My Turbo Build. 2003 Sonic Blue Vert

[drusmith]

Do you have any updates after the new motor was installed?

Yeah, it blew up again. Melted the back straps on #1 & #8 spark plugs. Tune was junk. Drivability was why off, horrible tuner at Steve Morris engines. They have no idea how to tune fuel injection engines. I tried working with them but they said come get your car with a trailer.

Current state of Cobra: heads are at Livernois, stage 2 with turbo cams for some fun. Short block is at my Mechanics shot along with trans. Car turbo and intake is at my house. Lol crazy
Car has JE pistons also. Should be good to go for some good power. Tune will be done by Livernois as well since Lidio at Alternative never return my calls...

 

[static74]

Yeah, it blew up again. Melted the back straps on #1 & #8 spark plugs. Tune was junk. Drivability was why off, horrible tuner at Steve Morris engines. They have no idea how to tune fuel injection engines. I tried working with them but they said come get your car with a trailer.

Current state of Cobra: heads are at Livernois, stage 2 with turbo cams for some fun. Short block is at my Mechanics shot along with trans. Car turbo and intake is at my house. Lol crazy
Car has JE pistons also. Should be good to go for some good power. Tune will be done by Livernois as well since Lidio at Alternative never return my calls...

Sorry that you've had a bad experience. I had my tune done at CRT Performance in Norwalk OH on my turbo car, Jeff is the guy who does all the tune and is the owner. Very knowledgeable and is slightly conservative on tuning to make things safe. You might want to give him a call, they are good about answering the phones and returning calls.

 

[drusmith]

Sorry that you've had a bad experience. I had my tune done at CRT Performance in Norwalk OH on my turbo car, Jeff is the guy who does all the tune and is the owner. Very knowledgeable and is slightly conservative on tuning to make things safe. You might want to give him a call, they are good about answering the phones and returning calls.

hey you have same Turbo and trans as I do! Have you been to the drag strip with it yet?

 

[MGC]

Yeah, it blew up again. Melted the back straps on #1 & #8 spark plugs. Tune was junk. Drivability was why off, horrible tuner at Steve Morris engines. They have no idea how to tune fuel injection engines. I tried working with them but they said come get your car with a trailer.

Current state of Cobra: heads are at Livernois, stage 2 with turbo cams for some fun. Short block is at my Mechanics shot along with trans. Car turbo and intake is at my house. Lol crazy
Car has JE pistons also. Should be good to go for some good power. Tune will be done by Livernois as well since Lidio at Alternative never return my calls...

Damn Drew that sucks hardcore, :nonono: Lidio is good with pullied cars but I wouldn't bring a turbo cobra to him... I think Livernois will treat you good, wouldn't hurt to check out static74's tuner, his car runs like a raped ape

 

[drusmith]

Damn Drew that sucks hardcore, :nonono: Lidio is good with pullied cars but I wouldn't bring a turbo cobra to him... I think Livernois will treat you good, wouldn't hurt to check out static74's tuner, his car runs like a raped ape

Thanks bro! How is your car running? go auto yet? ;-)
yeah, I will get even! :kaboom:

yeah, texting with Chris from Livernois now. 1 Head needs welding, 1 new guide and 1 new seat.

 

[static74]

No track time yet, work schedule has done a fantastic job at preventing that this year. I plan to go to Milan before the end of the month.

Drusmith, honestly man, give CRT a call. You won't regret it. Tell him some power whore with a turbo mach 1 sent you over.

Good pick on the turbo BTW - its been good to me so far. I did run into an issue with the seals leaking on it recently though, going to have to send it in for repair after the season is over.

 

[drusmith]

No track time yet, work schedule has done a fantastic job at preventing that this year. I plan to go to Milan before the end of the month.

Drusmith, honestly man, give CRT a call. You won't regret it. Tell him some power whore with a turbo mach 1 sent you over.

Good pick on the turbo BTW - its been good to me so far. I did run into an issue with the seals leaking on it recently though, going to have to send it in for repair after the season is over.

yeah, I might give him a call! Kinda a long drive on trailer tho. that'5 4.5 hours from Grand rapids.

I will keep and eye on seal! My car did smoke a lot but the tune was so far jacked I couldn't even tell. lol

 

[static74]

yeah, I might give him a call! Kinda a long drive on trailer tho. that'5 4.5 hours from Grand rapids.

I will keep and eye on seal! My car did smoke a lot but the tune was so far jacked I couldn't even tell. lol

Mine would smoke on cold start up after the exhaust was hot, but oil was still cold. I would see 60-70 psi of oil pressure when it would smoke, once the oil was hot and down to 15-20PSI at idle, no more smoke. So if it smokes a lot when its cold, you know what it is.

 

[drusmith]

Mine would smoke on cold start up after the exhaust was hot, but oil was still cold. I would see 60-70 psi of oil pressure when it would smoke, once the oil was hot and down to 15-20PSI at idle, no more smoke. So if it smokes a lot when its cold, you know what it is.

Good to know! Thanks!

I will keep this thread updated as I move forward! The summer has been too busy to get this thing on the road and that takes lots of Money of course too!

 

[badcobra]

Sorry to hear about your troubles man. I too had lots of troubles back several years ago so I know the pain. I still recommend the switch to e85, chances are very good it could have saved you two motors here despite the bad tuner. Good luck getting it back up and running.

 

[oneslo5.0]

E85 man, it will save you from a 3rd motor...

Hope it all works for you bud, the build looks great.

 

[brian97cobra]

I know your pains. im on motor #3 myself. ive had 0 street miles and only dyno time. im so ready for my car to be done and be able to drive it.

I don't understand how this stuff happens and it just makes me want to sell my car sometimes.

don't give up hope. just find someone with turbo experience and let them finish the car up right.

 

[drusmith]

Update on my Cobra:

Well I wish i could say it was good news. Its not.

Good news:

new 5.4L block

New stage 2 heads from Livernois with stage 1 turbo cams:

 

[drusmith]

Oh and, I'm probably going E85..................... 95% sure on that!

 

[MGC]

Jesus Christ Drew, what a ****ing hackjob they did. You can believe I'll let people know to stay the hell away from them. Best of luck on the rebuild.

 

[drusmith]

Jesus Christ Drew, what a ****ing hackjob they did. You can believe I'll let people know to stay the hell away from them. Best of luck on the rebuild.

Yeah it's sad! But it's all good! I'll get mine when the time comes.

 

[MTBSully]

Damn thats some shoddy work right there. Good luck making it right

 

[03SonicVert]

The name of this build should be "Murphy's Law"
I'm glad your sticking with it and spending all the cash!

What kind of chasis stiffening are you running?

 

[drusmith]

The name of this build should be "Murphy's Law"
I'm glad your sticking with it and spending all the cash!

What kind of chasis stiffening are you running?

Full Kenny Brown matrix kit.

 

[vrt03cobra]

Wow OP, really sorry to hear you had to go thru all that with the first shop. Things are looking good now from I can see...