K I have a need for a sick powered RWD muscle car... of sorts.

I had a 89 and a 91 Formula in the past and love the car, so I am thinking about getting one again in a few years, (yea I like to plan ahead). I am thinking about a 91-92 305 5spd as a base to start from.

Plan A

350 4 bolt
Heads (TFS, AFR, other)
8.5-8.8:1 comp
Forged everything
TT or Single Turbo set up
T56 MT
Ford 9"

Plan B

Buick 3.8L
basic bolt-ons
T56 MT
Ford 9"

Which do you think is a better bang for the buck, easy of completion, drivability, tuning and such... thanks.

 

No opinions.... cummon

 

Things don't always happen too fast around here. Give us at least a week to respond.

My vote is for option #1 if you don't mind doing some fabrication work. BBSDesigns is now making kits, but some fabrication of the intake charge piping will still be needed (he has done the hard part- the exhaust header and down-pipe). You can also build a nice turbo system yourself from scratch. That is my favorite route, but it depends on how much time/money you have.

PS- you will love having 300+lb-ft of torque before the turbo comes in. Thats one thing you will probably never get with your imports!

 

Going solely off that quote I'd go for plan B. Granted, a turbo V8 is a TON of fun, it's also going to require a lot more effort to get right. Which would I rather do? Well, check my sig....

 

I like the idea of a 350 Turbo, just nice to be a lil different. I figured that a nice low comp set up would make tuning a lil easier...

The big part I would think is getting good turbo headers, I have seen a few on here. One is a nice single turbo set up, seems like a mustang turbo fab. guy, forgot the name.

The intake piping should be able to be done by a local shop. We have a good number of shop here in Detroit. Wish I could fnid the guys who did that wicked 91 Trans Am at GM. Would love to see what set u p they used.

I have a lot of time to research, as I have not yet even bought a car... I like to start early.

In the end I want a drivable 600HP car.

 

Sounds like you have the right attitude. Its good to see you are willing to do some research and learn how to build a system yourself. We get a lot of guys wanting to do turbocharging on here and want all the info spoon fed to them- turbocharging is not that easy. I get a lot of PM's saying 'How easy is it to put a turbo on?'- there is no way to answer a question like that. The best way to get info is to find it yourself (you learn far more) and ask when you have a specific question (just like you did).

 

heheh thanks,


I have had a lot of cars over the years, the best thing you can do is to much research.

Ptuuing a turbo on a car is easy, its the getting it to run and live thats takes some work



Buy the way, are there any good builders that offer complete shortblocks? Comming from 5.0's there were a few that were trusted and cost effective.

I would like to get some early ideas of cost on a low comp 4 bolt 350. Its been a long while since i've been on the GM side of the fence.


Oh yea on last quick question.... whats the name of that Uber turbo book, it the turbo builders bible.. can't remember the name.

thanks all....

 

If you aren't stuck on the turbo train (which I wouldn't blame you), I think you should entertain a plan C. NA should not be ruled out if 600 is all(!) you want. Plenty of big blocks or the right smallblock will get you 600hp NA no problemo. Just bolt her in, fire her up, and watch in the rearview for pieces of your driveline to come falling out. It won't come cheap, but neither will a 600hp turbo setup once it's all said and done.

I am thinking either "Turbochargers" by Hugh or "Maximum Boost" by Corky. Both can be found at amazon. If neither of these are what you're thinking of, than I want to know which one you're talking about too.

EDIT: Here is some good online info on the subject you may not have found yet:

http://www.turbomustangs.com/turbotech/main.htm

 

I think that Turbos can be more driveable when in high power situations... NA is cool but at that lvl the cam would have to be uber big, which might make drivability suffer.

I don't want a BB I am a big fan of SB's.



Do you know of any good "to oder" engine builders, i'd like to get an idea of cost on a low comp short block.... i'm still researching heads and intakes.

 

Ditto

 

Nutshell:
The TT V8 will make more power and be more fun/driveable

The 3.8 will be easier and probably cheaper, definitely cheaper if you’re paying someone to build stuff for you.

The 3.8 will be no fun with the T56, and I don’t see the point of taking the time and effort to do it, and you’ll turn the T56 into a wear item on the V8 if this thing sees any regular traction + sticky tires.

 

well after some more reading I am starting to think about the LS1 swap... seems like a very nice bang for the buck. I personally don't like the sound of the LS1, one of the worst sounds motors i've heard.

Heck I bought a mustang (after having 3 F-cars) just for the sound... still miss it.

It seems like the LS1 swap would get me the most reliable power the fastest and cheapest... as far as what I have read up to now.

I still like the idea of a TV8 or TTV8 better... just the cool thing about turbos.


K back to research...

 

LS1 isn't at all what you originally wanted.

320 and 600 hp is a big difference obviously.

And its certainly not cheap!

You could almost certainly build a junkyard style turbo motor to blow an LS1 away for less than it would cost you to go LS1

 

I disagree with the cheaper 3.8L, turbo buicks aren't cheap except that headers x-over and dp's are out there already. Most need a rebuild and to get a quality one costs more than a comparable 350. My buildup cost me around $6K with having the above mentioned items. Things needed for a high end 3.8 buildup like billet mains and a good piston cost some change.

Plan C could be a SC 350 or 383 for you to play with. No fabbing of headers could go roots design or centrifugal. Roots will make a rush of tourqe down low given the right components, centrifugal likes to spin higher. Could use the money that you'll spend on expensive high rpm valvetrain to pay for the new rear you'll need

 

I know this is an old thread and sorry for bumping it up but I need to make a comment.

If you really want a T56 don't bother with the 3.8...unless of course you want to do all that work and go slow. Not a good combo.

 

definatly no 3.8 and a manual trans- and also if anything the 3.8 buick is more expensive. i just paid 600$ for a 3 1/2" terry houstan down pipe. just the odds and ends kill you. there are less parts for them than a 350, the only good thing is that they came with a turbo so most of the parts out there for them are for the turbo motor. i was going to put a GN motor in my camaro- but i figured a camaro needs 8 cylinders- the v6 was a turbo regal thing. i love my GN, im hopeing ill like my TT V8 even better. id say go with the V8- itll be cheaper in the long run, you can find a rotating assembly for a decent price anywhere for a SBC. the only thing i hate about my GN is paying 600$ for a peice of 3.5" pipe, paying 700$ for headers, 300$ for roller rockers, the list goes on- its an expensive motor to maintain and to mod. sorry to ramble.

 

$700 for headers?? What aftermarket company? WTF? Why bother unless you're deep in the 10's....

 

Ever watch PSCA (pacific street car association) or similar events?? Ever wonder why the twin turbo small blocks are just STUPID fast?? Duh, pretty simple. 2 turbos+8cylinders>1 turbo+6 cylinders. Simple decision if you ask me, unless you are going for ultimate gas mileage. I just finished a twin turbo setup on my mustang and whoever made the comment about having 300FT/lb of torque BEFORE the turbos spool is damn right. The cool thing is I don't even have to wring out my motor past 4 grand to beat just about anything on the road with twins and a V8. Torque is the ****!