Skip to main content ↑ ↓

Messages

This section allows you to view all Messages made by this member. Note that you can only see Messages made in areas you currently have access to.

Messages - tommym

16
Engine Tech / Re: Holley Terminator X
Thanks Beau. I have no memory of the hit but the NHP officer said the truck got hit and became an unguided missile.  Give Toyota engineering a high five.
17
Engine Tech / Re: Holley Terminator X
Thanks Mikey. So far we seem to be doing OK. Just a few sore spots. Pretty lucky overall. Once I find a car my wife likes I'll start on my Terminator X install.
18
Engine Tech / Re: Holley Terminator X
We're doing OK for a couple of old people. I'm going to test fit what I can. I'd like to make it look like it came that way from the factory. There are only a few people here that even know what these cars are. I'll be able to start if my wife decides what car she wants.
19
Engine Tech / Re: Fuel Pressure Gauge Location
I have the BBK fuel rails on my car and still had to drill and tap for the pressure gauge and valve. By the time you buy the rails, adjustable pressure regulator, pressure gauge, An fittings, braided lines you will be over $400- $500. Not really worth it on a basically stock motor.
20
Engine Tech / Re: Holley Terminator X
Hey Clayton,      I have the Terminator X, just opened the box and spread the parts out on a bench. Couple of issues- They do not supply the fuel and oil pressure sensors. They say they are optional but will throw an error code if not installed. If you buy the Holley sensors they are $138 each. Found some I think will work for $65 each, same pressure and voltage range. Also shows the computer mounted under the passenger seat but no room if you have power seats. The computer has LED's on the front used for troubleshooting so you will need to see them so can't put it in the foot well. I am going to see if it will fit in one of the slots on the vertical part of the console. I'll try and mount the handheld where the clock is. Looks like cable routing will be a challenge. I can't take it apart yet because I might need to drive it. Last Monday at 4:45pm I was in a accident. My 04 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner washiznit in the right rear by a Dodge 1500. I was stopped on the freeway because 3 lanes of traffic stopped in front of me. I was in the right lane, that is the last thing I remember. Next they were putting me in a CAT scan, passed out again. Woke up in the ER with a NHP officer standing next to me. He told me I washiznit in the rear by a Dodge 1500 going 65mph, it shoved me to the left where I hit 2 more cars. All I wanted to do is take my wife out for her birthday dinner. My wife had a cut on the back of her head, concussion and a few bruises and I had a chunk of flesh out of my left forearm, right shoulder and a headache. A testament for Toyota engineering. Don't know how to post pictures off my computer. Toyota is toast and the truck was in perfect condition, bought new. It was what the wife drove. She does not know how to drive the F350 and is afraid of the TBird so I'm the designated driver for the time being.
21
User Rides / Re: Starting fresh
Looking good. Sounds great. I hope to put mine on the dyno when I get done with the Terminator X conversion.
22
Engine Tech / Re: Holley Terminator X
Spent 45 min. on the phone with Holley today. Got answers to all my questions. Went ahead and ordered the 550-937F for the Mustang. Seemed like the best fit. It cost $1149 on sale? and because it's on back order will ship on the 16th.

Couple of issues- it's meant to be mounted under the passenger seat, can't do it if you have power seats like my car, no room. You need to be able to see the LEDs for trouble shooting which leaves out the passenger kick panel. I'll figure that out when I see it. Another issue is replacing the MAF. I have the BBK cold Air Intake- through the fender and my 75mm MAF is a Pro M. A little too expensive to use as a coupling. BBK makes a adapter in case your car is SD. Part# 1558, $86 on Amazon. They are proud of their shiznit. It looks like its polished so I'll have to media blast it and paint it with SEM satin black. I have a phobia about shinny stuff. Next is their fuel pressure sensor. It is meant to replace your schraeder valve. I have BBK fuel rails and my fuel lines are AN-6. I drilled and tapped the right one for a fuel pressure gauge and the left for the valve. Found out Russell has a AN-6 fitting with a tapped hole that is for a fuel pressure sensor. Part # 670343, $12 Amazon.  This will go between my fuel rail and fuel line, You can clock the sensor with this fitting. Next is their oil pressure sensor. They have their own and didn't know if my Auto Meter sensor would work. I found a adapter that screws into the block, has 2 sensor holes. Amazon- $17. Hope this works.

1/8 NPT Oil Pressure Sensor Tee Adapter Turbo Supply Feed Line Gauge 1/8" NPT Female to 1/8 NPT Male with 1/8 NPT Side Port Hose T Stainless Steel

I'll have to play with fitting this in. Auto Meter uses that large pressure sensor. Next to the oil filter. That's it for now on the Terminator X.

Collector car insurance is its own beast. Checked with several but they wanted all the vehicles and house and would give me Blue Book. Grundy OK'd the appraisal, I think I get 5K on millage, No problem, I put 2500 on it in 2 yrs. Cost is $325 for 12 months. Car is registered as a "classic". The motor is not smog legal so you almost have to go this route here in Nevada.

My car would suck as a cruiser. Way too noisy even with the DynaMat and DynaPad interior, gets 13mpg. In 5th it runs 2200 rpms at 70 mph. My wife doesn't drive it.
23
Engine Tech / Re: Holley Terminator X
One of my "finds" was a 1969 Plymouth Satellite Service Manual for my 69 Roadrunner. A life saver.

The TC I have has more than enough electric gadgets to keep my troubleshooting skills sharp. Used up all of it while rebuilding this car. The wiring had been butchered and the PO was actually a Ford mechanic. My car is actually pretty tame on the street. A little loud for any long trip, but it was never meant to be a daily driver. Grundy makes sure you limit your driving to car shows or the repair shop. I had to sign a waver stating it would not be used as a grocery getter or date night otherwise my insurance would be void. I would like to drive it more but with the idiots we have here in Las Vegas and the scarcity of parts causes you to think twice before taking it out. Definitely no racing. To get the collector car insurance I had to have a formal appraisal done after the re-build. My USAA insurance told me I would only get Blue Book if it was damaged and they would total it if the damage was over $1000. Incentive?

I will use your advice on the control arms. Never knew there were 3 different ones. Moving the wheel forward would look weird. Talking with Holley in the AM to make sure I have all the parts. I have ordered the adapters for the fuel and oil pressure. Should be here Thursday. Looks like shipping from Holley will be the 18th.

The Lincoln LSC is another car you never see at these car shows. That was my donor car way back in 03 with the 5.0 conversion, 5 lug, and 373 rear. A Coyote swap would be expensive. Might be cheaper to buy a wrecked GT-500 and use their blower motor. You would end up with a killer car and it would be one of those cars that no one knows what it is or what it took to build it. I think if, big if, I ever change this car I would use the GT-500 motor and trans. A friend has one in his 93 GT.
24
Engine Tech / Re: Holley Terminator X
Copied that information on your K member for future. Have 3 binders just on this car. One is a picture history of all the builds. I think I'm on phase 4. One with all the parts/information for the builds. And one with all the information collected from websites/forums. If it wasn't for forums like this one and Eric's Cool Cats I would not have gotten this far without all the excellent help from you guys. The help is very much appreciated.

As far as building one of these cars- it is a challenge. PATIENCE. Parts are rare and expensive. I have enjoyed building my car for the most part. There have been times I was looking at my fire axe. My standards are high, period. The only used parts are trim parts from Ron Hartman and even those have to be exceptional. Depending on what you want your car to do, the research is everything. You young guys have always had computers, us old guys had to look everything up at the library. If you found a good book you told the library you lost it and paid for it. Youtube is a godsend.

What did you use for steering with that K member? I changed the shaft on mine to a Borgeson, with a "D" shaped shaft to get rid of the rag joint. Plenty of clearance with the BBK equal length shortie headers. A little pricey but it works. Did that front end come with coil overs? What "A" arms did you use? I'll probably start buying parts to make the change.
25
Engine Tech / Re: Holley Terminator X
I'm a little partial too, it's my car and I made it better. I definitely have way more money in the car than it's worth but I don't care. As long as I been in Las Vegas I've never seen another 80 anything Turbo Coupe at any car show. It is a little bad when you have a kid come up to you and say- "My grandfather had one of those". The purist I've talked to have never had a car out. Maybe they dream about having one. I think you have more pride in your car when you know you built it.

The kids today want instant gratification so you see a lot of new Mustangs, Camaros, and Challengers. They all have pretty LED lights, graphics, billet s, painted engine covers, etc. Very seldom do you see someone who built their car.

When I change the K member I'll go with whatever mounts work. Why did you have to shim the K member? Does the motor stay in the same position?

For tires I have BFG g Force Comp 2, 245/45/ZR17. Fit the rims perfect, zero sidewall bulge. Nice strong bead. Spinning the tires every time you leave a stop light does get old. The "ballast" calmed that down. The car is pretty loud, with that and burning rubber attracts cops like shiznit and flies around here.

One of the guys I used to drag race with hated Chebbys with a passion. So he drove a 55 Chebby 2 door and a 57 Chebby station wagon. Both black and both had 440 Chryslers with a Torqueflite, and Dana 60's.
26
Engine Tech / Re: Holley Terminator X
Thanks Clayton. I'll save the K member for the next project. I'll probably go with the MM one. I am using the LSC motor mounts not the TBird donuts. Will this K member work or should I get one for the LSC?  Had to raise the motor up 3/8in for the front sump to clear the rack. I used a Hamberger pan but kept the dipstick in the engine block. If it settles back down I might end up getting the Canton pan instead. The front sump is more square. What type of pan are you using?

Took the car out, woke up the neighborhood, this morning. The "ballast" works good. My problem is that the trans I used has a 335 first, probably should have a 295 first to keep from spinning the tires. I'll reconsider when I break it.

I'll bet that 5in cowl will be a joy on a SCCA track. Even my 2in raised cowl makes a difference finding the right front.

Had a guy stop by at cars and coffee, told me I wrecked the car. Gave me an earful. A Turbo Coupe purist.
27
Engine Tech / Re: Holley Terminator X
Your car is pretty good. I was lucky with my car, found a nice disaster. My wife was T-boned in my original Sport Coupe, totaled it. Had it since new. I love these cars so had to find another. This was Oct 03.

Found a project car the guy had given up on. He was a Ford Mechanic! Anyway he had started to convert the 2.3 to a 5.0. Used all the parts off a 88 LSC, all used. The wiring in the whole car was butchered everywhere I looked. The car actually kind of ran. Took me 2 years to get it running the way it was supposed to. All wiring was done as if Ford put the 5.0 in the TC. It was finally road worthy in Nov 05. I was working also, why it took so long. Mechanic friends would drop by, see the wiring all over shake their heads, wish me luck and walk away. Wife would poke her head out once in a while- "Are we ever going to be able to drive that car?" Wish I knew about Ron Francis Wiring then instead of taking the wiring out of the old Sport. Thank God I had the EVTM and all the Ford schematics- all 34 pages. 2.3, 3.8, 5.0 all mixed together. It was like automotive electric by Common Core.

This last remodel, all new drivetrain, fuel system, brake system, frame, was done from Aug 18 to Nov 18 working on it 10hrs a day, 6 days a week. (I had quit work prior to this build). After I did the A/C, Frostbite radiator, 10 blade fan, Cobra clutch car would still rum warm. I always had an idea for a cowl hood, had the Sport hood in the shed for 15 yrs. Went to several body shops, told me it couldn't be done. My buddy Ron and I were at Pick a Part scrounging parts and Ron wanted to get a hood. He also told me I was nuts. Anyway, Ron builds custom cars for himself. A master at fabrication. Decided this was a challenge. The 2in cowl hood on my TC is the end result. I knew there was vacuum pressure at the base of the windshield and if I had a cowl hood it would help evacuate the hot air under the hood. Theory proven, works like I thought it would. With the A/C on, 100*+, car stays around 180-190*. You can feel the heat if the windows down. By the way how much fun is it driving with that 5in cowl? Road racing will be a challenge.

Do you think I would be able to pull my 8qt pan with a K member like yours?
28
Engine Tech / Re: Holley Terminator X
Just finished reading your build post. Amazing work. Like the suspension. You planning to road race it?  My car is pretty tight, all new front end parts, 14-1 rack and pump to match. I would like to use the front end you have. Don't know if it would make taking out my 8qt pan any easier. The rear is an 8.8, 373, CHE upper and lower CA's. Still using all 4 shocks. Have a couple of 40lb bags of river rock in the trunk. I'll see if it helps with traction in the morning on the way to cars and coffee. Car sets perfectly level. 9in from the ground to the bottom of the roll pan. Have to be careful backing onto the street, only 1in clear on the exhaust tips. Since we built the frame connectors, welded in place, there is zero flex.

Can't believe you had so many problems with the FiTech. They are pretty popular out here. Mostly on Chebbys. Had some friends try and convince me I should try it. I didn't want to go to throttle body injection.

I'll be calling Holley Monday morning to talk with their Terminator X "expert?". Just want to make sure I have all the parts I need. Excited and scared to get started.
29
Engine Tech / Re: Holley Terminator X
The cam I used is far from radical. Comp Cams XE266HR-12, 266/274, 544/555. 1600-5600rpm. Computer compatible and works with 373 gears. 11in vac but I use a vac reservoir.  Just something I can enjoy driving. Back in my drag racing days I had a couple that were impossible to drive on the street. Young and very dumb. Sounds like your motor is pretty wild. Use it for drag racing?

Once I get done with the install there are a couple of shops I can take it to for fine tuning. That is my main goal. I would like to learn fine art of tuning for myself. Timing and fuel control.

When I get started I will post pictures and a description to help anyone interested in this type of swap. I know I'll have plenty of questions as I go. Are you using a single wideband O2 sensor on the drivers side?

One thing I am planning to do is install a Kenne Bell sometime in the far future. That is one of the reasons for my interest in the Terminator X.
30
Engine Tech / Re: Holley Terminator X
Thanks for the information Clayton. That video will help a lot. I've done wiring on this car forever it seems. Changing from the 4cyl to the 5.0, removing the Teves brakes, wiring to the package tray I don't need and interior wiring on the latest remodel. I'll give Holley a call and talk to their resident expert and see about ordering it. Want to make sure I get everything I need. From what I've read the handheld can only go so far but you need a laptop for some adjustments. Looks like guys have had problems with the cam selection feature and timing. Did you run into the same problem?