Hi guys (and gals?), this is my first post here, so I thought I'd introduce myself a little. I'm Hans from The Netherlands, 21 years old and I own a 1975 Buick Century with the 'normal' non-turbo 231 (and a 1974 Monte Carlo)
My plane-jane bonestock 'odd-fire' 231 is still doing fine after almost 33 years, but the thing is, I'm kinda playing with the idea of dropping in a tubro charged 231. I'm not going to try to convert my existing engine to a turbo engine (already read an article on that, a lot of hassle and probably not satisfying results).
Overhere I know a 1978 Regal with a turbo 231 that's for sale. The add says that the engine is broken, but it is still able to run. I have to contact the owner, I want to know more about this, and find out what is really wrong. Anyway, I'm thinking of buying the engine (and trans maybe) alone, if the seller is okay with that. Maybe I need to buy the entire thing. The car is decent looking by the way, but I have no idea what to do with it. I only need the engine.
I want to rebuild that engine. I know all about these old American V8 en V6 engines, and the rebuilt process. But I'm not too familliar with eniges that have a turbo. I have some questions that hopefully some of you can answer for me.
For one, I have a Holley 390 carb laying around can I use it on that engine? It will probably have a Quadrajet (4 barrel), if it's still any good I might stick with that.
I also have a Holley Street Dominator 4 barrel intake for the 231 laying around, can I use that? I should fit the later style heads (79 and up) and the early ones. But I read something about a knock sensor, I don't think my intake has a provision for it. Would it make a big difference in performance anyway? The Holly intake of the stock one?
How much 'electric' stuff is on these 1978 engines? I mean, things that control the engine. Vacuum control, knock sensor, and other sensors maybe? That kind of stuff. My other two (older) cars, are not that 'high-tech' yet lol.
I'm familliar with working around more modern cars, with all the computer controled stuff and sensors for everthing. But I'm asking this because my '75 Buick doesn't have any of that stuff now. I kinda need to know which things really need to be swapped along with the engine and what is really important (like the knock sensor for example).
On the performance side, when I'm going to rebuild it I want to sqeeze some more power out. Can these heads be milled? And if so, how much? I'm just wondering, on the normal 231 it can be done. But with this turbo stuff I'm not sure. I don't want the compression to go dangerously high. And how about a mild port job? A mild performance cam? I'm really not sure how far you can push this engine (I know you can take the normal 231 a long way!)
How about the exhaust, does it need a lot of modification? I just built me my own stainless steel dual exhaust with glasspacks (my car came with a single exhaust). I read that one of the exhaust manifolds is different. Any other major changes? I read something about a downpipe? What is that exactly?
There's a normal TH-350 tranny behind these turbo engines right? Or is some modified stronger built version? In that case it might be a smart thing to use the tranny from the Regal too.
Oh, this is the Regal by the way:
And this is my pride and joy:
http://i30.tinypic.com/vo4pxs.jpg http://i32.tinypic.com/2ljs65e.jpg
this is still with the old exhaust. It's a Gran Sport, by te way (but by 1975 that only meant a heavy duty suspension package, no 455's or anything).
But I have to say that these 231's run strong! Mine is still going strong and is really bonestock. And it moves this fairly heavy 'boat' just fine. No jet off-take or rubber burning, but it is fine. Not at all slow. I think these Century's must be one of the heaviest cars (if not THE heaviest) that ever came with the 231 V6.
I hope it is not too much to read (long post
). New to the turbo world
Hans