Guest sb400z Posted March 25, 2003 Share Posted March 25, 2003 What do you guys think? Would it be worth the trouble to try to do a single turbo setup on my 400 and not go fuel injected? This won't be any time soon, I just got my new heads (dart pro1, 200cc ported with 64cc chambers) and spent 4300 on suspension, brakes, rims and tires. But when this gets "slow", I'd like to play with boost. I'm thinking at least a t60 intercooled and run MAYBE 8-10 pounds. This would shut my buddy up. He has a 93 talon with same turbo and can run 27 pounds... that'll only get him low 11's, maybe high tens if its -60 degrees outside and he runs 4 slicks (awd), but a turbo is FUN. Anyways, info or previous experience with pros and cons would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike C Posted March 25, 2003 Share Posted March 25, 2003 Historically, the OEMs never had any luck with turbos and carbs. Only with the advent of EFI did turbos really become effective. Air/fuel is right most always and the ability to intercool is paramount. IMO, forced induction is for only AFTER you have converted to EFI, or at least simultaneously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sb400z Posted March 25, 2003 Share Posted March 25, 2003 So for the purpose of planning, what is a the best way to convert to EFI with a turbo in mind? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted March 25, 2003 Share Posted March 25, 2003 The best way to plan is to read up on the technology itself, see what kinda aftermarket conversion parts are available (or get a new engine), etc. I went with EFI with the idea (dream) of turbo in mind for the future. Got a TIPS MiniRam2, FAST/SPEEDPRO EFI computer, etc. There were other TBI and TPI manifolds out there but I chose the MiniRam which was copied by GM for the LT1. It had the most impressive numbers as well as being able to fit under the stock hood. It all depends on how much boost you plan to run and how the car is to be driven. I got a Haltech E6K for sale if anyone wants it. Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted March 26, 2003 Share Posted March 26, 2003 Ah, this topic is very near and dear to my heart. Buying aftermarket EFI is probably the way to go if you can truly afford the expense right away. I can't. I have a bad habit of spending money $100 here, $100 there, and not really getting what I want....until now: I have been reading several books: Maximum Boost by Corky Bell, Turbochargers by Hugh MacInnes, and Fuel Injection by Jeff Hartman. The last book is the best one for fabbing your own EFI system and I highly recommend it. I'll nickle and dine through the whole thing and still end up with what I want. I'm converting a high rise manifold to efi by drilling out the NO2 bosses and incerting injector bungs. Cool eh? An 'elbow' is needed to go from the base of the manifold to the throttle body (any can be used and Mustang TB's are especially cheap). I'm using some very short Sanderson headers going to be upside down with 90 degree elbows running forward to the front of the motor to a 60-1 GN turbo. This will make a tasty combo on the 350 and be able to melt some tires with 500 or so HP on tap at reasonably low boost. The main 'expensive' component in my wild scheme is the software/engine management. I'm fairly sure that by the time I have a second V8 built to take this punishment, there will be relatievly cheap (read: free) software using stock components or similar to make this thing work. At least I hope so...SDS is not cheap..ugh. Consider the following: you will need a turbo, piping, manifolds, TB, injectors, intake manfolds, IC, engine management, etc. All that adds up. I won't lie to you: I'm very cheap. I buy stuff if I think the price is low enough and I pass on the retail/expensive stuff. I have been collecting parts for about a year and I still have a little ways to go. You better plan the money thing out ALONG WITH TIME to make sure this will work for you doing it yourself. I have extreme budget constraints so I have to be selective, so time is secondary. It may be 3 years before the thing is turbo'd, but hopefully less. I can only hope....and buy cheap. Thanks to all my friends on this board who have sold me parts for outstanding prices so I can go fast. Big group hug from me *snif* Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted March 26, 2003 Share Posted March 26, 2003 Hey Davy! How ya doin??? Got any pix of those headers? Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted March 26, 2003 Share Posted March 26, 2003 Owen, I'm doing great! Thanks. The headers I am using are Sanderson CC134's (short block-huggers) that will use a separate 90 degree elbow to go forward (sorry, I should have been more specific) and bend around the front of then engine toward the turbo. Stainless steel custom units are ideal, but I can't afford the luxury right now. This is a cheaper solution. The only thing that bites is that I have to cut one of the flanges to clear the sending unit on the right side, and this also upset the coating on the headers too This is a pic from Sanderson: The distance from the top to the bottom of the headers is minor. Even with a 90 degree elbow, it should still fit under a cowl hood. Hopefully. Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted March 29, 2003 Share Posted March 29, 2003 Pretty sweet, what about the strength? I've heard even stainless manifolds crack under too much heat and boost. Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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