Take her on a Rocket Launch!

We're all different. Some need milestones, continuous feedback and deadlines, while others work slowly for decades to make their ride reach the asphalt. 

After years of self-reflection, I've learned what I need to move forward with a project (beside time and money...). What I need is to get to know the beast. To feel the vibrations, smell the fumes and hear the how it sounds. I'm talking about  some quality time with the object. After that I can comfortably start the surgery.

As I had these thoughts, the grey skies opened up and the seldom seen sun started to shine. A sign for a new start. To get going. To fill up some fuel and move on to make it or breake it.

12 Volt, 10 liters of RON 95, new fuel filters and a proper countdown. No Rocket Science needed....

...to go for a Rocket Ride. The Hydramatic shoftly shifted gears while we slowly started to understand why this vehicle won Carrera Panamericana 1950 and NASCAR 1949.

Even somewhat worn, it feels perky and way ahead of its time. 

First some new sheet metal (we're taking about solid floor) then some interior and perhaps some paint. 

Over to the topic of torque and power:

-How well can the Rocket 303 V8 handle a low boost AirWerks/EFR turbo? The conrods and crank are forged, the pistons are oil cooled and the compression ratio is low...just thinking. 

Persistence is king. Or should we say Queen?

Let's start with a warning and a general advice. 

Warning first: There's not a trace of turbos nor superchargers in this post. That's not good since boost pressure is what makes most of us happy in our search for a safe, secure way to satisfy our crave for speed.

Moving on to the general advice; Don't do this at home! Especially not if you're the restless type in constant search for fast feedback.

Instead, this article is all about persistence and the ability to change state of mind. To get a new perspective. To move tedious to time-to-think-treasure.

Here's what we're talking about... 

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The original plan: Sandblasting. Instead: Car archaeology. 

Carina grabbed cheapest possible paint remover and discovered layer after layer of car fashion. All the way back to the Cadillac Lucerne Green. 

A really nice Cadillac color from 1949.Google it and you'll find out.

 

After endless hours and continuous contemplation; 

Bare bone sheet metal celebration.

Primer applied.

From another angle in a different light.

 Paint it black. In a two component kind of way.

Dry paint and worn hubcap.It's all coming together....

...and  step by step, new tires are finding thier way to the old Cadillac wheels.

'

 While, eventually, these wheels reach their elegant, art deco appearance.

Meanwhile,in another part of our speed shop, Carina creates momentum and take the opportunity make Jeep driveshafts great again. 

Supercharge a Sloppy Suburban. Diesel. Part 1

Diesel. Supercharger. Two positive words. Add deplacement and you're good. Oh, I forgot, low cost and do it yourself attitude should be added to the picture as well.

Here's what it's all about; The Salt Slush Team is seriously thinking about making one of Magnus, mad but magic projects come true. We're talking about revitalizing an old, sloppy, somewhat sad Suburban. With a Supercharger from the salvage yard. We' don't want to waste a Magnuson or VMP Supercharger when making prototypes, but we need an Eaton TVS supercharger to make efficient boost pressure. So, Magnus got one from a  Audi V6 3.0 TDI (gasoline).

But why? Ok. Here's why;

1. Confession: We've been inspired by Roadkill (Hot Rod Magazine)

2. A supercharged Diesel vehicle is amazing to drive [only a few of us have done that]. No lag. Just torque.

3. Because we can... 

It will take some time to accomplish this task. But we'll be successful...eventually….for sure...

All professionell chef's prepare an mise en place (it's french and if you don't know what it is google it and try to figure out what it means). Here's Magnus while making those small, but subtile adjustments that will make an Audi V6 TVS Supercharger mount effortlessly on an old Chevy Suburban V8 Diesel.

Yes you're all correct. An adapter is needed. Luckily there was a Lathe available and a weekend to spare. Life's good.

Magnus and two pulleys. Yes, he's about to make a show off

Remark1: Is this the first poly-v and v belt combination ever?

Remark2: The Jeep Grand Cherokee 5,9 in the background has nothing to do with this. 

Left: a modern poly-v type of pulley from god knows what.

Right: a more conservative V-belt crank pulley from the old Chevy V8 Diesel

The amazing adapter that Magnus milled. Drawing is available, in Magnus mind. 

Purpose: Pull pulleys together and make magic.

How?

Here's how; Take the amazing adapter, in shiny steel and put it on top of the Chevy crank pulley, apply the screws and add…

...the fancy new poly-v pulley on top and Voila! You've got yourself the first building block of a the first ever (?) Chevy Suburban V8 Diesel & Audi V6 TVS Supercharger combo.

Next step? Magnus will move the monster to the Salt Slush workshop when he's motivated.

How it will end? Nobody knows. But we'll tell you all about it.

Or at least most of it.

Probably.