The Blue 14 GTCS

[redfirepearlgt]

I finally found one I decided to risk it all on. Went through a dealership this time. The sales reps there work on salary and this guy spent tons of time sending me videos and photos and giving me as much info as he could without violating the previous owner's privacy. It is a one owner the dealership acquired. The guy had it stored in the back of a 4 car garage (saw the photos) and was selling it because he no longer drove it much and his son was turning 16 and did not want to be driven crazy with the son wanting to drive it.

It happens to be a 2014 DIB GT/CS like the previous car was that went back (FWIW - NEVER BUY FROM VROOM) but with fewer creature features inside and a lot better condition over all exterior wise. Has 18,700 miles and never molested. Had to settle for an auto GT setup. I really wanted a GT500 or Boss 302 but due to some personal health issues that won't be happening any time soon though I have tried and still working at it.

Going centri this time and adding a 'torque booster module' to give it more of a PD feel when goes into boost. Will be limiting boost at 10psi since it is a gen 1 engine. Keeping the factory exhaust on it aside from AWE axlebacks for some actual tone. BMR suspension includes front/rear drag springs (1.5" drop), rear upper/lower control arms with relocation brackets on both, adjustable panhard bar, and single adjustable strange struts front and rear. Will be mounting up a 305/30/20 Nitto GII Drag radial on 20x11 CF5 Forgestars on the rear and 255/40/19 Nitto GII street tires on 19x9's in the front. Anthracite wheels.

Here are a few picks.

https://i.imgur.com/SIZBfk8.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/nwTCGw4.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Mw3qKvE.jpg

[Walter]

Looking good!!

[MrRogers88GT]

Nice! Looks sharp.

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[redfirepearlgt]

thanks guys. wont be any 8 second car but hopefully it will sneak into the 10s with a little help from some good air. and a tail breeze

[Rick93coupe]

Congrats, that's a good looking car!

[gzbs197]

Nice car. Love the color.

[Walter]

The best color!

[5.0calypso93lx]

Lookin good Chad! I like it. "Only 10lbs. Only Axle backs".

[redfirepearlgt]

Thanks guys. You're a hoot James!

Is the S550 DIB or Kona Blue Walter? Or is it another shade Ford tried after 2014?

At some point when it warms up the hood decals go bye-bye. Not sure if I want to do away with the rocker decals or see if I can get them redone by Cincy Vinyl Wraps in anthracite to match the Forgestars.

[Walter]

Mine is DIB. Pretty sure it's only 2014-16

[draggin50]

Very nice Chad! Really like it!

[redfirepearlgt]

Thanks Brian. It is supposed to arrive on Friday. Can't wait.

[draggin50]

Be waiting on more pictures!!! What supercharger do you plan on going with?

[redfirepearlgt]

Be waiting on more pictures!!! What supercharger do you plan on going with?

paxton novi 2200 setup

[Walter]

Boost and coyote is like peanut butter and jelly

[redfirepearlgt]

^^^ Like sex in the cliffs after sunset overlooking LaJolla by the Cove while listening to the ocean surh breaking against the rocks below and the seals talking in the near distance...not that I would have ever experienced anything like that...;)

[Walter]

Damn man, I was just talking about going fast and stuff haha

[redfirepearlgt]

So was I....LOL!

[draggin50]

That sure explains it now!!! PB&J for sure!!!

[redfirepearlgt]

Has anyone used one of these torque boosters on their centri setups? Everything points to them working well. Just curious if IAT temps are effected any being the device is spinning harder to bring boost in earlier and then any boost above a determined boost level is vented to atmosphere. Im told it has little effect on IAT temps. I assume at lower boost levels this is truer than at higher boost levels....assuming they are even used at higher levels. THanks

[S281SC]

What is this torque booster you speak of? Do you have a link? Or a pic?


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[redfirepearlgt]

Given it may be this unknown possibly I should keep it a secret? NAH! Here is a photo. It mounts on the boost side. If desired boost level target is 10psi max, the SC is pullied to generate a higher given amount of boost say 12 psi. The waste gate on the torque booster is configured to blow off at any pressure above 10psi. The result is a 10 psi max output but with more boost down lower coming in earlier. The only two concerns I have with the concept is IAT temps being higher under a load on the big end due to having to spin the unit harder only to max out at 10 psi (gen 1 coyotes apparently don't like more than about 10 psi due to the rotating assembly not being all forged like the Gen 2+ and Boss 302 SB's). However the boost comes up quicker down low. Here is a photo. Sorry it is so big imgur.com was being over taxed and would not allow me to edit the size down. My only other concern is the unit causing the setup to go into an over boost situation in the event it fails to open due to malfunction. I am told however that the turbosmart waste gate valve they are using has not experienced this issue though some earlier Chinese made models they used did. I like the KISS principle whenever possible. This is adding to the equation however if reliable and does what the numbers and videos show, it is a huge game changer on the centri setup allowing boost to come in down lower which generates more torque across the power band.

https://i.imgur.com/Tm60SlW.jpg

[Walter]

Iat will be low at 10-12psi regardless. Tq booster = Horsepower reducer!!!

[redfirepearlgt]

^^^ I didn't think IAT would be affected much but being centris are Air-Air vice Air to water cooled but wasn't sure since I have only PD experience with FI setups. If the car makes a lower HP number but goes faster down the track I am all for that. What I don't want is another gizmo to add complexity to the process and be just another thing that can break. Here is a snap shot of a before/after dyno sheet for a torque booster.

https://i.imgur.com/MOO58b7.jpg?1

[Walter]

Try it out!

[S281SC]

So essentially its a wastegate for a supercharger so you can dial in boost across the RPM. I would imagine that could open up some awesome possibilities using a turbo boost controller. I don’t know why it would not work, but as walter mentioned you are bleeding off power. Cool idea though. My brother can attest, and i am sure walter can agree, a centri on a coyote has plenty of torque. At 9-10psi there is power more than any road likes even at 2500-3000 rpm. Maybe set up your Paxton without it and see if you need more torque.


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[redfirepearlgt]

^^^ Interesting thought. You are correct on the theory of operation. It is a fixed relief point however but can be modified for higher boost levels by upping the springs and lowering the pulley size (or OD the crank pulley) to accommodate. I do want to make some passe with it though I will not be running in any SBZ challenge events. Just want to see what it will do. IT can be easily enough added on after the fact, BUT thought since they were already there it could be added and tuned in at the same time. I am going to run a 295/35/20 Nitto GII Drag radial for street driving on it (28" tire). Would like to make a hit or two on those and then see if I can borrow a pair of 17" DRs or slicks to make a few passes on just for fun and maybe make the 12 spot on the staggeringly low ET list for a day or two.

I know that the centri's pull in higher up in the RPM band than the PD's I am used to running. As I have mentioned I have only driven one centri setup and I got on it easy being I did not want to own it if I lost it. It was a nice feel. More of a slow push you back in the seat feel where as a PD is just BAM! from 2500RPM on. The torque booster brings a lot of that back to the table. So I will give it a try. worst case I will pull it off, put the 3.8" pulley back on in place of the 3.33" pulley used with the t-booster and sell it. Was just trying to see if anyone on here had actually used the thing on their setup and what experiences that they had using them.

[redfirepearlgt]

Oh and the car is in the driveway. Arrived this afternoon at 5pm. Overall very happy. Found a ding I am going to address wit ha dent repair person on the drivers side front fender that was thought to be an "imperfection" as it was described, but is obviously a door ding after seeing it first hand. The interior smells clean, the engine bay needs a good gong over (some OKEE dust in there) and a good car wash and buff job and it should look like a shiny penny. Interior is 9-10. The temp tags arrive tomorrow (an oversite before it shipped) and a call to the insurance company and its ready to drive. Then its over to beefcake racing with a cashiers check to get the wish list ordered. Will post some pics after I return from fishing with dad tomorrow.

[NXcoupe]

Congrats. Can't wait to see it.

[PKFIRE]

Nice find Chad!

[redfirepearlgt]

Joe, Mike thanks. Also big thanks to Walter for texting me a ding doctor dude.

After fishing with dad today I got home and got under the hood to start getting the nasty orange Okee dust out of the engine bay. After 2.5 hours of blowing it out with the air compressor, vacuuming with a shop ac and various brushes, I pulled the strut tower support, intake and COp covers and went deeper. Then washed them all down as well. Worked with Moist Cleaning Towlets and brushes in the crevices then blew out more dust and crap. Finally started looking more like a maintained engine bay at 8:30pm. Still work to be done but its a start. Thankfully the interior is in real good clean condition.

Also ordered tires today. Ended getting a 305/35/20 for the rear due to the 295's not being in stock anywhere nationwide...COVID??? You guess your best. Here is a photo of the engine bay starting to look like something again. Sorry for the quality. Took with my phone.

https://i.imgur.com/SNJ1e4y.jpg

[redfirepearlgt]

Got to wash it this afternoon. Overall I have only found some small chip specks up front other than the door ding which I plan to get resolved soon enough. Picked up clay bar to clean the paint today but its a bit sunny to do that but need to do that before I begin the buff process. Mocked up one of the Forgestars to see how it would look with the GTCS stripe and I think they work together without having to have a custom stripe slightly darker done. I think the anthracite works well on DIB. Can't wait to see them on the car later this week.
https://i.imgur.com/LbKMoL3.jpg

[5.0calypso93lx]

Looking purty!

[draggin50]

Those will look sweet on there!

[NXcoupe]

Man, that's going to look great together

[redfirepearlgt]

Thanks guys. Placed the order today for the Paxton Setup, torque booster, suspension mods, gauges and dual gauge pillar mount. Got the car clay barred. Feels smooth now like fresh paint. Did a little buff spot on the drivers door with Black Fire Swirl removing compound (for buffing 2000 grit wet sanding) and was amazed how many of the swirl marks came out. This is the darkest color I have ever buffed. Wish I had a rotary rather than a random orbital now. But this should get rid of 85-90% of the swirl and light scratches. Its no show paint job, but at least it will look cared for factory paint. Will post up some photos once I get a good start on it.

[Maximus]

Thanks guys. Placed the order today for the Paxton Setup, torque booster, suspension mods, gauges and dual gauge pillar mount. Got the car clay barred. Feels smooth now like fresh paint. Did a little buff spot on the drivers door with Black Fire Swirl removing compound (for buffing 2000 grit wet sanding) and was amazed how many of the swirl marks came out. This is the darkest color I have ever buffed. Wish I had a rotary rather than a random orbital now. But this should get rid of 85-90% of the swirl and light scratches. Its no show paint job, but at least it will look cared for factory paint. Will post up some photos once I get a good start on it.

What is this Black Fire you speak of?

[Maximus]

I found it and just placed a Big order on AutoGeek. :)

[redfirepearlgt]

^^use the Lake Country orange pad with the compound and the white pad with the polish. if using meguires pads use maroon pad with compound and black pad with polish. the stuff works very nicely craig. if you have oxidation step up to the yellow pad. that will cover you for 90% of light scratch and swirl and water spot needs.

[Maximus]

^^use the Lake Country orange pad with the compound and the white pad with the polish. if using meguires pads use maroon pad with compound and black pad with polish. the stuff works very nicely craig. if you have oxidation step up to the yellow pad. that will cover you for 90% of light scratch and swirl and water spot needs.

I got a 20+ year old clear coat with A LOT of swirls, so Im hoping for a miracle! :lol:

[redfirepearlgt]

Use either the yellow pad or go to the Megguires Maroon pad using the Black fire compound. I had to step it up a bit on this car. The orange pad was not getting it done and I do not have the yellows. Its clean but seen quite a few auto car washes and likely never been hand washed, waxed and certainly not buffed. I ended up using the coarser Megguires Maroon with the Porter Cable 7424XP set at full speed (dial at 6 max) and had to make six passes (3 vertical overlapping and 3 horizontal overlapping) per area to get close to what I was hoping for. The random orbitals will stall before they burn the paint.

The roof, trunk, and rear spoiler are done and took about 2.5 hours. Still need to clean again and then wax after the buffing is all done. Don't get in a rush.

BEFORE:
https://i.imgur.com/gAtZaDQ.jpg

AFTER:
https://i.imgur.com/GID81rJ.jpg

SIDE BY SIDE BEFORE AFTER:
https://i.imgur.com/a0GC49z.jpg

[NXcoupe]

I have a makita rotary you can use if you'd like.

[redfirepearlgt]

I may take you up on that some time. I want to practice on the old truck to see if I want one. Thanks

[draggin50]

Huge difference! Looks great!

[Walter]

New money!!!!

[SnailPony]

Good looking car!


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[Maximus]

NICE!! That gives me hope for the Nova!!

[redfirepearlgt]

thanks guys. the red nova craig? that thing should buff out nicely.

[redfirepearlgt]

Got the Forgestars and tires mounted and on today. Have some mild rubbing turning left on the inner wheel well lining on the passenger side rear I will have to look into. Its sticking out for some reason unlike the driver's side rear. Of course it rained just as they were finishing up. Will look so much better after the drag springs and suspension parts are on the car. The body does appear to be slightly off center to the passenger side on the rear ( not uncommon I have learned to come factory that way), but the adjustable panhard will address all of that and may resolve the light rubbing as well. Otherwise I will just remove some stuff.

https://i.imgur.com/IxDIxRK.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/kBg4XLj.jpg

[NXcoupe]

I really like it.

[draggin50]

Hell yeah! I like it!!!

[2Fast4You]

There you go Chad

[redfirepearlgt]

thanks guys..

[5.0calypso93lx]

Definitely good looking wheels!

[redfirepearlgt]

Thanks James. I got around to pulling the passenger rear off to see what I could do about the light rub when I turn left or hit wash board spots in the road. I was able to trim out part of the inner fender liner that gave me about another 1/4" but when I got the car back down on level ground I was able to tell the body is off center. Turnes out it is sitting heavy to the passenger side by 5/16". So when I get the lower springs on the adjustable panhard will resolve that and get me centered up nicely. It's only an issue due to the 11" wheels. I have never run wider than 10.5" wheels on a +52mm offset (Vossen standard size) on my last two cars. These Forgestars are spec'd at +56mm. I may end up needing to run a 3mm (1/8") spacer once it is all done. Will find out in a few weeks. Everything except for the SC unit has arrived at Finishline. If I had a pre 2005 I wouldn't likely be having this problem either given its a completely different suspension setup and the rear ends are a bit narrower prior to. You guys can run those sexy frickin deep dish wheels. I envy that but favor my 13/14's.

[redfirepearlgt]

Washed it up to get ready to detail the bumpers tomorrow night and the mirrors. Cleaned up the new wheels and tires and took some photos.
https://i.imgur.com/MKyVcCM.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/TnXrhi7.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/9JRlsZu.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/aLVQPPc.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/0Ue2wSI.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/5pXVlY6.jpg

[draggin50]

You have it looking real clean! Let me know when and Ill drop mine off!

[redfirepearlgt]

I am beginning to remember why I started migrating to lighter and/or brighter colors as I got older. I've still got some work on this one yet. Seems this blue is almost as bad as black. Shows everything except bugs and tar.

[chris91]

Car looks great Chad! I had the CF-5's on mine for the winter time. Great looking wheels for sure!

[redfirepearlgt]

thanks chris. i just got notice that the paxton kit ships next week. pulled the tb and cleaned it all up last night and put a dry afe air filter in the factory box. using the stock box on the kit. filled the tank with 93 and added a can of vp octane boost so its ready for mods and tuning. should be done by 2nd week of june. then its time to look into getting the decals off the hood. i really dont like them. looks so 90s. also want to put the gt style chin spoiler on. the gtcs comes with a boss 302 chin spoiler. just cleaner and less stuff to scuffanddrag in and out of the driveway.

[redfirepearlgt]

Finally got up the nerve today with the sun out and shiny. Grabbed a few plastic razor blades, an 1800w hair dryer, pulled the car out of the garage and went to work de-striping the hood. After 30 minutes under the sun and getting the corner raised with a plastic razor blade (great little items for such projects...won't cut into or bump scuff the paint) and adding some heat with my wife's hair dryer those 8-year-old stripes came off like a snake shedding its skin. Cleaned the access wax lines off and after a cleaning and coat of sax you never would know they were there all those years. Below is before and after. So much cleaner now I think, and without the 90's decal look. Paxton kit ships next week. They received the intercoolers today, are welding them up with the mounting brackets and they should be ready to ship 5.31.22. Mods will commence week of June 5 and hopefully all goes well and we get some dyno sheets to be proud of AND a car that will perform up to or better than the numbers indicate.
https://i.imgur.com/SIZBfk8.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Z3sOUUA.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Y65zJKu.jpg

[Walter]

Nice work! Centri blowers to the front!!!!

[draggin50]

Looks so much better without the stripes!!!

Ive been itching for another supercharged car myself! Have to be a foxbody though.

[redfirepearlgt]

thanks. i was a bit nervous about the decals coming off after being on the car for 8 years but they came right up. still need to buff the area out or at least go over it with some citrus cleaner to remove any adhesive residue that may be left and then wax...again. i figure the weight reduction should pick up at least .0001 sec. lol

i cant wait to see how fhe car performs compared to pd setups on the street and at the track.

[Walter]

I suspect you would favor PD. Centri car needs more throttle input.

[redfirepearlgt]

thats okay i like throttle input. just wnt something different this time and turbos were way too much money. worse to worse we can stall the tranny or throw a 3.55 or 3.73 gear in it.

[5.0calypso93lx]

Looks much better without the stripes. That blower going to be real fun!

[Walter]

thats okay i like throttle input. just wnt something different this time and turbos were way too much money. worse to worse we can stall the tranny or throw a 3.55 or 3.73 gear in it.

Gear swap is a must!

[redfirepearlgt]

What gear is in your race car Walter?

[draggin50]

What gear is in your STREET car Walter?

Fixed it for ya!!!

[redfirepearlgt]

LOL! ^^^ I had to say that!

[redfirepearlgt]

What gear is in your Apollo Series Saturn V rocket "street" car Walter?

There. That's more accurate.

[Walter]

Gear swap is a must!

Run e85 and it makes it a race car.... LOL

3.55 for now. I ran a 3.73 for a good while and is my choice for under 1khp.

[redfirepearlgt]

fuel is too expensive and no e85 near me. e85s lack of mpg efficiency compared to 93 in the end costs way more to use. it is a fantastic fuel option for cars seeing more track and lesw street activity. i found an article where someone did a hard study on which fuel is more cost effective. they went to lengths to create identical conditions. the test route was sandiego to lasvegas. while the e85 was quite a bit less expensive at the time of the test, it ended up costing more to make the round trip. this was a flex fuel vehicle. i had a similar experience when i tried e85 in a flex fuel vehicle when i was in field service. while shell 93 was 5.39 when i filled the tank last week i will get 25% more driving distance or better out of it. believe me, i would gladly run e85 if it were more readily available and i spent more time zt the track mzkinb passes. i only intend a few track passes with this cara year. otherwise its about 0 to 60 times and entrance raml acceleration.....;).

thanks for the info. will look into a 3.55 as i see the 3.73 being a bit short for as much street use as i plan. i dont plan to buy a 17 inch dr setup. i will xtay on the 305 35 20 nitto drs i have on it now. im just not interested in wheel swapping every timei head to the track.

[Walter]

fuel is too expensive and no e85 near me. e85s lack of mpg efficiency compared to 93 in the end costs way more to use. it is a fantastic fuel option for cars seeing more track and lesw street activity. i found an article where someone did a hard study on which fuel is more cost effective. they went to lengths to create identical conditions. the test route was sandiego to lasvegas. while the e85 was quite a bit less expensive at the time of the test, it ended up costing more to make the round trip. this was a flex fuel vehicle. i had a similar experience when i tried e85 in a flex fuel vehicle when i was in field service. while shell 93 was 5.39 when i filled the tank last week i will get 25% more driving distance or better out of it. believe me, i would gladly run e85 if it were more readily available and i spent more time zt the track mzkinb passes. i only intend a few track passes with this cara year. otherwise its about 0 to 60 times and entrance raml acceleration.....;).

thanks for the info. will look into a 3.55 as i see the 3.73 being a bit short for as much street use as i plan. i dont plan to buy a 17 inch dr setup. i will xtay on the 305 35 20 nitto drs i have on it now. im just not interested in wheel swapping every timei head to the track.

I bet if you ran the 3.55 vs 3.73 back to back, you would take the 3.73. Most people are conservative when it comes to rear gear selection.

[5.0calypso93lx]

fuel is too expensive and no e85 near me. e85s lack of mpg efficiency compared to 93 in the end costs way more to use. it is a fantastic fuel option for cars seeing more track and lesw street activity. i found an article where someone did a hard study on which fuel is more cost effective. they went to lengths to create identical conditions. the test route was sandiego to lasvegas. while the e85 was quite a bit less expensive at the time of the test, it ended up costing more to make the round trip. this was a flex fuel vehicle. i had a similar experience when i tried e85 in a flex fuel vehicle when i was in field service. while shell 93 was 5.39 when i filled the tank last week i will get 25% more driving distance or better out of it. believe me, i would gladly run e85 if it were more readily available and i spent more time zt the track mzkinb passes. i only intend a few track passes with this cara year. otherwise its about 0 to 60 times and entrance raml acceleration.....;).

thanks for the info. will look into a 3.55 as i see the 3.73 being a bit short for as much street use as i plan. i dont plan to buy a 17 inch dr setup. i will xtay on the 305 35 20 nitto drs i have on it now. im just not interested in wheel swapping every timei head to the track.

I think you could argue all fuel is expensive right now and not many are running E85 because it's more cost effective. A supercharger isn't exactly more cost effective either LOL. The slight extra cost of e85 compared to it's benefits is something that should really be looked at. You've got Speedway on North Bend or that Thorntons off the lateral.

The other option is to have two separate tunes. I have a 93 tune on the Focus and an E30 blend tune for the car as well. It was only a small amount more for the E30 blend tune and it wakes the car up tremendously. It is a night and day difference on boosted applications. When I go get the Cobra tuned in mid June I am having Lee write me a 93 tune and a full E85 tune. It won't be as easy to toggle back and forth between tunes like it is in the Focus, but still only minutes to toggle back and forth.

[redfirepearlgt]

nope just not n e85 hound...but it smells good when the cats are deleted. will be near the max thd stock block can take anyway on 93 as it is we believe.

[redfirepearlgt]

I bet if you ran the 3.55 vs 3.73 back to back, you would take the 3.73. Most people are conservative when it comes to rear gear selection.

i just know that 1st gsar is 4.12:1 on the 6r80. trying to find a happy medium. i loved the 4.10 inmy 2002 years ago. i had a 373 in my 13 manual but went back to the 331. that was b4 it was boosted. ive seen a lot of people regearing that short or shorter. i want to see how it does with these mods first. my objective is 10.99 worst on 1.6x launch regardless of air conditions. if i can achieve that on ths 3.15 andthe 28 inch 20s (nitto r2 drs) ill be happy. really dont want to play wheel swap every time i head to the track

[Walter]

i just know that 1st gsar is 4.12:1 on the 6r80. trying to find a happy medium. i loved the 4.10 inmy 2002 years ago. i had a 373 in my 13 manual but went back to the 331. that was b4 it was boosted. ive seen a lot of people regearing that short or shorter. i want to see how it does with these mods first. my objective is 10.99 worst on 1.6x launch regardless of air conditions. if i can achieve that on ths 3.15 andthe 28 inch 20s (nitto r2 drs) ill be happy. really dont want to play wheel swap every time i head to the track

1st gear is 4.17:1. Should be able to run 10.99 with 3.15 no problem.

[redfirepearlgt]

I thought they got shorter in 15. Looking at the specs rather than attempt to test my memory failure again, that didn't happen until 2018 and then WOW! 4.70:1 first gear on that 10R80. A 3.55 puts me right there with a stock 10R80 first gear ratio with a 3.15. Hmmmmmmmmm...will have to think about that when and if the time comes. THanks man.

[5.0calypso93lx]

nope just not n e85 hound...but it smells good when the cats are deleted. will be near the max thd stock block can take anyway on 93 as it is we believe.

You're missing out lol. E85 is the nectar of the car gods

[Walter]

nope just not n e85 hound...but it smells good when the cats are deleted. will be near the max thd stock block can take anyway on 93 as it is we believe.

Block can take plenty of power, the gen1 rods will be maxed out on 93 for sure!

[draggin50]

You're missing out lol. E85 is the nectar of the car gods

Love E85! I drive now to get it but probably look into a drum later. Don't think I could ever go back to stinkin 93!!!

[redfirepearlgt]

Block can take plenty of power, the gen1 rods will be maxed out on 93 for sure!

stock block was an inclusive statement. connecting rods have always been the limit on gts prior to 2015 (03.04 svt excluded) as far back as 2005 with 3v engines and/or before. what i find i interesting is that the LS chevy engines have always run a powdered metal connecting rod but can take way more abuse/power in stock configuration when being boosted according to geys at work who eat and sleep LS setups. Lingenfelter offers a package for the 13 zl1 that has dynod close to 700 wheel hp on a stock short block assembly and confirmed the connecting rods are powdered metal and not forged.

[redfirepearlgt]

Some update pics on process. Finishline Performance is doing the work. Great group of guys there. Brian sent me a couple of pics of the progress.

https://i.imgur.com/xzSRKG2.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/dHG6MEq.jpg

[Maximus]

Nice!:cool1:

[Walter]

Oooooo yea

[redfirepearlgt]

Thanks. Looks like the rear suspension work is completed as well. Adj. panhard, upper and lower LCA's, relocation brackets, 1.5" drop BMR drag springs, and Strange single adjustable rear shocks.

https://i.imgur.com/2ZCkal2.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/AeVTywn.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/APVBqX8.jpg

[Walter]

Car looks real clean underneath. Easy winter project to epoxy black the axle housing. Would be 100% underneath!

[redfirepearlgt]

It was an Oklahoma car that was garage kept. Probably why its looks as good as it does underneath. I like the idea, but not sure if the rear end needs to be pulled to do it right and what the process is. I don't have a garage for winter projects so I would need to do it in the driveway.

[draggin50]

Looking good Chad! Bet your ready to go beat on it by now!!

[redfirepearlgt]

lookin forward to it. gettin little nervous as well. been over a yezr since i drove anything with more than 250 fwhp. looks like they are loading the tuneas well. saw correspondence between brian and lund. i get copied on everything.

[5.0calypso93lx]

Very cool! Coming along very quickly. That thing is going to be a blast

[NXcoupe]

Looking good man. Come use a rack and paint the axle housing.

[redfirepearlgt]

I may take you up on that Mike. I need to do something to it besides buff, drive, and throw money at it. LOL! I may do a front brake swap on it next year. Just will need some help on bleeding the suckers out. I'm out of budget...a little over actually so far. I was advised to upgrade the coolant catch can Paxton provides with a better made Aluminum Canton brand because of issues with leaks around the hoses due to the plastic not being good quality. So that's another 175 over the water pump they found weeping and replaced with a factory OEM assy. They were loading the base tune to the RTD device that interfaces with the ECM to download the base tune so they may be getting close to it sitting on all four. Can't wait to see the stance.

[redfirepearlgt]

Ran into a snag. The front struts I bought were for a 13/14 GT500. Ford used a slightly different strut on the 11-14 GT so the strut shafts pushed through the factory 11-14 upper strut mounting plates. Thankfully they only went into the hood heat shield enough to dimple it without damaging the hood. I picked up a used pair of Maxim Motorsport Camber Caster plates for GT500 and dropped them off. Hopefully this will be the end of SNAFU's and it will be finished soon. I am in no major hurry. Rather it be right than rushed. Should have taken some photos but I was so excited seeing it I forgot.

[5.0calypso93lx]

Ran into a snag. The front struts I bought were for a 13/14 GT500. Ford used a slightly different strut on the 11-14 GT so the strut shafts pushed through the factory 11-14 upper strut mounting plates. Thankfully they only went into the hood heat shield enough to dimple it without damaging the hood. I picked up a used pair of Maxim Motorsport Camber Caster plates for GT500 and dropped them off. Hopefully this will be the end of SNAFU's and it will be finished soon. I am in no major hurry. Rather it be right than rushed. Should have taken some photos but I was so excited seeing it I forgot.

Glad it wasn't anything more dangerous! Are they going to dyno tune the car?

[redfirepearlgt]

oh yeah. they were driving it to collect data on the base tune when they heard the noise from the fromt. the strut mount bore size difference is such that the shaft on the gt500 strange strut wouldnt push through without some applied pressure. its not a sloppy loose misfit so had it was easily missed.the guy i bought the struts from had forgot he had to buy gt500 struts for his 13 because the guy that had the car b4 him had swapped a bunch of factory gt500 parts over to the gt this guy bought. thnkfully strange stamps the part number on the struts and the guys at finishlinesawthat and did the research and found my slipup. its my fault and i told them to charge me for the resolve labor. its only fair. i take responsi ility vor my screw ups.

[redfirepearlgt]

588.7RWHP/493.77RWT @ 7200 RPM pull. Making 10.59 psi boost. This is with cats in place stock exhaust other than axle backs, on 93octane. 17.5 timing. Outdoor air temps @ 90F. Will hopefully get a graph I can post up at some point. Looking forward to getting the car and having some fun with it. They did remove the intake tube for this number as I understand. I may look into an open air filter setup over keeping the factory air intake for track use.

Once I get the car washed and cleaned up again I'll post some pics.

[5.0calypso93lx]

Very nice for such minimal mods!

[redfirepearlgt]

I haven't seen the IAT temp or knock data but from all of the chatter I was copied on between Brian (Finishline) and Brandon (Lund) everything was looking really good. No mention of any knock concerns or other issues at all. Brian will drive it and make sure the shift points are right and that there are no drive ability issues for the next few days plus verify cold starts and hopefully it is ready to roll on Friday.

[Walter]

Nice!!

[redfirepearlgt]

Thanks man. I look forward to getting it back and making some trips to Fillmores and QSL Milford and E20.

[draggin50]

588.7RWHP/493.77RWT @ 7200 RPM pull. Making 10.59 psi boost. This is with cats in place stock exhaust other than axle backs, on 93octane. 17.5 timing. Outdoor air temps @ 90F. Will hopefully get a graph I can post up at some point. Looking forward to getting the car and having some fun with it. They did remove the intake tube for this number as I understand. I may look into an open air filter setup over keeping the factory air intake for track use.

Once I get the car washed and cleaned up again I'll post some pics.

Very nice numbers! That will be very fun to drive!

I drove a new one a while back and I couldn't help but to buy it... These cars are so fun to drive. Now I have to figure out a supercharger myself!

[NXcoupe]

Congrats, should be a blast to drive.

[redfirepearlgt]

Of course the weather changes off wet the very evening it comes off the dyno. And still raining today. So doubt its had its shake down runs for drive ability yet.

[redfirepearlgt]

Picked the car up today. They really do good work at Finishline Performance. Wish I could take credit for more than buffing and polishing it like an old man...but then again I am an old man.
Here area few quick photos. Needs to be washed and detailed and then I will take some nicer photos with the Nikon and capture a video or two of it running. It's 89 out today but man it feels like its 200.

https://i.imgur.com/7bUuVPh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/EK14i4Q.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Lb5Ony6.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/FZiN9gc.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Locdvrj.jpg

[Walter]

Centri crew! Yea I just made that up LOL

[redfirepearlgt]

^^ I LIKE IT! Hey I just Shannon is selling his white four eye? Any truth to that rumor?

[Walter]

I suppose anything is for sale

[5.0calypso93lx]

Looks awesome! I bet that thing rips.

[redfirepearlgt]

Thanks James. It's different. Haven't really laid into it yet. Drives real nice. I would like it to downshift in drive a little better. I am used to the PD setups being able to downshift to 2nd @ 60MPH. I haven't attempted this yet but I tried a quicky at about 50 and it only down shifted to 3rd. It may be that way due to the centri setup. Sure makes a lot of noise when you let off the gas even if it goes slightly above static pressure. I did some test driving on the clunk I am having on the passenger side front strut. I also pulled the wheel and everything is torqued properly that I can check. The shop is suspecting it to be a strut issue. I found the overflow tank touching against the cam cover of the head on the passenger side head and adjusted that for some air gap but it effected nothing. If I adjust the strut it is more prominent and a little more rattly than if I set the strut to full soft (10 way single adjustable). Rapping my knuckles on the strut assembly and spring does generate a loose sound not noticed on the other side though the strut rod nut is set to 76ftlb. I put another 1/4 turn over the torque spec on the mounting nuts the hold the strut in place up top and that also had no effect. So will likely order a new strut as I bought these slightly used and be done with it.

[redfirepearlgt]

Finally got this thing dialed in and the decal delete completed as well as an additional touch up buff job. Ended up having to pull a pound of boost out due to knock on 93, but car still made 575TWHP/489RWT on 9.8 (vice 10.8psi) boost. Drives pretty well in light throttle and cruising as well as WOT hammering. Have it shifting at 7300-7400 RPM. Took it on a 3 hour trip over vets day. Got caught first morning after arrival in a 3 inch snow squawl that was completely unforeseen by forecasters........they claimed a 23% chance of a scattered snow shower with no mention of accumulation where I was heading to. Ended up being 3 inches in the ground between 7 and 10 am Sat morning.

Plan on a stall converter and one piece DS for 2023 if our socialist libtards in Washington don't find a way to put is back into the stone age before then.

https://i.imgur.com/IHYMm2T.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/JHA210O.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/gYEK8IF.jpg

The morning after these photos:

https://i.imgur.com/izL81wU.jpg

[5.0calypso93lx]

Good lookin ride for sure!

[redfirepearlgt]

Thanks James. Its not like rebuilding a SN95 Cobra, but I'm still proud of it. I am thinking of changing up the wheels or at least powder coating them a different color. Thinking of a matte or egg shell bronze if I keep them.

[Walter]

Got a 245mm circle d for ya. Prob too loose for your liking but they can rework it.

[draggin50]

Cars looking good Chad!

[redfirepearlgt]

Got a 245mm circle d for ya. Prob too loose for your liking but they can rework it.

Hmmmmm...that is what they were quoting me but I was afraid it would not be very street savy. Is it s 3C by chance? They said 245 2C or 3C. I was thinking 258mm 3C to keep it more street friendly. THey agreed but said I would not be getting hte most of hte setup with the 258, but that it would be more like stock even with the 3C stall selection.

What's your experience running that 245 on the street? Thanks.

[redfirepearlgt]

Cars looking good Chad!

Thanks Brian. I was thinking of changing wheels to this TRW wheel next spring. Guess its the old man in me that likes the shiny wheel look?? That or powder coat the current wheels to a bronze color or silver. They would be 20x11 rear and 20x8.5 front. Would also allow me to flatten the rake a bit more by running a bit taller tire up front. The front 19x9 forced me to run a short 27 due to the options trying to fill the 9" rim. I wish now I had done a 20x9 or 20.8.5 like I have in the past.

https://i.imgur.com/sdfMlt6.jpg

[Walter]

Hmmmmm...that is what they were quoting me but I was afraid it would not be very street savy. Is it s 3C by chance? They said 245 2C or 3C. I was thinking 258mm 3C to keep it more street friendly. THey agreed but said I would not be getting hte most of hte setup with the 258, but that it would be more like stock even with the 3C stall selection.

What's your experience running that 245 on the street? Thanks.

The one I have available is a 245mm 4c. It was great on the street imo. But I can guarantee you are alot more conservative than I am. It can be tightened up to a 2c or 3c obviously. The 258 is not really a good fit for a centri setup. I have vid link I'll send you tomorrow.

[redfirepearlgt]

^^^ Cool. I'll wait for it. Circle D is recommending the 245mm in a 3C because I have the torque booster on the setup. I was the one being objective to a converter that small not them. As long as the car will shift normally though at an obviously slightly higher rpm under normal drive conditions, I'm fine with that. I just don't want a stall converter that is a pain to drive on the street and can handle long trips as well.

Have you ever had it restalled or is it original to the order? If not Circle D's come with free restall don't they?

[PKFIRE]

Glad to see the car coming together for you Chad. I’m liking the Blue.

[redfirepearlgt]

Thanks Joe. Hope to see you at the track in 2023.