Turbo 3800 blazer

BMFB

BMFB

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Re: Turbo 3800 blazer

so far so good onthe exhaust, I've passed at least 4 cops with no complaints yet.

I recently found out I had no rear brakes, and fixed the issue with 90 inches of new brake line running to the rear. Pedal feels good, stops pretty well. Outstopped a buddy's blazer and he narrowly avoided rear ending me tonight. I've been driving it around most of this last week and its not all bad, the interior lights are incredibly usefull, especially because putting harnesses on in the dark is a bitch. The heater, although not great, is enough to keep the windsheild cleared and me pretty warm, although I will have to wear better socks next time I do hours of driving.

The other day I was driving to a friends house and loss oil pressure. Idle went from 40 psi to 32-36, and cruise pressure went from 60 to 45. I drained the oil and gave it the all clear, although I am still perplexed. I checked the turbo and it looks great, it seems like I have a huge hemorrhage of oil somewhere in the motor. Thoughts so far point to a lifter, and its making a sound similar to that, but not when it should be for the typical collapsed lifter. tomorrow I am going to go through and see what I can find out, I;ve been driving it all around and put at least 200 miles on it since this started so, I have a hard time believing its a rod.

I've worked on the cranking issue with some success, although I am not finished with it yet....I've been chasing my tail with all of my other issues.

some pics I found on fb of me tonight.

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Logan

Logan

Member
Re: Turbo 3800 blazer

Being from the land of beer fueled totally awesome redneck ideas I have seen second gen F body cars on jacked up blazer frames, pretty much any imaginable 4wd set up that can be done and any number of ridiculous things done to vehicles. Out of all of that this is the coolest project I have seen yet. It looks like pure fun. Keep it up man.
 
BMFB

BMFB

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Re: Turbo 3800 blazer

Thanks man!

Today I managed to install power steering. This may sound small but I have been driving it around for 6 months now without it and its a huge change. although its cold out and the tires on it have alot of roll I was finally able to get an idea of what this thing is going to feel like aggressively turning, and it feels pretty good. I've only tried a few but, it seems to have great initiation lunge into a corner followed by a slight amount of oversteer. Not alot of roll, at least what Im used to (typhoon)

started having a miss, probably when I re-cut the spark plug wires..right before the miss started... I need to look at it still.

I got my second fuel pump back in the mail so I need to get that re-installed.
 
BMFB

BMFB

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Re: Turbo 3800 blazer

Alright, pretty good day.

First, I went through alot trying to track down my miss.

First, I got my knock sensor system working the right way, and it was pointing to cyl 6. I thought this was odd because that was NOT one of the cylinders that I messed with ignition wise. I pulled #6 plug wire and the miss stayed on 6 so, I figured it knew what it was talking about.

First, I replaced #6 plug wire, no luck. Then I swapped 6 and 4 plugs, still on 6. Then I swapped coils and again, the issue persisted on 6. I did a compression test on 6 and it passed with no issues. I then swapped fuel injectors from 6 to 2 and the issue disappeared (check resistance of the coils while I was at it, passed) thought maybe it was a wiring issue and called it a night (last night) today I started it and the miss was back...except this time it was on 2...

I pulled the injector out today and looked at it. It looked clean. I pulled the fuel filter, it also looked clean. I took the injector, stood it upside down and sprayed carb cleaned into it and this black metallic shit came out onto a clean rag I was screening with. I checked it out otherwise, backflushed it, and decided that was the best i could do. I pulled the other 5 off and did the same thing. Some of this black material came out, but not nearly as much as what was in 6. I started it up and took it down a drive down the road. Its as good as new...no issues at all.
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This bothers me because the filter looks great. then again...6 is the first injector coming off of the fuel pressure regulator...I may have to keep my eye on this and look for something to swap that out with as a precaution.

While I was at it, and the tank was empty..I decided to put my second pump back in. lucky for me, this is a suprisingly easy task.

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I dont have tiny jackstands, and it help to keep this thing close to the ground for this job

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ten minutes later...

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1 minute later

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Single pump Ive been running

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double pump back together.

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to those that ask "how does that double pump shit fit into the tank" the answer is BAD

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but, it does fit

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I then decided to pull the steering box off and replace it with the tighter ratio box off of an xtreme blazer. This is simular to what I use in my typhoon and it makes a world of differance.

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old vs new

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I then ate a pizza

new box in and working
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there seems to be a drag turning left. I am hoping this is just some air in the line but...im scared. While I was in there I replaced the pitman arm, as mine was totally boned. The steering is now what I would call acceptable. I still have an idler arm to put in...I also knocked my clamp off of my 4x4 lock device that keep it in awd mode. I went to load it a bit to see if the motor was still running correctly and did a massive burn out. just shifting to gear with the brakes on is enough for a half a turn out of the rear tires. the front wheels pulling me is a very important thing on this truck it seems...
 
BMFB

BMFB

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Re: Turbo 3800 blazer

Shortly after that last post the miss returned and I tore the entire fuel system apart to find its source

What I found was that my fuel filter was somewhat backed up, but that it had a bypass built in to allow fuel to flow freely past the filter once there was roughly a 4 lb difference from one side of the filter to another...which isnt much of a window...

I took the fuel rail apart and it was slightly goo'd with the black goo that sometimes comes from e85, but a very thin coating. The fuel pressure reg was a different story though...It was blocked nearly entirely with what looked like old paper filter from the previous owner. Could be wrong about that, but they were pretty large chunks of stuff that I dont think could have come from anywhere in the fuel system. On top of that it was so backed up it ripped part of the screen mesh that acted as a slight filter to the reg allowing that crap into the rail.

Tank still looked new. So I decided to completly re-do my upper fuel system.

I managed to get an oem flex fuel filter spliced into my fuel line using a few fittings from summit. I was happy I was able to keep the quick disconnect...

A friend put together a nifty injector backflow tool out of some fittings and garbage I had laying around. using that, a can of carb cleaner and a half bridge rectifier I was able to back flow the injectors and clean them out. they all seemed to work well. We decided to hook up the 'bad' injector and put cleaner through it in the normal direction to looks at the spray and compared it to a known good injector, and it looked good. I was suprised that with just the pressure from a can of carb cleaner it would spray a mist 20 feet.

I also got a 'new' fuel rail and FPR. I took the fpr off and made sure it was clean, oiled up the rings and put it back on. I reinstalled everything and fired it. Everything seemed good, although I had a small fuel leak forma filter adapter that I fixed by installing an o-ring...

I changed the oil, and although it had a taint of yellow it looked alot better. I let it sit over night to let any water that might be in it settle to the bottom, and I was happy to see no water come out of it. This is after me doing ALOT of pressure testing to the coolant system. I held 17 psi on the cooling system for at least 3 hours, and found a few external leaks but apparently no internal ones. I suspect the yellow tinge is left over residue that I hope to vacate by the next oil change (sometime this week).

After driving it around for at least 20 miles all seems well thus far. The oil pressure is good, and the motor seems to be running very well. I am hoping it goes for at least a week with no major issues...

Ill try to get some pics posted up of a few of the mods.
 
BMFB

BMFB

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Re: Turbo 3800 blazer

Everything seems to be in good shape still for the most part. Had an issue with one of the front tires....so I had to replace all of the lug studs. I also managed to get a set of snow tires and rims and it seems to be pretty fun.

The state police are not fans of the HS. I got pulled over and they gave me a laundry list of things they did not approve of, most of which is the exhuast. They seemed also against the lack of rear bumper, second rear view mirror, speedo, and the general dilapidation of the vehicle citing it as 'unfit for the highway'. They didn't buy my excuse of 'I bought it like this and I drive it to work and I don't understand' although they did let me go home.

I have purchased a rear bumper cover from some guy on craigslst. Its metallic purple and I'm not against the way it looks, I guess.

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Afriend of mine got it mounted on there while I fixed the fuel filter. Its got a couple bolts on it and those zip ties were kinda to keep it from flopping. It included a light for the licence plate that...I really should install to avoid future meets with the state boys....I may just drill a hole in the gate and mount the light above where the plate exists now and call it good, I would rather have the plate screwed into the tail gate then into that plastic roll pan.

My fuel filter started leaking, but after a quick look I could see that the sealing o ring wasnt seated correctly, probably due to me over tightning it. I installed it with a touch of ass. lube, and put it in just about a half turn past finger tight and it seems to be happier now.

A friend of mine gave me those chrome rims, and the tires are somewhere between on loan and purchased.

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pretty aggressive looking snow tires, they seem to just go through anything so im all for it.

The rear shock got damaged, I think due in part to the shit I was driving through and to its new found lowness. I need to do something with the mount and get a new shock. bummer.

I purchased an electric oil pressure gauge that I am going to try an retro-fit into a fuel pressure gauge. I believe today me and a friend are going to try an get a bit more exhaust on it.
 
BMFB

BMFB

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Re: Turbo 3800 blazer

scolded mostly. He threatened to tow it because of the exhaust and lack of bumper but he just let me go.

I managed to get my hands on a 4 inch areo-turbine diesel muffler tonight for a good price. I did a mock and it takes alot of the edge off and alot of the drone out of it, so I figure that plus another couple feet of pipe should make the sound police happier. I also went out and finally installed my center rear view mirror. tomorrow I hope to actually get the muffler and such mounted, and with that I should be able to keep under the radar.
 
Beavis

Beavis

Still plays with trucks
Re: Turbo 3800 blazer

Well, at least you made it out ticket free. Thats a good day there.
 
BMFB

BMFB

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Re: Turbo 3800 blazer

oh yea the best. Im kinda glad it happened really. Its a good kick inthe ass to get some of the stuff like that done. I seem to just keep putting the 'legal' stuff off so, this has been good. The only thing I need to really fix now (besides the stuff I plan on getting done today) would be the blinkers/parking lights.
 
BMFB

BMFB

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Re: Turbo 3800 blazer

I havnt been able to get in the garage since last post due to buick paintjob, so far all Ive really done is get a licence plate light installed and change some tires around. I also lifted the front end about a half inch, which actually really improved rebound.

So, I finally made it to my first event with the truck. I trailored it there just because it was so far away and frankly, I dont trust it yet. The event was a furrin group ice race on turk lake. Only issues I had all day was the breaking of a rear shock mount, and the sudden realization that my oil dipstick does not seal into the tube. The truck did very well, it drove well, and I had the second fastest time overal, trailing by under 2 seconds on a 1 minute coarse. If you look at my times you can see each time I do better, mainly because it was my first time ever driving the truck like this, or doing anything on a frozen lake.

some pics!

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first practice run, this was me recovering from a spin. spun once and starter to spin again then caught tration right here and brought it back and kept speed. I had an old lady tell me it was beautiful.

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I think this was from earier in that spin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRxR4KTqxcA&feature=youtu.be
video from maybe my first timed run so, it was my slowest.

results for a comparison
http://www.furrin.org/Results/tabid/56/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/117/Default.aspx

I am going to fix the rear shocks this week and be back out there again this saturday.
 
BMFB

BMFB

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Re: Turbo 3800 blazer

I'm going to try to. My issue is gettin gboth this truck and the typhoon down there. I am thiking about putting a trailor hitch on this and towing the typhoon down. its either that or I need to locate some kind of sweet two truck trailor, or aquire a buddy willing to tow one of my trucks down with me.
 
B

bigmileage

Member
Re: Turbo 3800 blazer

Are you on ClubGP by chance? I swear I've seen that blazer somewhere else, maybe that thread about the guy and his TBSS ice racing?

The mighty 3800, one of the best engines GM ever built, 25+psi on a otherwise stock 3800 still amazes me. I've been ramming 15psi plus in my Regal for years now.
 
BMFB

BMFB

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Re: Turbo 3800 blazer

yea the guy in the tbss is a friend of mine, I think he usually goes by 'darkhorizon'. He also had a blast running the lake in his tbss and I think hes been spreaking it around. I don't think I have an account on clubgp though.

But yea the motors are pretty neat. I dont know if he talks about it on clubgp but he has one of the faster fieros in the country. Put down a 10.04 @ 143 last summer with a 1.6 60'. I based the motor in this truck around his, except with a bigger turbo and cam.

link that clubgp thread
 
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