Build Portal Buggy revamp

[JarrodBrazil]

Really appreciate the builds on here!!! Sold my drag axle car to step up to a portal car. Couldn’t afford to buy a new turn key car. So I settled on this capable used Kalif Redden car. Amazing shit can be done is this car. I rolled it in Sand Hollow on chutes and ladders and cracked the 904 transmission..Not really happy with the 1.4L ecotec and the 4:1 D300. We bust out the torches and pitchforks!!!

 

[pennsylvaniaboy]

well???


Why were you not happy with the ecotec and the 4.1d300?

 

[JarrodBrazil]

Seems like a comp only setup. The 1.4 ecotec needs the 4:1 in the D300. Combined with 5.29 axle gears and 2:1 portals it’s geared way down. At the hammers most obstacles are done in 2nd gear.
But in between hammers trails there is steep loose hills and rough terrain and the 1.4 ecotec acts like a 125cc two stroke. Gutless in high range til it lights the turbo.

 

[JarrodBrazil]

I did buy a 2010 3.9l out of a Buick Lucerne. Nationwide on EBay was the only one which would sell me the pedal,the computer, most of the harness. I didn’t realize I would need alternator,starter. Throttle body and MAF sensor

 

[JarrodBrazil]

New motor will be ultra mounted. Starting with offset mounts on the block attached to belly cradle with trail gear chromoly tube clamps

 

[JarrodBrazil]

Cut the dash bar out to make room for the computer and wiring. Got this look from Steve Nantz at SHO who has been very helpful. New bars for the front of chassis to clear the PSC pump mounted on the billet bracket from Eversen

 

[JarrodBrazil]

RULE #1. KEEP IT SIMPLE!!
Transfer case is remounted in original location which keeps driveshafts and seat mounts!

My first real tech was flipping the intake. I have seen the normal move all the front water jackets to the rear like Mnorby who did a great build! And has the JHF advantage of coolant traveling through the chassis tubes
I decided to cut the ball sack off the intake and flip it after cutting off stock power steering mount which keeps the Eversen belt routing just need a friend with a higher powered Tig to seal the hole

 

[SteerAndStuff]

Looks good. If you flip the valve covers around side to side too the coil mount still fits like factory as well between the intake and valve cover.

 

[JarrodBrazil]

Hey thank you! Your rig is beautiful and your driving is impressive l.. I watch all the MarRocks on YouTube

 

[SteerAndStuff]

Hey thank you! Your rig is beautiful and your driving is impressive l.. I watch all the MarRocks on YouTube

Thank you, granted in her videos I was still learning the new buggy since it was its first actual wheeling trip other than initial testing. Got it dialed in a bit better now and more experience in it. IG: SteerAndStuff for latest stuff.

Did you change out the oil pickup tube in the pan?

 

[JarrodBrazil]

Please tell me about the oil pick up modification?

 

[pennsylvaniaboy]

Please tell me about the oil pick up modification?

Same!!!

 

[SteerAndStuff]

I read about it on Jesse's Pokey build. Uses a Camaro oil pickup to move it toward rear of pan. It is discussed in post 391, 392, and 397 in this thread:

Project: Pokey - JHF Pro Mod Comp Buggy

www.pirate4x4.com

I did this from the get go so no experience with the stock pickup. I never loose oil while going uphill but when I drop down something really steep I do loose oil pressure so maybe not the end all solution but makes sense since we typically spend more time in climbing angles. I have considered an oil accumulator on like I had on last rig but haven't done anything yet. Here are photos of the oil pickup I took. I apparently didn't save the part number of that in my file when I bought it but pretty sure its a Melling 244S.

 

[JarrodBrazil]

Thank you MNorby. Great advice. Always a big thank you to Jesse too

Small progress this week. Got the windshield- dash bar and engine bars fitted. Got plenty of room behind intake for ECM and gauges and switch pro thing

 

[JarrodBrazil]

Got the intake welded up with my miller 180 on max . All 5 Motor mounts done. Air cleaner mounted. power steering reservoir and cooler mounted always tryin to improve visibility

 

[JarrodBrazil]

I also moved coil pack to front of valve cover to clear steering cooler

 

[JarrodBrazil]

I pushed steering metering valve towards the center of the chassis to line it up with alternator to get better visibility
Steering wheel is centered to seat but a bit crooked. Pictures show my line of sight

 

[JarrodBrazil]

Built a -16 thermostat housing no stat. Built a cover for the stock plastic coolant cap that holds my auto meter temp gauge and an extra port to bleed system? Both made from 3/16” aluminum.

 

[JarrodBrazil]

Work has been crazy busy. I received my custom wiring harness from Steve Humphries which is ultra clean with 4 mini fuses and relays for 2 fans and fuel pump. He also gave me a secret custom tune he developed with James Treacy which guarantees to make all the bonus gates. computer and switch pro and most electrical connections will be inside a box directly behind engine

 

[JarrodBrazil]

Got the SHO speed shifter mounted. Welded a plate to fit lower on center console

 

[JarrodBrazil]

Kartech Special order Simpson 5 point 2” belts shoulder/lap sewn together with snap in mounts pads sewn in also

 

[JarrodBrazil]

Started the stainless headers…watched 50 you tube videos first. bought a dual flow regulator from weldmonger and learned you need to back purge even the lap joints. 30 cfh torch. 10cfh backpurge. Followed Sasquatch lead with eversen flanges and jmd tubes. Secure the collector with a hose clamp and scrap iron

 

[JarrodBrazil]

Bought the swag portable band saw table and harbor freight saw and it cuts great

 

[JarrodBrazil]

Fit up didn’t take that long with band saw table and a flap wheel. Use very small and removable tacks on engine flanges and collectors. After tubes are tacked, remove them and weld up individually.

 

[JarrodBrazil]

Snap header back together and tack only the pipes together near the collector. Then pull collector off and start welding center of pipes together. Build up and fill gaps in between tubes to install collector and then weld up. Backpurge while welding collector!!!!!! I welded the inside of pipe at engine flange for a clean look. Prolly 7 hours one header. Visibility and foot space looking great

 

[bwillrich]

I love the update! Have you figured out how you're going to mount the gas pedal? I'm building the same engine in a Rock Lizard and am looking for ideas. I've seen some remote mounted and then cable or linkage to a manual pedal. Great looking build! please keep up the thread!

 

[bwillrich]

Got the intake welded up with my miller 180 on max . All 5 Motor mounts done. Air cleaner mounted. power steering reservoir and cooler mounted always tryin to improve visibility

View attachment 16601

What's the reason for cutting the intake like this? I've seen it done before but just curious of the benefits?

 

[JarrodBrazil]

I love the update! Have you figured out how you're going to mount the gas pedal? I'm building the same engine in a Rock Lizard and am looking for ideas. I've seen some remote mounted and then cable or linkage to a manual pedal. Great looking build! please keep up the thread!

Hey thank you. Planning to mount the drive by wire pedal in front of foot but I need to run the two -16 coolant lines to the rear radiator also soooo stay tuned

 

[JarrodBrazil]

What's the reason for cutting the intake like this? I've seen it done before but just curious of the benefits?

The ball sack thing will contact the coolant ports on the engine if you flip intake. MNORBY —build thread—moved the coolant stuff to the rear heads which is great alternative too

 

[JarrodBrazil]

Got the crossover fitted and passenger header all tacked and ran outta Argon. Rotated and shortened original exhaust. Hope the two silencers will keep it quiet.