turbo engine questions

Evilspirit · 11-23-2002, 09:29 PM

I'm contemplating a transplant of a Buick V6 turbo into my 1980 AMC Spirit, and have a couple engine questions. First are all 79-87 turbo engines the same internally, and if not what would be the best motor to look for? Also what would the stock heads be capable of horsepower-wise with a good turbo/intercooler combo? By stock I mean ported with larger valves, just nothing aftermarket. Thanks in advance for any and all info.
Tom

UR50SLO · 11-25-2002, 12:46 PM

That's the "Spirit" he he...
I guess I never pictured a 3.8 Turbo in a AMC....
Anyway... The 86-87 Buick GN or T-Type would be a sutable donor for your AMC. You'll need everything from trans to wiring harness from the Buick don't forget to get your frame motor mounts from the car!
I guess we need to know what your car weight gear ratio and tire size to tell you what needs to be done to the turbo engine to satisy your ET Goals/performance goals.
We'll need to know those too...
Sounds.. well.. interesting

~Scott

------------------
Have you had your cup of boost today?

Evilspirit · 11-25-2002, 08:34 PM

Well as far as the car goes I have a Mopar 8 3/4 rear(in true AMC fashion), and I have everything from 2.94 gears through 3.91. The suspension is pretty much stock, but it does have a pinion snubber. Here's the kicker, it's going to be propane powered. I already have all the parts and a tank in place. I chose this to take advantage of both the high octane, plus the ease of installation. No need for a bunch of excess wiring, as the propane system works off of vacumm. I have fabbed motor mounts before, so this shouldn't be a problem. I have a large intercooler, although I think my current turbo may be a bit large(T-76). It also has a fairly large exhaust housing(.96 A/R). I would like some stout performance out of this combo, but still would like some streetability. I can fit quite large tires on the back(10.5x 28.5" slicks), so I'm assuming traction shouldn't be too bad. I was concerned that the 86/87 engines might be a tougher find around here. Would the 79-80 era also be a good builder? I seem to see quite a few of these around.
Did they offer a 4bbl intake for this motor? I know the turbo/carbed models had a special plenum, but I'm wondering if other intakes will fit?
Tom

Evilspirit · 11-25-2002, 08:38 PM

Forgot to mention that this car should weigh about 2750-2800 pounds with this combo.
Tom

Orlando_87GN · 11-26-2002, 09:26 AM

79-80 and 86-87 power packs are completely different animals. 79-80 are carburated with a blow through turbo. 86-87 are SFI with a throttle body and plenum design. The SFI relies heavily on the ECM and all the wiring associated with it. The 79-80 motors have almost zero wiring ( I think they have a ESC spark box or something). I don't know the HP rating of the older motors, but I will be willing to bet it's about half of what the SFI ones can put out.

------------------

'87 GN - Stock Block, Stock Cam, Stock Turbo, Stock Heads, V4, MSD50's, TH DP, JayJackson 62mm TB, 16position MaxEffort Chip. 3680# with Driver
11.92 @ 111.77mph

'87 Mazda RX-7 w/GN Powerplant
12.1 @ 124.48 MPH
Visit : http://www.MisRed.com

mailto:mike@TurboBuicks.commike@TurboBuicks.com</A>

Evilspirit · 11-26-2002, 05:33 PM

Is the biggest difference the fuel injection? Or do the later motors have better heads/bigger valves, stronger bottom end, etc? With my propane system I won't need a lot of computer controlled mechanisms. Plus I have a timing boost retard set-up, so the big thing for me would be finding out about these motors. Thanks.
Tom

UR50SLO · 11-26-2002, 09:48 PM

Eather way propane or fuel injected the 86-87 engines are the strongest out of the bunch as he stated above. I'd be interested in seeing what parts your inteding on using with the propane system.. sounds neat! Send me a link if it's on the net... you'd be best to use a 3:50-3:40 rear end ratio..
Thanks, Scott~

------------------
Have you had your cup of boost today?

Evilspirit · 11-27-2002, 10:23 AM

I don't have pics posted on the net, but I can get a few pics together and post them on here. I have a set of 3.55 gears as well as 3.23's so that should be the least of my worries. I was looking at the other Turbo Regal site and noticed that the later(86/87) turbos seemed to be better designed than the early ones. I would assume that is a big difference in the performance right there.
Tom

11-23-2002, 09:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
Evilspirit Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sherwood Park, Alta, Canada Posts: 5	turbo engine questions I'm contemplating a transplant of a Buick V6 turbo into my 1980 AMC Spirit, and have a couple engine questions. First are all 79-87 turbo engines the same internally, and if not what would be the best motor to look for? Also what would the stock heads be capable of horsepower-wise with a good turbo/intercooler combo? By stock I mean ported with larger valves, just nothing aftermarket. Thanks in advance for any and all info. Tom

11-25-2002, 12:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
UR50SLO Grim Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: IN Posts: 129	That's the "Spirit" he he... I guess I never pictured a 3.8 Turbo in a AMC.... Anyway... The 86-87 Buick GN or T-Type would be a sutable donor for your AMC. You'll need everything from trans to wiring harness from the Buick don't forget to get your frame motor mounts from the car! I guess we need to know what your car weight gear ratio and tire size to tell you what needs to be done to the turbo engine to satisy your ET Goals/performance goals. We'll need to know those too... Sounds.. well.. interesting ~Scott ------------------ Have you had your cup of boost today? __________________ 86 Buick powered Camaro...10.66@131.17mph 93oct Pump gas, through the mufflers on a Drag Radial tire RJC 5inch downpipe,.76mm turbo FAST EFI TH400w/brake 9"rear with 3:50's. Champion heads/new design intake. 86 Midnight Blue T-Type Final assembly underway. 89 Maxima with TA49turbo 13.4@107mph with 244,000miles on stock engine. 92GMC Typhoon.. Wife's daily driver Was 13.10@100.87mph 4bolt splayed built block. .61mm turbo FMIC. Going orange soon.

11-26-2002, 09:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
Orlando_87GN Resident Idiot Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Orlando, FL USA Posts: 10,246	79-80 and 86-87 power packs are completely different animals. 79-80 are carburated with a blow through turbo. 86-87 are SFI with a throttle body and plenum design. The SFI relies heavily on the ECM and all the wiring associated with it. The 79-80 motors have almost zero wiring ( I think they have a ESC spark box or something). I don't know the HP rating of the older motors, but I will be willing to bet it's about half of what the SFI ones can put out. ------------------ '87 GN - Stock Block, Stock Cam, Stock Turbo, Stock Heads, V4, MSD50's, TH DP, JayJackson 62mm TB, 16position MaxEffort Chip. 3680# with Driver 11.92 @ 111.77mph '87 Mazda RX-7 w/GN Powerplant 12.1 @ 124.48 MPH Visit : http://www.MisRed.com mailto:mike@TurboBuicks.commike@TurboBuicks.com</A> __________________ Check Out MikesStuff4Sale.com to view my used parts! ------------------------------------------------ 1987 Buick Grand National Budget 4.1, 204/214 cam, TA-49 Turbo, Stockish Heads, V4, MSD50's, TH DP, JayJackson 62mm TB, Translator plus Extender powered. 3680# with pilot ------------------------------------------------ 1987 Turbo T with 5,888 Original miles FOR SALE! ------------------------------------------------ 1993 Mazda RX-7 4.1 Buick Powered 11.20 @ 128mph (2.4 60')!

11-26-2002, 09:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
UR50SLO Grim Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: IN Posts: 129	Eather way propane or fuel injected the 86-87 engines are the strongest out of the bunch as he stated above. I'd be interested in seeing what parts your inteding on using with the propane system.. sounds neat! Send me a link if it's on the net... you'd be best to use a 3:50-3:40 rear end ratio.. Thanks, Scott~ ------------------ Have you had your cup of boost today? __________________ 86 Buick powered Camaro...10.66@131.17mph 93oct Pump gas, through the mufflers on a Drag Radial tire RJC 5inch downpipe,.76mm turbo FAST EFI TH400w/brake 9"rear with 3:50's. Champion heads/new design intake. 86 Midnight Blue T-Type Final assembly underway. 89 Maxima with TA49turbo 13.4@107mph with 244,000miles on stock engine. 92GMC Typhoon.. Wife's daily driver Was 13.10@100.87mph 4bolt splayed built block. .61mm turbo FMIC. Going orange soon.

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11-25-2002, 08:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
Evilspirit Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sherwood Park, Alta, Canada Posts: 5	Well as far as the car goes I have a Mopar 8 3/4 rear(in true AMC fashion), and I have everything from 2.94 gears through 3.91. The suspension is pretty much stock, but it does have a pinion snubber. Here's the kicker, it's going to be propane powered. I already have all the parts and a tank in place. I chose this to take advantage of both the high octane, plus the ease of installation. No need for a bunch of excess wiring, as the propane system works off of vacumm. I have fabbed motor mounts before, so this shouldn't be a problem. I have a large intercooler, although I think my current turbo may be a bit large(T-76). It also has a fairly large exhaust housing(.96 A/R). I would like some stout performance out of this combo, but still would like some streetability. I can fit quite large tires on the back(10.5x 28.5" slicks), so I'm assuming traction shouldn't be too bad. I was concerned that the 86/87 engines might be a tougher find around here. Would the 79-80 era also be a good builder? I seem to see quite a few of these around. Did they offer a 4bbl intake for this motor? I know the turbo/carbed models had a special plenum, but I'm wondering if other intakes will fit? Tom

11-25-2002, 08:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
Evilspirit Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sherwood Park, Alta, Canada Posts: 5	Forgot to mention that this car should weigh about 2750-2800 pounds with this combo. Tom

11-26-2002, 05:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
Evilspirit Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sherwood Park, Alta, Canada Posts: 5	Is the biggest difference the fuel injection? Or do the later motors have better heads/bigger valves, stronger bottom end, etc? With my propane system I won't need a lot of computer controlled mechanisms. Plus I have a timing boost retard set-up, so the big thing for me would be finding out about these motors. Thanks. Tom

11-27-2002, 10:23 AM	#8 (permalink)
Evilspirit Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sherwood Park, Alta, Canada Posts: 5	I don't have pics posted on the net, but I can get a few pics together and post them on here. I have a set of 3.55 gears as well as 3.23's so that should be the least of my worries. I was looking at the other Turbo Regal site and noticed that the later(86/87) turbos seemed to be better designed than the early ones. I would assume that is a big difference in the performance right there. Tom