BL Fabrications 88/96 turbo install on 2019 Bullitt

[NGOT8R]

The header gasket has finally arrived! Both heads are now on and studs are torqued. This was a very tedious task and it ate up a considerable part of the day. I also wrapped more of the wiring harnesses with heat shield tape and Tesa that I felt may be close to the hot side piping.

The driver’s side header is a very tight fit with the brake lines in their original position. I‘m hoping that once the motor is lowered and back on the motor mounts, I can shift it over to the right a bit and gain ample clearance.

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[AcceptableNebula]

I straightened mine carefully but it still runs near the turbo housing. Don’t have any damage to the heat shielding yet.

 

[NGOT8R]

I straightened mine carefully but it still runs near the turbo housing. Don’t have any damage to the heat shielding yet.

They’re shoe horn tight in the engine bay. It’s crazy how tight things are in there..

 

[HKusp]

I have had my long tubes on and off three times now. They DO eat up a lot of time. It is ridiculous how tight the confines are to work in and I have Corsa's which their tube design is idiotic as far as the interference they have with getting a wrench or socket on them. I NEVER want to mess with them again if I can help it.

 

[NGOT8R]

I have had my long tubes on and off three times now. They DO eat up a lot of time. It is ridiculous how tight the confines are to work in and I have Corsa's which their tube design is idiotic as far as the interference they have with getting a wrench or socket on them. I NEVER want to mess with them again if I can help it.

Yes! I’m glad that I decided to install the turbo headers onto the heads before bolting the heads onto the block. I can say without a doubt that it would have been extremely difficult to get four of the bolts in (two top middle ones on both heads) had I installed them from the bottom in the traditional sense.

Alex Flores on YT had this same kit back in 2022 and he mentioned how difficult it was, during his attempt to install it on his car. He ultimately abandoned the installation due to the very high level of difficulty, as well as the requirement to delete certain parts (which he refused to do), in order to complete the install.

This turbo kit is not for the faint of heart and I can definitely relate to his level of frustration with the install. However, I’m far too invested, not to see it through and very much looking forward to the completion of this project.

 

[NGOT8R]

I test fit the wiring through the large hole that I drilled in the inner fender and everything fits perfectly! All factory grounding points are being utilized as well.

I also moved on to mocking up the hot side piping to see if there were any additional clearance issues. The driver’s side wastegate dump is swept forward in my photos because I was trying to make room for the exhaust pipe to fit through the fender. Not sure yet, if there will be flexibility to do it that way, but time will tell.

Of course I couldn’t resist throwing the turbo on there to see what it looked like. Once I put it on, I couldn’t stop looking at it.

Time to knock off for the day. To be continued…

 

[NGOT8R]

Scraped all of the residual RTV sealer off of the valve covers and timing cover today, so that I can power wash them and degrease them with Dawn dish soap and have them ready for cams and timing components next week. I really want to have the engine buttoned up by then.

I’m also going to replace the crankshaft seal in the timing cover while it’s off for peace of mind, as well as replace the VVT sensors. I tested the passenger side sensor a while back by unplugging it and the cricket chirp that had been present ever since I’ve had the car, went away. When I pugged it back up the chirp returned.

Lastly, I mocked up lines from the turbo oil pressure regulator and filter to the turbo oil feed block, as well as the drain line from the turbo to the oil pan. I will measure these and either make my own (with the proper hoses and clamps) or have some made.

The turbo itself weighs 42.5 lbs and therefore, BL Fab makes this bracket to support it. Without the bracket, the welds on the piping would likely crack over time.

 

[NGOT8R]

Cams are in and the engine is timed (I hope). I’m not gonna downplay it either, this job was nerve-wracking, to say the least. I second guessed myself, thinking I may have jumped a tooth on the passenger side secondary phasers and ended up pulling that side back apart to double check. Thankfully, all was good!

The last thing I want to have happen is to make a misstep and have to take it apart again. The engine turns over easily by hand, so that’s a good sign right there.

 

[HKusp]

Cams are in and the engine is timed (I hope). I’m not gonna downplay it either, this job was nerve-wracking, to say the least. I second guessed myself, thinking I may have jumped a tooth on the passenger side secondary phasers and ended up pulling that side back apart to double check. Thankfully, all was good!

The last thing I want to have happen is to make a misstep and have to take it apart again. The engine turns over easily by hand, so that’s a good sign right there.

So, I have timed my car (Incorrectly apparently) three times now by the Motorcraft procedure, without a degree wheel. Did you use one?

 

[wingnutt]

So, I have timed my car (Incorrectly apparently) three times now by the Motorcraft procedure, without a degree wheel. Did you use one?

lol…that’s what the dots are for!

 

[wingnutt]

So, I have timed my car (Incorrectly apparently) three times now by the Motorcraft procedure, without a degree wheel. Did you use one?

lol…that’s what the dots are for!

 

[NGOT8R]

So, I have timed my car (Incorrectly apparently) three times now by the Motorcraft procedure, without a degree wheel. Did you use one?

No degree wheel for me. You’re making me nervous again now brother! thought I was done shakin‘ in my boots over this timing stuff.

Can you elaborate on what your issue was? Did your crank sprocket have a reference mark on it? I know one member here had that issue, but If memory serves me, he was able to get past it.

 

[NGOT8R]

My crank sprocket has a dark mark on it and the cam sprockets have these reference marks on them.

 

[AcceptableNebula]

So, I have timed my car (Incorrectly apparently) three times now by the Motorcraft procedure, without a degree wheel. Did you use one?

Definitely interested in hearing the details.

 

[HKusp]

lol…that’s what the dots are for!

Well, when it says 5 o'clock what's exactly 5 o'clock? It could be 4:50 or 5:10 on a clock dial, it doesn't take much to be a tooth off.

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