turbocharger on a 350?

[tablloyd]

I've been looking to add a little extra boost to my 350. It was just rebuilt, and was made to be mild, but better than stock, with a mid range everything. I was also hoping to get decent mileage, but that went out the window. I've been very pleased with the outcome, but more is always better, so I was looking to get a turbocharger to add a nice little bit of boost. The problem is, I know absolutely nothing about turbochargers, superchargers, or any of those extras that are used. I didn't build the compression to be much different than stock, though it was bored out .030 over. So basically, I'm looking at what kind of turbocharger (or supercharger, but I think I would have had to built the entire motor to be supercharged, so I ruled that out) I should be getting. And where should I mount it? I've got the all-too-common Hedmans on there.

[Alex1]

Everything you will want to know and need to know is here--http://www.theturboforums.com/smf/index.php

You will have to change the headers - they actually sell some decent twin turbo headers on ebay for little coin - they do need a bit of work but it will get you started.

[swb85]

A turbo motor has basically the same requirements that a supercharged motor does......low compression (9:1 or less), cam w/little overlap, parts that can take the abuse. Cast or hypereutectic pistons don't play well with much boost. You'd need a good blow-through carb setup and requisite upgrades to your fuel system. Turbos are fun, but things get expensive quick. I'm sure some guys running one will chime in shortly.

[joeys66pickup]

talk to Robert1320 on Theturboforums if your serious about adding a Snail under the hood.The dude knows everything and runs his stuff to so hes Legit

[Alex1]

Originally Posted by joeys66pickup

talk to Robert1320 on Theturboforums if your serious about adding a Snail under the hood.The dude knows everything and runs his stuff to so hes Legit

X10 billion! LOL

[joeys66pickup]

Hands down the Guy is a Turbo Genius

[kwhite4]

What about one of those belt driven jobs, procharger I think is the name of one brand. Least you wouldnt have to change the headers and I believe they make good power.

Just a thought , I probably know less than anybody on this subject.

[joeys66pickup]

a blower on a stock motor is gonna give you trouble whereas a turbo or two on a stock motor may not depending on your tune and how much boost your gagging it with(not the most experienced either but seen stock 350's boosted alittle father then they should have but lived.....for a bit)

And you can use stock manifolds with some Fab work on em(im destroking my 454 to a 427 and putting Twins on it and have to use the stock manifolds flipped for the time being till i can sit down and Make an Actual Set) if you can Fab good then its all cake, i mean come on im 19 and its just taking along time but its not that hard thanks to Theturboforums and Robert1320

[Alex1]

The prochargers are awesome as well. Read up on that forum - theres alot of guys running mild combos making a ton of HP with turbos.

Joeys66pickup,

I too am going with twins on my BBC. I have all the SS J bends and flanges to build my headers - I had kind of changed my mind but turbo is the only way to go! I'm looking for 800rwhp! I also found a guy on that forum that will weld up my pipes ( I was going to do it myself but...) for $450 - so the pipes are going out at the end of the month

Turbos rule!

[joeys66pickup]

i decided purely on Cash.....8-71 roots like $3000 for the kit alone or i could try to scratch together my own TT kit and hopefully make some power(also looking for the 800-900 range) i just went through and got all the cheapest but stout parts i could manage and got as much help as i could from turboforums...with their help EVERYTHING has gone a ton easier

Is the BBC going into the Truck on your Avatar Alex1? mine will find a new home under the hood of my 57' shortystepside in a month or two

[Alex1]

Yep its going into my 80 step - it already has a 454, but I have another 4 blt block, dart pro1 heads 4340 crank and rods that will be built for the turbo set up. Should be interesting!

[tablloyd]

Well I'm still at 8.5:1 compression, so I'm not worried about that. But my brother also gave me the idea of a centrifugal supercharger. Its actually pretty difficult to find a good explination for whether these are truly just a bolt-on or if they require more, anyone want to tell me about it in a nutshell? Could I just bolt on a centrifugal without any problems? How does it install?

[Alex1]

You can buy a kit that will get the blower installed, all the brackets, pulleys blow off valve and piping in included. You will need a fuel pump and proper fuel lines and regulator as well as a blowthrough carburetor - go with a CSU or C & S blow through carb. If you keep it on 8psi or less you 'should' be OK with hypereutectic pistons but forged are better - there's no need for an intercooler with a carb at this level of boost. Don't forget you only get your set limit of boost at the peak rpm - so lets say you want 8 psi and max 55-6000 rpm then you pulley it for 8 psi at that rpm. This means you have little boost below lets say 4000rpm. The F1 or F2 are nice but they are pretty serious peices, there are smaller models available for less $$

[kissingbug1978]

Check this out. http://www.ssautochrome.com/level.itml/icOid/1844. I know nothing about turbo engines but I'm becoming very interested. Only thing I don't see is piping and a carb.

[Alex1]

Originally Posted by kissingbug1978

Check this out. http://www.ssautochrome.com/level.itml/icOid/1844. I know nothing about turbo engines but I'm becoming very interested. Only thing I don't see is piping and a carb.

Those are the ones I'm talking about.

[kissingbug1978]

I don't know anything about the quality of the turbos or even who makes em. but it is by far the cheapest kit I've seen. Even so, your still looking at the Carb, Piping, and I think you have to have a boost referenced ignition/fuel system. One or the other. I'm definitely gonna do some research on it. Don't think I've ever seen a turbo truck before. Think I might consider going this route versus the big block.

[Marv D]

Do yourself a favor,, if your thinking of a Procharger or boost of any form,, pull the motor apart and put true forged pistons in it. One way or another you'll be doing it anyways. Always best to do it BEFORE the damage occours. Just like Nitrous,,, Boost is addictive and you WILL get greedy, crank up the boost and melt a couple of cast pistons. Hypereutectics are harder,, MUCH harder, even to the point of being considered brittle when introduced to Mr detonation. All it takes is one booboo with boost and hypereutectics and you have an empty hole where the piston used to be. Again the resulting damage is typically pretty expensive. I've seen a couple of motors that the 'mild detonantion' lifted a ring land,, the chunks of piston were smashed against the head/valves, bending valves, etc. Your going to spend around $2k for a turbo ot procharger,, add $625 for a set of SRP forged pistons to protect your investiment. Well worth the money.

[Alex1]

Originally Posted by kissingbug1978

I don't know anything about the quality of the turbos or even who makes em. but it is by far the cheapest kit I've seen. Even so, your still looking at the Carb, Piping, and I think you have to have a boost referenced ignition/fuel system. One or the other. I'm definitely gonna do some research on it. Don't think I've ever seen a turbo truck before. Think I might consider going this route versus the big block.

people have used them on the turboforum and they are not bad.

You buy the headers from them - cut off the flange and have a t4 304ss flange welded back and add a tube for an external wastegate. then you can use whatever t4 turbos you like.

[71/454]

I used the same turbos and headers from them in my truck. The turbos are hit and miss for quality, I got a good set I was lucky. I run twins at 12 psi non intercooled on a stock 305. This winter I am going to a 350 with some cam and more carb, and an intercooler. I want to run 15psi and with the combo I have I think I can get it around 500 horse at the wheels