News & Events Archive

Jul 10, 2019

Tom's Turbo Garage Project Firebolt: TURBO!

It's just not a turbocharged LS-powered Toyota Tacoma without the turbo. In the latest installment of Tom's Turbo Garage Project Firebolt, Tom Tharp puts that issue to rest.

So why is there an image of welding an exhaust system? Most LS turbo engine installs mount the turbo on the passenger side of the engine bay. That was a no-go in the Tacoma without chucking the A/C. But there is tons of room under the Tacoma's bed--and that's where Tom mounted the turbocharger. Which, of course, required a custom exhaust system to make things work.

Jul 3, 2019

Ask Away with Jeff Smith: Curing Engine Stumble, Vortec Cams, and Better MPGs

It's summertime and the living is easy--unless you've got an issue with your vehicle that you can't quite figure out. Fortunately, Jeff Smith never rests--he has answers to three tech questions this go-round.

Jun 25, 2019

Tom's Turbo Garage Project Firebolt: Steering, Rear Axle, and Accessory Drive Part 2

There is a lot going on in this episode of Tom's Turbo Garage Project Firebolt, Tom Tharp's 2002 Toyota Tacoma that is getting a dose of turbocharged LS.

Tom put his thinking cap on to come up with an alternative to the factory steering linkage, which blocked any path to install a header on the LS. Experiment 72-A resulted in a very slick setup.

A Ford 8.8 inch rear axle will replace the Toyota's axle. You're gonna be surprised to see what happened when Tom rolled the 8.8 under the truck.

And the nice accessory drive system Tom set up in Part 6? No clearance for electric fans with the bigger radiator that's going in. Some browsing on your favorite parts emporium yielded the parts to redo the drive system.

Jun 19, 2019

Installing a Summit Racing Electric Fuel Pump

Josh Hahn owns Big Chief, a 1979 Jeep Cherokee that is extensively modified for off-road antics. Five miles into its first drive, the electric fuel pump fried itself and left Josh stranded.

After the embarassing tow home by his friends, Josh got on the horn and ordered a Summit Racing Universal Electric Fuel Pump, then went out and did an installation video to show everyone the proper way to install it. You can read the tech story and watch the video at our OnAllCylinders blog. You'll love it.

Jun 13, 2019

Tom's Turbo Garage Project Firebolt: More Test-Fitting and Accessory Drive Noodling

Welcome to the latest update onTom's Turbo Garage Project Firebolt, wherein Tom Tharp stuffs a a turbocharged LS engine in a 2002 Toyota Tacoma.

The B&M 4L80E transmission arrived in the Turbo Garage, and Tom got right to work bolting it to the 5,3L LM7 engine and test-fitting the combo in the truck. Spoiler alert: a hammer was involved.

Other happenings include:
* Noodling out an accessory drive system using a combination of factory parts for LS-powered Camaros and Chevy trucks
* Determining the turbocharger oil drain location on the Canton Racing oil pan
* Installing a remote oil filter adapter (the factory filter location interferes with Tacoma's steering rack)
* Hoping an LS6 intake manifold will clear the hood

Don't miss the excitement--check out this and the other five segments of Project Firebolt at our OnAllCylinders blog.

May 31, 2019

Ask Away with Jeff Smith: Recurving Distributors and Nitrous Codes

In this edition of Ask Away, Jeff Smith shows you how to create a distributor advance curve without a machine, and then tells you what those codes on your nitrous bottle really mean.

May 29, 2019

Tom's Turbo Garage Project Firebolt: Final Engine Assembly and Test Fit

Tom Tharp is rolling right along with the Tom's Turbo Garage Project Firebolt, the 2002 Toyota Tacoma that's getting a big dose of turbocharged LS engine.

So far, Mr. Tharp has rebuilt the LM7 LS long block using the good stuff like a Summit Racing Pro LS turbo camshaft, a Pro LS dual valve spring upgrade kit for the factory cylinder heads, and a Pro LS engine swap oil pan kit. He's also removed the Tacoma's stock four-banger and four-speed automatic in preparation for the LS engine transplant.

May 17, 2019

Watch This Too: Installing an Eaton Posi Performance Differential

Who is that crazy man that looks like a cross between Albert Einstein and Bob Ross? It's Rich Bosch, proprietor of DeBoss Garage,back with another great how-two video.

He did a great job doing a video on installing a Right Stuff Detailing rear disc brake conversion on a 1967 Pontiac GTO. So when he asked for some help on a how-to video on installing an Eaton Posi Performance differential in the GTO's 12-bolt rear axle, of course we said heck yeah.

May 15, 2019

Tom's Turbo Garage Project Firebolt: Removing the Drivetrain

Welcome to two exciting episodes of Tom's Turbo Garage Project Firebolt. The 2002 Toyota Tacoma that's getting a big dose of turbocharged LS engine. We're documenting the whole build on our OnAllCylinders blog.

In Part One, Tom Tharp provided an overview of the project. In Part 2, he tore down the junkyard 5.3 V8 down to see what needed to be replaced before the rebuild. And in Part 3, the 5.3L LS short block got reassembled with the good stuff like a Summit Racing Pro LS turbo camshaft, a Pro LS dual valve spring upgrade kit for the factory cylinder heads, and a Pro LS engine swap oil pan kit.

May 7, 2019

Tom's Turbo Garage Answers Questions on Project Thunderbolt--and More

We know what you're thinking. Where does Tom Tharp of Tom's Turbo Garage get ideas for all his wonderful toys? Why did he go with an LS engine instead of a Toyota 2JZ for his Project Firebolt Tacoma? And how the hell does he keep his shop so darn clean?

So many questions--and Tom answers them and many more in the first Tom's Turbo Garage Q&A session on YouTube. It's the first of several Q&As he plans on posting over the course of Project Firebolt, so he's looking forward to answering your questions too.

Go read the project stories and watch the videos at the OnAllCylinders blog, then post your questions on the Tom's Turbo Garage website, Facebook page, and Twitter feed.

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