Turbo plans

[Slant 6 Nick]

Ok so the plan at first was to go N/A I am not sure if I will be happy with the power from this. I have most of everything I need for a perfect turbo build. I have the BH block with forged crank wiseco pistons and K1/Molnar rods and a custom cam . Perfect for a turbo motor I assume . Are you turbo guys running MLS gaskets instead of o ringing the block? Or should I definitely O-ring the block. I was not planning on going the turbo route but after a little research I don’t think I can get to my HP goal of 350-370 all motor. Hopefully a kill shot efi kit and a GT45 turbo with inter cooler will get me there. Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Charrlie_S]

Figure your compression ratio, with those rods and pistons. Might be on the high side for a turbo application. I was running "O" rings and a solid copper gasket at 10-12 lbs boost and 8.0-1 CR, because I was blowing stock felpro gaskets. Problem was not the CR or parts or boost. It was detonation that I wasn't aware I was having.
The "O" rings and gasket requirement depends on CR, and boost level.

 

[Slant 6 Nick]

Figure your compression ratio, with those rods and pistons. Might be on the high side for a turbo application. I was running "O" rings and a solid copper gasket at 10-12 lbs boost and 8.0-1 CR, because I was blowing stock felpro gaskets. Problem was not the CR or parts or boost. It was detonation that I wasn't aware I was having.
The "O" rings and gasket requirement depends on CR, and boost level.

Thanks for the input Charlie. That was my next worry was with this kit I guess I need to see where I end up with CR Hopefully not too high

 

[Charrlie_S]

If you don't have the parts yet, you might want to figure if this will work for you. K-1 rods, and speed pro/ TRW forged pistons for the "turbo" 2.2 engine. Those pistons are used with floating pins/rods like the Wiesco piston, but while the Weisco is a flat top the "replacement" pistons are dished.

Just a FYI. The stock type replacement 2.2 pistons are dished for turbo application and has floating pins. The 2.2 engine NON-turbo piston is a flat top and must use pressed pins, so they will not work with the K-1 rods. You would have to use stock (rebuilt 198) rods

 

[MadScientistMat]

I would not run a TBI on a high power turbo build. Port injection will give much better fuel distribution and you don't want one cylinder lean under boost. Gill Welding does multiport manifold conversions work if you need someone to set up the manifold.

Also, a GT45 is a pretty big turbo for a slant six. I'm running a GT40, and even that may be larger than necessary.

I'm running a Fel-pro gasket myself, but so far I'm keeping boost at 5 psi until the motor is broken in.

 

[vitamindart]

Charlie knows what he is talking about, my current short block is milled .120 and I have seen over 15psi multiple times without head gasket issues. After reading his posts about the head gaskets, I decided to run mine with the Felpro replacements. I like the idea of the gasket being a fuse for a bad tune or other issue. the gasket is cheap. forged slant pistons are not.

 

[Charrlie_S]

. I like the idea of the gasket being a fuse for a bad tune or other issue. the gasket is cheap. forged slant pistons are not.

When I did my turbo, back in 1979, there wasn't much info available about turbo setups, available to the hotrodders. The first issue I had was fuel flow (carb issues). Finally got that squared away, and then started blowing the head gaskets. Tried different brand/type gaskets and was still blowing them. Had the block "O" ringed, and got a SCE copper gasket .040 thick. Then started breaking rings and/or pistons. My problem was detonation. The stock gaskets were acting as "fuses" and saving other parts. Back then there was no such thing as a boost timing master or O2 gauges (except big in shop units).
PS: I was doing a draw thru turbo.