"Hot" Side Unboxing - Twin Turbo Install

[RThomasII]

So after a bunch of debating back and forth between various forced induction options, I finally decided to pull the trigger on the Armageddon Twin Turbo System for the Caddy. The "Hot" side just arrived. Still waiting on the Turbos and "cold" side to be delivered. Will be dropping everything off at the coaters on Monday to get the hot side ceramic coated. Hopefully that will keep the under hood temps down a bit.

I also plan to update this thread as progress continues. Kinda boring right now I know but I'm super excited to FINALLY get this project off the ground.

Any questions.... Feel free to ask....

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Looking forward to reading your update posts on this project.

 

[TollKeeper]

Subscribing for updates!

 

[BlackYukon]

So after a bunch of debating back a forth between various forced induction options, I finally decided to pull the trigger on the Armageddon Twin Turbo System for the Caddy. The "Hot" side just arrived. Still waiting on the Turbos and "cold" side to be delivered. Will be dropping everything off at the coaters on Monday to get the hot side ceramic coated. Hopefully that will keep the under hood temps down a bit.

I also plan to update this thread as progress continues. Kinda boring right now I know but I'm super excited to FINALLY get this project off the ground.

Any questions.... Feel free to ask....

View attachment 347534

What made you go with turbos over a supercharger? No hate, just curious since I plan on getting some kind of forced induction in the near future.

 

[RThomasII]

I spent a lot of time doing research, watching YT videos, etc. 1st. The Armageddon kit seems to be made up with high quality parts. 2nd. Without getting all techie, the system seems to make pretty decent WHP and torque numbers on low boost. I've got a certain HP number in mind and after talking it over with my tuner I'm hopeful we can get there while still leaving power on the table in a effort to keep everything safe.

The other thing is... Honestly... I didn't really have a plan going into mods with the Escalade so I've burned up a lot of time and money trying to get situated the way I want. Using the Esky experience as a "lesson learned", I actually have a future project in the works that I'll probably end up supercharging so it came down to deciding to do something different with the Caddy. Plus the turbo options for the future project didn't look as high quality as the Armageddon kit. If that makes sense.

Last thing is I kept hearing Whipple was launching a Gen V 3.0 for the '15 to '20 but it doesn't seem like it was coming anytime soon so I just went this route.

 

[BlackYukon]

I spent a lot of time doing research, watching YT videos, etc. 1st. The Armageddon kit seems to be made up with high quality parts. 2nd. Without getting all techie, the system seems to make pretty decent WHP and torque numbers on low boost. I've got a certain HP number in mind and after talking it over with my tuner I'm hopeful we can get there while still leaving power on the table in a effort to keep everything safe.

The other thing is... Honestly... I didn't really have a plan going into mods with the Escalade so I've burned up a lot of time and money trying to get situated the way I want. Using the Esky experience as a "lesson learned", I actually have a future project in the works that I'll probably end up supercharging so it came down to deciding to do something different with the Caddy. Plus the turbo options for the future project didn't look as high quality as the Armageddon kit. If that makes sense.

Last thing is I kept hearing Whipple was launching a Gen V 3.0 for the '15 to '20 but it doesn't seem like it was coming anytime soon so I just went this route.

That makes sense. I plan on waiting for the Magnuson/Whipple 3.0 to come out but I'v been keeping my options open. Looking forward to your progress on this build.

 

[CMoore711]

The Armageddon kits are nice. They have really good symmetry and dare I say look about as “OEM” as an aftermarket turbo kit could look. They do consist of high quality components and you can tell they put the R&D into their hot and cold side pipe routing and plumbing.

For me I’m just torn on the power delivery to weight ratio of our SUVs. It just seems that immediate torque from a supercharger would suit our heavier rigs better than the spool of a turbo set-up. That being said, turbos are more efficient and have a much higher ceiling of power potential.

I’ll be following this thread for sure. Very interested to see what boost and power levels you can achieve on the stock block/internals. In addition to usable power on the street for day to day use.

Congrats on pulling the trigger. Cheers to a smooth install and tune experience!

 

[gat0r]

can always add the whipple Gen V 3.0 to the armageddon kit later

 

[RThomasII]

Just a quick update....

Picking the headers and downpipes up from the ceramic coaters today. I just went with satin black... Nothing special there. Also, Armageddon shipped the remainder of the kit on a pallet over the weekend. Assuming everything arrives on time, I should be dropping off to the installer on September 27th. Delays in part availability at Armageddon and my daughters graduation from Naval Station Great Lakes boot camp this past weekend pushed out my timeline a bit.

Now I just need to figure out gauges and a gauge pod to mount everything up and still look somewhat oem. Thinking TurboSmart and Aeroforce but still undecided at the moment.

 

[CMoore711]

You're less than a week away from install!

Really looking forward to hearing your feedback on the day to day drivability and how much power you end up with. It's going to be a whole new truck.

Curious to see how the kit fits out of the box or if there are any items that have to be adjusted or changed in order to complete the install.
Sounds like you're dropping it off at a local performance shop for the installation; Assuming this isn't their first rodeo installing boost onto GM LT/LS platforms...
How familiar are they with the Armageddon Turbo kits? Have they installed any of them before?
Is Armageddon providing your installer/tuner with a "starter" tune file or is the shop going to install and tune it themselves?
Did Armageddon make any recommendations as to the max amount of boost you should run on a stock 6.2 L86 and stock 10 speed transmission?
You mention in the first post you've had conversation with your tuner; Have they given you any maximum recommendations for boost pressure?
Your motor is all stock right? As well as your 10 speed transmission?
Curious to see how well the 10 speed holds up to the extra power and maintains daily drivability. Has your tuner mentioned anything about the trans tune or recommended % of torque management to keep the trans alive?

Sorry for all the questions. Just not too many people throwing twin turbos on the K2XX SUV's!

 

[RThomasII]

The "cold side" and turbos just showed up. I'll go through everything for inspection this evening after I'm done with work but here are a few pics I managed to take in between Teams meetings....

Enjoy!

 

[TollKeeper]

Gonna go for the Cleeter look? (turbos sticking out of the hood)

 

[RThomasII]

More pics....

 

[RThomasII]

Gonna go for the Cleeter look? (turbos sticking out of the hood)

Trying to keep this build as "OEM" looking as possible....

 

[fozzi58]

Last thing is I kept hearing Whipple was launching a Gen V 3.0 for the '15 to '20 but it doesn't seem like it was coming anytime soon so I just went this route.

I didnt bother waiting and went for the Whipple 2.9. Not sure the 3.0 will even come out as they are focused on the Ford 3.0 at the moment.

For me I’m just torn on the power delivery to weight ratio of our SUVs. It just seems that immediate torque from a supercharger would suit our heavier rigs better than the spool of a turbo set-up. That being said, turbos are more efficient and have a much higher ceiling of power potential.

I'm on a fresh install of a 2.9 with a temp tune (waiting on BBP) and I can say that power delivery is insane on the bottom end. So much so, that if the motor is colder, shifting into 2nd gear overpowers the traction control to the point where it spins into 2nd gear. Mind you, this is a 5.3 with 3.08s out back.

Now I just need to figure out gauges and a gauge pod to mount everything up and still look somewhat oem. Thinking TurboSmart and Aeroforce but still undecided at the moment.

I took a look at both of those. If you have a preference between the two, I would go Aeroforce. I just went with the Glowshift option. They make a black or tan triple A pillar pod. I'm put in a boost gauge and temp gauge for my intercooler system. Also bought a blank gauge for the 3rd hole cause I dont need it yet.

I looked at the Armageddon kit. Its sick and is very good quality. The only reason I didnt go that route was because I went with full exhaust before deciding to go boost...and I'm never lucky enough to sell used parts. Your build is going to be insane. Looking forward to seeing it.

If my planets align (probably 3 years from now) I'm going a little bit different route. Keeping the Whipple but going to do a rear mount turbo for compound boost when I am ready to pull the motor and do the bottom end. The turbo's spool lag will be more than overcompensated by the whipple, and when the whipple's power drops off at about 5k rpm, the turbo will be full on.

 

[RThomasII]

Apologize in advance for the lack of pics since I know the rule of thumb around here is if there are no pics then it didn't happen but....

Update... Finally dropped the Esky off at the shop this morning to start the twin turbo install. The original install date got pushed (again) because we were waiting on the downpipe-to-Kook's Y-pipe adapters.

I also ended up ordering Aeroforce Interceptor, Turbosmart e-boost2 boost controller, and a Autometer 2 gauge A-Pillar pod to take care of monitoring duties. I already know the Turbosmart won't fit the gauge port so I'm hoping that the fix is as easy a opening up the hole a bit.

I also got talked into doing exhaust cutouts which was something I left off the original build design because I felt like I'd never use them. Hoping my only regret will be the additional hit to my wallet.

I'm planning to swing by the shop a few times a week to check progress until the install is done. I'll post pics as they come.

 

[RThomasII]

Install progress. Everything is SLOWLY coming together. Also, I will probably ditch the EBoost2 and go with a AEM Tru-Boost instead.

 

[Ghost10]

Sub

 

[RThomasII]

Charge pipes and down pipes being test fit. It's TIGHT!! Also finished up the oil pan modifications and started running the oil lines. Custom catback/cutout exhaust work should be starting soon. Unfortunately, ran into a intercooler fitment issue getting past the radiator on the driver's side so we're working through that as well.

Forgot to snap pics of everything completed to date but here's an updated shot of the engine bay for your viewing pleasure....

 

[Colby_e32]

This is an awesome build! what type of HP numbers are you expecting at the rear?