Escalade. Building a new supercharged engine...

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pmexpert

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Hey guys,
Decided to share my experience with piston slap I had. 6.2l 2008 Cadillac escalade with 40k on it.

Piston has been broken three times, three times the same cylinder. three times was replaced by the dealer free of charge, but they didn't solved the problem. So I decided to work with that by my own. Found good workshop I can trust and disassembled the engine. The reason for the "piston slap" was the thermal clearance between piston and sleeve. It was too big in one cylinder and that caused piston had space to play inside the cylinder to broke an upper part of it.
Here is the photo of my broken piston.
8048353e-6d2f-89d5.jpg


This is not good clearance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27Pvcy4cl0s

The reason for that is thin pistons GM use for many engines. Theirs size is too sensitive to the temperature. When they are cold, clearance is bigger, so pistons are making slaping noise. As soon as engine achieves normal tempreture, the clearance become normal, so no or realy quite sounds can be heard.

So after seeing all this decided to make an upgrade.
I've decided to make it supercharged :)

First of all I studied stock sleeves. They were looking terrible. Thin, with different wall thickness from side to side. So everything should start with the new Darton sleeves set.
So for the time being have lot of engine parts to start:
1. Darton sleeves
2. 416ci balanced stroker
Lunati crankshaft
Lunati H-beam rods
Wiseco pistons -15cc
Clevite bearings
3. Ferrea valves(stock size)
4. Lunati dual springs with titanium locks
5. CompCams push rods
6. CompCams rockers trunion kit
7. GM Performance lifters
8. GM Performance gaskets
9. ARP head studs kit
10. ATI damper
11. Trick Flow timing chain and gear set
12. CompCams camshaft 115 lsa
13. Dynamics fuel injectors 1000cc
14. 2*50mm blow off valves by TIAL
15. Vi-pec v88 engine controller
16. MAP, temp sensor
17. Walbro Fuel pumps 255lph and 400lph
18. Two superchargers Vortech V2 SQ Sci trim 17psi each
19. Fuel and air piping etc etc

So waiting for the stroker only to arrive in the end of next week, to start the process.

Now looking for parts for the gearbox and transfer case. Already ordered driveshaft.

But actually know nothing about stock rear axle.
How strong it is? Maybe somebody knows that?
 
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THE YETI

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Glad you finally got a supercharger. Can't wait to see it completed.
 
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pmexpert

pmexpert

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Hey Robbie,

I decided to have two of them to have more air for the engine.
Still thinking about water-methanol mix injection... No NOS, that is for sure


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pmexpert

pmexpert

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Wow I am truely amazed

Oh yeah) but I was really disappointed to find the reason for the engine noise by myself. The reason is absolutely clear and mechanics at the dealer should see that also, I'm more than sure about that. So they were lying to me saying that they cannot find the reason for broken piston...
 

THE YETI

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Twin supercharged.. Hmm.. Now that's an interesting concept.

Im not totally sure I've ever seen one aside from the twin TVS-1900 charged Avalanche from awhile ago. I think he kept snapping belts or something, I can't recall.

Did all those parts ever make it to you?
 
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pmexpert

pmexpert

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Twin supercharged.. Hmm.. Now that's an interesting concept.

Im not totally sure I've ever seen one aside from the twin TVS-1900 charged Avalanche from awhile ago. I think he kept snapping belts or something, I can't recall.

Did all those parts ever make it to you?

Yep, I've build up a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO engine with two Rotrex superchargers before. That's why I decided to use ViPec controller. It is much more easier to tune and control an engine with it.


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johnsoex

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In for a penny in for a pound. Get the meth. Cheap insurance. It's only a few hundred bucks more although you may need 2 pumps, and a 5 gallon reservoir cause you'll be running though it with 2 blowers!

I use the AEM pump and controller and I have been pleased with the results. I'll try and post a pic later.

I didn't see anything about your tranny or a converter. You have a 6l80 right?
 
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pmexpert

pmexpert

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In for a penny in for a pound. Get the meth. Cheap insurance. It's only a few hundred bucks more although you may need 2 pumps, and a 5 gallon reservoir cause you'll be running though it with 2 blowers!

I use the AEM pump and controller and I have been pleased with the results. I'll try and post a pic later.

I didn't see anything about your tranny or a converter. You have a 6l80 right?

Yeah, you are right water-meth injection is next step.
As for the fuel system, installing two bosch44 fuel pumps for two fuel rails and 0,5" fuel pipes. the stock pump has to move the fuel from main tank to reservoir only.
Controller connects to the Motec m800(instead of ViPec v88)
Waiting for your pics!

Tranny and t-case are next steps also. You are right, I have 6L80.
Need to understand the average power produced by the engine, to choose tranny type. In the beginning was thinking to swap on performance 4L80, but now decided to go with "Level10", to make 6L80 tranny and t-case BW 4484. So they are also waiting for numbers from my side.
 

johnsoex

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I'm a fan of the 4l80. Strong as hell. Here's the pics of the meth under the hood. The reservoir fit perfectly where the spare battery would go. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1347991495.820185.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1347991505.920994.jpg
 
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pmexpert

pmexpert

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I'm a fan of the 4l80. Strong as hell. Here's the pics of the meth under the hood. The reservoir fit perfectly where the spare battery would go. View attachment 18141View attachment 18142

Level10 is ready to build up an enforced 6L80 transmission(together with transfer case) that can work with 1000hp engine. And Denny's is ready to build a new driveshaft. So let's see :) i still hope to use this esky for daily driving, so think to have 6 speed gearbox is more useful for me. And hope new 1000cc fuel injectors will give good idle also.
Actually, if I'd start a new project with another esky, I'd start with LSx short block... Darton sleeves are really good, but too complicated technically to install them right.
As for the meth, I'll see the numbers of Hp and Torque engine will show on a dyno. The potential of two superchargers approximately 34psi so that can be more than enough not to use any power adders like meth or nitrous.
Hope to build everything on a stock ECM, but if it will be impossible, I already bought the latest Motec M800 with all harness to control the engine. But in this case it will be a real headache to combine it with TCM, VCM, ABS system etc.
 
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pmexpert

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Hmmm...actually it took longer than I expected. The engine is running well now:))
During the process the concept has changed to twinTurbo application. Two superchargers on one belt was not the right decision in the beginning. Belt is burning actually in action. So if somebody will decide to built that, need to use short tooth belt instead of rib one.
So in the end we have 416ci twinturbo engine and the list of parts installed looks impressive :))

Block
LSX short block (GM Performance Parts)
Lunati crankshaft (416ci)
Lunati rods
Wiseco pistons
ATI damper
Clevite bearings
ARP lugs and nuts

Heads
CompCams camshaft .588/.588
Ferrea valves
Lunati valve springs
CompCams trunnion kit
CompCams pushrods
Rollers GM Performance
Cometics gaskets
ARP lugs and nuts
TrickFlow timing chain set
Durabond bearings
Melling high performance oil pump
NGK spark plugs
MSD wires

Fuel system
2*BOSCH 044 fuel pumps
Automotive Industries fuel pump brackets
Holley fuel rails
AEM pressure control
Injector Dynamics 1000cc fuel injectors
Aeromotive secondary fuel pump 400lph

Intake
Twin turbo Garrett GTX35 1.03 A/R VBand
Wastegates TIAL 44mm VBand
BLow off valves TIAL 50mm VBand
Holley EFI intake
Water to Air intercooler(custom)

Exhaust
Custom headers
Corsa muffler
SW 2*mufflers

Suspension
Arnott/Bilstein struts
DJM bars
Eibach springs 2" drop
PU bushings

Brake system
Superbrakes 6/4
DBA rotors 410mm
Ferodo DS2500

Here is the first engine start made monthes ago: http://youtu.be/ye5CqiQb2FM

Today the engine works with lightly modified transmission, so waiting for the new transmission built.
Also I've ordered new 3.73 axle gears instead of 3.42 stock size and new ls differential lock. So...will see, it should have even better dynamic with the current tranny :)
 
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Smoove

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wow that pretty crazy man. I am glad you ended up going to turbines instead of blowers. The cost of power to spin them,..I think wouldn't outweigh the novelty of it. Cool idea but, I think you went far better with your current choice of twinturbos. Is that a TRICK kit? Or custom? It looks like a sweet layout, kinda thinking about using a set of twins I have laying around for mine as well(tahoe).

Looking forward to seeing more of this beast. One thing though, any reason why your going with MORE gear? I would imagine the thing is gonna be a torque monster to begin with on 3.42's...?


Again, badass man!! :headbang:

Hmmm...actually it took longer than I expected. The engine is running well now:))
During the process the concept has changed to twinTurbo application. Two superchargers on one belt was not the right decision in the beginning. Belt is burning actually in action. So if somebody will decide to built that, need to use short tooth belt instead of rib one.
So in the end we have 416ci twinturbo engine and the list of parts installed looks impressive :))

Block
LSX short block (GM Performance Parts)
Lunati crankshaft (416ci)
Lunati rods
Wiseco pistons
ATI damper
Clevite bearings
ARP lugs and nuts

Heads
CompCams camshaft .588/.588
Ferrea valves
Lunati valve springs
CompCams trunnion kit
CompCams pushrods
Rollers GM Performance
Cometics gaskets
ARP lugs and nuts
TrickFlow timing chain set
Durabond bearings
Melling high performance oil pump
NGK spark plugs
MSD wires

Fuel system
2*BOSCH 044 fuel pumps
Automotive Industries fuel pump brackets
Holley fuel rails
AEM pressure control
Injector Dynamics 1000cc fuel injectors
Aeromotive secondary fuel pump 400lph

Intake
Twin turbo Garrett GTX35 1.03 A/R VBand
Wastegates TIAL 44mm VBand
BLow off valves TIAL 50mm VBand
Holley EFI intake
Water to Air intercooler(custom)

Exhaust
Custom headers
Corsa muffler
SW 2*mufflers

Suspension
Arnott/Bilstein struts
DJM bars
Eibach springs 2" drop
PU bushings

Brake system
Superbrakes 6/4
DBA rotors 410mm
Ferodo DS2500

Here is the first engine start made monthes ago: http://youtu.be/ye5CqiQb2FM

Today the engine works with lightly modified transmission, so waiting for the new transmission built.
Also I've ordered new 3.73 axle gears instead of 3.42 stock size and new ls differential lock. So...will see, it should have even better dynamic with the current tranny :)
 

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