Turbocharging an Olds 403....

Discussion in 'High Tech for Old Iron' started by online170, Nov 19, 2010.

  1. online170

    online170 Well-Known Member

    NEED SOME GUIDANCE ON TURBO SELECTION. Please follow along with background and goals.



    BACKGROUND:
    So a freind and I scored a pretty healthy 403 olds, and weve always wanted a race car, so this is the perfect oppurtunity.

    We have some go fast Olds parts, and are looking at a few bracket cars. We have our eyes set on a 80s Mazda Mizor, with a ford 9in, a cage, and "midmount" v8 setup.

    PLANS:
    The 403 will receive an overhaul, with new brgs, etc... A mildish cam, 455 heads, 455 holley dominator intake, 455 headers (depending on turbo or not). 455 oil mount, and oil pump. Oil restrictors, etc....

    Looking at doing a single mount turbo system. Cost is a factor. I saw a turbine from a 6.0L diesel F350. Would this work? If not, what should we be looking for? Or anyother cheap poweradder ideas (not nitrous) are welcome.


    GOALS:
    We arent looking to break records, or get like 200% powergain, just go fast. Could we get a mild enough turbo to use a mechanical fuel pump? Could we boost a regular carb (even a Q-jet) mildly enough to not modify it? How did the 301 pontiac motors do it in the late 70s? Thats the type of build im trying to accomplish i suppose.

    Any comments welcome.
     
    Last edited: Nov 19, 2010
  2. standup 69

    standup 69 standup69

    any of those pickup diesel turbos are too small for a 403 it would get into choke around 4000 im est.look into a something like a S400 bw they are fairly cheap and make good power you would probably want at least a 1.10 exh ar for that size engine.

    get a decent fuel system thats where you dont want to skimp a home modded 650 dp holley is all you need for low boost
     
  3. sean Buick 76

    sean Buick 76 Buick Nut

    I agree, build a good fuel system and a holley 750 cab with mods would be fine. You can also get a nice Quickfuel cab for not a bad price.

    Contact Burton machine, he can help advise you. I am pretty sure he already built a Turbo setup for a 455 Olds. I also suggest reading this book, it has helped me understand the Turbo setups a lot better. There is a guide to selecting a turbo plus much more:

    http://www.amazon.com/Turbo-Real-World-High-Performance-Turbocharger-S/dp/1932494294
     
  4. Thrillrr

    Thrillrr Active Member

  5. Nothingface5384

    Nothingface5384 Detail To Oil - Car Care

  6. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    The "Windowed" mains of the 403 make it a bad choice for high performance builds. Don't take my word for it, do some research.
     
  7. online170

    online170 Well-Known Member

    So i absolutely had to share the insanity that is this car!

    Its a Mazda 808/ Mizor. 1976 car, its absolutely rust free, and very straight. The car has been a dragracer all its life.

    Its a 2door, the front seats are gone and house the engine. There is a fabricated firewall in place. The rear seats are removed, and single central seat in the middle for the driver. There is about 6 inches of room on either side between the firewall and the doors for a gas pedal on the right, and brake pedal on the left.

    Since the driver is basically straddling the engine, the car has been affectionately named "Balls to the Wall".

    The car will be receivng its share of safety stuff. It already has a cage, but needs better brakes, stronger firewall, and a fire extinguisher for starters.

    [​IMG]

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  8. sean Buick 76

    sean Buick 76 Buick Nut

    Cool car!! Build a Twin turbo Buick 350!
     
  9. buickjunkie

    buickjunkie Well-Known Member

    2x
    or
    you've got a 430 that's not currently doing anything:laugh:

    Bruce
     
  10. online170

    online170 Well-Known Member

    The 430 IS doing something right now. Its going to the machineshop so it can live in my skylark in the spring.

    At which point we will have a spare buick 350 laying around hehe.

    A buddy and I have always wanted a race car, so we got this as kind of an R&D platform. I hope we can put a few engines through this thing.

    Step1 is to go 10seconds for under $2k. Very attainable at this point :).
     
  11. sean Buick 76

    sean Buick 76 Buick Nut

    Well if you do go with Buick power then PM me I might be able to help...
     
  12. online170

    online170 Well-Known Member

    Im open to any suggestions.

    The BOP engines respond similarly to this sort of stuff. Were set on the 403 for now cuz the engine was free, and we have a ton of olds 455 stuff laying around.

    The 350 is in use for my skylark at the moment but i wouldnt mind turboing that down the road either. Watching yours, mark's and jay's builds is pretty contageous. :)
     
  13. sean Buick 76

    sean Buick 76 Buick Nut

    Well, I as pretty impressed when I took a 400 hp 455 olds and added 8 psi on the desktop dyno. The strong torque curve of the 403 should work great with the boost... Especially in that tiny car, it looks like fun!
     
  14. 66larkgs

    66larkgs paul 66gs turbo nailhead

    how is that desktop dyno? is it pretty close and where can you get it. wouldnt mind a few motor combo's threw it.

    paul
    66larkgs
    401 turbo nailhead
     
  15. online170

    online170 Well-Known Member

    James use of the dyno was scarily close.

    His turbo 455 skymaro was always right on the button, even though theres not alot of data to guess from on a buick 455.
     
  16. sean Buick 76

    sean Buick 76 Buick Nut

    I am not the best with the desktop dyno, I am learning though... If you PM me I will try to see what I can do.
     

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