OIL: Melling's oil pump. 9 quart oil pan, oil cooler, and custom made remote filter housing.

HEADS: 1976 454 120cc chamber heads, Competition Cams pushrods, valve springs, retainers and locks, roller rockers, bronze valve guides, stainless one piece valves intake: 2.20 exhaust: 1.90.

COOLANT: Brassworks water pump, Robertson 180 degree thermostat, custom made 6 core rad. (8 inches thick, and fits inside rad support)

TURBO SYSTEM: Designed by RPM Research (Gary Spooner). Designed pressure housing, turbo mounting, exhaust manifolds, and all related plumbing. Turbo's are extensively modified by RPM. Turbos are not solidly mounted to exhaust manifold, they are secured at the front of engine. Mounting brackets are designed to allow movement of turbo during heating and cooling (no cracks.) Pressure box completely encloses the carb, therefore few mods to carb throttle plate were required.

PRESSURE BOX: 0.060 aluminum, designed by RPM. I wanted to have the carb completely enclosed but still accessible for servicing.

TURBOS: TB03 .60 turbine housings and .80 compressor housings respectively, external wastegate (rotomaster) heat shields. Turbo's were previously used as draw-through turbos for the 4.9 litre. I converted them for the blow through method.

ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION MONITORING: Designed by RPM, digital computer technology, non transistor (3 logic circuits for turbo cool down sequence) all relays, triple pole double throw. Each relay has 2 functions:

1. Indicate its position whether on or off.
2. Control load devices.

Purpose: To monitor oil pressure, oil temperature (oil filter housing) oil temperature (turbo oil return), turbo prime, coolant temperature, trans temperature, day time running lights, provide info about engine condition to drivers compartment.
Function: Oil pressure is given #1 priority, engine will shut down when oil pressure is lost. All relays that provide ign control receive voltage from oil pressure relay.
Turbo prime: Will not allow engine to start until 7-15psi of oil pressure. (bypassed if desired, switch in console). Turbo oil return temperature is constantly monitored. If excessive, relay will be energised but will have no effect upon engine operation. When key is turned off, voltage is applied through relay to ign relay, this keeps the engine running. Voltage is also applied to the oil cooler fan motor relay, and coolant fans relay, also the alternator is kept on line to maintain system voltage. After the temperature of the oil from the turbos has dropped to a safe limit the engine will be allowed to shut down. If oil pressure is lost during the turbo cool down sequence this event will be bypassed and the engine shut off (bypassed if desired, switch in console).
Daytime running lights Controlled by relay #8. Energised when oil pressure is present.
Transmission temp. Monitored at the oil pan of the transmission. Controls fan for tranny cooler, also will indicate at console.
Engine oil temp. Monitored at the filter housing. Controls fan for engine oil cooler. Switches on the outside of the box provide a method to keep coolant fans from cycling during maintenance, and to confirm that the turbo cool down circuit is functioning. All accessories have been retained A/C, cruise, etc.

TRANSMISSION: 1983 700R4 built by RPM. Complete upgrade performed, 9 disc 3-4 clutch, revised overdrive planetary etc, Tony Rossi, Gray Thunder series 12 inch torque converter, turbine and impeller blades heli brazed, angled to give a stock stall speed, double torington bearings at thrust surfaces 2-4 piston replaced with Corvette parts, anti downshift kit for extreme speeds, deep sump pan. TCI flexplate etc. etc.

REAR AXLE: Stock GM 81/2 3.08 axle (nice job GM) 4 wheel disc, metallic pads.

SUSPENSION: WS6 suspension, urethane bushings, all round, ladder bars, big block springs, 5 leaf thickness rear springs, 50 series on back, 60 on front.

INTERIOR: New carpet, manufactured the console, 6 point harness, new ragtop, Fuel pressure (autometer) Vacuum boost gauge (autometer) EGT gauge, controls for computer. Stock gauges.

I wanted this car to go in excess of 180 mph. I know it could go in excess of that speed easily. The rate of acceleration is awesome for a car that is 4200lbs (after mods completed). The exhaust is quite and the engine runs very smooth. In overdrive at highway speed of 60 mph engine will generate 20 inches of vacuum. Boost is adjustable, min. 3 psi to 15 psi. For normal play I run 8 psi on supreme gas, 4 psi on regular.
The 1/4 mile is scary: I had a companion to time a run, he weighed 213 pounds, I had a problem with traction for the first 300ft (to much boost) but I still pulled a high 12s low 13s 1/4 mile. Other streeters have tried to beat this brute with no luck! The bonus comes at the gas pump, impressive fuel mileage for this car.
I have had this car since 85 I never will let this car out of my grasp.
Gary Spooner
RPM Research