Hello,

Im looking to add some horsepower to my car without going the blower route. I already did the nitrous. I looked into turbo charging my 1972 nova. Is it hard to install a turbo with the tools used in your average garage? Also what components does it need? and many people are torn when it comes to the question of whether an intercooler is needed. Many people say no and some say yes. Which one is it?? Your help is needed greatly on this post!

Thanks!

Regards,
Brian

Well if you got the cash, anything is possible :D


Are you looking for a direct bolt in kit?
Will/are you going to fab your own pipes?

As long as your motor is built to handle forced induction, you're on the right track. You'll need to have no more then 9:1 C/R, and to some people that's pushing it. Will the motor run a carb or will it be fuel injected? If it's carbed, you're going to have to buy a carb that's built for forced induction, or have your current one rebuilt and tuned for your application.
On to specific parts....
You'll need custom headers, all the piping, turbo(s), etc. If you have all the parts in front on you, it shouldn't be hard to install...just time consuming. I personally haven't had any experiance with forced induction, but I am a firm believer in intercooler/aftercoolers.
What is the car's purpose going to be? If it's going to be a street/strip car, then I'd highly recommend an intercooler/aftercooler. If it's going to be strictly a strip car, then I believe you can get away without one.
Bascially, the reason to run an intercooler/aftercool is to keep the incoming air temps down. The colder the air, the better performance, AND also keeps detonation away!!! If the car is going to be driven on the street, then the cooler will greatly reduce the air temps and make your motor a happy one :D If it's only a strip car, then that usually means the motor is only going to be turned on for each run, then shut down, or for tunning. For a strip car, there is usually an opening or custom "hole" in the hood or bumper just for the turbo(s) which is cold enough and best suited for that application. Well, I hope I've helped and didn't just ramble on. Good luck :D graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Originally posted by Brian G.:
Im looking to add some horsepower to my car without going the blower route. Just remember, a turbo is a blower. There are roots type blowers(and twin screw blowers), centrifugal blowers, and exhaust driven blowers. :D
Roots type blowers and those that sit on the motor. They replace the intake manifold and build pressure/boost from withing.
A centrifugal blower is mounted in front of the motor and is run off the belt system. The belt system helps the blower build boost, which in turn spins the propelers inside and forces the air into the carb/throttle body.
An exhaust driven blower/turbo is mounted in front/side of the motor and is driven by the motor's exhaust. Custom headers are connected/bolted to the turbo which spin the impellers like crazy and build boost. The impellers also turn and suck in cold air from the outside and push the cold air into the carb/throttle body. I know my descriptions aren't "perfect", but that's the best to my knowledge and closest way I could describe to help others out there who may not know the differences. I hope I've helped smile.gif

banks has bolt on kits and seperate parts now to twin turbo a sbc.

so does precision turbo

how much do those cost?

TTT

Banks has had this kit for at least 15 years. It has resurfaced to the mags because they have incorporated EFI into it now. As turbos and EFI are the cool thing right now, they have received alot of press lately. I believe the SBC kit with EFI is around 12K.
http://www.bankspower.com/twin-turbo-products.cfm

1) Turbo(s) sized to meet your desired HP goal. Has a habit of drifting (up).

2)Wastegate(s) sized to meet your desired HP and hot side plumbing. For instance a single 38mm ($220)wastegate will work on a single turbo system plumbed in line to the exhaust flow on the crossover. Yet a TT setup of the same HP level needs at least (2) 42mm ($300+) wastegates. When mounted at a 90* to the collector.

3) Fuel system sized to meet your desired HP goal. A 650 dp is sufficient for a sbc. OR EFI.

4) Exhaust headers. This is usually the big stumbling block since there is not much out there for a chevy. There are numeroust kits for ford's.
I've found TT headers at: Inovative Turbo Systems, Stainless Works, Nelson Racing Engines, Banks. BGTurbo.com has TT stuff and a single kit for a 3rd gen F body, but it doesn't look to fit a chevelle or previous gen camaro. With some mods though it should. Which they seem open to doing.
Careful review of the layout is needed to ensure these will fit your desired accessories. You can always DIY this part if your handy with a welder.
Materials of choice from cheapest/least durable:
Mild steel,304 SS, 321 SS.

5) Some miscellaneous clamps, hoses, tubing, and fittings to make all this stuff hook togethor. To many variables to make a list... and if you make it this far in the project, this is the easy part.

Water/methanol injection is a whole topic in itself. Best you research it and decide on your own. If you have the room, intercoolers are more reliable due to no moving parts. But get expensive & big as the HP goes up. While a WI kit can top out a $500 or less.

The engine specs are a whole different post(s).
graemlins/thumbsup.gif

I am building what is referred to as a junkyard kit all salvaged parts with the exception of the wastegate(but this can be reused in some applications). you would be amazed what kind of power you can make with a turbo. I would go that route if money is an issue if not by a good single and be done with it (twins look neat but a single is way less complicated). If you want some more info go to turbogms.com