Has anyone used these tight tuck SBC headers upside down for the start of the hotside?




The LT1 intake sits really low in the third gen bay, which I might use to my advantage.

I'm thinking run the crossover pipe from the pass. side, straight over the top of the intake manifold (wrapped, with stainless heat shield as needed etc.), then merge on the other side with the driver side, and set the turbo over the steering box.

Down pipe would then run along frame rail (under driver side header) and down under, on the driver side where the headers currently are going.

Doing this, I can keep the F-car LT1 accessory drive as is. Or mod it, and put the stock A/C compressor up high (where the alt currently is) and move the alt. to the lower spot. So perhaps could get back to A/C in this thing.

Also, battery is on the pass. side (4th gen. wiring), so that could stay in place, as can the stock coolant expansion tank.

Might need to move the windshield washer tank, not sure, or remove (but I plan on water/meth so would like to keep).

Any thoughts out there?


Patriot tight tuck headers They have em in stainless too, but they are $469, yikes.

 

LT1/Smallblock, not much of a difference...

Where those kinds of headers usually end up a problem upside down is the collector will usually hit the valve cover, though I don't know for sure with those.

 

 

 

Modded collector for clearance
pass side - not much room for stock A/C drier
See! But I did use V bands - pretty much knew the 3 bolt flanges would be trouble for this location.
Hey thanks for the feedback. I read through your build, nice information there for sure! Glad you documented it all.

It turns out the Sandersons that you used are quite a bit tighter to the valve covers than the Patriot ones I used. I ended up having to modify the collector on the driver side to clear the brake master cylinder. On the passenger side, I don't think A/C will be possible. I was trying to hold on to the possibility of putting A/C back in, but it look like that hope is dashed for now. Oh well.

 

Here's my idea, since the LT1 sits so low in the engine bay, there's no reason not to use that extra space I guess. Will have to take proper precaution not to bake the hood. Still getting used to the new TIG welder. Love it, but finally figured out I'm so old now that I need cheater glasses from the dollar store to be able to see good enough to weld!! Haha, oh well. Welds are getting better now. Maybe someone's already tried this , if so, I'd love to hear about it, and how the heat management went once you got it running.

 

Build specs for anyone curious:
This is a "budget" garage build. Obviously parts were sourced mainly from other countries. It'll probably bite me at some point . . .
Rebuilt LT1 engine, 224/224 cam 114LSA, heads ported, stock lower end. Shooting for only 6-7 psi, and hoping for 475-500 at the tires, just a fun street car. I think she's 325-350 now.
T-56 trans, stock '93 Z28 rear end, 2.73 ratio. She'll run 90 in 2nd gear. Will be interesting to see how this pairs with the turbo.
Hoping to tune via stock '93 ECM, modded .bin per STEVEO over at gearheadefi. I will be doing the tuning, perhaps with help from a friend that's tuned some turbo cars before. Will be open loop as it was NA.
VS racing 78/75 .96 A/R turbo
Patriot exhaust mild steel block hugger headers. They are oval port, so they actually cover the LT1 raised ports without trouble - at least they appear to. Nicely built pieces, not quite the right geometry though.
2.5" stainless crossover, merged into 3" stainless, into the CXRacing cast stainless elbow
Stainless welds were shielded via Solar Flux compound instead of back purging
3" stainless down pipe, to 3" Borla catback
31x12x3 EMUSA intercooler
3" aluminum cold side
EMUSA 60mm wastegate
EMUSA BOV
Siemens 60 lb/hr injectors
Quantum Fuel Systems 340 LPH pump, stock tank and lines for now
I have a water/meth kit from an old ride, might stick that on there too for safety sake.

I really need a good way to add the oil drainback to the pan on the driver side. Anyone have a solid method without pulling the motor?

 

Intresting build! Hot side looks good sofar! are you planning on wraping the fuel lines?

 

I don't know how I feel about the crossover being right over the intake like that. I think your hood is going to suffer some heat damage but hopefully not.

If I was doing a turbo again (which I won't do), I'd probably just do twins. I actually think it's easy to do twins instead of doing a crossover. The crossover was a PITA on both of my turbo setups.

-- Joe

 

 

i am really liking the rear mount turbo idea nowadays.