"Hot" Side Unboxing - Twin Turbo Install

[iamdub]

What's the latest on your build?

He's waiting on the Federal Reserve to print him more money.

 

[randeez]

He's waiting on the Federal Reserve to print him more money.

I was thinking man I didn't get nearly enough stimi money to turbo my truck...but I was on a project and one of the electricians had like 7 kids, dude got like 12.5k on one of those rounds

 

[RThomasII]

You guys are funny!! Wasn't waiting on the Feds to print more money but I could use a winning lotto ticket because this deal is WAAAAAY over budget at this point. I'm legit broke behind this build.

I ended up turning the engine rebuild over to a pro shop because there were a few issues that I felt were beyond my capabilities. Heat was still an issue even though I ceramic coated the hell out of everything and also had to re-route a couple of A/C lines and a couple of harnesses to keep stuff from getting burned up. Also, parts availability still sucks post pandemic. Parts showing in stock is still taking 8 to 12 weeks or more to actually get delivered. So some parts on my original build list ended up getting swapped out for what I could get my hands on. That said.... The Esky is back together and scheduled for a dyno session later this week. Hoping to have it back in my driveway for good by Monday next week.

Quick parts list (nothing special):

GPI drop in pistons
Callies compstar rods
BTR stage 2 twin turbo cam
Conical valve spring kit
Chromoly 3/8 pushrods
Cadillac racing lifters
VVT lock out kit
DOD plug kit
Brisk plugs
Vibrant Catch Can
Other odds and ends as needed

 

[Thrust]

Good to hear you have things straightened out. With all projects there are certain things that you just can't see until you get into it. Look forward to hearing about the numbers. I'm sure you will enjoy surprising alot of people on the street when they get walked by a big SUV.

 

[2017_RPMDenali]

Silly question, where are you located? Looking for some tuning help, was wondering you is helping you tune that ESKY

 

[RThomasII]

Silly question, where are you located? Looking for some tuning help, was wondering you is helping you tune that ESKY

I'm in Maryland. DMV area. Fantasy Factory Performance, Pasadena, MD did the tuning.

 

[RThomasII]

Fantasy Factory Performance on Instagram: "The @armageddonturbo twin turbo Escalade got some serious upgrades. Built motor,custom Cam,and more Boost! This thing absolutely rips! The guys over at @witsendfab247 sent us a hell of a foundation but as g

Fantasy Factory Performance shared a post on Instagram: "The @armageddonturbo twin turbo Escalade got some serious upgrades. Built motor,custom Cam,and more Boost! This thing absolutely rips! The guys over at @witsendfab247 sent us a hell of a foundation but as gear heads we naturally need...

www.instagram.com

Instagram post from the tuner of my Esky.....

 

[CMoore711]

You guys are funny!! Wasn't waiting on the Feds to print more money but I could use a winning lotto ticket because this deal is WAAAAAY over budget at this point. I'm legit broke behind this build.

I ended up turning the engine rebuild over to a pro shop because there were a few issues that I felt were beyond my capabilities. Heat was still an issue even though I ceramic coated the hell out of everything and also had to re-route a couple of A/C lines and a couple of harnesses to keep stuff from getting burned up. Also, parts availability still sucks post pandemic. Parts showing in stock is still taking 8 to 12 weeks or more to actually get delivered. So some parts on my original build list ended up getting swapped out for what I could get my hands on. That said.... The Esky is back together and scheduled for a dyno session later this week. Hoping to have it back in my driveway for good by Monday next week.

Quick parts list (nothing special):

GPI drop in pistons
Callies compstar rods
BTR stage 2 twin turbo cam
Conical valve spring kit
Chromoly 3/8 pushrods
Cadillac racing lifters
VVT lock out kit
DOD plug kit
Brisk plugs
Vibrant Catch Can
Other odds and ends as needed

What were the new dyno results from this round of mods?

Were you able to safely turn up the boost at all?

 

[RThomasII]

What were the new dyno results from this round of mods?

Were you able to safely turn up the boost at all?

It made 698hp on 10lbs of boost. Pretty close to where it was before the engine upgrades happened. It's going back in for an oil change and re-tune at the end of the month. We decided not to make too many changes until after we cleared the engine break-in. I'll post the retune dyno results once that happens.

 

[Tonyrodz]

It made 698hp on 10lbs of boost. Pretty close to where it was before the engine upgrades happened. It's going back in for an oil change and re-tune at the end of the month. We decided not to make too many changes until after we cleared the engine break-in. I'll post the retune dyno results once that happens.

Nice! Would you have a video of it on the dyno?

 

[RThomasII]

Nice! Would you have a video of it on the dyno?

No sir. I've got a few dyno clips posted on You Tube but nothing taken after this latest rounds of upgrades. I know "if there is no pic or video then it didn't happen" so I'm planning to get new video and dyno sheets when we re-tune.

 

[CMoore711]

That torque tho…. You’re first dyno it was a torque monster!

I’ve had mixed experiences with “break in periods” on newly built motors.

One time I followed the break-in instructions to a T and the motor developed very noticeable piston slap before the 2nd oil change.

Then another time I skipped the break-in period (same exact type motor and build as first one) and just ran it like it stole it immediately. That one ended up being one of the smoothest quietest LS motors I ran.
M

 

[RAMurphy]

I'm in Maryland. DMV area. Fantasy Factory Performance, Pasadena, MD did the tuning.

Where in Maryland? I'm in southern Maryland - looks about 2 hours from where you got your beast tuned. Crazy horsepower. Wow.

 

[RThomasII]

Where in Maryland? I'm in southern Maryland - looks about 2 hours from where you got your beast tuned. Crazy horsepower. Wow.

I'm in Howard County.

I would give Fantasy Factory a call anyway. Based on my experience these local guys don't really advertise but seem to all pretty much know each other so they may be able to point you in the direction of someone closer to you.

 

[RAMurphy]

I'm in Howard County.

I would give Fantasy Factory a call anyway. Based on my experience these local guys don't really advertise but seem to all pretty much know each other so they may be able to point you in the direction of someone closer to you.

I'm building a LQ9+ for my 2002 Tahoe. Nothing as beastly as your build, but I would be curious what I achieved with my build.

 

[Time2Kill]

Any updates? I'm looking to do exactly the same build. GPI drop in pistons, cam, LT4 fuel system and the Armageddon turbo kit.

 

[RThomasII]

Back on the dyno yesterday for another tuning session and to dial in the transmission after installing the unlocked TCM. Didn't get too aggressive with the tune this time (turned it down from last time on the dyno) but still made 679/766 and runs like a champ now. I'm going to leave it alone for a bit and maybe look for another round of upgrades once my wallet is in a little better position financially. For everyone wondering if I would do it all over again, the answer is "F^CK NO!!". Too expensive and too stressful. If I had to do over I would look for a low miles v3 CTS-V to mod out instead.

 

[CMoore711]

Glad to see it back together and running healthy! Hopefully you'll get to spend more time with it in the drivers' seat than in the shop!

What all was involved in unlocking the TCM for the 10 speed?
Did you have to send it out to get that done?
Once you got it back I assume it was then tunable through HPTuners?

 

[sealandsky]

I would also like to hear more about your TCM unlock and reprogramming experience. I'm interested in pursuing that on my 2019 with 10 speed.

 

[RThomasII]

Glad to see it back together and running healthy! Hopefully you'll get to spend more time with it in the drivers' seat than in the shop!

What all was involved in unlocking the TCM for the 10 speed?
Did you have to send it out to get that done?
Once you got it back I assume it was then tunable through HPTuners?

HP Tuners has a form on their website. Basically you select your trans and enter your VIN and I assume they send a new unlocked TCM unit. In my case HP Tuners reached out gave instructions for sending my unit to them. They worked whatever unlock magic that they do and sent it back. Turn-around time for me was about two weeks. The cost was $400. I'm not sure of the exact reason my TCM had to be shipped but there were several atypical issues that needed to be dealt with along the way so I just lumped it in with the rest of the unfortunate incidents. I was on travel for work when the tune/TCM tune took place so I can't really speak to what took place during the actual dyno session. Also the reason I don't have any new dyno video. I will say the thing drives a LOT better now. Overall driving manners are way closer to stock than it was before the trans tune.