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The Hellcat Blazer

Just a budget Blazer build out of control
Overview Gallery Discussion
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Got the passenger fender and wheelwell pulled. EVERY SINGLE WHEEL WELL BOLT CLIP-NUT WAS BROKEN and the bolts free-spun. Went from 90 seconds with an impact, to 40 minutes with a grinder. Had to grind off all the bolt heads an knock em through, so looks like she's getting new hardware too!

Thinking I'm gonna pull the AC box/evap core, and convert to just heat. If it's warm enough for AC, the top is off and I won't be using AC. It'll give me a lot more room for headers as well, and help in cleaning up the engine bay. Less 'project', more 'finished product'. Tomorrow's goal is to cut the driver fender/wheelwell off, and maybe fiddle a little bit with my header mockup tools.

The cleaned up wiring, sprayed engine compartment, new engine with some bling, much better/cleaner fans, and custom headers are gonna look SICK when everything is done. I want it looking as nice as reasonably possible in there. The 'wow' factor when you first pop the hood is great, but it's definitely not a pretty engine bay
 
HEADER FAB UPDATE (Warning, photo and video dump)

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Somehow, I did not get a SINGLE photo of all 4 runners finished and mocked up. They're off being welded individually. Once I get them back I will assemble and install the headers to fine-adjust each runner to the optimal position, tack them to the flanges and collector, and ensure clearance is satisfactory with the frame, engine mounts, and starter. Meanwhile:

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Once the driver's side runners are done (gonna get them together this week after work, hours permitting) they'll get the same procedure as the passenger's side. Then, the set will go off to be ceramic coated while I hit part 2: stripping all the paint, dirt, and rust from the engine bay and spraying it with *insert some durable sealer*. I'm ready to have this truck back!
 
Ready for the welder. He's my neighbor and offered to help me out, but apparently he hasn't even started the first set yet :cry: if the first set isn't ready by Saturday (I have a bbq) then I'm probably gonna just pull the engine and start the engine bay process. Then I'll confirm header fitment after the new long block is in, send them off for ceramic coating, and get the fans/extras figured out in the meantime. I'd just really prefer to send the headers out first and do the engine bay while I'm waiting. Time will tell!

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I started to clean and de-rust the battery tray, and it looked like the surface of the moon. For giggles, I checked on a new one and they're only like $40. The inner fenders were mostly intact, but both had some patches that were scaling pretty badly. I could probably drive a screwdriver through them. I can get those for $48/ea, so I'll skip the time and materials to repair and prep for paint. They're on the way, as well as all new hardware because EVERY SINGLE BOLT was completely rusted to the clip nuts, and EVERY NUT broke off and free-spun upon attempting to remove them. That cuts my prep work in half! Only the firewall and core support to worry about.

The first set of runners is back! Fitment is awesome, I'll get them tacked and set once I get my welder back from work.
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While I wait for the rest, I'm gonna make forward progress. A guy I autocross with does powder and ceramic coating, he's gonna do the headers dark grey for $350 for me when finished. Solid deal. I would like to be getting everything sprayed this weekend, if the new parts get here in time. They (LMC) said Friday, but that's pretty quick for some oversized items.

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Check these out!

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The header flanges and collectors will be welded Tuesday, and then going to ceramic coating. 50% chance I get them back before the weekend, which would be super cool. I used them to get the main section of exhaust done before I drop them off, so I can weld it later this week while they're gone. Once the hangers are in and headers are done, I'll figure out the tailpipes. Assuming I haven't forgotten to order, prep, or build anything, it may be running this weekend.

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ABH Customs said:
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Austin Powers Love GIF
 
They forgot to order the CeraKote so it took 2 weeks to get them done, but they're finally complete! Luckily I've already:
Drilled and tapped the skirt for knock sensors
Routed and mounted the plug wires
Got the base tune put together
Pinned the crank
Built a fuel pump/surge tank mount
Modified/mounted the AC-delete box and sorted the wiring
Set up the new heat exchanger
and welded the exhaust so I just gotta weld the hangers and that's finished. Praying for a drive by this weekend

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It appears you even went for the equal length on the header tubes, way to let that thing breathe. Nice upgrades with the new engine.

I think I am missing a codec or something, I can't see any of the videos, only audio.
 
folkenheath said:
It appears you even went for the equal length on the header tubes, way to let that thing breathe. Nice upgrades with the new engine.
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Thank you! I figured, "while I'm here building them, I may as well go for equal length". A huge performance upgrade, as well, to compliment the new ported heads.

Babaganoosh said:
What are you doing for a drive belt system? Was going down the rabbit hole of hellcat swaps yesterday.
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The same setup I've been running.
C6 accessories
LSA balancer
ICT Billet LSA tensioner
DJ Tuning blower pulley hub
Your GripTec Hellcat pulley of choice
 
It's that way the whole thread, I think it's my new computer missing a codec, not your video. I think it worked with my old laptop, I just haven't taken the time to fix the new one.
 
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