n8in8or
I never met a project I didn’t like
Ok, in the next month or so I hope to be doing an engine for the Tahoe. Since I had the heads off earlier this year I know the heads have cracks between the valves already. Before the heads were off I was using coolant, since the heads are back on it hasn't gotten any better. Now I have engine oil smoke out of the exhaust. New heads MAY fix both problems, but since my truck is a 97 I'm afraid I have some cracking going on in my block. We bought a 6000 pound travel trailer in October and I don't want to have a failure while on the road so I've already ruled out using my short block, even if it doesn't have cracks. Since most used stuff seems to be a crap-shoot, I'm going to leverage a little credit and step up to something newer. Here's the plan so far and please weigh in if I'm making a bad move anywhere.....I'm still in the planning stages right now so it's easy to change direction.
Engine: My standard choice for a usable engine is a take-out unit from Ted's. I feel comfortable with this since it's an Optimizer, has been tested by them and seem to be a reputable supplier with a few success stories on this forum. All other options are weighed against this. I'm currently investigating a new engine for sale 2 hours from me for $3400. I've asked for pictures of the casting marks so I can verify that it's an Optimizer and not something else. If it is an Optimizer I've pretty much decided that is the way I'm going since I'll have about that same amount into an engine from Ted's once freight is factored in. Also it will have a new harmonic balancer on it already and I won't have to invest in that. If I get an engine from Ted's then I'll likely be putting a new Delco balancer on it - I'd like to do a Fluidamper, but since that can be changed with the engine in the truck without a terrible effort I'd rather spend the extra money on other parts and then do the Fluidamper later.
Turbo: based on results from multiple people I had already planned on doing an HX40wii with tax money next year, but after reading Fellow Traveller's results with the HX40 he just did, I am now weighing that option. Both sound good so far so I just need to keep reading and see which I want to do.
Camshaft: I figured this would be a good opportunity to try a camshaft out. So far I see two choices - Heath's HT4 cam for $500 or I can get a regrind from Delta for $94. Based on price alone, I am definitely leaning towards the Delta option. Both will require a retune and it sounded like Heath would want to charge me extra to tune for the cam in addition to the money put into the cam, so $500+ for a cam only? Not sure I can justify that..
Timing set: I think I'll stick with a good chain set. I think either engine should have a good enough timing set in it, but I would check the one in the Ted's while I'm in there and if it's a bit loose replace with a good timing chain set....I'm not sure that a gear drive is worth the extra investment hear either.
Heads: Of course I'm taking the ARP head studs and Harland Sharp rockers off the current engine and putting them in the new engine. While the heads are off I would like to do a little pocket porting in the heads. I don't know how much it will help, but it seems like it can't hurt (as long as I don't take too much meat out) and I feel like it would be a waste since the heads will be off anyway.
Tune: Whatever mine final combo ends up being, I will definitely be having Heath update my tune to accommodate it. I also need to have him remove the MAF from the truck. They talked me out of it when I had my initial tune done last year and now I regret it because any cold air idea have currently has to accommodate the MAF sensor in the tract.
Intake: To start I think the intake will likely be stock. I have a K47 in the stock location right now with a NAPA filter, it works ok, but my filter minder is constantly tripped. The only way I can keep it from tripping is to take the lid off the air box. So I know that's a restriction even with my current combo so ultimately I want to put my battery where the air box is now and then build an insulated box behind the pass headlight area where the battery tray is now.
WMI: I like what I've seen with the WMI on 6.5L's truck, and since I'll be towing it seems like a good way to get some performance and also fight high EGTs while towing. I think this will go on the engine during the build so I can not be afraid to use any extra fuel that the new tune provides.
CAC/IC: I haven't looked at this too much, but I also like the idea of a charge cooler to help keep intake and EGT and ECT temps in check. I think this would be something to try maybe later in the year. I would love to do a before and after dyno comparison to see what it's worth. Because of packaging constraints I'm really interested in trying a water-to-air setup. I also like the idea that the tubing between the turbo and engine would be a lot shorter and hopefully minimize any possible lag.
Torque converter: I'm also going to have the trans rebuilt while the engine is out. I think my current one has a weak pump, and again, since I'm towing I want to have peace of mind there as well. My rebuild guy recommended Precision Torque Converter. Interestingly they offer a lower-than-stock stall speed option for heavy duty applications, but in talking with both Heath and Delta, they both recommended a stock stall speed and that makes sense to me.
Fuel: I already have all the parts to do a Raptor pump, remote fuel filter and Feed The Beast so those will certainly be going on when the engine goes in.
Cooling: I think I'm just going to do the fan clutch mod rather than buy the lower temp clutch Kennedy offers. Also, since I have a 97 I already have a pretty good blade, right? Since the engine will be out and empty of coolant I'm considering putting Evan's coolant in it. Sure it's pricey, but it sure sounds like good stuff. Plus if I don't get a new blade and clutch then that helps to offset the cost.
Pulley: I will be putting a new Delco pulley on the engine when I put it in.
I think that's it for now. Did I forget anything? Any suggestions? What about the cam??
I wasn't planning on doing this engine stuff this year, but now that my hand is kind of forced I'm pretty excited about it! Besides what good is credit if you can't use it to build a BA engine for your truck??
ps. Future upgrades: it would be cool to maybe try a Merlin pump from Heath or see if someone else has a strong DS4 pump, but I'm not sure if an Optimizer is strong enough for that much potential fuel or if that's getting into P400 territory. I know, probably optimistic power-wise, but aren't most of us 6.5 hot-rodders optimists?? I also love the idea of a custom center mount turbo with custom fabbed headers. The fab part of it doesn't scare me, but I'm still learning about turbos.... and since the truck is my current DD, it doesn't make sense to make it a guineau pig for such an experimental setup.
Engine: My standard choice for a usable engine is a take-out unit from Ted's. I feel comfortable with this since it's an Optimizer, has been tested by them and seem to be a reputable supplier with a few success stories on this forum. All other options are weighed against this. I'm currently investigating a new engine for sale 2 hours from me for $3400. I've asked for pictures of the casting marks so I can verify that it's an Optimizer and not something else. If it is an Optimizer I've pretty much decided that is the way I'm going since I'll have about that same amount into an engine from Ted's once freight is factored in. Also it will have a new harmonic balancer on it already and I won't have to invest in that. If I get an engine from Ted's then I'll likely be putting a new Delco balancer on it - I'd like to do a Fluidamper, but since that can be changed with the engine in the truck without a terrible effort I'd rather spend the extra money on other parts and then do the Fluidamper later.
Turbo: based on results from multiple people I had already planned on doing an HX40wii with tax money next year, but after reading Fellow Traveller's results with the HX40 he just did, I am now weighing that option. Both sound good so far so I just need to keep reading and see which I want to do.
Camshaft: I figured this would be a good opportunity to try a camshaft out. So far I see two choices - Heath's HT4 cam for $500 or I can get a regrind from Delta for $94. Based on price alone, I am definitely leaning towards the Delta option. Both will require a retune and it sounded like Heath would want to charge me extra to tune for the cam in addition to the money put into the cam, so $500+ for a cam only? Not sure I can justify that..
Timing set: I think I'll stick with a good chain set. I think either engine should have a good enough timing set in it, but I would check the one in the Ted's while I'm in there and if it's a bit loose replace with a good timing chain set....I'm not sure that a gear drive is worth the extra investment hear either.
Heads: Of course I'm taking the ARP head studs and Harland Sharp rockers off the current engine and putting them in the new engine. While the heads are off I would like to do a little pocket porting in the heads. I don't know how much it will help, but it seems like it can't hurt (as long as I don't take too much meat out) and I feel like it would be a waste since the heads will be off anyway.
Tune: Whatever mine final combo ends up being, I will definitely be having Heath update my tune to accommodate it. I also need to have him remove the MAF from the truck. They talked me out of it when I had my initial tune done last year and now I regret it because any cold air idea have currently has to accommodate the MAF sensor in the tract.
Intake: To start I think the intake will likely be stock. I have a K47 in the stock location right now with a NAPA filter, it works ok, but my filter minder is constantly tripped. The only way I can keep it from tripping is to take the lid off the air box. So I know that's a restriction even with my current combo so ultimately I want to put my battery where the air box is now and then build an insulated box behind the pass headlight area where the battery tray is now.
WMI: I like what I've seen with the WMI on 6.5L's truck, and since I'll be towing it seems like a good way to get some performance and also fight high EGTs while towing. I think this will go on the engine during the build so I can not be afraid to use any extra fuel that the new tune provides.
CAC/IC: I haven't looked at this too much, but I also like the idea of a charge cooler to help keep intake and EGT and ECT temps in check. I think this would be something to try maybe later in the year. I would love to do a before and after dyno comparison to see what it's worth. Because of packaging constraints I'm really interested in trying a water-to-air setup. I also like the idea that the tubing between the turbo and engine would be a lot shorter and hopefully minimize any possible lag.
Torque converter: I'm also going to have the trans rebuilt while the engine is out. I think my current one has a weak pump, and again, since I'm towing I want to have peace of mind there as well. My rebuild guy recommended Precision Torque Converter. Interestingly they offer a lower-than-stock stall speed option for heavy duty applications, but in talking with both Heath and Delta, they both recommended a stock stall speed and that makes sense to me.
Fuel: I already have all the parts to do a Raptor pump, remote fuel filter and Feed The Beast so those will certainly be going on when the engine goes in.
Cooling: I think I'm just going to do the fan clutch mod rather than buy the lower temp clutch Kennedy offers. Also, since I have a 97 I already have a pretty good blade, right? Since the engine will be out and empty of coolant I'm considering putting Evan's coolant in it. Sure it's pricey, but it sure sounds like good stuff. Plus if I don't get a new blade and clutch then that helps to offset the cost.
Pulley: I will be putting a new Delco pulley on the engine when I put it in.
I think that's it for now. Did I forget anything? Any suggestions? What about the cam??
I wasn't planning on doing this engine stuff this year, but now that my hand is kind of forced I'm pretty excited about it! Besides what good is credit if you can't use it to build a BA engine for your truck??
ps. Future upgrades: it would be cool to maybe try a Merlin pump from Heath or see if someone else has a strong DS4 pump, but I'm not sure if an Optimizer is strong enough for that much potential fuel or if that's getting into P400 territory. I know, probably optimistic power-wise, but aren't most of us 6.5 hot-rodders optimists?? I also love the idea of a custom center mount turbo with custom fabbed headers. The fab part of it doesn't scare me, but I'm still learning about turbos.... and since the truck is my current DD, it doesn't make sense to make it a guineau pig for such an experimental setup.
Sounds like a great build, and I hope that engine turns out to have a diamond in the lifter valley, and of course 90* heads. If it did, $3400 would be a steal! I love all your plans for your build, and wouldn't mind having a WMI on mine. 
