25thannivZ28

So, I FINALLY got around to doing this, its almost done. Here is my take on it SO FAR.....

Thermostat housing is no problem, all I had to do was remove the valve body beneath the throttle body & cut away the coolant passage. re-install the IAC portion of it and presto, it fits just fine.

Thermostat Housing bolts (off the stock system) are too long. That one with the stud coming off the top of the nut for the alternator bracket is necessary, but the holes are too shallow on the manifold for it to fit tightly against the housing. Had to machine 1/4 inch off the bottom of the screw.

I had to remove alot of vacuum lines & fittings from the original system & attach to the new. Brake Booster tube & PCV fittings on the driver side. MAP sensor & AFPR fittings on the passenger side. Coolant Temp switch & the antifreeze passage fitting on front. That was just about it, so far I have gotten the intake on & new MSD ignition hooked up, now I just have to run the fuel lines & attach a pressure gauge on the shroeder valve. In addition to that, route all my vacuum lines accordingly to make it look nice.

The fitting that was originally beneath the TPI plenum needs to be removed & manually placed into the ductwork for safe operation. TPIS provided me a wire extension to extend from the sensor origination point (near the dist.) to the point in which you choose to mount it. I'll post some pics when completed. I hope you all find my experience somewhat informative to help you in your installation of your mini-ram. If I come up with anything else tonight (when i hopefully complete the project), I'll post them. Comments are welcome....

5.7iroc-02ws6

Mine is about the same stage as yours.. I haven't re-routed the Intake Air temp sensor.. w/the forced induction setup I really don't have a good place for it.. I may try leaving it hooked up but out on first startup to see what happens?

25thannivZ28

So, project complete!! I am overall VERY satisfied, however I had expected my RPMS to drive all the way up to 6500+. It actually dies off no later than where it previously did @ 6300. ??? Timing is at the standard 6-8 deg, Fuel pressure at the recommended 48Lbs. It SOUNDS alot tougher & idles alot smoother than before. One contributing factor may be that I DO NOT have TPIS' Level VI Prom yet, still stuck with the level IV. Or maybe I'll head down to Speed Inc. to get it dyno tuned. Any comments? Anyone heard anything re: Speed Inc? Pics to come, I have to clean it up a bit first.

vernw

iTrader: (2)

Did you route all the harness underneath the plenum? That really helps clean things up a bit. So - you ran the heating/AC/cruise/Orb of Power vac line to the port on the bottom of the throttle body?

25thannivZ28

No, I didn't. If so, how would you hook up the injectors? I kept it along both sides of the manifold. I did, however, route the fuel lines underneath the plenum. Do you have pics?

5.7iroc-02ws6

Looks nice...

Justin89Formy

iTrader: (26)

I would stay away from the TPIS tunes. Ive heard nothing good about them. Get your car dyno tuned so you know its done right the first time.

vernw

iTrader: (2)

Bring the harness forward from the back of the plenum and route the injector connectors out the middle gap on each side to plug into the injectors. Might have to extend the harness 3 or 4 inches on a couple of injectors (I did)....

vernw

iTrader: (2)

And here's 3 more...

vernw

iTrader: (2)

And one last one to show how I did the wiring...

onfire

Vernw,

That looks sharp. I like your valve covers. Is that bird glued on? Great job on the wires.

heres mine....I just got it going so the wires will get tucked away but so far so good!! As you can see header paint vht header paint doesnt work !! found that out the hard way when all 5 coats bubbled up, dried, then pealed off ... ouch

Rabi C.

vernw

iTrader: (2)

Looking good! Yeah, header paint is a real joke, ceraminc coating is the only way to go.

I tucked all my wires under the MR (had to lengthen a couple) and brought the injector connectors out the middle on each side. As to my VCs, those are pinned into the VC with caulk on the back side to seal the holes. Thanks for the compliments!

- Vern