New pics/updates on Turbo Trailblazer!

[Trav4011]

Well, we finally got started on the project.. I found a company that does ROM tuning for the Trailblazer ECU.. I will be working with them to get some turbo ROM tunes on file :). Also, we're going to be running a Raptor 4L60E trans once this one takes a crap on us.. I will be using a JWT 4L60E trans controller with a shift kit for now. We had to cut the front crash-bar to fit the intercooler. What I did.. was cut the factory piece out, and fabbed up a box-tubing 1/4" wall thickness replacement.. I moved it back, almost all the way to the A/C heat exchanger and welded it back in. This let me fit the 3" thick intercooler with no problem. We are also running a Street Scene bumper for more room up front. I got the cooler mounted up today.. Here's a few pics..

http://myspace-816.vo.llnwd.net/00346/61/82/346052816_l.jpg
http://myspace-203.vo.llnwd.net/00346/30/23/346053203_l.jpg
http://myspace-501.vo.llnwd.net/00346/10/53/346053501_l.jpg

Tomorrow, I will be starting on the turbo manifold.. Hopefully, I'll have pics of a tacked up piece by evening. :)

Travis

[Uno3whO]

Looking good!!! What kind of turbo are you going to be using? How much boost? Are you doing any internal engine modifications to run it?

[ScarabEpic22]

Lookin good, got any pics of the turbo yet?

[OurZoo]

That should be pretty sweet. What hp do you think you're gonna get outta her after the mods?

[Jman423]

Nice, good luck with everything :yes:

[Trav4011]

We're going to be running a T61/P-trim T4/T04E turbo.. This should spool up decently on the 4.2 liter.. and is capable of 600whp. We're going to run the stock motor for a while.. while we build up a spare block that we have here. I'm doing custom forged rods/pistons, and ARP studs in the head/mains. I'll have shelf stock parts available to you guys after this is all said and done. :) Aiming for 400whp on pump gas at low boost.. and 550-600whp on the built motor on pump gas.

Travis

[IceN]

which intercooler are u running, kinda looks like an obx. Sounds like ur making custom manifolds, why not flip the stockers and port them for a lil better flow and weldon on watever flange ull be using? You can't beat the strength of stock, as many use on lsx engines. Also if you are making custom manifolds, what style are u using and what material? I assume log type. What a/r housing are u gona use? Also y not a gt40r with a smaller a/r housing, so u could get the same spool but more power, also be able to upgrade later? Which injectors? Are you going to be using meth/alky/water to further control iat's, because with our compression, and the lack of a viable tuning source where u could make constant changes i see this being hard to do with out a meth/alky/water injection setup. Sorry about the questions, im gona be startin this project soon and i got a ton more quetions, but ill leave the rest for a later time. Thanks IceN.

[Trav4011]

which intercooler are u running, kinda looks like an obx. Sounds like ur making custom manifolds, why not flip the stockers and port them for a lil better flow and weldon on watever flange ull be using? You can't beat the strength of stock, as many use on lsx engines. Also if you are making custom manifolds, what style are u using and what material? I assume log type. What a/r housing are u gona use? Also y not a gt40r with a smaller a/r housing, so u could get the same spool but more power, also be able to upgrade later? Which injectors? Are you going to be using meth/alky/water to further control iat's, because with our compression, and the lack of a viable tuning source where u could make constant changes i see this being hard to do with out a meth/alky/water injection setup. Sorry about the questions, im gona be startin this project soon and i got a ton more quetions, but ill leave the rest for a later time. Thanks IceN.

I looked through a bunch of compressor maps.. T61 plots well with the 4.2 liter. When you say GT40R.... do you mean the 56trim GT40 wheel? The same wheel that's used in the SC61/GT35R? If so, I just didn't feel confident running that wheel on the 4.2 liter. To run that wheel, you really should use a T350 Turbine (good match). I worried about overspinning the compressor at low RPM (surge) using that small of a turbine. I guess you could pair it with a P-trim T4 wheel.. but then again.. we're talking a lot of guesswork. I went with the T61/P-trim, because I have experience with it, and I know it'll make the power that I want. A DOHC 4.2 liter shouldn't have any issue spooling that turbo up at a decent RPM.

You said "manifolds"... you do realize that this is the 6 cylinder, correct? I'm probably going to keep the stock manifold, and run a TIG welded, 2.5" Schedule 10, 316L stainless adaptor, to put the turbo up where the stock airbox/washer resivoir is (was). I don't see much gain by making a "log", versus the stock header that's on it now.

We will run 550cc injectors.. which should give us a comfortable 575whp running 50psi base pressure. They'll actually be flowing more like 610cc at 50psi, versus the rated 43.5psi. A Walbro pump with a return line/regulator up front will complete the system.

I have a good source for tuning the ECU... I'll spill the beans when it's close to completion. I will work back and forth with them to get a map that I think is suitable for this setup. I don't believe in injection.. I think it's a band-aid approach to tuning.. I like to tune around issues by modifying the timing and fuel tables.. Basically, I will be able to send this company a graph (timing/fuel tables) for what I want.. MAP versus RPM. I will be running a 3 bar MAP sensor as well..

I've been building turbo cars for years... I've built 5-600whp Nissan 4 bangers.. with half of the displacement that this truck has. I think this will be a fun experience.. no doubt there will be bugs to work out.. But, that's all part of the fun. ;)

Travis

[IceN]

I looked through a bunch of compressor maps.. T61 plots well with the 4.2 liter. When you say GT40R.... do you mean the 56trim GT40 wheel? The same wheel that's used in the SC61/GT35R? If so, I just didn't feel confident running that wheel on the 4.2 liter. To run that wheel, you really should use a T350 Turbine (good match). I worried about overspinning the compressor at low RPM (surge) using that small of a turbine. I guess you could pair it with a P-trim T4 wheel.. but then again.. we're talking a lot of guesswork. I went with the T61/P-trim, because I have experience with it, and I know it'll make the power that I want. A DOHC 4.2 liter shouldn't have any issue spooling that turbo up at a decent RPM.

You said "manifolds"... you do realize that this is the 6 cylinder, correct? I'm probably going to keep the stock manifold, and run a TIG welded, 2.5" Schedule 10, 316L stainless adaptor, to put the turbo up where the stock airbox/washer resivoir is (was). I don't see much gain by making a "log", versus the stock header that's on it now.

We will run 550cc injectors.. which should give us a comfortable 575whp running 50psi base pressure. They'll actually be flowing more like 610cc at 50psi, versus the rated 43.5psi. A Walbro pump with a return line/regulator up front will complete the system.

I have a good source for tuning the ECU... I'll spill the beans when it's close to completion. I will work back and forth with them to get a map that I think is suitable for this setup. I don't believe in injection.. I think it's a band-aid approach to tuning.. I like to tune around issues by modifying the timing and fuel tables.. Basically, I will be able to send this company a graph (timing/fuel tables) for what I want.. MAP versus RPM. I will be running a 3 bar MAP sensor as well..

I've been building turbo cars for years... I've built 5-600whp Nissan 4 bangers.. with half of the displacement that this truck has. I think this will be a fun experience.. no doubt there will be bugs to work out.. But, that's all part of the fun. ;)

Travis

Sorry about the typos, i know its manifold. Its just someone just mentions turbo for the 4.2 and i just get all giggly like a school girl :laugh:. About the turbo, im sorry i got ahead of myself, i havent heard of that problem. Im not if its the right wheel were lookin at the gt40r has a 52 trim. Im not sure that the 4.2 could overspin it, but u might be right. Its nice being a pioneer, i really appreciate it. What if u just used a regular gt42 and not the r you can gettin them with a 54 or 50 trim depending on a/r housing. The location of the turbo itself is exactly where i plan to put mine. Its perfect with the behemoth windshield washer box is ( man what was gm thinking). What type of injectors are they. I swear i can not get info from any gm tech at the dealership about this stuff. Ever thinking bout making a sheetmetal intake to help with plumbing, like the turbo nova. What are u using ignition wise, anything special. No injection, come on now, its tried and true. You could turn up the boost a little and see what a stock long block can do. Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. I by no means am arguing or telling you are wrong, just trying to ask so i can get it right. Thanks again IceN

[Blulytes]

Cool!

Keep us in the loop as to how the project is going!

[jauto98]

Droooooolllllllll......... looking good!

[Laloosh]

Travis stop following me, just because i got a trailblazer now doesnt mean u have to tempt me with a turbo kit:D Sweet, i didnt even know u were on this site. Btw if u guys dont know of travis, trust me, actaully u cant cause u dont know me that well either. But believe me when i say that this guy knows his **** when it comes to boosting motors. He built several 500whp 2.5liter sentras that are ripping up the street. Im sure he will make this project pain free and affordable...just give him ONE THINGS....TIME.

-Chris

[Trav4011]

lol.. Didn't know you had a Trailblazer Chris?! :) Yeah, this is a big change of pace from the Nissan camp.. I've actually got some displacement to work with. :)

Travis

[Laloosh]

2.5-4.2 same ****:yes:

[ieatglue]

Droooooolllllllll......... looking good!
What he said :yes:

[ScarabEpic22]

Gettin better all the time!

I would love to have 500rwhp to the tires, I think then the 4.2L I6 might be able to do some burnouts :laugh: :D !!!

Also, what rpm are you aiming to have the turbo spool up at? 2000rpms, 1800rpms?

Please spill the beans when it is time, as I would really like to know what is needed to modify the original engine, ie pistons, valves, etc.

Thanks!

[Trav4011]

Started working on the turbo adaptor pipe today.. It bolts to the factory exhaust manifold flange and comes up to the front.. then up to the turbo. I am moving the power steering resivoir from it's current location (on the pump) to make room for the compressor to intercooler pipe, and for heat issues.

http://myspace-032.vo.llnwd.net/00347/23/08/347808032_l.jpg
http://myspace-379.vo.llnwd.net/00347/97/38/347808379_l.jpg

I also finished trimming the crash bar and bumper support.. Just have to mount the Street Scene bumper..

Travis

[Trav4011]

And yes, it's filthy under the hood.. lol.. I told him to clean the damn thing! :-p

[FattyTBEXT]

I don't even have the money for a turbo and I'm watching this thread like a hawk. :yes:

[IceN]

:eek: nice

[StvsDenaliXL]

I just love this stuff:p .....I'm on the verge of saying to heck with the warranty and I want to super/turbocharge my Envoy:yes: :D .....I was just talking to my friend at his shop and wanted to do some projects for my ride, and this is becoming very tempting....keep us updated:cool:

[Steve02SLT]

looks like a nice setup, i was giving it a lot of thought after seeing the 4200 in that chevelle i think it was, but with all the carbs and all those changes it was too much. this setup seems pretty quick and painless. time to add this to the christmas list and wish there was some jolly dude named santa...:(

[LMMJ]

Any ideas as to how much a bolt on kit may run us with that parts your using. I know there will be a lot of cutting and moving things around but roughly how much for the parts. And maybe even some prices on the beefed up internals when you get a chance.
THX

[Trav4011]

Not sure about the rules and advertising here... But, I will probably offer a hardware kit when it's all said and done.. basically, I'll sell the manifold parts, all the piping/intercooler, downpipe, turbo.. etc.. You will be responsible for install/tuning. I would also be willing to sell a piston/rod kit for it.. Figure around 3500-4K for a complete turbo kit.. and 1600.00 or so for pistons/rods.

Travis

[ScarabEpic22]

Not sure about the rules and advertising here... But, I will probably offer a hardware kit when it's all said and done.. basically, I'll sell the manifold parts, all the piping/intercooler, downpipe, turbo.. etc.. You will be responsible for install/tuning. I would also be willing to sell a piston/rod kit for it.. Figure around 3500-4K for a complete turbo kit.. and 1600.00 or so for pistons/rods.

Travis
On that, if you got the turbo would you absolutely need the pistons/rods?

[Uno3whO]

On that, if you got the turbo would you absolutely need the pistons/rods?


I would think that you could run the turbo with intercooler without the pistons/rods upgrade as long as you don't pump up the boost too high.:D

[Trav4011]

I think that with proper tuning, you could get away with 400-450whp on stock pistons/rods. The transmission.. well, that's another story. ;)

[ScarabEpic22]

I think that with proper tuning, you could get away with 400-450whp on stock pistons/rods. The transmission.. well, that's another story. ;)
Cool!!!:D

BUt, the tranny is the weakest link in these trucks....I just hope I can eventually get a 6L80E tranny for an SS AWD so I can super/turbo it safely.

[Trav4011]

Just send the stock trans out and get it rebuilt. There's plenty of aftermarket available for the 4L60E trans.. It's costing us 1400.00 to have it built to withstand 600whp safely.

Travis

[iDontKnow]

That things gonna be a BEAST!! I'm lookin forward to seeing this thing in action.

Are you gonna port and polish the heads at all?

What compression ratio you lookin at with the custom rods and pistons?

[sk_trailblaz]

Would the performance of the Turbo Trailblazer be comparable? or surpass the TB SS? :)

[myknyte]

I also finished trimming the crash bar and bumper support.. Just have to mount the Street Scene bumper..

Travis


any reason you put the Intercooler near the bottom bumper?
Couldn't you have fit that right on the grill with less fabrication?
Does it stick out too far and you can't put back the grill or hide it?

[Steve02SLT]

any reason you put the Intercooler near the bottom bumper?
Couldn't you have fit that right on the grill with less fabrication?
Does it stick out too far and you can't put back the grill or hide it?

But then if you have it directly behind the grill, it's blocking the radiator. If you look at any factory turbo'd import, or any custom job for that matter, most have the intercooler so it barely covers the radiator, if at all. I think a nicer idea would be to possibly find a smaller more effiecent radiator, and angle the bottom in towards the engine. Thats what they do to modified skylines in order to fit a big cooler in the engine bay. just my :m2:

[Trav4011]

Finally got my parts I've been waiting on, and made a little more progress on the turbo Trailblazer... Here's a few pics..

http://www.fi-r.net/images2/TurboTrailblazer1.jpg
http://www.fi-r.net/images2/TurboTrailblazer2.jpg
http://www.fi-r.net/images2/TurboTrailblazer3.jpg
http://www.fi-r.net/images2/TurboTrailblazer4.jpg
http://www.fi-r.net/images2/TurboTrailblazer5.jpg

Just waiting on my 3" mandrel bends to fab the downpipe and exhaust.. I have to get the aluminum intercooler piping welded up as well. Oil lines, and the fuel system, and she's done!

For now, I'm going to toy around with using a Apexi SAFC II for tuning. We're running some 550cc injectors, a Walbro pump with regulator/return line up front. By putting a boost reference to the regulator (not vacuum), we can have good driveability as we would stock, with a steady pressure.. and in boost, we would have a 1:1 rising rate to compensate for differential pressure. That makes tuning easier for me... the AFC catches the MAP sensor signal, and modifys it to make the ECU think there's more, or less load, depending on what you tell it to do.. That will trim the injector pulse down a tad for the bigger injectors. I think if I get it to around 11:1 A/F under boost.. we won't have any detonation issues at 5-6psi of boost. If we run into pinging issues.. I'll probably try to use a J&S Safeguard to pull timing under boost.. We'll play it by ear.. We run 10psi on 10:1 C/R all the time with Maxima engines.. using the same setup.

Travis

[Trav4011]

A few things... I had to move the power steering resivoir to fit the turbo in that spot.. not too big of a deal.. I also had to bend the automatic trans dipstick tube towards the engine a few inches, so that the downpipe will have adequate clearance. The A/C hose will be pulled back a few inches as well, just to be safe.. I like to have about 3" clearance around any plastic/painted surfaces.. Everything will be ceramic coated, so heat only radiates about a inch or so off of the hot surfaces.. but, I like to play it safe. We're moving the battery, as you can see.. A red top Optima gell cell will be mounted in a battery box in the back of the car.

And, yes, I know it's filthy... ;) I'm going to hose is down and clean it as soon as it warms up a little. This guy uses it for work.. so, he doesn't have time to clean it much.

Travis

[USMCBullDog]

when you finish with this are you going to offer a "kit" and/or instructions so some of the rest of us can do this also??:thumbsup:

[Trav4011]

I wouldn't mind offering a kit of sorts.. there's some cutting/moving of things that has to be done to get it to fit and look good.. but, I could offer a kit if I had enough interested people. As long as you guys understand what's involved.. It's a bit of work..

Travis

[USMCBullDog]

cool, thanks, keep up with the great pics.

[sk_trailblaz]

Keep up the good work and great pics...:) If you do decide to market a turbo kit for the 4.2...and the hp/tq gains are good w/decent drivability I would certainly be interested in a purchase :yes:

Its great that someone has taken the initiative and built their own turbo kit...:)

[Trav4011]

Yeah.. I enjoy doing new things.. I've been in business for about 5 years.. working primarily on Nissans. We do a lot of one-off stuff for oddball platforms, that other big shops pass up. The 4.2 has some potential.. I think 400whp on 93 octane is totally feasible. We're building a engine with custom pistons/rods, studs and ported head.. along with a Raptor 4L60 trans upgrade. That stuff will go in later this year, teamed with a standalone.. It should make 550whp with no problems on pump gas at about 15-16psi on a T70/P-trim turbocharger.

Travis

[kzaker]

:thumbsup: i would be real interested in this conversion, can you give me an idea of the new parts that would be involved? what is the turbo built for, ect. i have never worked on "newer" autos, but have done alot with classics and off road stuff, so the fab of parts would be cool.. if you can kinda summerize the parts and process.. that would be great in giving me an idea of the degree of difficulty.. thanks!!:iagree:

[IceN]

couple questions: what material of tubing did u use? I didnt see any flex tubing, any reason you arent using it.

[Trav4011]

I'm using Schedule 40 316L Stainless piping. It's around 1/8" thick.. so cracking won't be an issue. I am going to use a flex section in the downpipe.. but, the manifold adaptor piece should be solid, to keep the turbo in a fixed position. The only reason I can see to use a flex section, is if thin wall material is used.. and the turbo is suspended with a brace/mount.

Travis

[rt9bil]

Have you modified the tranny or rear diff. at all? Thats a hell of alot of hp for the stock setup to handle isn't it?

[envoykicker86]

This may be a little premature but about how much are just the parts for that setup, like the turbo, piping, intercooler, downpipe, etc. I would forshure be interested in buying a kit if you marketed one. The second part of the project with the new trans and stuff sounds real expensive though.

[IceN]

bump for the im desperate people such as myself and need more info

[blownv6]

Yeah.. I enjoy doing new things.. I've been in business for about 5 years.. working primarily on Nissans. We do a lot of one-off stuff for oddball platforms, that other big shops pass up. The 4.2 has some potential.. I think 400whp on 93 octane is totally feasible. We're building a engine with custom pistons/rods, studs and ported head.. along with a Raptor 4L60 trans upgrade. That stuff will go in later this year, teamed with a standalone.. It should make 550whp with no problems on pump gas at about 15-16psi on a T70/P-trim turbocharger.

Travis

Man I hear ya, but if you're going that far, just throw in the 2004 Bravada AWD system , and you're talking STR8 killer! That Transfer case can handle easy 450lbs.

Aside from that, I think your kit is AWESOME. I myself would be scared of running a CR of anything more then 9.0, but that's just me.....While you're at it, throw in a Vigilante Torque Convertor , and you'll be more smiling your ass off:crazy: The convertor alone is good for over .5 secs in the 1/4, guaranteed

Keep us updated, if you can produce a kit, I'd possibly be interested as well

[stvntb]

all I have to say is BAD ASS!

great pics, and if you came out with a kit list how much and instructions
I am very competent in installing!