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RV Turbo, Inc out of California (Texas was another address) made that kit. The turbo is a Rayjay and I think Rotor-Master re-sold them or possibly modified them. Regardless, those original companies are long gone and so are the people that knew anything about the products.
Back in the 1970's with the new emissions standards the power and compressions fell. The demand for power was still there at the consumer level so lots of enterprising companies popped up. There were a lot turbo kit's that came out for cars, trucks, motorhomes, and motorcycles. But it was a time between technologies. Most cars were carburetor and the old turbos were slow to boost. Small companies popped up taking turbos from aircraft and industrial markets then applied them to the other markets. Few achieved emissions compliance that were required so failed. Consumer's liked the idea of bolt-on power so turbo kits came about. Slap a kit on your L-48 Corvette engine with 8.5 compression and dreams were made. Not much of a dream though as the kits, or setting them up properly, was beyond most and the power boost was weak compared to what current turbo tech can provide. We know now that modern heads and roller cam will make more power all the time than the old school turbo kits gave with 5-7ps boost and the modernized naturally aspirated engine give the power all the time not just after the old turbo lag kicks in. And the real estate the turbo kits needed meant losing A/C compressors and serviceability. Its cool nostalgia though!
I like the Greenwood/ACI body kit on that car. Also cool nostalgia. Like the IMSA race cars back in the 1970s.
RV Turbo, Inc out of California (Texas was another address) made that kit. The turbo is a Rayjay and I think Rotor-Master re-sold them or possibly modified them. Regardless, those original companies are long gone and so are the people that knew anything about the products.
Back in the 1970's with the new emissions standards the power and compressions fell. The demand for power was still there at the consumer level so lots of enterprising companies popped up. There were a lot turbo kit's that came out for cars, trucks, motorhomes, and motorcycles. But it was a time between technologies. Most cars were carburetor and the old turbos were slow to boost. Small companies popped up taking turbos from aircraft and industrial markets then applied them to the other markets. Few achieved emissions compliance that were required so failed. Consumer's liked the idea of bolt-on power so turbo kits came about. Slap a kit on your L-48 Corvette engine with 8.5 compression and dreams were made. Not much of a dream though as the kits, or setting them up properly, was beyond most and the power boost was weak compared to what current turbo tech can provide. We know now that modern heads and roller cam will make more power all the time than the old school turbo kits gave with 5-7ps boost and the modernized naturally aspirated engine give the power all the time not just after the old turbo lag kicks in. And the real estate the turbo kits needed meant losing A/C compressors and serviceability. Its cool nostalgia though!
I like the Greenwood/ACI body kit on that car. Also cool nostalgia. Like the IMSA race cars back in the 1970s.
Very cool; thanks so much for the back story!
Last edited by Micster; Mar 28, 2025 at 01:15 PM.
Reason: Failed to note post date. Apologies.
Old turbo set-up
