Thinking of going turbo...

[gofastnut]

Hi guys and gals,
Been doing some soul searching (not really) and I'm seriously considering building a turbocharged 292 straight six. Yes, you read that right, no need to adjust your monitor. Everybody drops a small block Chevy in their rides. And while this is fine, I want to do something different, and a turbo 6 sounds pretty different.
Whaddya think?
I'd REALLY like feedback from the turbo guys.

Thanks,
Jeff

[broey]

id like to see it... you should post this over in the RACING AND HIGH PERFORMANCE section. those dudes should be able to help you out

[broey]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=568813

found this one too

[tincan1966]

there's several of us twisting up some sixes lately. I currently have a 292 being built with lump port head, LPG pistons and a T3 and throttle body EFI. I Highly recommend buying Leo Santucci's book on performance 6 cylinder chevys. It's been the best $20 I ever spent at Amazon.com.

[gofastnut]

Thanks guys! Leo's book is ordered and on the way.

**How do I move this thread to racing and high performance?**

[gofastnut]

Looking for a 292. I've got a 230, but I want more cubes if I'm gonna do this...
I've seen some other forums that have 292's putting out 400hp+ with 15 psi boost...sounds FUN!! And what's more? It's not a small block!

[chevyrestoguy]

While I greatly respect your decision, I just want to warn you that you are going to spend a bunch of money just to possibly make 400 horsepower. I can make 400 horsepower out of smallblock in my sleep and do it for half the price.

You could build a turbo'd LS out of a wrecking yard 5.3 and a tiny turbo and make 625 horsepower for less what you're about ready to spend on a turbo'd 292. A lot of people haven't embraced the LS engine yet, but they are amazing, and make killer power for cheap.

Six cylinders are cool, but if you're looking to make some steam, they can only get you so far.

[gofastnut]

Chevyrestoguy,
Thanks for the input. I understand the whole love with the LS motors, and my 383 stroker for that matter. I just wanna do something different, and six cylinders are, well, definitely different.
I'm not too worried about spending a bunch of money on an engine, I was going to spend A LOT to make my stroker a fire-breather, I'll just have a little different set of lungs!
I think I've got a line in on a rebuildable 292. Keep ya posted!

[tincan1966]

My 292 is actually really comparable in price to a good stout small bock build. As I learned from researching the area that need help with these engines,theres not alot you have to do to make a sound turbo motor.
For one the stock compression ratio is only 8.2:1, unless you opt for the LPG pistons, then it's only 8.7:1.
As far as bottom end- pretty much stock with a real good balance job sets it up good. We did deck my block .015"
Spend the bucks in the head with a lump port kit, ARP studs and a Marine head gasket.
Milled the head .020". Our final CR is 8.5:1 with the stock pistons.I added Harlan Sharpe roller rockers, screw in studs, and guide plates.
I am using a GM TBI setup w/ a T3.
Will post some pics soon on mybuild thread. Been putting together a daily driver project in the middle of this one.

I've changed alot from my original plan after reading the book by Santucci. Some of the parts are a little tricky to locate, but they are out there. I even found a fluid damper that is correct, NOT a modified SBC one.

[61_FL_Apache]

I think turbo's on a 6 looks really cool!!

[gofastnut]

Tincan,
Pics and details please! I was thinking about running an early style TBI (low pressure), will that work, or does it need to be later style? Definitely plan on spending money beefing up the lower end, and doing some major head work: 1.94/1.6 valves, hp springs, roller rockers, etc.
Oh, deal fell through on my 292, I'll just keep looking.
Thanks for the input, guys!

[boucher racing]

I give my 2 cents. I set out to build a turbocharged inline, because in was 1. it was different 2. can put out some serious power! I first was intrigued about a inline build after reading http://www.theturboforums.com/threads/303522-Joy-of-six

summary: "New numbers for the old GM inliner.530f/lbs@4600 and 514hp@5200. Boost #26psi. Lambda@10.9.Timing #24.With muffler.
I have done 40 dyno pulls now, 10 of them over 25psi, and it still holds together."

If that doesn't make your Hot Rod eyes pop out, nothing will!

My build has forged pistons, custom turbo cam, arp head studs, balanced crank, 87 grand national stock T3 turbo, custom J-up pipe, Holley 350cfm 2bbl, stock re-worked head with Z28 valve springs, HEI, Offy intake...

If you were not wanting to grenade it and keep the boost under 10 psi, you could leave out the forged pistons and custom cam. I believe the key components are correct sized turbo, fuel and timing management.

$$$$. It cost me around $3500 as it sits. I did all of the fab work making the intake/exhaust fit with the turbo. I pulled the engine and had the machine shop do the rest.

I am amazed by the power it possesses. I was lucky to have driven the worn out 250 before and after the build. It honestly feels like 2x the power.

[tincan1966]

If you read Leo's book closely, you'll see why the bottom ends in these are very strong. The short block does not need alot of work, other than some serious clean up. The head work doesn't have to be extensive, either. The lump port kit is the best $$$ you can spend. I thought I had a handle on what to do until I researched some more and found I was about to do too much- and alot of it wouldn't have worked.

I am building what we hope to be a solid 375-390HP motor. I only plan on running 6-8psi as an everyday driver. I am using a TBI off of a 1991 305cid chev in a blow-thru configuration. Using a T3 turbo with a 2" intercooler. Probably do not need the intercooler with only 7psi boost on average, but decided to add it now and be ready for 100+ degree summers here, running AC. Alot of what I read says that port fuel injection doesn't seem to work well for daily driver, but is awesome for all out racing.

I wanted to use as many stock parts as i could, for ease of maintenance later on. I found a place on Ebay that sells an electronic small cap distributor that is a plug in for an OEM TBI harness(or a Painless or Street & Performance)I will incorporate and MSD digital box later.

We're working on making our own intake manifold now, as well as exhaust. My turbo will mount on the passenger side, much like a Cummins,with the pipe crossing under the oil pan. Everything is at the machine shop currently, and haven't worked on it for about a month, while I am putting together a new shop truck.
Will update inmy build thread for the 'Burb when we have something to look at.

[tincan1966]

boucher: your setup is one that helped inspire mine. I like it!! I pulled out a 427 big block in the middle of my build to switch up to the turbo 6. LOL! (I'll never finish my 'Burb)

A buddy of mine here has a '76 Short step with a twin turbo'd 555 cid. It is awesome! being different is what it's all about. I scored a set of twin turbo headers for a '82-92 Camaro off Amazon for $150, that will work on the shop truck later on!.
Figure the shop truck as the test base. Right now has a TBI 305 in it, so all ready have all the electronics in it, basically switch out the long block, add turbo and keep going!

[gofastnut]

Boucher, That's Purdy!! I've seen your posts on inliners. I was reading up on snowman's build. A LOT of great info on that thread, he just didn't seem to heed a lot of the suggestions and cautions.

[boucher racing]

Originally Posted by gofastnut

Boucher, That's Purdy!! I've seen your posts on inliners. I was reading up on snowman's build. A LOT of great info on that thread, he just didn't seem to heed a lot of the suggestions and cautions.

That's funny you mention that. The fellas on the inliners.org board were warning him, constant train wreck. I think the snowman blew it again and is reloading the gun! "do it right, do it light"

I have run every psi from 5 to 15. I think its so cool that you can increase the HP by the turn of a wastegate rod. Every 5psi feels like a world of difference.

Cheers to getting blown.

[gofastnut]

Thanks Boucher for all the info! I'm actually NOT going to (re)build up my 383 stroker. I'm going to see if I can sell it and the stock TPI stuff I have to fund my build.
My wife is going back to an office job, so, I'm hoping there's some "buzzin half dozen" parts in the near future!

[jonzcustomshop]

so this guy is making 857 rwhp/800tq with a turbo 292...
http://youtu.be/QslZvPAYkGM

If you link around to some of his other videos, it looks like he runs 8's @ 160....

[gofastnut]

Jonzcustomshop,
Thanks for the link, I caught that on another...something. Anyways, Super Cool!!
I don't have the cubic dollars to get to that point, but, SOME boost will make me happy.

[gimmy 64]

don't go away from your 230. there was a guy along time ago that built a 230 saw in rod and custom or somewere. he figured that the short stroke of this motor was a good thing. only differance between 250 and 230, he was running a full on drag car with 3 four barrel carbs. he said he would have ran 4 but there was no room. maybe you should do like boucher and start with what you got. just a thought

[gofastnut]

Hey gimmy,
Sorry man, the thought of more cubes makes me crazy! That's why I went from a 350 to a 383. You've got a good point there.
I was talking to my dad about the truck. He said that it overheated and had to have the head "repaired", whatever that means. Unfortunately, I was not in the frame of mind to look for truck repair records when he passed away.
I'm going to drive it for now, and just start sticking $$ away for parts. Can't wait to get reading Leo's book, I've got a plan of attack, but I want to check it out first to make sure I'm not chasing the wind on things.
Thanks for all the tips and info guys!

[gofastnut]

Well, the turbo'd inline 6 is gonna hafta wait, I just got a BIG BLOCK!!