I have an 87 el camino with a 350, RV cam, performer intake, headers, and custom exhaust in it(all I can do and still keep it legal). I have been looking for either a supercharger or a turbo unit for it, the kicker is I live in CA.(I don't want to move) so smog legal has been the biggest problem, a rear mounted turbo would solve this problem even though its not an optimum setup. I would rather not pay STS their price and would love to do this myself. The only problem is I've never worked on turbo unit's before but am willing to try. The first question would be what size turbo unit should I use. As a side note me elkie has a Computer controlled Carb. would it and the computer be able to handle a turbo system? If anybody can help steer me in the right direction that would be a big help.


August

yup you can use the carb with some modifications. I chose to swtich to EFI though, makes more sense and if you have to pass emissions (and its legal to make that switch) then you'll really be in better shape.

As i just learned in a previous thread, you want a compressor side that is sized to the engine and a hot side that is a bit small.

Maybe running a HX40 with a small exhaust a/r ratio would be the ticket?

I'm just starting to research this setup myself...I'm finishing off a regularly mounted twin trubo setup on my car this winter, and a friend or two may be interested in doing the remote mount style with my help.

I would recommend that first step, in your state, would be to complete a full swap including emissions components to tuned port injection.

you can keep your same engine you will just have to:

Make sure you get all of the emissions components to complete such a swap.

make a trip to the special california air resource board will be required. He will certify your swap as legal as long as all components are in place.

the swap is to a "same year or newer" engine (it doesnt matter whats under the TPI).

even since essentially there are no real differences emmision wise between a 85 tpi and a 92 tpi as far as required componentry you could find the stuff from an 85 car and certify it as "87" just by saying it is on the form.

You need to figure out if you are going to need to go MAF or SD. this will depend on what ECM you get your hands on.

here is the kicker, you need to find out more about your cam or you might have to ditch it to prevent it from failing you, likely it wont.

this is just step one to get you from the computer controlled carb into something that wont freak out or can be tuned when you put boost to it.

the "engine swap" and "TPI" boards here will be your friend. start here:

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...threadid=84423

if you say "F*** all of that!" then I highly suggest nitrous, they have a kit with a plate that fits nicely under your carb.

Thanks for the info, I've been wanting to switch to TPI fro a while,I just needed the right push, looks like its staring me right in the face this time. After the swap to TPI, I assume I would need a custom chip for the turbo, I planning on either finding a loaner camaro or buying the Holly commander system.



August

Or use a rising rate fuel pressure regulator (also called and FMU)to add the needed fuel. They are easy to use and inexpensive, but won't give the precise fuel metering like a custom chip/computer will. I run an FMU to add fuel on both my Cavalier and my IROC. They work nicely because it maintains stock drivability and fuel milage when off-boost. When you drop the hammer, the FMU ramps fuel pressure very high (over 100psi fuel pressure at 10psi boost on my cavvy) as boost comes in to add the needed fuel enrichment.

what type of FMU are you running? I was looking at adjustable vortec's and they are 300 dollars! non-adjustable are only 150 but of course that won't work out well.

I am running a Vortec Super FMU on the IROC. I got mine used off eBay for $170 with a complete set of tuning diaphrgms/discs. My Z24 has a Cartech/Begi regulator. It works welll too and has adjsutments for rate of gain and onset of the fuel curve. The Cartec regulator was purchased new off eBay for $150. (Prices quoted did not include shipping).