Paul94Z28

Hey Forum-

I am looking at making some changes to my 84 Sunbird. It has the Brazil 1.8 OHC w/Turbo. I just got it back on the road after a bout with a blown head gasket.

I am planning on doing a adjustable boost controller and a bov in the near future. I wanted to ask about an intercooler setup. I have heard that these turbos are not worth much more than 15 psi of boost and that an intercooler may not be necessary. The car has 150/150 HP/TQ stock and I would not mind putting it up near 200 if I could. I am not looking at making this a monster by any stretch of the imagination. Ialso know that this engine runs hot by design, so much that the mainifold is known to glow red from time to time.

Any thoughts or input would be appreciated. I have been told to just get a 2.0 turbo and drop it in, but this engine has 10k on a full rebuild and that would be a waste in my opinion (plus it would not happen). I have two project cars, this sunbird and a 94 z28. This one is more interesting to me right now, so I am going with it.

Comments or advice appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Paul

warric_k

adding an intercooler will help lower intake temperatures, which will allow you to advance timing, and in general make more power.

whatever power level you have now, you would be able to increase (don't forget the slight slight pressure drop that might be associated with the intercooler).

with an intercooler, you could throw a bigger turbo on and not worry as much about detonation.

14Bn4G

hey man, some pics of this thing would be nice...I've heard of them but never actually seen one...If I was you I would find a reputable welder/fabricator and go from there...What type of fuel injection does this thing have? or is it carbeurated? 150hp/150tq from a 84 SUNBIRD, that's not too shabby...I'd definitely do some research, take my time and built this thing right(IC,BOV,fuel management, hopefully an upgraded turbo)...can you imagine showing your taillights to a 5liter in a SUNBIRD!!?? sweeeeet

Paul94Z28

Here are some pics, let me know what you want to see.

Paul

14Bn4G

Yeah man, I've seen that engine ONCE before, it was in a Chevy Spectrum Turbo(never knew that existed) that was in a junkyard near my old residence...I tried to jack the turbo(I was kinda scandalous back in those days) but it was hell to get off, so I gave up...I got a good look at the turbo though, I believe it was an IHI, but yours may be different...Engine sure looks the same though...that thang is sleeperfied though...I'd find someone who can weld really good and do me up some charge pipes for a frontmount intercooler at least...

89dxhunchback

Its going to need a turbo upgrade ASAP !! If you slap an IC on there, its going to amplifly the need to upgrade the turbo.

An Intercooler is definatly the first thing you need to install, but its not going to make too much more power with that ----- *** compressor whispering through it...

I wish you lived near me, I'd be glad to hook up an old *** sunbird ( I love old stupid cars that are 10x faster than they should be, IE: buick Grand national ).

Starion IC ( $100 )
Piping ( $100 figured high )
turbo/ down pipe ( if its a T-3 flanged manifold, you can get a great turbo for it for under $150, and prob. another $50 for the 3'' down pipe ).

So estimated HIGH, you could add at least 100hp to it with $400, but you fuel pump and injectors may need some attention too...

Maybe you should just buy a 150shot for the Z-28 and be happy with a 12sec car... hope the Z-28 isn't an auto.