I am cleaning out my archived parts and came across this kit I bought over 20 years ago for a '79 Z28. It was built by Martin Turbosystems in Industry, California and I think it was marketed by Accel. Does anyone have any information on this system. I have brain fade regarding some of the particulars. Has anyone heard of Martin and if so, are they still around.

The exhaust manifold on the top is from my '89 IROC for comparison.

 

Hey, fyi, i have no info ont hat system, but i have the same turbo manifold that you have on bottom......


Jon

 

IIRC Martin did make them for Accell (the kits for both systems have almost the same parts in them, so I guessed an OEM agreement), they are no longer in business & I dont think that it will work on the 3rd gen car, manifold hits, but I could be wrong.

BW

 

Believe it or not, Martin did make a turbo kit for the third gen carb cars. The article was featured in the August 1982 Car Craft as "wondercar". Specs were: 290hp (BS, but probably 250 or so), passenger side mounting above manifold, and all sorts of extra goodies that didn't hit the market until years later: 145mph speedo - like the old Gale Banks one, 16" wheels and tires in GTA style, and it looks to be lowered. The article only shows the outside of the car and the kit installed on the engine - no parts pile, but still decent. It ran 7psi through a small turbo (I guess a T3?).

The repo I have is in the book "High Perfromance Camaros 1982-1988 by Brooklands Road Test Books - the one with the Red IROC convert on the cover.

 

The manifold will work, but the kit probably won't. The manifold would have to be used on the girlfriend side, and you'd have to use a header/stock manifold on the driver's side, and connect the two.
It'd be a fun task, and it's basically the same thing that I'm doing.

Jon

 

Thanks BW. And I think you are right about it hitting on the 3rd Gen crossmember.

 

Hey, I have that same Martin kit on a 77 corvette 350... It is installed as a drawthrough setup.... I have some pictues posted here

Underside showing crossover tube

Picture of engine

I have not taken the car to the track yet, but I have a feeling it won't do well there, maybe 14's if I am lucky... The turbo kit was installed on an L48 engine, which came from the factory with like 180 horse. I popped off the valve covers, and lo and behold the piece of crap 882 stock castings, and I also assume the cam is stock. I am a little apprehensive to upgrade the engine for a few reasons. One: I'm worried the rajay turbo can't handle that much power going through it. Two: The carburetor is not exactly ideal for a turbo setup. Three: I have no idea what the compression on the engine is, I think the pistons have been changed sometime in the early 80's. (How do I find out?) So basically, I am left with a a pretty cool vintage system that leaves my car kinda slow... A quirk about that system is that I think there is a flap or something that lets the carb flow straight through the intake manifold under low engine load, and then diverts the fuel/air mixture through the turbo when the engine is under load... Tell me if you find anything else out... do those instructions have any good info in them? I have absolutely no outside info on this system at all... Thanks

 

The instructions seem very complete including tuning information. If you want some specific information I can scan a page and email it to you in a doc file.

 

I've seen that sytem and another that uses a draw through manifold both made for accel, they both used ray-jay turbos. and I had some old timer come in with instructions for a kit he had that used a draw through carb spacer and had no wastegate (used some other crazy bypass) he said he took it of an old public works gasoline powered truck it had been added by the county to get life out of an old truck years ago he said.

 

Keith, if you can scan some of the relevant tuning info for the system that would be great! I've been having a little trouble with it, so anything would help. Thanks

 

What other turbos have are about the same size as those old Rayjay's?

Jon

 

keith I was wondering if you could send me a copy of those instructions. I have a similar rayjay kit that I think is complete except no instructions. thanks
marc