Turbo advice???

Discussion in 'High Tech for Old Iron' started by CarolinaDrifter, Mar 11, 2015.

  1. CarolinaDrifter

    CarolinaDrifter Well-Known Member

    I have a 70GS/GS455 stg1 tribute car w/a+30 455 and was wondering if it would be worth trying a Turbo? Stats as I know:

    455 BBB block + 30
    9.4 compression pistons
    about 500 lift w/170 TA roller rockers according toMike @ TA
    700r4 w/4.11 posi rear
    can I rum a turbo ad haveit live o d I need a lower compression ratio

    what size turbo and any other info you have

    Thanx
     
  2. TheSilverBuick

    TheSilverBuick In the Middle of No Where

    I'm not a turbo expert, but am working towards my own turbo build (not a Buick) so take my thoughts as that, my thoughts.

    If you have aluminum heads it's going to be marginal, if you have iron heads, no way. Do you have forged pistons? If cast I certainly would not at that compression because just one "oops" will bust up a piston at about any boost level and that compression.

    If you have aluminum heads and forged pistons I think you'll likely be lighting the fuse between the bottom end pulling apart and the 700r4 crying uncle. You might do okay with a big cam that kills off a bunch of dynamic compression, but I'm not really 100% sure on that.
     
  3. sean Buick 76

    sean Buick 76 Buick Nut

    I would measure the actual compression ratio you have... 8:1-9:1 is preferred. You can get thick head gaskets if needed. Brent had a turbo setup for sale recently search the parts for sale section for " 455 turbo" and you should find it ...

    What duration at .050 is your cam?

    Yes the engine, trans and rear end would be destroyed by high boost levels but with street tires and low boost it should be fun and somewhat reliable
     
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2015
  4. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    You can run 12 to 1 comp and boost its all in tuning and fuel. Its done all the time on hardcore setups my friend is finishing up his C3 Yates headed sbf with an XX Vortech which will be spinning up to 26psi and 1500hp his comp is set at 11.355and will be run off e85 and alot of meth 3 nozzles actually,.Would an iron head and cast pistons do that of course not, but with the correct cam , very important in working with cyl psi, aluminum heads,meth injection ,moderate boost and careful tuning it will live just fine. Its not gonna take much boost to make excellent power so much so it would surpass the block and rods limitations b4 getting into the boost levels where stuff gets tricky.

    With your setup as it is with the iron heads, I would suggest a S475 or S480 , on large engines these work well and get into boost very quick they are bigand require large piping but with an electric fan and a little adjustment of Radiator placement or even mounted in front of Radiator there is more than enough room. Twins are an option as well two MP 70's or 72's would work well at the low boost setting

    I would get a meth setup from AIS set boost at 10lbs, intercooling wouldn't be needed at such low boost but wouldn't hurt either. You would need to have a timing control box to which I wouldn't exceed 24degrees , and a blow thru carb a homebuilt unit would be fine at this level Hanger18 mods. But the compression is fine and as Sean stated you can always use a thicker gasket, I wouldn't but the slight loss of quench is gonna be nothing compared to the power gained.

    Just remember GN's have cast pistons albeit with an iron land support embedded inside but cast nonetheless,iron heads, 8.1comp and can be run to 30lbs of boost on pump gas and meth ive done it many times and several times on slicks. Which as Sean eluded too if used on street rubber it takes ALOT of psi off the engine and trans and lers face it spinning at 50mph while passing is just more fun.

    And in case you didn't know we have two of the best boost tuners in the world here in SC in Chris Tuten in Columbia and Darrell at UnderPsi here in Spartanburg they both are good guys they stay very busy but once they have their hands on something it works and lives
     
  5. sean Buick 76

    sean Buick 76 Buick Nut

    Great info Ethan, I agree!

    Here is some motivation:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    The sound of twin turbos and dual 4" exhaust is addictive!!!!

    Read my article if you have not already:
    smg.photobucket.com/user/seanbuick76/library/TURBO%20ARTICLE?sort=9&page=1
     
  6. Nothingface5384

    Nothingface5384 Detail To Oil - Car Care

    of you have access to E85 that may be a better way to go
    allot more fail proof when it comes to knock

    What ate you doing about fuel delivery
    aeromotive 340 phantom
    fuelab prodigy?
    Walbro?
     
  7. gmcgruther

    gmcgruther Well-Known Member

    Moran Racing Engines and Hellion are a very good source of turbo knowledge too.
     
  8. 66larkgs

    66larkgs paul 66gs turbo nailhead

    throw 7-8 psi at it, csu blow thru carb.. no intercooler, and a s475 t6 with 76mm compressor ,82 exhaust wheel and a ,.96 exhaust housing. may have to put a 25-2800 convertor but full boost around 3k. I just bought a ptc convertor because I was blowing through the factory convertor every once in a while. don't forget a good fuel system 10an feed and return lines. I mix 116 and 93 with a 9:1 motor just to be safe. I tune with a fast 02 monitoring setup with 02's welded in the 18inches down stream. exspect to spend around 5k if you plan on buying good quality parts.

    any questions don't be shy to ask. the guys at forced induction are some of the best on the market for turbo info and purchasing.. CSU is the best blow thru carbs in the market and extremely professional..i have used both of them and highly rec. I use tial wastegates and blow off valves. I fabricated my own headers but would rec to use cast iron manifolds and flip them or loop them. Less issues than headers. Be careful of cheap vband.. they leak , and use copper gasket sealer on everything that is on the hot side. I say do it and you will love it.

    Paul
    Turbo Nailhead
     
  9. Nothingface5384

    Nothingface5384 Detail To Oil - Car Care

    BW is the best American turbos for the money imho
    MP turbos are now American..used to be brazilian
     
  10. Wildcat55

    Wildcat55 Well-Known Member

    Junk the blowthru an go efi
     
  11. 66larkgs

    66larkgs paul 66gs turbo nailhead

    Think it is all preference.. Cost is about the same when pricing it out and all depends on his tuning ability and his plan for the build. I run a blow thru because I didn't want efi on my Nailhead. I have a 6.0/4l80e going in my 55 international tow rig and plan on all efi and another bw s475. Want it to tow my buick next time I make the 16 hour drive to ohio for BPG Nationals.
    I will say this, I tune my blow thru with a fast o2 moniter setup and my CSU carb was pretty damn close.. few jet and plug changes depending on octane and where I was driving it but flip the key and it fires up instantly and instant throttle response.

    Paul
     
  12. sean Buick 76

    sean Buick 76 Buick Nut

    Good point.... The custom blow through carbs are pretty darn close to perfect right out of the box.

    The way I see it if you are using a modern engine then the EFI is the way to go for sure... And if using an old engine then carb is less hassle for wiring sensors etc.
     
  13. dr

    dr Well-Known Member

    Interesting thread. I would like to look at a 455 with a turbo. My knowledge level is less than zero, but it does seem interesting. Assume bottom end of motor is "right" what kind of money are we taking about? Just curious.
     
  14. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    Lots of variables but going Ebay route youd be around $1000 for turbo, gate,flanges,pipe etc
    Add in $250 to $1500 for carb $500 fuel system
    Add $1000+ if name brand turbo or turbo's are desired same with the wastegate low side budget build $2000 full tilt name brand bla bla $5k all this is based on ones own fab and welding ability of course
     
  15. dr

    dr Well-Known Member

    Between 2 and 5 grand is about what I would guess. Note I'm cluelessssssss. I will have to pay more attention when hoods are up at the track, they do look cool
     
  16. 66larkgs

    66larkgs paul 66gs turbo nailhead

    You can get a borg warner s475 t6 with a billet compressor wheel for $800 to the door( force induction).. Great turbo and will make 800hp plus. areomotive A1000 pump and boost reference regulator with some 1/2 aluminum line feed and return. $600.. Tial 60mmWastegate and blow off valve I would say $500.. CSU carb $1000.. ev carb hat $275.. tubing and headers $1000.. throw a meth injection for another $500 to play it safe. run low boost and no worries about a intercooler and save on $$$.. colder set of plugs.. MSD 6btm so you could pull timing out under boost.. I used a MSD dist also.. $600-700 for both. That will get you started..

    Paul
     
  17. sailbrd

    sailbrd Well-Known Member

    Only thing I would change is run an MSD 6AL2 programmable. Uses a MAP sensor and allows for much more accurate timing curve. Had the old style BTM and in my opinion you just take a guess at timing vs boost. I also like the finale line "that will get you stated."
     

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