Build Merl the Pearl Build

[Ecliff5]

Glad to see you took everything apart to make the coating happen

It was the right move.

 

[Ecliff5]

Slowly putting little things together and test fitting. Hoping to start bolting stuff on this weekend.

 

[Broski]

Nothing like shiny new parts !! Looking good !

 

[Ecliff5]

Making some progress today, chopped off my magnaflow y pipe, got the J pipe installed and test fit the turbo a bunch of times to make sure things clear the hard water line and the oil drain lined up so it’s happy. Installing this kit without any instructions other than a YouTube video and pictures from mud can get tricky if you’ve never touched a turbo before lol. But in the end we’re making it happen. J pipe and turbo are mounted and torqued down. Currently letting the oil drain and then I’ll start dropping the oil pan.

 

[Ecliff5]

Got the lower pan off and the holes drilled and tapped in the upper pan. Need to get some more brake clean and make sure that super clean. Sketchiest part for sure. That’s all she wrote for the day.

 

[Ecliff5]

Today I got the spark plugs swapped out, got the upper pan cleaned up from drilling and the lower pan glued back on. Oil feed and drain lines are plumed. Got the water port in the thermostat housing drilled and tapped and plumed. Need to convert the other line and then the turbo lines will all be done. Started trying to lay out the intercooler piping but realized I’m going to need more time to work out what goes where, hopefully get a good bit more done tomorrow. @Cruisers and Co

 

[Ecliff5]

It’s almost turbo time! Oil and water lines plumed, intercooler plumed, intake plumed. Need to do the recirculating valve, vacuum hoses, catch can, heat shielding and gauges. Fill the oil and coolant and let her rip! @Cruisers and Co

 

[Ecliff5]

Finished pluming the turbo, did the turbo beanie, got the catch can installed and filled the oil and coolant. Next up heat shielding, gauges and exhaust.

 

[Ecliff5]

Turbo is done and gauges are wired! Primed her and then she fired right up! Hoping I can get over to an exhaust shop tomorrow 🫪 also getting a fitting in the mail tomorrow and then I’ll hook up the boost line.

 

[Ecliff5]

Took her for her first rip over to the exhaust shop over the weekend. She boogies with just a downpipe, totally different truck and driving experience. She is much quieter with the exhaust hooked up. But she still rips, less turbo noise so one day I’ll go full 3” I am so stoked with how she turned out. What an absolute blast to drive. 4.88, 37s, part time kit, bumpers, back seats, drawers, spare, rtt and awning she’s pretty chunk and she moves now.
Sweet new stickers add even more hose ponies
First drive over to the exhaust shop.

 

[Ecliff5]

Boost line is now plumed. Engine bay is looking pretty complete! Went for a rip and hit 6psi. She’s driving great, been running errands around town, first long haul will be this weekend. The exhaust shop did fine on joining the downpipe but now my tailpipe is rattling on the frame and driving me nuts, it’s also too quiet now. Need more turbo noises. Might switch out or delete the muffler. Eventually go full 3”.

 

[ikarus]

Awesome!