i think i going to keep a buick 350, i'm going to get my hands a 77' buick 350, and turbocharge it. how much psi can it take and still be safe? Mike T any thoughts? i'm looking for around 400 hp w/ 8.5 comp ratio. i plan to get forged pistons w/ good rings, any seggestions on where and how much???? what would be a good turbo for a 350? THANKS!!!!!!!!
Presuming that your engine will put out about 250bhp in stock form you will need about 6-8 pounds of boost to attain 400bhp. With a turbo, you absolutely will have to intercool, PERIOD. The oiling system will also be a pain in the rear end. Use forged pistons, file fit rings, ARP rod bolts, undercut head studs, good machine work. All of its available from TA Performance I really do not prefer to use a turbocharger in this application. The complexity of the installation & lack of tuneability of a turbo are just two reasons. However, there does seem to be interest in it. Either for the glamour, or because people can get junk turbos cheap. Unfortunately, you get what you pay for usually. We currently do not have a turbo kit in stock for the Buick V8 although there is one under development. The price for a turbo kit at this point looks to be nearly identical or slightly more than our Centrifugal Supercharger kit (the turbos are cheaper, but everything else is more expensive & complex). Michael Tweedy XSPerformance@iwon.com
Well mike when do you think the cent supercharger will come out, i've been hearing about this for some time know. haven't seen any # on improvment. have you dad one installed yet?? if so what where the results?? i agree that the cent supercharger would be less complex and might even look better? i would love to get one what would the price range be??:Brow:
As of the Nationals we were about 60 days or so away. Pricing still looks to be around $2,699 for the basic kit. Michael Tweedy XSPerformance@iwon.com
Mike would the T/A stage 1 manifold be good for forced induction? anything else you would seggest for forced induction Mike????:grin:
The TA Stage 1 intake for the 350 has got to be the best intake out there - for ANY application!!!:TU: If you plan on making serious power with your 350, pick up some of the forged 8:1 - 8.5:1 pistons. Make sure the rings are gapped for a supercharged application so the ends don't 'butt' together. When I talked to Mike at the Nationals this year, he mentioned that we would need to use a Holley DP - due to this being a 'blow thru' setup. I would consider an intercooler a MUST to keep the intake charge temperature down. Non-intercooled superchargers really heat up the air going in when they are making boost!!!:Smarty:
Thanks scott, i planed on a air to air cooler. the gap size for the rings wouldn't matter if it was supercharged or turbocharged right???? where would i be able to get the specs. would there be anything else in changes considering specs that need to be changed??? and any other info on your mind that might interest me ??? is there anyother carbs that we can use for a forced induction set up? THANKS!!!!
Intercooling is not absolutely mandatory with a carburetor, but it helps immensely. Example: Painfully stock 1971 Chevy 350/270hp with 9:1 compression running 9-10 lbs of boost on pump gas (93 octane) with full timing. Now makes somewhere in the neighborhood of 450hp. Quarter mile times dropped from 15.10 @ 95mph to 13.30 @ 115mph. And that's with a highway geared non-posi rear end folks. Installing an intercooler, the same engine will make approximately 10% more horsepower even though the boost will now be dimished 2-3psi due to air flow losses associated with the intercooler & tubing. BUT here's the cool part, NOW the we can safely handle far more boost. So with a change of pulley we can go to 15-17 psi and produce 550-600 reliable horsepower on pump gas. Currently the Holley DP is the ONLY recommended carb. Michael Tweedy XSPerformance@iwon.com
Mike You're right about intercoolers not being 'mandatory' to get power out of a supercharged engine! However...I would have to say that there are 2 reasons(at least) to run an intercooler - this is all my opinion. 1.) Intake Charge Temperature goes way up without an intercooler. Personally, when I'm able to get on of your kits, I will be using an intercooler. I wouldn't want to take the chance of running pump gas, trying to get maximum boost, and expecting there not to be a chance for engine damage caused by detonation due to the excess heat. 2.) I think without the intercooler, we would be leaving too much power 'on the table' so to speak. Like you stated, using the same motor, supercharger, and same grade of gas (91 octane for example), the intercooled setup will leave the non-intercooled cars in the dust!!:TU: *Mike - I hope everyone realizes and appreciates how much work you are putting into the supercharger kits for our Buick V8's!!:TU: :TU: I know I do!! Can't wait to see the results on the road !!!
Thanks Scott, I really appreciate that. Glad that you plan to use an intercooler. We would really prefer that everyone does, both from a reliability & a performance standpoint. We just wanted to point out that thanks to the carburetor & low discharge temperature of this blower that you CAN be very happy without the intercooler, if you have the right setup. But if you can at all afford it, you really should use one! Several models of intercoolers are available that can support more horsepower than any Buick block can handle. Even the entry level model supports 500bhp. Mike T XSPerformance@iwon.com
one more question guys, which is a better way the blow through set up, or a drawthrough w/ that plat under the carb? or is there even a diff?
Albert - The 'blow thru' setup is much simpler to do!:TU: A 'draw thru' setup would require some extra fabrication and parts, at the very least. This applies to centrifugal superchargers and turbos. Of course, roots type blowers are draw thru. I think if 'draw thru' was a better design, then we would see more kits out with that setup.
That is what i thought, some one told me that draw-thru was better. i didn't think so, now its confirmed.:grin: THANKS
Blow through carburetors are currently available in two varieties. The first I only recommend for low pressure applications as it does not use sealed throttle shafts. Although we do have lots of folks running around using up to 8-10 psi with it! As low as $375.00 outright! The other is a full blown conversion and features fully remachined surfaces, balance tube and blocks, air sealed throttle shafts and fully dyno run in & tuning. These carbs can handle all the boost you can throw at 'em, even more than 20+psi. Available in Stage I & II. Stage II includes the above and uses the HP series Holley and custom boosters. Available outright or exchange starting @ $500.00 Just click on the link below to send me an e-mail. Michael T. XSPerformance@iwon.com
what about the holly street avenger, i planed on grtting one. would that be okay???????? can i still get it?????
NO, it would NOT be ok. Street Avengers are vacuum secondary carbs and totally unsuitable for use in this application. Michael T XSPerformance@iwon.com
is there anything i should do about the rods, besides what has been already suggested, will they hold in stock form??
Anyone know what Sonny is running in his 350 for rods?? Seems like he's probably the highest HP 350 right now - or at least one of them. I believe some of those guys are pushing 500 HP!:TU: I'd be more than a little 'concerned' about getting much past the 500HP mark with worked stockers with good bolts!o No: Looks like we're getting pretty close to Needing some billet rods. Hopefully, someone can get the prices down to a 'reasonable' level.:TU: It would be nice to see prices in the $100/rod range!!!
Hello, I talked to Sonny last year and I think he told me he was running a set of rods made for him by Callies for his 350o No: Thanks,Mike
