Supercharged

[NDanecker]

That’s the biggest thing I try to tell people when they ask me about doing big mods like forced induction. The initial price is always an issue but I tell them to almost expect issues down the line and plan for repairs. That way if it happens they’re not surprised and hopefully have money set aside for it.

Sorry to hear about your issues, seems like almost one thing after another with it.

Thanks man. I post to share my experiences in hopes they will help others. That is why we are all here I guess - group of people who have a common hobby or passion, and share both positive and negative experiences. Making mods are fun but if they go 'Tim Allen' it can get expensive quickly. I enjoy the journey but do wish things would go smoother at times. I heard a quote one day which I found interesting.

Dumb people learn from their own mistakes. Smart people learn from other peoples mistakes.

Not sure how I fit in at times. LOL

 

[chinke82]

Thanks man. I post to share my experiences in hopes they will help others. That is why we are all here I guess - group of people who have a common hobby or passion, and share both positive and negative experiences. Making mods are fun but if they go 'Tim Allen' it can get expensive quickly. I enjoy the journey but do wish things would go smoother at times. I heard a quote one day which I found interesting.

Dumb people learn from their own mistakes. Smart people learn from other peoples mistakes.

Not sure how I fit in at times. LOL

Thanx for pioneering into uncharted territories and sharing your experience. Any updates, since you hinted on an upcoming finger pointing episode? Judging by the date of the last reply, would you say it would been easier/wiser to just wait for the TRX?

 

[NDanecker]

I haven't kept this thread up to date much. Apologize for that. There is another thread on another board where I posted updates.

To summarize, the valve retainers manufactured by Comp Cams was not correctly heat treated (our guess) and failed which allowed the valve to drop, kissed the piston and valve fragments were pushed into the intake which pushed on a fuel injector thus forcing the injector upward and bending the fuel rail. Comp Cams was not going to cover engine damage initially but last I heard they will. If this was myself doing the work I bet they would not have but since a reputable shop (which is a dealer for them) did the install they have some pull and covering parts and labor, or so I was told.

Motor is back out. Piston, connecting rod, head and block are shot. Unable to find a replacement 5.7 block so we are looking at a 6.4 block using the same Manely crank and rods from 5.7. This would give me a 426 or there about. With a 2650 screw blower running 13 psi should put us easily into the 850+ range, or more. Depending on tune.

Will keep you guys posted.

As to if I should have waited for the TRX? Very good question. I built this truck with different needs. I want more of a street truck not a lifted offroad truck. I don't believe you need a 700HP offroad truck, or at least most don't. Can't imagine taking a near $100k vehicle in the back woods or baja trail. Not saying people won't but most will be pavement queens, so why not have pavement manners.

TRX will never be able to tow like my truck especially if we end up with the 7.0L motor. My first 6psi boost run to 60 yielded 3.8 seconds. This was with a poor tune and large pulley. With the new block, smaller pulley and final tune ..... I don't think a TRX would be able to compete. LOL. But who knows.

 

[Tach_tech]

That sucks man. I’ve been there. Chucked a rod through the block on the stock motor with the whipple.

Even if you had to foot the bill for a second motor you’d likely still be less than a TRX.

As for the TRX, last I heard the TRX was supposed to be more of a street truck were as the TR would be the more off road focused version. Since a 1500 and a grand Cherokee aren’t to far off in weight, I’d be willing to bet the TRX would do 0-60s in mid 3s as well.

Are you building up the tranny? The 5th gens have the updated 8HP75 but that’s gonna have a hard time living behind your truck if it’s pushing 800hp or more.

On a side note, how was your engine noise wise with all the forged components? Mine has piston slap until it’s warm up.

 

[NDanecker]

Yes. You can hear some piston slap on cold start ups. Its normal. I let the truck warm up and/or take it easy until it reaches normal temps to help keep cylinder wear down. That is the nature of forged pistons over cast as they have a higher thermal expansion rate.

I won't be tracking it or doing many launches so I'm hoping the stock trans will hold out a few years. If it lets go (which it will eventually) that will be the next build. Plus side is maybe there will be a bolt-in available from the TRX once it comes out.

 

[Tach_tech]

Make sure you leave the torque management on the trans if your running the stock unit as long as you can. It holds back a bit of performance but it’s what allows them to live with that much power. If you take it away you’ll blow that thing up pretty quick.

 

[NDanecker]

The 6.4 BGE block is finally here! This block is very similar to the hellcat block (oil squirters, longer oil / coolant galleries, extra webbing for strength, etc) but painted black. We have decided to go with Hi-Tech heads which allow a different valve train geometry leaving room for dual springs and locks. We are a few weeks out before this gets back on the road. Excited!

 

[CG2742]

Besides your issues this seems so fun to do and have the money to do. I’d like to do something similar. Maybe one day after kids are grown and gone haha.

 

[NDanecker]

Besides your issues this seems so fun to do and have the money to do. I’d like to do something similar. Maybe one day after kids are grown and gone haha.

I do enjoy it but wish I could do the work myself. Years ago I had a lift in my old home and built a few different rides. Welded up my own motors mounts, bent up my own exhaust, multiple engine builds, rear axles, etc. Getting older, not having the room for a lift in our current home nor the time to do the work I find it easier to work with a local tune shop. No way I'm crawling under or on top a truck at my age when hiring someone is an option. LOL Seems to take forever though as their timeline does not have your truck as their top priority. They have other customers with similar projects so its a scheduling / part ordering / who gets mechanic time juggle. Whatever...its still enjoyable and building a ride that is your vision is more enjoyable then going out to buy a built truck off the lot. Others may feel different. Whatever makes ya happy.

 

[atxmike53]

Best of luck to you and your project. I enjoyed reading about it. My last "hot rod" project was ages ago when I put a Chevy 302 (Z28 motor in 69/70) in a 1966 Chevy short bed pick up. Motor turned a bit over 8k rpm and was still loping at 85 on the highway! It was way too hot for what I should have had. But, like yours, seemed to always be something going on with it. Had it in and out 6 times in a year and had a stock 283 on standby so I always had the truck running. But looking back, it was fun and I learned a lot. And this truck didn't have much but a motor under the hood to contend with. My brother and I got to where we could pull it in a little over an hour in the driveway! Yes, we were young as this was in the early 70's. Now, as I inch closer to 70 years old....oil changes are a bit of a challenge, but I hate anyone else doing them.
Look forward to your updates.

 

[NDanecker]

Stopped by the shop today and took some pics. Enjoy a few hemi-**** pics. Thitek heads look incredible, and no doubt will yield some nice HP/TQ numbers.

 

[NDanecker]

Some head shots.

 

[Gone]

injector was stuck open that pressure will break ur crank in half bend rods destroy pistons,heads and injector O ring pushed out..

Who tuned the truck ??

 

[GMG71]

What's your driveline with this set up and hp goal?

 

[NDanecker]

injector was stuck open that pressure will break ur crank in half bend rods destroy pistons,heads and injector O ring pushed out..

Who tuned the truck ??

It wasn't a stuck injector. The valve spring keepers (by Comp Cam) were not heat treated correctly and failed letting the lock go and valve drop. Pieces of the intake valve that dropped were sent into the intake and struck the injector pushing the injector thus bending the fuel rail upward. Tip of fuel injector showed signs of damage.

Truck ran well for about 3k miles before failure so not the tune.

 

[NDanecker]

What's your driveline with this set up and hp goal?

8HP75 is next on the list to be upgraded. Waiting for it to blow then will rebuild. I have a 1 piece carbon fiber driveshaft. Rear axle is stock. Not going to track or put slicks on so tires will generally be weakest link. Motor with forged bottom end, cam, heads and 2650 eaton blower is good for 1000+ hp, but we'll be tuning for about 800 to 900 crank. Will see what we get on dyno.

 

[Dan Topp]

Best approach is what you’re doing regardless of boost levels,I know I’m pushing my luck with 6 lbs on my 19 with a procharger ,but I’m waiting till my LS7 build is done b4 I incapacitate another vehicle for 4 times the expected time average.

 

[TestPilot57]

Best approach is what you’re doing regardless of boost levels,I know I’m pushing my luck with 6 lbs on my 19 with a procharger ,but I’m waiting till my LS7 build is done b4 I incapacitate another vehicle for 4 times the expected time average.

What am I missing? Or are you actually planning to put an LS7 in your RAM?

 

[Tach_tech]

What am I missing? Or are you actually planning to put an LS7 in your RAM?

I would assume it’s for another project car. If not and he is puting a LS in a Ram I believe we need to burn his house down lol.

 

[Tach_tech]

Double tap.