Should sound good at full throttle going through some nice Wisco black swamp mud!
CK5
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1991 Volcano K5 - Family Wheeler - Fully Independent Twin Turbo BBC
- Thread starter folkenheath
- Start date
One time about 20 years ago my father was full throttle going up a steep dirt hill in the old 77 K20, and he was almost there, I was toward the top of the hill. Then all the sudden I heard a bunch of crunching noises and the front tires were jerking erratically.
We unlocked the hubs, put it in 2WD, then I pulled up the hill with my truck and three 30 ft straps connected together, he brought it back, pulled the front diff cover, the spider gears were in dozens of pieces laying all over the bottom. I thought, that's junk now....my father says, no it isn't. He proceeded to put all the pieces back in like a puzzle and then weld them all solid as one with his MIG, it was still like that years later!
add more coolant
plumb fuel rail exit lines
reprime oil system
install distributor
install 8 coils
make new starter cables
wire EFI
wire fans
install digital dash
write and install custom 388 DIS SBC/4L60E tune
bring engine back to life
Made some new cables, I had some 1 AWG cables leftover from a ski boat project, so I just installed new ends on them and used them. Along with a 6 AWG charge cable.
I don't like this, so I will likely modify the factory 91 bezel for the pro dash.
Factory 91...
Holley/Classic Dash...
We unlocked the hubs, put it in 2WD, then I pulled up the hill with my truck and three 30 ft straps connected together, he brought it back, pulled the front diff cover, the spider gears were in dozens of pieces laying all over the bottom. I thought, that's junk now....my father says, no it isn't. He proceeded to put all the pieces back in like a puzzle and then weld them all solid as one with his MIG, it was still like that years later!
plumb fuel rail exit lines
reprime oil system
install distributor
install 8 coils
wire EFI
install digital dash
write and install custom 388 DIS SBC/4L60E tune
bring engine back to life
Made some new cables, I had some 1 AWG cables leftover from a ski boat project, so I just installed new ends on them and used them. Along with a 6 AWG charge cable.
I don't like this, so I will likely modify the factory 91 bezel for the pro dash.
Factory 91...
Holley/Classic Dash...
I bought it over a few years ago, the price has nearly tripled since then....I don't see a 88 - 91 version from either Classic Dash or Holley.
I split the EFI wiring into smaller tasks. I dissasembled the trans harness to add a pressure sensor plug to it and also a transbrake wire for later with the 4L80E. Then I put it all back like it was from the factory. I covered up the turbine speed sensor plug for now since the 4L60E doesn't use it.
add more coolant
reprime oil system
install distributor
install 8 coils
plumb fuel rail exit lines
wire relay box
EFI power harness
EFI main harness
EFI trans harness
EFI coil harness
EFI injector harness
EFI loose wires
VSS connector
mount digital dash
wire digital dash
write and install custom 388 DIS SBC/4L60E tune
bring engine back to life
reprime oil system
install distributor
install 8 coils
plumb fuel rail exit lines
wire relay box
EFI main harness
EFI coil harness
EFI loose wires
VSS connector
mount digital dash
wire digital dash
write and install custom 388 DIS SBC/4L60E tune
bring engine back to life
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Now I want one of those harnesses, not sure why I need a trans brake but it sounds fun. I mean I already have the sensor installed.
Trans Brake, Ben not trans break 
poking fun brother
poking fun brother
That particular transbrake wire only works with a 4L80E, might as well.... 
You added a pressure sensor to your trans? I like to run them but not many people do...
You added a pressure sensor to your trans? I like to run them but not many people do...
I drove the Blazer down the driveway and back to the shop. It started up immediately...still a lot of work to do under the dash to get it roadworthy, and the heater core is spewing out the firewall.
I was hoping to go to the dunes closing weekend, but I wasn't willing to take shortcuts I would have to redo just to make a cold dunes trip.
Mounting 8 coils behind the air cleaner is too time consuming and too many things in one spot back there, very tight fit.
Wiring is not all cleaned up yet, and the dash and door panels are still in pieces, and it's got mismatched mirrors for now.
reprime oil system
install distributor
install 8 coils
plumb fuel rail exit lines
wire relay box
EFI main harness
EFI coil harness
EFI loose wires
VSS connector
mount digital dash
wire digital dash
write and install custom 388 DIS SBC/4L60E tune
bring engine back to life
install front driveshaft and skid
swap steering shaft
add vacuum brake hose
I was hoping to go to the dunes closing weekend, but I wasn't willing to take shortcuts I would have to redo just to make a cold dunes trip.
Mounting 8 coils behind the air cleaner is too time consuming and too many things in one spot back there, very tight fit.
Wiring is not all cleaned up yet, and the dash and door panels are still in pieces, and it's got mismatched mirrors for now.
install distributor
install 8 coils
plumb fuel rail exit lines
wire relay box
EFI main harness
EFI coil harness
EFI loose wires
VSS connector
mount digital dash
wire digital dash
write and install custom 388 DIS SBC/4L60E tune
bring engine back to life
install front driveshaft and skid
swap steering shaft
add vacuum brake hose
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Transbrakes are a lot fun, you get to floor it and let the engine reach full load against the converter, and then let her fly, it's violent! But everything behind it better be strong too...
Its worth it to know its working good. And the one time I had an issue I knew immediately the pressure was nearly gone, so I swapped the filter and fluid and it saved it, and I know it was back to full pressure. I had changed fluid several times, but not the filter, I thought low miles wouldn't matter, but time did anyway.
Yes, I wanted to monitor the shift pressure for tuning. Well when the 60e bites the dust it’s getting a 4l80eThat particular transbrake wire only works with a 4L80E, might as well....
You added a pressure sensor to your trans? I like to run them but not many people do...
Dude, you built that thing faster than one of them car shows...
Congrats!
Congrats!
Thanks, I was trying to get to the dunes, that didn't work out this weekend, so I was up till midnight a couple nights, but it's running good. I wasn't about to leave with the whole family yesterday when the low was going to be 29 or something last night and I had two windows that wouldn't go up and a heater core I likely needed to bypass, and the dash was still in pieces and I haven't even test drove it to see if the used trans I bought shifted correctly.
Hopefully I can go on the maiden voyage soon.
The old one is completed, but the new list has already begun,
I actually fixed one window and installed a drivers mirror yesterday and never put it on the list...
replace heater core (I need to test the AC, if it doesn't work, I may convert to non AC)
finish the dash wiring
mount prodash
fix rear window (or remove it and install truck tailgate and soft top)
reroute headlight wiring
Though I am not going to maintain a list here, I'll just keep updates with my progress.
I hope to install a softtop and roll bar this winter along with the truck tailgate.
The long term list is of course...
soft top
cage
fully independent suspension
BBC
twin turbos
I haven't decided if I will go full vert with the soft top, I think I will, but not sure yet.
I think the full vert will also allow me to get the cage further away from our heads? I imagine the soft top is thinner than the roof structure.
Thanks, as you noticed my goal was a twist between a K5 and my Volcano Manifolds company. I realize technically a 91 may not be a K5, but it's still a K in my book. I had the same plate on the K10 before I sold it, but I had to get new plates since in WI a blazer is an SUV/car plate and not a truck plate.
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I picked the kids up from school in it, they liked it.
The mufflers aren't my favorite sound, but they will work for a while.
Did a little tweaking to the trans tune as it was locking/unlocking at too low of speed, works good now.
The Holley is learning the engine all by itself, even down low with the mild 234/[email protected] cam. The speedo is only off by ~2 MPH when I compare vehicle speed to GPS speed, I can tweak the tire size to make it exact.
I'll give the Holley some time and then shut learning off and tweak it myself if need be.
I realized in this vid I started it warm and it ramped down too slow, I can change that in the Holley.
Very happy with it for the first test drive, no leaks anywhere, runs good, dash is working great, trans pressure is good, shifting fine for a used trans with a shift kit.
View attachment 1000003775.mp4
The mufflers aren't my favorite sound, but they will work for a while.
Did a little tweaking to the trans tune as it was locking/unlocking at too low of speed, works good now.
The Holley is learning the engine all by itself, even down low with the mild 234/[email protected] cam. The speedo is only off by ~2 MPH when I compare vehicle speed to GPS speed, I can tweak the tire size to make it exact.
I'll give the Holley some time and then shut learning off and tweak it myself if need be.
I realized in this vid I started it warm and it ramped down too slow, I can change that in the Holley.
Very happy with it for the first test drive, no leaks anywhere, runs good, dash is working great, trans pressure is good, shifting fine for a used trans with a shift kit.
View attachment 1000003775.mp4
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I got to say, growing up with squares since I was a kid in the 80s and buying my first very own one 22 years ago and then selling it 5 months ago, it feels good to have a running driving square body again. At times I was questioning if all the work was worth it just to make it run for a couple years before I build an entirely new chassis and powertrain anyway, and after driving it around just the first day and picking up the kids from school, it was worth it, makes me smile.
And I already got a compliment at the gas station when I filled it up the first time. Guy said it sounded awesome.
And I already got a compliment at the gas station when I filled it up the first time. Guy said it sounded awesome.
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I took advantage of the sales the other week and got some stuff to install over the winter...
Softopper (grey and clear)
PRP seats (now owned by the same company)
5 PRP 4.2 harnesses
The seats were in stock units on big sale, I did set them in the back and measure the width, and I changed the rear bench to 51" wide. But that will be several weeks out, I ordered it during the sale.
But everything will be waiting for a bit now as I work on customer projects.
I plan to put a roll bar in the back to protect the rear for now. I decided not to cut the top off, tub is too nice to cut it. I won't stretch it either, because then I can't do it in stages and it would be down for 2 years or something. Now I can soft top it, rear cage it, and still drive it. Then I can swap the chassis later and it won't be down near as long.
I also scaled the truck as is before I remove the hard top and the rear tailgate for a truck tailgate.
Still iron headed small block, but aluminum water pump, aluminum radiator, dual 16" fans, Holley MPFI setup, dual 3" exhaust, near full tank of fuel. It had stock rear seat and some OBS front seats possibly, not sure what they are out of. If I would of left the factory jack in the left front fender it would of been even more perfectly balanced.
Softopper (grey and clear)
PRP seats (now owned by the same company)
5 PRP 4.2 harnesses
The seats were in stock units on big sale, I did set them in the back and measure the width, and I changed the rear bench to 51" wide. But that will be several weeks out, I ordered it during the sale.
But everything will be waiting for a bit now as I work on customer projects.
I plan to put a roll bar in the back to protect the rear for now. I decided not to cut the top off, tub is too nice to cut it. I won't stretch it either, because then I can't do it in stages and it would be down for 2 years or something. Now I can soft top it, rear cage it, and still drive it. Then I can swap the chassis later and it won't be down near as long.
I also scaled the truck as is before I remove the hard top and the rear tailgate for a truck tailgate.
Still iron headed small block, but aluminum water pump, aluminum radiator, dual 16" fans, Holley MPFI setup, dual 3" exhaust, near full tank of fuel. It had stock rear seat and some OBS front seats possibly, not sure what they are out of. If I would of left the factory jack in the left front fender it would of been even more perfectly balanced.
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What about PRP company? Did they sell it to soft topper?
Are they still in Temecula ca?
Are they still in Temecula ca?
