LS1-Sonoma GT build (updated with pics)

super-gt

New member
Re: LS1-Sonoma GT build (updated with pics)

Time to start the thread back up! Time for more horsepower!

So just to recap: The motor is an 98 internally stock LS1. It has long tube headers with 3 inch dual exhaust. Other than that the engine its self has no other mods.......So let's change that.

Started tearing into the truck again last Sunday to make room under the hood for the beast of a blower pictured above^^^


This time around, all of the modifications will be focused on the engine for the most part since It's just about the only thing left to be modified and I'm quite happy with the looks/suspension for the time being.


So the mod list for this project will be as follows:
-Kenne Bell 2.6Liter twin screw blower
-85MM MAF
-95MM throttle body
-Larger Bosch 044 external fuel pump replacing my little external MSD pump
-Running larger braided steel fuel feed and return lines
-Mototron 60LB injectors
-Changing out the rear gears to 3.25's from 3.89's.
-Methanol injection kit
-Upgrading to a larger intercooler reservoir tank as well

Forgot my camera today at my dad's so pictures of the progress so far will be showing up tomorrow. But I figured I'd bring this thread back from the dead! Stay tuned.

-Taylor
 

super-gt

New member
Re: LS1-Sonoma GT build (updated with pics)

Hey guys, Quick update for ya so you can see where we are at currently.

First thing was to start tearing into the engine. So at this point, the intake manifold and related parts are off. Also decided to go ahead and just pull out all of the windshield wiper crap to free up some engine bay space additionally.
Picture054.jpg


Also got the rear end all disassembled and ready for the rear gear swap (Out with the 3.89's, in with the 3.25's).
Picture056.jpg


The latest thing we focused on was getting the heat exchanger mounted and the grill fitted around it which required hacking up the hood latch and trimming the grill a bit. Nothing too crazy. Fits in there pretty well!

Picture055.jpg


Also got some new parts from the UPS guy today:

Meth Injection kit:
Picture057.jpg


Boost Gauge....Now I can finally fill in that 3rd gauge hole in the A-pillar, Yay!:
Picture053.jpg


Current pile of parts:

Picture058.jpg


Here is the truck currently hanging out in the garage. The heat exchanger looks pretty cool behind the grill:

Picture059.jpg


Next step is to put the rear diff back together, drill/pin the crank pulley, and replace the valve springs. More pics to come soon!

-Taylor
 

jpalmer

New member
Re: LS1-Sonoma GT build (updated with pics)

Hell yeah Taylor. I need to come see this project in person. i call first dibs on shotgun :tup:
 

super-gt

New member
Re: LS1-Sonoma GT build (updated with pics)

Hey all, figured I'd do a quick update. We've been running into issues left and right with this thing lately so I'm hoping things turn around this week and some progress starts happening.

Currently, the rear gears are all swapped and the rear end is all back together. New valve springs are installed. The crank pulley has been drilled and pinned after we changed over to corvette belt alignment and got a corvette harmonic balancer. Do to the fact that we have had to go with a corvette belt alignment, the serp belt is now 3/4 of an inch closer to the motor so that the blower pulley will line up.

When we first swapped the ls1 into this truck, we used a corvette alternator/power steering bracket, but spaced it out 3/4 of an inch so that it would work with the f-body harmonic balancer and A/C. The problem now is that the A/C compressor must move back an inch to line up with the new corvette belt set-up. Here lies the problem, we don't have an inch of room behind the compressor. So we will be relocating the A/C compressor up top on the passenger side as shown below...
ad2y_iso6engine-360x270.jpg


We got the lower manifold all bolted in place yesterday

DSC00137.jpg


But come to find out that Kenne Bell put the wrong plate on top of the lower manifold that was actually meant for a 2010 Camaro...so now that has to come back off because the blower is sitting too far forward and not lining up with the rest of the pulleys. So after talking with Jeff at total performance engineering today whom I bought the blower from, he contacted Kenne Bell and is getting the correct plate sent to me asap. So I should have that in a couple days hopefully and we can continue on our merry way.

Here are some current pics I just took about an hour ago.

DSC00142.jpg


DSC00141.jpg


DSC00143.jpg


DSC00144.jpg


DSC00145.jpg



Also figured I'd throw a couple pictures up of the new inter cooler reservoir tank I designed a couple weeks ago in solid works.

Solidworksoverflowtankdrawing.jpg


Solidworksoverflowtank.jpg


We will be mounting the tank in the bed and it should hold about 1.25 gallons.

So assuming we don't run into anymore issues, this week should yield some cool progress.

-Taylor
 

kentuc

Member
Re: LS1-Sonoma GT build (updated with pics)

I f you used the Corvette system in the first place, would that preclude notching the frame?
 

super-gt

New member
Re: LS1-Sonoma GT build (updated with pics)

I f you used the Corvette system in the first place, would that preclude notching the frame?

You are correct. We notched the frame awhile back, but we notched it with the compressor located where an F-body compressor sits in mind. So because of that there is only about 3/4 of an inch between the frame notch and the back of the compressor. It needs another quarter inch to clear. Even if we were to re-notch the frame (Which would b a huge chore) we would run into a new problem which is the A/C lines on the back of the compressor running into the passenger side header.

Without yanking the motor and going nuts, remounting the A/C up high is about the easiest option at this point aside from ditching A/C all together. I just can't bring myself to ditch A/C in Arizona..... I already have the new A/C bracket, the new Sanden compressor, and the new ls2 corvette tensioner. We only run into two issues with mounting the A/C up high and both of them are pretty minor. We will have to redo A/C lines/shorten them and mount the computer differently (There is enough slack in the wires to do this so we don't have to do any wiring, just drill some new holes and move it over.).
 

turrrbo6

Member
Re: LS1-Sonoma GT build (updated with pics)

Looking good Taylor. The Kwik Performance a/c bracket is a very nice set up. Here's mine on the LS2.

DSCN2107.jpg
 

turbodig

Active member
Re: LS1-Sonoma GT build (updated with pics)

Looks good - one suggestion:

Make the fill neck for the tank bigger. If you ever decide to dump a bag of ice or two in there, helps to have a big hole to dump through.
 

super-gt

New member
Re: LS1-Sonoma GT build (updated with pics)

Looking good Taylor. The Kwik Performance a/c bracket is a very nice set up. Here's mine on the LS2.

DSCN2107.jpg

Thanks and I'm glad to hear you like the Kwik Performance set-up! Was originally thinking of going with the street & performance bracket but I really didn't like how they replaced the factory spring tensioner with 2 solid pulleys. Plus this way I can use the ls2 tensioner/pulley that has deeper grooves than the ls1 vette tensioner/pulley.

Also, I love the engine bay in your truck, it is so clean! Makes mine look ugly:( Haha...
 

super-gt

New member
Re: LS1-Sonoma GT build (updated with pics)

Looks good - one suggestion:

Make the fill neck for the tank bigger. If you ever decide to dump a bag of ice or two in there, helps to have a big hole to dump through.

Good idea!:tup: The tank isn't finalized yet, I'm still waiting to hear back from them on a price so I'll have to see what they can do as far as fill caps go. Thank you sir.
 

super-gt

New member
Re: LS1-Sonoma GT build (updated with pics)

Damn i still need to come over and see it's progress in person.

Yes you do. Text me sometime. Although I'm gonna be busy after this week. Stupid college starts up again on Thursday. I'm really getting tired of math classes. lol
 

STORM TROOPER

New member
Re: LS1-Sonoma GT build (updated with pics)

Yes you do. Text me sometime. Although I'm gonna be busy after this week. Stupid college starts up again on Thursday. I'm really getting tired of math classes. lol

hey keep up the class in the long run they will add up....lol
 
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