Red headed Stepsister of the Alero

[00redse]

I had one of the original RSM bars. It hit the clutch res. Couldn't even bolt it up unless I relocated it. And the V6 it hit the alternator.

But I got an ebay one similar to that one, and it works fine. I'll get a pic posted up.

[00redse]

Outer tie rod ends done this morning in about 20 minutes with Moog replacements. Nice that they are greasable with the zirc fittings. A little more expensive than the alternative, but after taxes the Moogs were only 100 bucks.

Now, back to sanding and filling that hood... it's getting there.

[00redse]

Little progress update. Most of the underside of the hood is done. Still some 80 grit scratches I need to go back over, but I sprayed a black guide coat on it because there was so much work in so many places, it was hard to tell what was done, and what needed more work. But all the cracks are gone, save for one tiny spot I didn't notice until far in. Plus the latch mounting is all redone.




Now to flip her over and do the other side I had to keep reminding myself I was working on the underside of the hood. It doesn't need to be 100% perfect, and since there's so many lines in the underside of the hood, it made for a lot of sanding and shaping when I carved out cracks running through multiple body lines.

Sorry there's a coat of dust on it from sitting out the last few days.

[tw0123]

looks good!! Can't wait to see it finished up

[00redse]

Lots of parts coming in now. Things are getting interesting



























more to come.

[[ion] C2]

nooooooooooo not eBay chinese knockoffs

[00redse]

Yep. The turbo, intercooler, bov, boost controller, charge piping, couplers and clamps are all going to be from an ebay setup. I have a decent log turbo manifold, and a turbonetics wastegate. I'm not trying to light the world on fire, just a nice streetable car.

I was originally looking at getting a turbonetics turbo for like $750 and then still needing everything else. I couldn't justify spending so much on a turbo only to still need to spend another hefty amount to get all the odds and ends. Not to mentions the cost of HPtuners.

This is a budget build and if there's a catastrophic failure, I will go get another motor on the cheap. Then I will upgrade what breaks. I also will likely go with an OBX LSD when the time comes to do the clutch.

In the meantime, this should be fun. We'll see what breaks. I've reflashed the car to the gm s/c file w/ 310's and a 2 bar map and tinkered with it a bit. Next step is to fit the HO intake manifold and 62mm TB, then start figuring out charge piping and intercooler mounting. Also need an oil catch can so I can do the PCV setup correctly.

I don't doubt that a gt35r and an equal length tubular top mount manifold would be beneficial, but it's not needed. I'm going the cheap route, but it's gonna get the job done way before I could justify throwing 4x the $ at it. I've got the injectors to go bigger on boost, so we shall see what shakes loose

I might even paint the hood and sideskirts in my garage with a sub-optimum turbine hvlp setup. But it will work, look nice, and 99% of people won't be able to tell a difference.

No need to buy caviar and escargot when I'm putting it on a Digiorno pizza.

[Papa Rad17]

Drive-able, practical, clean budget build that will still yield a good end result

[00redse]

Just ordered a few last odds and ends from summit. Bungs for 02 sensors and IAT sensor and oil return. Plus a couple silicone reducing elbows not included with my set.
Also, to whom it may concern, the proper size silicone coupler for the LD9 or LG0 Throttle body is 2.75" I thought 3, but it was too big.
Need to mock things up, then get downpipe, oil pan, and charge pipe bungs welded in.
Slow progress, but progress none the less. Mock up pictures soon

[Papa Rad17]

hows it coming?

[00redse]

Turbo is complete! Pics.

[00redse]

More recent pics.

[[ion] C2]

how is your intake run through all that? it always amazes me when people run their turbos so the intake is on the driver side, that area is super jam packed with stuff on my car

[00redse]

Originally Posted by [ion] C2

how is your intake run through all that? it always amazes me when people run their turbos so the intake is on the driver side, that area is super jam packed with stuff on my car

It was a tight fit, but not impossible. The intake pipe is a full 3" while the rest of the charge pipes are 2.5" actually.

Just had to attach a 3" 45* silicon elbow to the turbo, then a 3" charge pipe about a foot long with a 45* bend at the end with the filter.

The heater hose line was the most "in the way" but everything moved just enough to allow the pipe through. I was worried at first that it wouldn't work, but perseverance paid off.

Where is your intake routed?

[[ion] C2]

Don't have one, just a properly sized stainless steel mesh clamped to the inlet right now.

[00redse]

I thought I was gonna have to go that route at one point before I got things all situated.

I did have to get a new TB butterfly made. This thing you could see light all the way around it when it was closed. Had me chasing a vacuum leak all over the place.

[Papa Rad17]

I require videos! looking good!!!