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Gather around folks! I am going to do my best to do a good (first) write up as I do an install.
Parts list:
Terminator EFI Polished (510-550-405)
Terminator Fuel Kit (510-526-1)
Earl's wrenches #6-#20 (361-230402)
Flowtech 31106 Headers (387-31106)
ADAPTOR SQ FLANGE SP BORE (510-17-6)
(Current manifold is an Edelbrock spread bore)
Percy's manifold gasket (760-66011)
SCE collector gasket 3.0 (829-4300)
(I went with the Percy's and SCE due to much higher quality)
Thrush Welded 2.5" (289-17656)
(Mufflers were a mistake, should have got 2.25)
DUAL EXHAUST 63-82 VETTE (520-16521)
Quick story about the parts. I got the headers. I was planning on having an exhaust shop do the exhaust parts for me due to ease. They wanted $500 just for the install of headers. Also the reason I got the 2.5" Thrush. I was going to have them run 2.5" back. I found the 2.25" kit and decided to go with that. Now I will just have to add reducers to the current Thrush. I don't feel like ordering new and waiting or dealing with getting rid of the 2.5"
Today's agenda was to remove the stock exhaust. This has actually been fairly easy. My biggest concern was removing the stock manifolds. Started to take the bolts out and they came out like new, well even easier than new. This part confirmed my suspicion that the motor was indeed out recently. HOW it did not leak is beyond me. The drive side had 2 bolts in hand tight. Driver side had gaskets on the 1 & 2/3. Passenger side had a gasket on the 2/3. The passenger side collector was bolted on snug at best. Driver side was missing two bolts and the remaining bolt was backed off enough that you could move the flange ~1 inch. All in all fairly decent day. I also got the spare tire + carrier removed.
Tomorrow I plan on separating and removing the exhaust and hanging the headers. I would also start on the EFI, but as of right now I plan on doing this in two stages. Exhaust first and run the car, then the EFI.
Driver side w/ manifold removed.
Passenger side manifold. I forgot to get a pic of driver side, sorry.
This shows the lack of nuts, and gap!
Passenger side w/ manifold removed.
Passenger side exhaust after I removed the brake line holding up the muffler.
I am hopeful I can separate the exhaust here.
Honestly the pain job is fairly decent, this is just disappointing to see.
Wet spot is the gallon of PB blaster I used. Out of all the lose bolts, these were put on with the same torque as the drain bolt for the USS Nimitz
Exhaust clamps all came off easily enough though. Holy big are the stock cross member holes? I measured 3.5"
Project started Exhaust first, good idea, get the bad out first.
You might have to get 2 pieces of pipe bent if your planning on going through the stock frame holes, you will want this correctly centered so it don't rattle you to death.
And you will love the EFI.
Good choice on the Terminator, it has been very reliable for Bob and myself, see thread https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...periences.html
Only some minor hickups for me, but nothing unresolvable. Hope we can help if you have questions.
Nick
Exhaust was a slight headache. The EFI is starting to be that way as well. I was really hoping all this would be an easy install. On the exhaust side of things. You have to remove the tranny pan to install the passenger side pipe. The headers were easy enough. Driver side slid right up. Passenger side you have to remove the starter. PRO TIP get the header in place, install the starter, THEN install the header. Also another bit of my own undoing, I welded in the bung for O2 without the reducer adapter on it. Had to cut and weld that together correctly.
Driver side fit up nice like.
Comes too close to the filter. I will have to change that now.
Some cuts to make the bend on the passenger side.
Tac welds to hold it.
World's ugliest welds. I am inexperienced and the welder was arguing with me the whole time. I went for effective over aesthetic.
Passenger side header. Had to go get the stock plug wires due to the PO installing some straight ones.
Driver's side.
Picture is a little off. Was able to get the RH pipe to sit with the LH one after some tweaking.
The spread to square adapter I paid $50 for from Holley was a bust. The bolts/studs did not fit into the casting. The $20 one from the part store was an unwanted trip. Even that one the bolts come too short to be reasonable. They barely fit up thru the base of the throttle body.
Took half a day just to reroute and remake vacuum lines. I had a small tower coming out the back of the intake I had to replace. It was too tall and the throttle body sits back more. Lucky enough I had a perfect fitting new in a package for some unknown reason.
My current world ending catastrophe is the temp sensor. It is 3/8, my intake and heads seem to only have 1/2 fittings. Hopefully I am able to find an adapter today.
The good side of things. My tank is all but out. It was replaced recently by the PO I assume. As it is VERY clean and has equally clean padding around it. I also drilled a hole just under the heater core for the power wires. It fed in like a champ and routed like it belonged.
Almost done I do believe. I now have TWO last thing I need to purchase. The 3/8 to 1/2 fitting and a fitting for the return line.
I called Holley. When it came to the fitting, they could not fathom not having a 3/8 bung on my intake or heads. He said it was impossible and I have a 1 of 1 set, or I am wrong.
The fitting I need attaches to the -6 AN Male to 9/16”-18 O-Ring Port (AT985006ERL) on the return side of the pressure regulator. I assumed that the kit was just lacking the return line. My bad I guess. Hopefully I can grab a fitting from the local parts store.
77 Holley Terminator EFI install.
Exhaust first, good idea, get the bad out first.
