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Turbo 396

3K views 10 replies 6 participants last post by  ap72 
#1 ·
Hey everybody, I just purchased a turbo last night off of a Ford Powerstroke turbo diesel. Good turbo, no shaftplay, worked great when pulled, $100. I'd like to put it on my 396, running around 10 psi of boost. My plan is to make custom headers coming forward and into the turbo, then 3 1/2" pipe from the turbo out the side of the car. I plan on also keeping the carburetor, what would be the best setup?, boxing in the whole carb and pressurizing the whole thing? or doing a blowthrough? I plan on running the msd btm box with pro-billet distributor. I'm thinking compression in the 8.5-9:1 range. If anyone has any advice about this setup please tell me. I have already ordered the "turbochargers" book and am waiting for it to get here.
 
#2 · (Edited)
First, that turbo is really too small for your engine. It will work, but will become very restricted in the higher RPM range. The carb enclosure and blow through are the same thing BTW.....given that, I think I would go the blowthrough route.:D The headers and pipe you have planned will work well. According to Corky Bell, 3.5 inch downpipe will support about 900 HP. You will be pushing to get 550 out of that turbo. I will just advise you do alot of reading and research and make sure you know what all is involved. If you have any questions, I can probably help. I have been there and done that.
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Chris
 
#3 ·
well yes the turbo is in the small end for a performance/racing application. but if you stay in the conservative end of the boost range arround 7-8 psi, i think you will be happy having chosen a turbo in the smaller range. it will be very quick to spool up and if your waste gate is big enough, you propably wont roast the turbine. the powerstroke diesel is arround .90-1.00 A/R in the turbine housing if i remenber correctly.

with regards to the exhaust, id try and see if you couldnt use the cast iron headders turned back to front and plumb the turbo from there, it should fit where the battery sits now, and with the low boost, intercooling isnt imperative, a good water inlection system can be made for very few money and should keep you out of detonation.

it doesnt have to be rocket science
 
#4 ·
Duece is right about the spooling. On the street, it will be fine. It also really depends on which powerstroke unit you have. The old T04 Garrets are a 1.10 range turbine and the compressor is only good for about 450 HP. The next generation is a GP38 which I think is in the .90 turbine range and will spool a little faster. The later GTP38 is the most desirable because it comes with a larger compressor.

I believe that all those units also all come with an integral wastegate which can cause issues. The problem comes in when, like in your case, the turbo is a bit small. The wastegate looses its ability to control boost and turbine speed and you can end up overboosting or overrunning the turbo. Either has its set of problems. I have heard of guys porting the wastegates to help, or you could just get another external gate to help out.

Chris
 
#5 ·
Thanks for the replies guys. What turbo would you suggest I try to find? I'm on a real tight budget, and want the most bang for the buck. I have a holley 4160 750 cfm carb already, and would like to keep using it, but will the vacuum secondaries work under boost? i'm trying to limit the engine to 6000 rpm. I'd like to have it operating in the 2000-5000 rpm range. Also i dont know if the TH400 would give me the top end performance I want (top speed).
 
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