brickit Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 I have a 78 with triple webers, header, MSA stage III cam, flat top pistons and would like to know what kind of horse power could I still get from putting a turbo on my car. I run premium gas with about 10.2 to 1 compression now. I know im towards the top with the compression now and want to run pump gas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickenman Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 You'll never be able to run pump gas with a Turbo and that high of a compression. At least.. not for very long. You may be better off selling that engine and starting all over with a dedicated Turbo build. The Flat Tops cat pistons are a weak point. The Turbo pistons are not only dished but they have much stronger ring lands and thinner rings. Cast Flat Tops, High CR, no knock sensors and Pump Gas is a recipe for disaster. Just not worth it IMHO. That Camshaft is all wrong for a Turbo car as well, and it would be really hard to Turbo the Triple Webers. You are much better off going EFI with ITB's or a Plenum manifold with a 60mm to 70mm TB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossman Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 (edited) Chickenman nailed it. You pretty much have to start over. These old engines are prone to knock especially in cylinders 5&6. Modifying the head with a coolant bypass (as discussed in one of the L6 stickies) may help a little but with pump gas I bet it still knocks like crazy with any kind of real boost. If you end up starting over, I would start with a decent running NA engine. Once you get it set up and running good, then spend the money on a fancy turbo build. That way if the blow up the NA engine, there is less money lost. Oh, and by the way triple weber setups are cool! Alas, more power is addictive and I get it. I caught the bug back in 2008. But unless you're racing, a finely tuned NA L6 is more fun to drive on the street IMHO. A lot of the power my car produces just ends up going up in (tire) smoke. That's my $0.02. Good luck. Edited January 27, 2018 by rossman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brickit Posted January 28, 2018 Author Share Posted January 28, 2018 I'll buy that, may be hard to swallow but will buy that. Triples are cool just have hesitation problem im working through and you guys know all about that "power bug". Thanks so much for your input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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