It's done.....D U N....done, lol

No time to update the site yet or really say much here, but it's done except for a front end alignment and the exhaust. It's in the shop getting that done this week.

I put about 30 miles on it yesterday, putting it through the paces. Everything from freeway at 70, to some steep grades at varying speeds, to a long straight stretch humming along at 90+, to in town, and a windy road that requires a lot of speeding up and slowing down.

First impression is just WOW. I can't explain it. Not only is it a power house, but it is FAST. It doesen't do much in first gear off the line until it starts to build boost, but from there on up to 90 mph in 5th gear, your head is against the headrest.

I haven't found a hill that will bog it down at any speed. It might not gain much (unless you downshift) on the really steep ones at slower speeds, but it doesn't bog down. This one hill is about a 8% grade. I went up most of it at 40 mph in 4th and almost at the top there is a sharp curve you have to slow down to about 30 mph for. I came out the other side still in 4th and it pulled right out of it from almost an idle. Once I found it would pull out of it, I grabbed 3rd and flew out of it <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

On another road (flat ground), I have an 1/8 mile marked out after you come out of a sharp curve at about 30 mph. I came out of it in 3rd and stood on it. By the 1/8 mile mark, I was doing over 70 and just barely into 4th.

Remember, this is with open manifold, no exhaust, and no scoop feeding nice cold air to the intercooler. Once that is fixed and I tweak the pump timing and wastegate a little, I expect a significant improvement.

Also, all the suspension and steering work I did was way worth it. It has a little body roll because of the lift, but it handles awesome, nice and tight.

Anyway, I am VERY impressed with this engine in all aspects. Startability, smoothness, streetability, raw power, and zippyness. I'm sold. I want another one.

I'll update the site with more of my mechanical progress when I get some time to sort thru the pics.