Modifing headers into a turbo manifold
 

hey guys, im running a buick 3800 (3.8L v6)

been looking at supercharging/ turbo'ing it

my question is, is it possible to run a single turbo off the headers for 3 cyclinders??
looking to run 3-6 psi, nothing over the top just a bit of boost,


also converting it to dual fuel soon,
i live in australia and we pay something like a 40c excise + %10 tax of fuel, which means we pay around $1.40-$1.50 AUD per litre, which is quite expensive...

is it possible to run a turbo on gas, or would i have have to wire up the turbo so it can be turned off when running lpg...

anyway just trying to get idea's weather its worth turbo'ing this car

also this engine is installed in N-S, i know in the US this engine is installed W-E

here is a picture of my engine bay, there is ALOT of room to work with, mainly on the passengerside (Right hand drive car)
under the black air pipe is the headers which is in a good location to fit a turbo


note: got access to welding gear

Re: Modifing headers into a turbo manifold
 

well the easiest way is just swap the left header for the right and make an adapter, and when you say gas you mean propane right, a turbo will still work on propane becuase there are still exhast gases to spin the turbine. there way a jeep build on here not to long a go that ran propane.

but honestly i wouldnt boost that buick, i get an older v8 mustang, or a v8 buick gnc

Re: Modifing headers into a turbo manifold
 

I'd say check around on ebay for either a Buick Grand National turbo and intake manifold, or a Pontiac Grand Prix GTP supercharger. Either of these two sound like the easiest options, pretty much just swapping the intake manifold. But for the super-trick setup, you can try reversing the headers (L->R and R->L) and making them converge into one collector and into the turbo (make it a big one ;) ).

Re: Modifing headers into a turbo manifold
 

heheh well im living in Australia, the engine is fitted to a GM brand called the holden,

the engine can take 8psi on stock internals SAFELY probbly 12 would have no issues but yeah only intrested in running 6 psi,

the only issue with turning the headers round is the exhust valves, will they line up/bolt up, some modifications required i assume
the other issue with dropping a v8 in my car is cost, the only v8 fitted to these holdens was a 5000 injected engine, it pushed 168kw @ fly, and has been proven to push 140-160kw @ wheels if tuned right (runs 14's with no modifications) the problem with this engine is its hard to find, and the kframe is even harder to find witht he correct engine mounts, then you have to modify the instrument cluster (add a resistor or two) then change the fuel lines, and change the transmission as they dont bolt up.... all up id be looking $4000-5000 AUD and id be only pushing 140kw @ wheels best

i own a EPROM & EEPROM burner so i can burn my own tunes for the stock ecu, so tuning isnt a issue

im looking for the turbo to spool up round 3000-4000rpm so nothing over sized, thinking garret T3 AR.60 or AR.80
just looking to see if this is worth it, the pervious model of this car came with a RB30 with a single turbo, but that was a straight 6

the torque/power band crosses round about 3000rpm, so its got the majourity of its power round those ranges, which means its good off the line, just needs a little more kick in the upper rev ranges


this engine has been turbo'd before with a single turbo and has run 10's

the only work they did to it was
Haltec ECU
custom ground cam shaft
Higher ratio rocker rollers
ACL rebuild kit
Port & polish
Full AUTO transmission rebuild with a 3000rpm stall torque converter
500hp fuel pump
Coil packs
valve springs
and Pod filter

it only put out around 250kw @ wheels BUT the car only weighs like 1200kg

where should the turbo sit??? i was thinking where the black pipe is... anyway i would like to boost this engine as they go pretty hard

i also have sitting in my garage, a set of heads waiting to be reconditioned with new valve springs& valves and ported at the same time
would it be nessecary to upgrade my injectors/fuel pump running 3 / 6 psi????

just a question, would backpressure be a issue with only 3 cyclinders running the turbo??? maybe un even back pressure?

as for the buick grand national, was the engine mounted N-S or W-E the headers look good tho cheers for the idea

Re: Modifing headers into a turbo manifold
 

hrmmm aight,
where would be the best place to run the turbo manifold from the drivers side ?? to the passengers side?

Re: Modifing headers into a turbo manifold
 

twin turbo >:D

Re: Modifing headers into a turbo manifold
 

heheh thinking twin turbo, as the actual turbo's arnt too expensive, especially if i get two smallish ones , ie both running 3 psi to make 6psi, or a larger and smaller one.... any extra money spent on the turbo's would be recovered in the manifolds aswell....

has anyone boosted a buick v6 before or know anyone who has??? if so could you share your work with me???

Re: Modifing headers into a turbo manifold
 

uhh jsut so you know if each turbo is putting out 3 psi it will not make 6 psi, you will still have the same pressure just twice the flow...

Re: Modifing headers into a turbo manifold
 

well i just got throw putting a turbo kit on my bros 98 gtp the only thing we did was made a new crossover pipe and the connect the turbo to the well nm pics are better
http://502streetscene.net/forum/atta...&stc=1&thumb=1
http://502streetscene.net/forum/showthread.php?t=48891

Re: Modifing headers into a turbo manifold
 

looks nice man, i see what you mean, i wonder if they'red be room to run a cross over pipe from the drivers side headers to the other side and meet at the turbo??

im considering a supercharger now as its alot more simpler and would give me more torque (engine can put out 500nm toruqe if tuned right)

was considering a Eaton M90 but id prefer to turbo it, depends how much the manifold will cost me to make

would running a exhust cross over under the sump of the engine be a good idea????

Re: Modifing headers into a turbo manifold
 

i dont think you know what your getting yourself into when you think that a super charger will be easier, maybe a pre made one designed for ur car, but not HMT style.

Re: Modifing headers into a turbo manifold
 

i do agree with you, i dont know what im doing, but i have a fairly good idea, anyway the reason i wanted to do it was for the learning experiance.. dont think its worth turbo'ing this ride not yet anyway,

superchargers are piss easy because the m90 was fitted to my engine and there is plent of inletmanifolds for them....

anyway thanks for your time guys

Re: Modifing headers into a turbo manifold
 

Where abouts in Aus you from ?

Re: Modifing headers into a turbo manifold
 

yo paradox i'm from Victoria Aus :S
turbo vn is the hotness :6
big single turbo mounted in front of engine is the go
i can provide pics but you should check turbomustangs.com to see how they sit under the bonnet of a V engine. :)

Re: Modifing headers into a turbo manifold
 

yay im located in victoria, the eastern suburbs around Ringwood, Knox, nuddawadding unno those area's

i saw a turbo vn at the last aus revs meet, it was awesome running a fair amount of boost, was considering changing to a RB30 (VL block) because its easier, yeah might stick with the stock motor,

for this ive got a spare set of heads and various other engine parts, ready to be reconditioned suit forced induction

anyone from aus whose atempted this wanna give me some pointers???

Re: Modifing headers into a turbo manifold
 

rb30 is the gay
3.8 v's 3.0, no contest mate
i live three hours from you!

read up in the turbo section of the main page for ideas on boosting
just get normal headers, flip them, fab crossover pipe, mount turbo in the position of the airbox,
DRRRRIIIIIIIIIFFFFFFTTTTTT ;D

xternal, you in AUS? ???

Re: Modifing headers into a turbo manifold
 

Nah live/study/work in NZ :S but parents living in Noosa so I'm over there a fair bit in summer time.

Re: Modifing headers into a turbo manifold
 

kinda like v6 vengance??? anyone know what turbo's been used in vn's before???

t04??? been playing round with tunes today, should be pushing 110rwkw breaks traction real easy :) looking to run high 14s when its fully setup