11-13-10 - Header Swap

Finally got the header in, and I'm loving it! It's a lot quieter, the truck holds boost better and actually feels a bit more powerful than when I got it. I don't know, could just be my ass-dyno. I also figured out where the boost controller is so now I'm in trouble, it's just taunting me now saying "turn me up!" Aha.

The old header probably had a double-digit amount of cracks in it... I just know it was a lot more than I expected. We found the one around the turbo flange (The most obvious one), a couple on the opposite side of it, a few where the front two tubes met at the turbo, and cracks on i think every tube on the engine side. Also, the header was bent like an upside-down "U" if you looked at the engine-side from the side... It wasn't completely bent around, but enough to notice.

Pictures are chronological.

Engine before tear-down, good-bye shitty header.


Old header.


Turbo and old header with all the piping off -- This thing looks like a monstrosity without the piping hiding it!



Old header off, wastegate still on it. Time to examine SOME of the cracks.. Can you tell which welds were the original and which ones were the repairs? ahaha




Wide open... Oil on the side of the engine, I think I'm leaking somewhere in my oil drain line and it's spraying onto the side of my block. Oh, and it's official: It's a 2.5L block, not a 2.3L!


Fresh exhaust manifold and turbo mounted back on! Wastegate not on yet but I like this setup a lot better than the last. Makes changing plug #7 impossible though.. Aha


That's all I got of it, I forgot to grab a finished picture since I was so excited to drive it... I also got my boost gauge light wired up to a keyed constant so it kicks on when the truck starts and found out that the projectors on the front are real projectors... Productive weekend for the truck!

Also, some other projects laying around, and the 1989 Toyota Supra for $1000. Single Turbo from factory, I think 7M-GTE engine? With the 5 spd. transmission. Fully loaded with the removable top like Swead's Del Sol, and the air-ride or electronic suspension crap. I was wrong, the head is on there it just needs tensioners now IIRC, and the electrical all needs hooked up. Theoretically it should fire right up after it's all wired and lubricated, etc.

whoever owns that supra and wants to get rid of it let me know wouldnt mind an older supra project after the celicas done

he is asking a grand i believe and its rebuilt just needs finished... single turbo...

its def a project but its different, lol, thats all i can say other than it could be a realy nice car

I'm sorry, I didn't realize you guys posted lol.... celicatilldeath -- I can't remember who you are. Wolfie? I can talk to the guy since, as far as I know, the Supra is still out there. Just a matter of when you'll be able to get it from him .

The vehicle definitely has potential, it's just a matter of getting it wired up and running. I don't know how long that thing has been sitting in the yard, probably at least a year or two, and who knows how long it hasn't been running. My oldest cousin here in Indiana knows the history of that car though so if someone is serious about it, I can get the complete history from someone who was friends with a previous owner(s) of the vehicle for them.

From what I recall, I think I said it in the first post as well, the car has a rebuilt head that's sitting on the engine. Wiring needs to be done and the body work. The interior is fairly mint from what I recall and could see. The engine bay is dirty as hell from mowing around the car for so long. Like I said, definitely has potential, just needs a lot of TLC. If I had the funds, the time, and the ability to handle the insurance on a car instead of a truck, I definitely would pick it up in a heartbeat and tear into it; I love the old Supras. That's just me, though.

offer him 750 bones and he'd probably bite on it

whats going on with the truck?

I want it sold. My dad wants it gone more than I do, though.. haha. I need an econo-shitbox to drive for the next 4 years to get me through school.. I'm trying to find something that I could at least do suspension work to and autocross for shits and giggles.