[Tim M]

Late in the season, but give it a shot...fresh Motul oil, tires pumped to 40 psi, weather calm and cool, not a holiday Sunday...off we go at 0600 to the test area. River-bottom flat and straight concrete...

The result the blower belt broke on the first time WOT in 4th gear! I didn't even get over 100 mph:



Close up:



Quite fortunate I had a belt guard on the plastic thermostat as by the marks, took a hit. I car ran fine otherwise...pointed it back toward Stuttgart.

Installed my old 'oiled' belt and back in business. Unsure what would cause it to fail - my first experience...

Unsure if I will get another chance...shorter days means the runs need to be around 0700...and traffic definitely picks up. Previously, I would shoot for minimum of 0600 to minimize other vehicles.

[arpad_m]

FWIW I have a Gates belt and WOT was never an issue.

[Boost Creep]

Almost looks like a piece is missing as the break pattern doesn't line up.

Hope it's just a fluke.

[Tim M]

I'd been running the previous belt for 7000 miles...oil soaked with no issue. Swapped the new one on and within 60 miles...pop!

As a precaution, I ordered 3 new idler pulleys to eliminate that variable. Those have nearly 22,000 miles on them.

Boost Creep: indeed a piece is missing. The car was quite weak after the belt departed. For a moment, I thought of doing a run to see how unboosted it would be, but quickly thought better...unlikely the tune would be correct.

Stock boost...600 more RPM that stock, but this belt never got that far. ;-)

[Tim M]

Rock Auto's lightning fast shipping is quite welcome! OEM Blower belt tensioner and pulley's arrived and installed without any fanfare - very easy remove and replace:









Road tested with a couple of road trips and 150 mph blast...no issues. ;-)

[Tim M]

Two trips to the Nurburgring last couple of weeks resulted in 1 40 degree, wet lap of the Ring (no thanks!) and 15 min session on the F1 track today - that was cut short due to a cut catch can line (my fault)...Both times, car worked like a champ. Amazing road trip car with easy 170+ mph top end blasts to get past pesky autobahn traffic on the way home - always puts a smile on my face!



My road course skills have certainly attritted since other than the Ring, it has been several years. Need a few more than 6 laps next time to be comfortable...but hear that engine/blower/exhaust note - incredibly intoxicating and the acceleration was a bit startling for myself...love it when the car scares you!

[Tim M]

The fun has begun...

Off with the blower:



Love those machining lines:



Boxed and shipped to Kong for the X port:



Can't believe this car is available with one of these from the factory - adding ~200 CHP. Amazing times, we live in.

[Tim M]

The Kong box arrived - think that was the 5th time I've used it - good investment with no damage yet!



The plate:



The internals:



Supposedly a good HP increase, but will let the dyno and autobahn decide. Even if the power curve is moved to the right, it will be a success for my application.

Working on removing the exhaust manifolds for rework...

[Tim M]

Received my OEM exhaust manifolds back from SoCal Porting...nice work!:





and the outlets grew in size a smidge:



Not much material to grind away...now we need to match the cat pipes to the same diameter...visit to the hardware store is in order!

[Tim M]

While the car was down, I elected to check the mechanical fuel pump lifter clearance...noting with an aftermarket camshaft different shims maybe required due to the reduced base circle of the fuel pump lobe. I had been using a .060 shim (OEM Chevy for Ti valve tips!). I had a slight tapping at low engine speed and wondered if I have excess clearance. I attempted to remove the .060 shim, but ended up taking a portion of the fuel pump lifter with it.



Luckily I had a spare...but, required pulling the center valley plate:



and of course all the fuel injection assembly. Not preferred!



Now I wait for another shim from stateside Chevy...~$23 for the little thing!

[Tim M]

Top end is nearly complete as is the bottom end. That blower is heavy in an odd position:



I included shots of the driver's side cat inlet...crazy how 350+ HP must pass thru a 2-inch throat...I did the best I could by smoothing and opening it up a bit. Metal slivers to prove it!

Before:



After:

[Boost Creep]

Nice job porting the cat.
You get to a point where every little bit counts.
You might not see it on the dyno or feel it in the seat, but it has to improve flow of hot gasses out of the engine with much less turbulence.

[Tim M]

Boost Creep: thanks. A bit of work and expense...I'm hoping the cats aren't causing more an issue than expected...

Car is back together and running (video below):



So far no issues, but still on jack stands though! March will request another remote tune and hit the dyno if all goes well.

[Tim M]

Update: currently on the 8th remote street tune from Ted Jannetty. Running quite well. Tomorrow is a dyno visit...to see if it makes more steam...anything over 700 CHP will be a plus!