable and safe. But man I just love the smell of C16 and the power is nice too. Can't wait to see more!

marty is John Meany going to be tuning your truck???

ok...so somebody please explain why the iron block is gonna be a better choice?

im confused, thinking that a good alloy block will handle just as much power with less lbs compared to an iron block. where is the weak link in the alloy block?

GM Offer several different versions for the aluminum blocks. The original aluminum block was rated at a max 750hp. They have a new version that can handle at least 1000hp.

Here is how Dan at DLS engine explained to me what happend with the Aluminum block that i had. You have 3 different metals in this block, Aluminum, Cast iron Caps and Steel Sleeve's. All which are affected by heat and heat cycle's diffently. The other problem that he has experience when reaching peak hp with this block is that the bottom end actually moves around. Since we agreed that i wanted to make this truck a true driver and not have any concerns he suggested that i either buy the new Aluminum Block $4200.00 or go with the cnc cast iron block $2600.00. The choice was simple for me to buy the cast iron block at this time however you never know i may change my mind and pony up the bucks and buy the Aluminum block.

ok, that makes sense for me.

in other words a better alum block will hold up just fine, aside from the different expansion rates from dis-similar metals.

i was just kinda worried, i just ponied up the bucks for a rodeck sbc block for my sb2 project, my engine guy is an ex 410 sprint guy, who turned me onto the rodeck blocks for reliablity as compared to say "bowtie" alum blocks.

Actually no in a boosted situation. The aluminum block will make less power and not be as reliable. The reason is the bottom of the cylinder doesn't have enough strength and expands loosing ring seal. As Marty stated you get ALOT of movement from the aluminum block. For the little amount of weight you do save it's not worth the trade off.

Marty can't wait to see what she makes. :thumbsup:

Dave made a couple mock up pieces for the center section of the firewall last week.
He wanted to make sure it was exactly what i wanted before he went any further on the Firewall. Seems he was afraid of a fourth Firerwall.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_23_023.jpg

Here you can see the two mock up pieces so we could decide which we liked better. We choose to go with the 1 1/8" deep version.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_23_026.jpg

Here is what it took to make the part from beginning to end. (30 minutes total)

Bend #1
http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_23_032.jpg

Bend #2
http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_23_035.jpg

Bend #3
http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_23_037.jpg

Bend #4
http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_23_042.jpg

the finished part
http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_23_043.jpg

The cut out for the trans tunnel
http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_23_046.jpg

Okay now it's almost finished
http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_23_047.jpg

Here is how it looks in the truck
http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_23_049.jpg

Okay last picture, I decided to put one more bend in the inner fender - what do you guy's think??

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_23_055.jpg

here is last weeks picture of the same inner fender
http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_16_032.jpg

I like the additional bend at the base of the inner wheel well..... :thumbsup:

Hey Marty, I wanna give you props for taking a truck that already runs impressive, and just basically making it scream like a raped-ape. For years I've owned a '91 Sonoma ext cab. I love my truck. Never let me down. And let me tell you, the crap that I've put it through.... it should've turned on me like a rabid dog. Well this past year has proven to be most destructive for it. People just ain't got no respect for other people prized possesions. I had a kid, thinking he was playing GTA3, literally swerved and rammed the driver-side door while on the freeway. Shortly after that, some punk smashed out the psngr-side window and destroyed the interior for my system. And just recently some jive turkey with his welfare checks, (kids) bouncing around in the front seat, plowed into the back while he was backing out of a parking spot.. Maybe I'm over dramatic, but when I look at it, I just wanna cry. Things been so good to me, even with 250k on the original motor, I can't give it up. I AM GOING TO RESTORE THIS TRUCK, and make it a very respectable sleeper. If you can point me in the right direction with who I should talk to about what kind of setup I wanna run, and what parts are available to me, I'd greatly appreciate it.
http://krony.no-ip.org/gno/1/DSC00033%20(Small).JPG

Thanks for the compliments on the truck and your story makes me not want to drive any of my trucks on the street.

If you are looking for sheet metal parts shoot me an e-mail and i can hook you up with a couple guy's that have ton's of sheet metal.

www.raceprovenmotors.com - Mike Lee

www.rockfordracecraft.com - Guy Reffet

are the two v6 guy's that i can suggest.

03-05-06 Update (Firewall is complete)

Well it's finally done and i think this is the final one. The good news is Dave said i could have a discount on the next firewall if i wanted to make a 4th attempt. But i think this is the last one. We may do some final tweaking with a billet panel.

Dave made a releaf for the downpipe

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._02_24_006.jpg

Since the wiper cowl drains water out of the rockers, We had to make sure that now water would get into the cab. So there are actually two firewalls.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_01_001.jpg

The first piece going in

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_01_002.jpg

The finished product

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_03_001.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_03_005.jpg

Wow has Caleb Davis of Permanetly Stained Auto Restoration come thru for me once again. If you are in the Illinois area and you need a good paint and body guy give him a call 815 243 1483

Here is what my P-Side Corner looks like after his handy work. You may not remember but this piece of plastic used to have a exhaust cut out in it.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_03_032.jpg

just in case you forgot

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._12_11_013.jpg

Thanks again Caleb - Your the best

Great job....Its coming along well!

Good Morning All,

Yep it's early, couldn't sleep so I decided to post the pics.

The firewall is finished and i am very happy with the end results.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_10_005.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_10_007.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_10_008.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_10_009.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_10_010.jpg

Dave started installing SPW remote mount Wiper Set up.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_10_011.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_10_013.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_10_014.jpg

Dave also made the Side bars Temporarily as i sold my Syclone Seats

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_10_001.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_10_020.jpg

The joint speaks for itself.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_10_021.jpg

Here you can see how close we kept it to the Seat.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_10_025.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_10_027.jpg

Remounted the Vintage Air and Gas Pedal.
We also located the brake pedal but I forgot to take a picture.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_10_031.jpg

Okay Last picture -- located the BS3 to under the Dash. It will still be on the same removable mount.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_10_029.jpg

That's it for now - Next weeks should be interesting.

that joint is AMAZING. definately first class work!

Okay it's been a very long week. My little one got sick and my wife and i spent the entire week taking care of her. Seems that a stomach bug can turn into phenomena. Crazy huh.

Well back to our regular build updates. My oldest Daughter and i went to the chassis shop to install the engine and headers to make sure everything was centered up again. We have some minor adjusting to do on the heades to square everything up.

Last week Dave finished up the Remote Wiper Install.and mounted the Big Stuff.

This is the tube that the cable runs in

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_18_005.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_18_006.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_18_007.jpg

Dave also created a steel mock up of the factory Dash.
We are going to remove 1" out of the bottom to make it just a little smaller then factory.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_18_008.jpg

It's Amazing how much room is under the dash is you remove all the plastic junk behind the pad.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_18_010.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_18_011.jpg

Finally the motor is Centered in the Engine Bay

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_18_013.jpg

Marty,

I'm very interested in how you do the dash. That's one of the areas I'd like to upgrade on my build, and frankly, I really don't have much of a clue how to do it. It won't look the same, as I already know what I want, I just need to know HOW to do it.

On a totally unrelated note, if you haven't finalized the fuel system for the added horsepower, I have a suggestion. Instead of one huge pump that runs all the time and heats up your gas, might I suggest two pumps? One for daily driving and one for WOT operation. You can use either a Hobbs switch that turns it on when your boost gets above a certain level, or use a WOT switch on the throttle, like a nitrous system. That way, you don't heat your fuel and you don't have to hear the giant pump when you're just cruising. I also like to use a fuel cooler on the return line, although with an aluminum fuel tank radiating heat shouldn't be a problem.