How much boost is safe?
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: milford nj
Car: 86 Iroc-z
Engine: worked 350tpi
Transmission: built 700r4
Axle/Gears: auburn pos 4-10
How much boost is safe?
I have a 305 stock compression stock heads but lots of other mods and the sn92 paxton, its intercooled. With out the intercooler i was seein 6psi with intercooler now seein 3 1/2 can i go with a smaller pulley? The pulley measures 3.2" was gonna go with 2.9" my timing is set at 2degrees they say stock is 6.Spark plugs stock heat range,with 1 step colder i had a major hesitation.Can i run the smaller pulley without any problems just tryin to get the boost back up to 6psi at least.
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From: garage
Engine: 3xx ci tubo
Transmission: 4L60E & 4L80E
Re: How much boost is safe?
Losing 2.5 PSI by installing an aftercooler means it is either too small or you installed it wrong. You will make more power at 6PSI non-aftercooled than with 3.5PSI and an aftercooler.
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 584
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From: toledo
Car: 1987 Z28
Engine: LG4
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: How much boost is safe?
If the psi was raised when aftercooler was installed, then the aftercooler would be too small.
If i was the OP id get a wideband A/f gauge and Egt gauge for tuning and see whats the motor doing and tune according to that.
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 867
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From: pawtucket RI
Car: 1986 iroc
Engine: alum. head 350 supercharged
Transmission: 6speed
Axle/Gears: ford 9in 3.90 35 spline moser axles
Re: How much boost is safe?
a guy on another website runs 12#s on his 305 no problems for him he;s also a memeber here but i cant think of his name here
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From: garage
Engine: 3xx ci tubo
Transmission: 4L60E & 4L80E
Re: How much boost is safe?
backwards thinking....pressure drop is due to aftercoller volume is larger and the S/c cannot keep same psi but has more volume.
If the psi was raised when aftercooler was installed, then the aftercooler would be too small.
If i was the OP id get a wideband A/f gauge and Egt gauge for tuning and see whats the motor doing and tune according to that.
If the psi was raised when aftercooler was installed, then the aftercooler would be too small.
If i was the OP id get a wideband A/f gauge and Egt gauge for tuning and see whats the motor doing and tune according to that.

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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: toledo
Car: 1987 Z28
Engine: LG4
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.23
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From: garage
Engine: 3xx ci tubo
Transmission: 4L60E & 4L80E
Re: How much boost is safe?
There is no difference in putting a turbo on a lawn mower, import, chevy, or Mack truck. The theory and math is all the same.
Honestly, I am surprised that you posted this and also ask if a Holset HX35 unti will work on a 400 - 600 HP N/A engine. Anyone that has a clue about racing with turbos would know that the HX35 is way too small.
Last edited by junkcltr; Feb 18, 2009 at 02:37 PM.
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From: garage
Engine: 3xx ci tubo
Transmission: 4L60E & 4L80E
Re: How much boost is safe?
I love how newbies try to show off.
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From: Houston TX
Car: 02 SS
Engine: 408 TT (1108rw-93/m1)6700rpm
Transmission: TH400(slipping)
Axle/Gears: 12bolt/3.42(whines😠)
Re: How much boost is safe?
may have a small leak somewhere. loss seems kinda high
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 50
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From: milford nj
Car: 86 Iroc-z
Engine: worked 350tpi
Transmission: built 700r4
Axle/Gears: auburn pos 4-10
Re: How much boost is safe?
I have lost bout 2 1/2 pounds of boost overall with the aftercooler, but i also have heard u can lose 1/2 pound from 90 degree bend which i have 3 and u can lose 1/2 or up to a pound with the aftercooler sound right to anyone? Im also running a small after cooler 12" by 12" by 3" so i didnt really think i would lose boost through it but i could be wrong.Any ideas?
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,862
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From: I won't tell either
Car: 1986 Grand Prix TPI
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 200 4R
Re: How much boost is safe?
"How much boost is safe?"
A flat track motorcycle racer always said, "You dont know how fast you can go until you crash".
In that light, "you dont know how much boost is safe until you blow it up."
A flat track motorcycle racer always said, "You dont know how fast you can go until you crash".
In that light, "you dont know how much boost is safe until you blow it up."
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,992
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From: CT
Car: 1986 Camaro SC
Engine: 305 TPI Procharged D1SC
Transmission: Tremec TKO-600
Axle/Gears: Moser 12 Bolt 3.73 posi
Re: How much boost is safe?
i run 14#'s max on my stock short block. it's all in the tune...
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From: garage
Engine: 3xx ci tubo
Transmission: 4L60E & 4L80E
Re: How much boost is safe?
It is all about the octane, inlet air temp., head type, and tune (AFR and timing). Get it right and you can go fast. Get it wrong and this break.
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 867
Likes: 1
From: pawtucket RI
Car: 1986 iroc
Engine: alum. head 350 supercharged
Transmission: 6speed
Axle/Gears: ford 9in 3.90 35 spline moser axles
Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 243
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Car: 1991 Z28
Engine: 305 TPI under 14 psi
Transmission: aftermarket T56
Axle/Gears: Moser 12 bolt 3.08 gears
Re: How much boost is safe?
I'll back up what 86Z has to say. I'm running 14psi of boost with a twin intercooler setup and a D1SC procharger. I'm also running code $59 with a 749 ecm and a wideband O2 sensor. I keep my timing conservative in high boost and run a tad rich 12.5 and have had no problems at all.
I'd say you should be good for 6psi of intercooled boost no problem even with a fmu. If you go for more than that I'd ditch the fmu and go with a computer system that can read boost and adjust accordingly.
I'd say you should be good for 6psi of intercooled boost no problem even with a fmu. If you go for more than that I'd ditch the fmu and go with a computer system that can read boost and adjust accordingly.
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