My APS TT Install Thread

[WMCC Gary]

....The pics, the descriptions, the problems, the successes, this is a textbook do-it-yourself thread IMHO....

I have too agree, GREAT JOB!

[JAdair]

Wow you got alot done whats the go for it starting this weekend?

[Hugger Z]

Thanks everyone. It's really not that hard to take pics along the way. Just takes time to post them all! I had targeted having it done this past Monday but ran into slowdowns along the way as you have all read if you are following this. But I am very close now. If all goes well from here on out it might start tonight or tomorrow! Still needs exhaust, alignment and a tune.

General Question: What is a good turbo safe oil? The install manual just recommends using a turbo safe oil but does not specify. Can I continue to use my Mobil 1 5w30? Or do I need a heavier weight oil for the turbo's? New to this so looking for some help as I don't want to screw those puppies up.

[randall814]

i know a lot of the european turbo motors are 0w30 and 0w40 but im not sure if that has to actually do with the turbos or just the engineering of the engines themselves.

[cjmatt]

one word of advice, maybe two actually...

Hook the bypasses up backwards, they work better that way. Those bosch ones are prone to leaking, also, you can vent those atmospheric if youd like for the whoosh sound...ladies love it


Can I take it for a spin? i can handle 500rwhp like nobodies biznass

[Hugger Z]

Updates from Thursday 06Sep07

OK more progress. VERY close to getting it fired up again!

Got the Recetronix fuel pump installed in the stock bucket. Very straightforward install. And the Racetronix instructions were so easy to follow. It went VERY smoothly.

James (n20junkie on LS1tech) came by again to lend a hand. Thanks a ton for your help man! He tied up my brake lines while I installed the fuel pump. We did not use the routing shown in the BMR installation instructions, but found an orientation that seemed to work and still allow my flexible hoses enough slack for steering the car.

Next we put the fuel tank back in the car and plugged everything back in there. Tied up the extra slack on the racetronix hotwire line so it does not hang down or get caught on anything.

Then we moved to the front of the car. Installed the NGK TR6 plugs. And started trying to route the vacuum sensing lines to the BOV's. However we discovered that my 99 intake is not like the newer intake shown in the APS manual. So I will need to figure out a different method to attach into the vacuum circuit. Either splicing into the stock line or attching off of the nipple on the back of the intake and then clamping the stock line onto the T-fitting. We tried that last night but the stock boot was too big for the t-fitting. Maybe if I clamp it that would work...... We pulled off the old PCV system and routed the APS set-up there.

So we moved on to the rest of the front end hardware install. Make sure you install the foam on the sides of the intercooler before putting all of this on. I missed that step initially and had to do some disassembly and then reassembly. It happens when you jump around with subassembling stuff. I should have checked off the steps as I completed them so I could look for missed X-marks on the pages.... May still have to do that to make sure I didn't miss anything else.

Lastly we took off my EGR pump. Now I need to find a block-off plate for that opening on my 99' intake. Any local performance shops carry those?

I still have to remember to attach the racetronix wire to the back of the alternator. Last time I tried I could not get the nut to loosen on the back of the alternator. It just spun the wire that is on there..... Vacuum lines need to be run and the boost sensing hoses to the intake tubes. Put my coilpacks and wires on. Top off fluids and it should be ready to fire up! Very close now!!!!

[Hugger Z]

Updates from Thursday 06Sep07

More Pics from Thursday.

[ITSSLOW]

Lastly we took off my EGR pump. Now I need to find a block-off plate for that opening on my 99' intake. Any local performance shops carry those?

Make your own man! You've got to have a tiny peice of scrap sheet metal around. Cut it to approx the size, grind down the corners/edges, drill 2 holes, spray paint it, and BOOM, you're done! Way cheaper then buying one and if you do it right (as I'm sure you would) you can't tell the difference.

[Hugger Z]

Make your own man! You've got to have a tiny peice of scrap sheet metal around. Cut it to approx the size, grind down the corners/edges, drill 2 holes, spray paint it, and BOOM, you're done! Way cheaper then buying one and if you do it right (as I'm sure you would) you can't tell the difference.

Hmmmm, I will have to see what I have in the garage. Good point. Haven't done much fabbing lately. Hopfully I still have some scraps around.....

[ITSSLOW]

Hmmmm, I will have to see what I have in the garage. Good point. Haven't done much fabbing lately. Hopfully I still have some scraps around.....

What you have to do this weekend? I'll be home at around 8pm tonight and have nothing planned until I have to leave for Ferris again on Sunday Night Always nice to have a 2nd or 3rd set of hands!

[Hugger Z]

What you have to do this weekend? I'll be home at around 8pm tonight and have nothing planned until I have to leave for Ferris again on Sunday Night Always nice to have a 2nd or 3rd set of hands!

Hopefully it will be finished and running tonight. Then if PFE is open tomorrow it will be going there for the exhaust via Belle Tire (for an alignment). Then I can get a hold of Phil for my tune. And hopefully be driving it soon! You are welcome to stop by tonight if you want to check it out. Extra help is always welcome.

[c0ncEpT]

I used a rubber freeze plug from Autozone when I installed my headers to block off the EGR. But that might not work for you because your boosting. Ask Jonny what he used as he dose not have EGR either with his turbo set up

[JAdair]

Wow man hope ya get it done tonight

[Hugger Z]

Updates for Friday 07Sep07 - IT'S ALIVE!!!!!!

Yup, I got it started tonight!

Started the evening with a run to the stores for oil and some vacuum fittings and clamps. Then took some more pictures of the brake line brackets for some of the guys with BMR K-members that were asking how I attached them.

First order of business was connecting the vacuum lines for the BOV's. Rigged up my own adapter as the 99 intake is different from the 00-02 one shown in the APS install manual. I think this will work for me. Needed a bigger connector for the heater attachment as the boot was too big for the APS supplied T-fitting. This was fun as the connection is on the back of the intake..... But I got it on. Woohoo!

I fabbed up an EGR block-off plate to bolt onto the intake and cover the hole that was left when removing the EGR.

Next was routing the breather hoses from the rocker covers to the intake pipes. Pretty straight forward. Then tie strapped the hoses in a few places to keep them put.

Next item was to attach the BOV vacuum lines to another T-fitting from the line coming out of the intake and connecting to each BOV valve on either side. The manual does not really specify where to put this connection. I ran the lines inside of the bumper and it seems to work pretty well.

Coil packs went back on the engine and then connected the new MSD plugwires. I broke 2 of my stock wires when taking them off. Guess they were worn out after 88k on them. Time to upgrade!

I made sure all of the O2 sensors were re-installed and connected to the harnesses. Then topped off the fluids. Added the oil and coolant back into the engine. And then the moment of truth......... IT FIRED UP ON THE SECOND TRY!!!! Sounds cool with the open downpipes. I have video of it Thanks Dave (mxracercam) for recording the moment. Just trying to get it uploaded for everyone's viewing pleasure (Any sites take a file over 100MB, that seems to be limiting me here....Was gonna put it on my fquick, but it's too big). I could barely hear the turbo's but they were there and put a smile on my face!!!

After I shut it off I noticed some coolant dripping from the LH turbo. DOH! Looks like the outboard water fitting has a leak. Getting a wrench in there is a pain!! Tried tightening it and will see if it still drips in the morning. Also discovered a drip on the inboard coolant banjo fitting. DOH again! At least I can get a wrench on that one. Tightened it but still seems to drip a little. Maybe they just need to be heat cycled? I hope I can get these drips stopped. If not I may have to drop the k-member again to get to these parts....... Or even worse drop the turbo's out...... That will be a pain..... We'll see what happens in the morning.

[Hugger Z]

Updates from Friday 07Sep07

More pics from Friday.