turbocharging a fwd configuration

[jaymaechtlen]

Am using a fwd 3800 in an engine swap.
To begin with, will run stock motor 'till I get things sorted out.
(frame, suspension, front brake conversion, etc, etc)

Eventually, I expect to turbo it.
Since the car will be really light, and have really good traction, I don't expect to need massive power to have lots of fun!
Also, there should be LOTS of room in the engine compartment for the turbo and related plumbing.
Will the GN manifolds clear the fwd trans?
Anyone have a breakdown on trans models (should be 4T60, but year-to-year, etc.)

regards
JAy

 

[denn454]

welcome

is this the supercharged 3800? if not you should be able to use the stock manifold. the easiest thing to do in your case woudl be to find a superchrged 3800, it won't make the power of a lc2 (gn engine), but should be enough to have fun. that is if you can find one at a reasonable price, its smaller, simplier, less headaches. good luck!

 

[jaymaechtlen]

no, this is not a supercharged unit.
You're right- getting one of those would be easier.
I guess I'll keep an eye out either way...

Thanks for the input!

Jay

 

[turbodave231]

You will run into trans problems if you use the 4t60 stock trans.
Find a 4T65E and the electronics to run it and you'll find it will hold up better.

DR

 

[jaymaechtlen]

Sounds like I may eventually want another donor car...

I'm still figuring out what lug pattern, front brakes and spindles, etc. that I'll want.
I have the GM factory shop manual for my last car ('91 Century, currently for sale) which had the 4t60. That is a complex little sucker! I don't think I'll want to go into one myself. Good used ones seem to be pretty common in the salvage yards. I'll probably just run a junker 'till I start getting the rest sorted out.

This will be an interesting project!

regards
Jay

 

[Scott231]

Check with Intenseracing.com in Columbus, ohio. Their FWD car went 10.98 at a track rental that I was at last month. WAY MORE than impressive!

 

[jaymaechtlen]

I should mention that the car I'm building will not be a FWD.
It is a highly modified Corvair, and the powertrain will be amidships, driving the rears, like a Fiero.

The Corvair has had a hard life, but has a pretty cool fiberglass shell. The current powertrain didn't work out well (327 driving a Tempest transaxle) and it is coming out!

(at some point I will want to figure out parking brakes, too!)

The FWD package is just an inexpensive way to build something with a LOT of growth potential!

regards
Jay

 

[GNVAIR]

I sold my last Corvair last year and have some experience with engine swaps on them (hence my user name)
Installing a transverse fwd set up under the rear of a Corvair is a lot of work. I do remember there was someone over at www.v8corvair.com that installed a Cadillac Northstar and 4T80E complete with the front suspension from a '92? Eldorado. He detailed pics of the swap. Very labor intensive and A TON of welding.
Other cool swaps were the guy who installed an LS1 using a 98-2002 F body bellhousing on a 97-up Corvette 4L60E into the back of his Corvair. Then there are the guys using the Toronado th425 and the later model th3254l(fwd version of a th2004r)
and ofcourse the Crown style swaps using the Saginaw 4 speed.

 

[jaymaechtlen]

Thanks for the input and link!

The website seems to be down- I found an email link, sent a note.

A lot of cutting and welding was done for the V8 and Tempest conversion by the previous owner. Some of that must be undone or re-done. I've seldom been accused of doing pretty work, but the mounts and hitches I've done have worked and not broken.
The exhaust systems and linkages I've done have generally worked ok, too.
Having the complete donor car will help a lot. Still, I agree- it will be quite a bit of work. Once we get this project a little farther along, I will post photos of the thing.

Len Haner built the car in early-mid 70's, in his shop in Irwindale, Ca. (Driveshaft Specialist). Back then, the Irwindale Drag Strip was still going strong!

cheers
Jay

 

[denn454]

I don't know much about them, but buick made a turbocharged riverera. that was fwd, might be something to look into if you could find a whole car to borrow parts from.