I have a '90 RS with an L03 TBI. I have checked a lot of info on turbocharging, but almost nobody uses a turbocharger with TBI. Has anyone done it here? I'm looking at moderate boost (5-8 psi) to take adavantage of my 9.1:1 compression (crappy 58cc swirl port heads), so I wouldn't need to modify a lot of stuff, and hopefully, keep the TBI system. Would I need to "encapsulate" the whole TBI unit as is done with carbs? Or just a duct attached to the TBI housing?

The second step, would be to change to an Edelbrock manifold, cam, and use 350 heads (64cc. possibly ported), so I could maintain a low compression with better flow, and could turn the boost a bit, then the problem I think would be the TBI, even if I mod it.

Help me guys, those imports are smoking me... trying to figure out if I go all motor (without swapping) or use a turbo

 

With enough $$$ you can do anything you want. To maximize the benifits of the turbo TBI would not be the induction of choice. You would want at least a TPI set up or a SFI set up prefereably.

 

Seriously man, you would be better off just swapping engines. You could make the same power numbers for less money and keep TBI. I think by the time he was all said and done, jprevost spent around $3,000 on his 350H.O. and TBI parts. It's been a LONG time since he's made it to the track, but untuned it ran 102mph. Now he has it running a 0-60 of 5.27seconds. Not bad at all. Faster than turbo charging, less headaches, and less money.

 

someone around here supercharged a stock one and he said he wasnt to happy with the results. I think it ran like 14's. Plus there are a whole other host of problems that come with forced induction.

 

I had a fabricated eaton m90 on mi LO3, and now i no longer have it...

so far i've spent probably 700 bucks on used parts and pieces(bov, tubing, clamps, silicon connectors, air bonnett, and supercharger itself) Still need to get a fmu and somehow figure out how i can get an adapter for my prom, so i can make adjustments.
Basically it's a big hassle, and i'm not expecting a whole lot if increase in power, so therefore I'm going for the NA build up.
that's my .02 worth.
thanks,
Brad

 

If your going to dish out for the turbo system do your self a big favor and get a 350, 305's are known for there wonderfull ability to spark knock. Under boost it show its self more. this is true with most smaller bore chevy motors. Make sure you go with a iner cooler but most firebirds don't have a grill so a air to air won't be the way to go, try a water cooler. Don't for get about upgrading your oil system too, turbo's love to cook oil. Look for other up grades as well, I'm sure the stock map will have a fit trying to read any kind of boost as well a o2 sensor with a wider range will probly be needed to tune it. Oh yet good luck tring to tune it before you run it way lean or wash out the rings with fuel. Read like mad AND GET HELP with tuning. . But never lose hope some one out there has done this before. Don't give in go for the gold! TBI is prime for turbos its simple no long runners trashing your rpm band, who cares if a stock TBI does not flow good, boost is another whole game if done right just ask your local inports how turbos push bad flowing intakes with small cams and tiny cubes to big power.

 

Good post 91redfirebird. Very true-my buddy has a TSI-I think an '89 model. Anyways, it's equiped with TBI and an upgraded turbo-other than that the engine is pretty close to stock. It gets up and goes pretty good. Maybe we can learn something from the import guys......ish...I never thought I would say that!