Being stubborn pays off eventually...
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Pro
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From: Wisconsin
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Being stubborn pays off eventually...
I swear, I planned on enjoying my 85 completely stock for a year or two...
I managed to make it one season, so I figure I'm doing pretty good.
I was originally planning on doing a Blowerworks supercharger kit until I started eyeballing things with a borrowed (damaged, bearings were shot) turbocharger. I'm nowhere near firing the old girl up but got the real hard part done: I built manifolds and got the turbocharger under the hood. (No small task, lots of "I've got it" followed by "nope, that won't work" moments.)
I'm planning on running a max of 8 PSI with a front mount intercooler. My "dont be greedy" target is 350HP, 450 lf-ft tq. Car already has a Holley HP system in it to handle the fuel and spark.
Does anyone have any thoughts or general advise they'd like to share?
Safety Car
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From: Minneapolis Mn
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Pro
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From: Wisconsin
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Racer
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From: North TX
If the tune is right and a couple of hard parts are strong enough, she can make some steam.
Party on!
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Pro
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From: Wisconsin
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Any idea how much power it makes at that boost level (without the nitrous)?
Racer
Joined: Aug 2016
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From: North TX
Keep in mind I am running some well ported heads and arguably a huge cam, carbureted with a big single-plane intake, free-flowing exhaust, and lots of RPM.
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From: Wisconsin
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Winner - Modified
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
The maths based on what she ran in the texas mile say about 700-725fwhp on spray. I would guess 600fwhp without nitrous.
Keep in mind I am running some well ported heads and arguably a huge cam, carbureted with a big single-plane intake, free-flowing exhaust, and lots of RPM.
Keep in mind I am running some well ported heads and arguably a huge cam, carbureted with a big single-plane intake, free-flowing exhaust, and lots of RPM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2018
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From: Wisconsin
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Winner - Modified
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2018
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From: Wisconsin
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2014
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From: Post Falls ID
Yep heat rises and expands. Get those wires as far away from that bad boy as you can. And wrap the crap out of it so it doesn't toast your hood paint.
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From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
My compliments on your fabricating skills. 
I love to see custom projects.
Respectfully, the air intake position is going to defeat some of the advantage of having an intercooler. (I expect you've already thought about that.)
I'm running 7# of boost (non-intercooled) in my '84. I don't have any dyno measurements of the engine, but on the track it seems to pull as well as my 450+ hp big block. I think you will easily surpass the 350 hp you mentioned earlier.
I love to see custom projects.Respectfully, the air intake position is going to defeat some of the advantage of having an intercooler. (I expect you've already thought about that.)
I'm running 7# of boost (non-intercooled) in my '84. I don't have any dyno measurements of the engine, but on the track it seems to pull as well as my 450+ hp big block. I think you will easily surpass the 350 hp you mentioned earlier.
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Joined: Dec 2018
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From: Wisconsin
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Winner - Modified
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
My compliments on your fabricating skills. I love to see custom projects.
Respectfully, the air intake position is going to defeat some of the advantage of having an intercooler. (I expect you've already thought about that.)
I'm running 7# of boost (non-intercooled) in my '84. I don't have any dyno measurements of the engine, but on the track it seems to pull as well as my 450+ hp big block. I think you will easily surpass the 350 hp you mentioned earlier.
I love to see custom projects.Respectfully, the air intake position is going to defeat some of the advantage of having an intercooler. (I expect you've already thought about that.)
I'm running 7# of boost (non-intercooled) in my '84. I don't have any dyno measurements of the engine, but on the track it seems to pull as well as my 450+ hp big block. I think you will easily surpass the 350 hp you mentioned earlier.
I already have a version 2 of the turbocharger manifold in my head. It is above my fabrication ability, though. Interestingly, I found out that my company recently hired someone that fabricated turbocharger systems. I may see if he's willing to make me some better manifolds.
I have another block that I'm planning on building for much higher boost. When that one goes in, I'm going to add W/M injection for the higher boost and run that turbo as high as it'll go before it just heats the air. That should keep the IAT down. (Also a much nicer turbocharger. This one is more to prove it's going to work.)
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From: Wisconsin
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Winner - Modified
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
I took her out for a shakedown run. I am happy (that's an understatement!) to report that everything works! Boost control is solid, no creep. The turbocharger spools up almost immediately, no lag at all. That certainly woke the old girl up! I can't wait to get her on the dyno at TPIS in May. It should be interesting to see what Jim can do for tuning and what the final numbers are. I'll report the numbers as soon as I get them.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 253
Likes: 59
From: North TX
I took her out for a shakedown run. I am happy (that's an understatement!) to report that everything works! Boost control is solid, no creep. The turbocharger spools up almost immediately, no lag at all. That certainly woke the old girl up! I can't wait to get her on the dyno at TPIS in May. It should be interesting to see what Jim can do for tuning and what the final numbers are. I'll report the numbers as soon as I get them.
Wahoo!!!!
Now learn from us budget boost guys -
The heads will lift at some point. Better bolts may help, but the stock style gaskets dont like it either.
The cast pistons are robust, I can prove it, but your tune must be SPOT ON. Keep the air temps cool and dont go throwing timing at it trying to chase the last 5hp.
Once you get into the land of diminishing returns, back it off a few degrees.