Don't know if this belongs here, it's all fabrication stuff....Before you guys go....." What the Hell!!!!" This is a show vehicle and for a Knight Rider car. Just thought you might need to know that.... I'll show you what I started with and finished with.... KITT supposely had a turbine engine, most never show the engine on their cars, because, well, KITT looks better with the hood down of course because of the red light. MY goal is to take that equation out and make it cool to lift the hood...First off.... Here's my engine bay , that I smoothed out.... Just remember KITT...Slick KITT.... Everything on KITT was Black smooth, one way or the other...





Then, I got to thinking that I needed to somehow make the engine look like a turbine....so the brain started thinking.....Hmmm, that cowl for the fan blades looks like a good start, and I also wanted to cover the scanner and make it look very industrial strengthened....and to hide the wires from it . Here's what I started with....Ugh!!! Raw glass....YEY!!!







Well, two things..... The scanner had to go with the hood lines and the turn signals....well, they got turned upside down and mounted to the opposite sides.... Kind of fun and weird if you ask me.... Anyway....Here's the final work , only in primer. May do more to the front covers also, but , no more fabbed work...YES!!! Anyway. Hope ya like!

 

So, that was the beginning.....forgot to mention, my wife also has an 82 that she is allowing me to fab stuff on. Nice way huh???!!!!! Anyway. Here's the afterward when I'm all done...Turned out nice I think. Very weird, very Knight Riderish....Talk to ya later.....oh and I learned glass work from sculpting two front noses.....and a bunch of Knight Rider parts.... You learn alot this way, for sure....NEVER AGAIN though.....NEVER!!!

Here's the last and final nose I fabbed from demensions of the original that me and a couple of friends measured from .


And here is the bay....









And yes, that is an old Martin Turbo kit that is also going on it....Before anyone asks...Here's what is going to go on at shows.... The two front covers will be permanent as the cowl piece too, but the air cleaner / carb piece is coming off while transporting. I will put this piece on after car cools. Lots of Heck on this, even though, Jegs and Summit sell Fiberglass engine kits...hmmm Anyway.....Can't wait to see this with the Turbo in either

 

I've had another questions about the dash....here it is too....Learned a bunch....BUNCH on how to glass and mold parts from this dash...YES!!!





All I have to do is maybe do some prep work now...Can't wait to be done with this thing...YES!!!! and put the engine in....OH yey!!!

Marc

 

Thats awesome, I love the seamless look.

 

You have PATIENCE!!!!

 

looks good

 

very cool!

 

I did a very , very , quick job putting this together, but it did come together.... I'm just checking on how things are going to look. This is not going to look too bad. The part on the cowl and the turn signal/scanner cover are going to stay on the ride when driving as they are sturdy and nothing will get hot enough around this stuff. The other cover will go on after everything cools down bringing into show. This fab, took just a bit of time. not much at all...... :shock: When the radiator support is gloss with the covers, it will look bammin good.... The canister on the left /passenger side needs to be angled to match cover.....etc, etc....I could keep going, i of course have finishing work, as in LEDs , Knight head stuff.....etc, etc....but no more big fab stuff. This should look nice when complete. The next time you all see this, the turbo will be sitting there. So for now, hope you all don't mind some pics....Talk to you all soon....Oh , and KITT supposely had a Jet turbine engine...hope this looks the part enough.

Marc

 

Very sleek. The coolant tank is kind of a eye sore. Maybe paint it glossy black?

 

This is on my wife's 82. Here's the engine bay it's going in.... A little cleaner than hers. I'm using her's as a quick mock up car. This way, my Knight Rider doesn't get dirty....Talk to you soon...

marc

 

How did you smooth your strut tower caps?

 

You are crazy good! personally I have never seen such amazing work! Are you a engineer? If not you should be. Curious what you do for a living? You have talent!
Your wife is a lucky woman, that is coming from a woman that appreciates a man that can and does his own work on his car!!! Kudos to you for a great job!!!

 

I'll have to respond on that one. Thanks is all I can say. I've been working on this car for almost 7 years. I fabbed the nose/sculpted it/molded it/prepped it/ got it painted. I made the jet engine type cover which took plenty of time also. The scanner covers, I made...etc , etc.... You could probably dig on here to see other stuff that I've done also like the engine bay and dash. here's a pic of the dash thats going in it......



Good thing is , everything is made now, and ready to install. The lower console is done, uppper is done... engine pieces are done...etc, etc, all Knight Rider parts are done. I'm actually putting the car together now. I'm about done with the engine bay and getting ready to put lowering springs on and also the engine. VERY close. After the engine goes in, it will be easy as heck to finish the car. I'm predicting , spring of 2014. By the way, no , I don't do this for a living. I could not stand it if I did. I just have a bunch of patience along with my wife. She's sooOOO tired of hearing Knight Rider, Knight Rider, etc, etc.....Hell, for that matter, I am. I have enjoyed the hobby and will, I just want the car done ya know. Thanks for the reply, I actually work in Multimedia/ projectors/monitor type stuff. Funny huh? Thanks again....

Marc

 

Looks really good amazing job.

 

Love that dash

 

Thanks, all this has took a long time and man, am I tired of the words knight Rider....I guess I'll get used to it A? Thanks again to all for the support

Marc

 

dam thats very nice, the dash is awesome, must feel like ur in a fighter jet. very clean engine bay, looks great

 

Well the Kitt stuff has never been my "thing" I do admire someone going he extra step to do an engine bay in the Kitt style. So far you are doing a great job getting that engine bay to match the Kitt theme.

 

Just got the engine in , and yes the old Martin kit works, as long as you get a mini starter , and mod the flange on the exhaust manifold. Other than that, it fits great, and looks KILLER!!! Haven't posted in awhile, but , engine is in and I can't wait to get everything back in.... Thanks for looking

Marc







Knight Rider theme fits well.... I actually like it alot without it.... hard for me to say after all the work, but man, I like the engine look too.....and maybe once everything is in and looking par, it might feel different. I'm still an old hot rodder myself...



Marc

 

Thats looking awesome, nice job.

 

does the air have anywhere to go after it flows thru the radiator other than into the front of the engine?
if not, that thing's gonna peg the temps in no time and not come back down.

also, that driver's side cover has an opening for the oil fill on whatever it was on originally- what are you going to do with that hole?

 

The engine cover will only be for show, and the section that will stay on goes no longer than the original cowl, so temps should be the same. As for the oil fill hole, I'm eventually putting a Knight's Head there, again, just for show. Basically , I'll drive it in, let it cool down, then , put the cover on. That simple. Other than that, it will be pretty much stock/except the turbo of course. Hope this better understands my thoughts on the cover.....later

Marc

 

Excellent work, did you make molds for the fiberglass piece's?

 

what size turbo does that kit have ?

 

No, I didn't make the molds, wish I did, as I had some friends who wanted some of the scanner covers. The turbo is good up to 15PSI. I'll only be putting 5-6 at most. Should be around 325 to 400 Hp.... Not bad....especially for these size cars.... Thanks guys!!!

Marc

 

Thanks guys! Not done too much , but I CAN officially move on to getting coolant stuff done on the car now. It's kind of working out. Wifey wants same Pulley kit on her 82 , and also wants electric fan, so, we are trading cooling systems. My 88 electric into hers, and the fan blade/old school in mine. Should be cool. I am actually putting a 700r4 in hers at the moment, but I did have enough time to shoot a pic of the engine .....Almost done!!! Now to get hers back home, to get some goodies off of hers and put some goodies on her 82. Anyway. Here's a pic of what March has brought.... My truly March update....Hah!
Marc
P.S. Still have little things to get. Power steering cover and pump cap, etc.... now for the cooling stuff...Getting almost ready to fire up this bad boy!!!!

 

What pulley setup is that and will it work on a stock L98?

 

Looks to me like march's silver powder coated pulleys and brackets. Not sure but depends on the clocking of your water pump

 

Dude that is amazing. Also never seen that turbo setup before.

 

That's a Martin Turbo kit, Almost there, actually after pictures, I put the plugs in and am getting ready for power steering hose, radiator hose, etc... All the little stuff. Also got the scanner cover on and test fitted. Glad it all still fits good... Never seen it with the real engine bay... Turned out cool.... Anyway... All Turbo stuff is done also... Waiting on downpipe to get coated, after that, it's done... and will be only needing little stuff. Excited. Will be by the end of the year cranked and outside looking like KITT for sure. Very close!!

 

Where did you get the billet caps from?

Car looks great.

 

Actually , I can't remember, but out of the blue , I got an e-mail , probably not since I ordered my stuff, kind of weird, but here is where I got them, kind of cool things for sure!!!

http://www.roundcaps.com/

Hope you like, not cheap , but very nice, and thanks also

Marc

 

Here's my September updates.... About done with engine, about ready to crank. Got Downpipe for Turbo, Heat and Cooling system re-routed under engine, New Carb, and lots of odds and ends. Will try to do wires, and vacuum stuff, this next month, along with Tranny stuff. Still need a starter, but it will come . Next month should be a wild one for this thing. Later.....
Thanks
Marc
P.S. Cars are looking good guys!!!

 

This whole thihg is awesome, I love the engine cover and the front mods, the covers for the turns....def make it sleek.

Really looking forward to more

 

Wow, cool build. That turbo setup is something else, I was just starring at it trying to figure out how it worked with both the inlet and outlet plumbed into the manifold, then you added a few more parts and I understand. Still I'd love to see the air flow path in that thing.

 

I'm not too informative on TPIs, but is that a carb setup? Can you even turbo a carb? Sorry idk much about efi

 

I like what you're doing. Makes me miss my 84 I was converting to KITT.

 

It looks like a demon carb, and yes you can turbo a carb.

 

Hah... Fun stuff it is!!! This is a Martin Turbo Kit from the 80s.... I truly would not recommend this kit as the parts are getting hard to find. I ended up buying two turbo kits to make one nice one, but..... I also, might put it on another 82 I have also... Hmmmm

This is similar, (similar) to the 301 turbo setup on 80-81 Pontiac TAs.... I've got one and to be honest, I love it.... Is it slow, yes, but after about 35 MPH , no ... It comes alive after that. For the time , the Vette in 1980 only had around 185 HP, so.... 210 with 345 torque... Pontiac was still trying to deliver....Hah!!!

This is what is called a draw through setup, where gas and air are mix at turbo, hence, no need for much at carb besides having enough fuel to deliver. The intake is a dual plane intake......



Got that picture off the web..... When under load , the flaps close on the bottom of intake......Sorry pic is so small, stole from internet of others from Google....



Then, the fuel and air go thru turbo into intake... There is a boost guard(wastegate basically) that you can change inside intake for your boost levels... I also had to fab this piece, I had the canister and spring but not the lifter part... I ended up finding a valve that seated like the original and cut the stem off.... Hope it holds, as the original was plastic anyway. The original gate I have or guard is only for 5-7 lbs boost, perfect for my compression, and what I plan to do, as mainly just to dyno race occasionally. Anyway.....

and also.... The carb cars can also be blown thru top of carb also, but require different floats (brass ) so that when under pressure, they don't go pop...hah.... and other issues, as gas and air are not mixed like the draw thru style.... The main drawback to Draw thru is , it's hard to intercool.... but, water injection and other devices help a lot with detonation and such... Hope this helps on turbos... Martin turbo kits... Old School, pricey in the day, but sooooOOO much nicer system out there now, but you pay for that newness too....

Here's a pic of the wastegate stem before cutting... Hah!!!





Pretty crazy stuff as I had to brass the exhaust manifold and turn the flange also to clear K-member, or I could have also cut K-member... either way, your doing some cutting.... and make a custom crossover pipe, then ceramic coated everything .... Turned out cool, can't wait to get everything plumbed and ready.... You guys have a good one, hope this helps better understand it.... Later

Marc

 

Got Engine about ready to crank. Just have to add fluids and try to let it rip, hopefully everything will go well. Been awhile since it's cranked. Last engine when I bought it was a blown 305, so to see this one running again will be great... Anyway. Here's some pics of the finished work.









Happy Holidays guys and Gals...

Marc

 

Starting the year off nicely!!!! KITT is started and now to button up some loose ends on it (engine wise ) , FINALLY !, can move forward...Fenders , hood, nose, wheels, very soon!!!!! Shouldn't be long and I'll have an outside KITT completely done!!!! Can't wait!!!! Hope video works .... Engine Turbo was pretty quite , it's almost like my 301 turbo from my 80 TA. Quite until a load is put on it. It is functioning , can't wait to get on road for sure.... Year is starting nicely. I'll make a better video down the road for sure. These were quik Iphone vids... so anyway, later!!!! Happy New Year too!!! That demon carb and setup is probably the best performing and best overall I've had on an f-body..... A++++ guys at Demon!!!!! KILLER!!!!

 

Pretty sweet. Sounds good.

 

I know the question was asked, but how did you smooth everything out?

 

Nice to see a Martin Turbo Kit put on a Third Gen.

Have 1 laying around in the Garage, need to clean it and then install it.

 

Thanks, yey, the Martin Turbo kit is actually pretty nice setup , dated but nice as a little boost for a 260 hp engine. Only running 5lbs boost , so , should only be around 350 hp . These cars don't need much.

If you have a kit, you don't have to mod anything but maybe the flange on the manifold or you can cut the K-member. It is a tight fit, but not bad. Definitely doable as you can tell.... People told me it wouldn't work, but , it does..

As for the smoothin out.... I welded, grinded, welded, grinded, until smooth. Took about 2 months on one side .... not counting the other and the firewall.... Lots of time on the engine bay for sure.

I have one little leak to fix on the intake side of the turbo going into intake. I took a video to see it better. It's when it's revving and dumps the fuel and air in. Need to compress clamps tighter... but here it is revving up. Runs the RPM range and secondary's do great!!! I'll have to make a test run now and see how tranny does with secondary's also. Have to put it together before that though...hah!!! Here's the video... When exhaust is put on , I'm sure you'll hear the turbo, as I can hear it now, when revving in 3,000 RPM area. Talk to you soon....and thanks guys!!!

Marc

P.S. Hope video is working... Just an Iphone vid, so , better quality coming.

 

The car looks AMAZING good job on everything. Sounds good too. Always appreciate someone who puts in that amount of effort

 

Little crazy, I know.... but wifey says finish something, I have to do that.... NO more fabbing from this guy, I can tell you that!!! Just little lights here and there and I'll be done... Then on to hopefully getting interior back. Can't wait!!!! It's been awhile since I posted anything , been super busy with interior stuff, and engine stuff... this should start things off though..... It's been since August , so.... few pics coming for sure.... Engine bay just needed to be finalized and also aligned with newer carb and intake setup. Different than wifes car/ one thing changes, boom... anyway... Got this done, now just for the gizmos






]

 

SICK!

 

Wow nice job that looks amazing.

 

very nice