Here's my speil... I have an '87 TC. It was originally an automatic, which means it had the little IHI. I swapped in a T-5 from an '85 TC. It has 2.5" duals with Flowmaster 40's, Gillis 2 Stage Boost Valve, K&N Filter Charger, and a disconnected knock sensor. What I'm aiming for is 300hp at the wheels which I'm obviously not even close to. What would be the best way to get there? Would a bore/stroke be effective or practical? Is there an aftermarket turbo setup available? Thanks in advance.
Leave the block alone.... If anything have some headwork done (valves, porting, etc), but it won't be neccessary for 300hp.
Exhaust(DP), larger fuel pump, turbo, exhaust manifold, bigger intercooler, boost....
The Flowmasters aren't helping you either.
listen to chuck he knows what he is talking about. Also check over at turboford they can help you get there.
And just so you know the 5 Speeds had the IHI too, not just Autos.
Actually I did know, however I was under the impression that the auto turbo's were smaller? Is there a good alternative turbo other than the T3?
T3/T4 Hybrid Turbo.
I think you are refering to the 83-86 TCs. The Auto/Manuals had different size T-3 turbos... I think.
T3/T4 hybrids have the same as the stock turbo, only mod you need to do to it is the oil drainback .
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/T3-T4-hybrid-turbo-Turbocoupe-Turbo-5-BOLT-GARRET_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33742QQihZ019QQitemZ290026335678QQrdZ1
They are all over, that one isn't too expensive and looks to have the same oil drainback ...but looks can deceive...buy with caution. That turbo will give better spool with higher efficiency, so you could instead of be halted at 20 psi, this could boost until 25-35 psi as they claim. Best improvement for the money.
BUT...prior mods would be to open up the exhaust (turbos act like lers on these engines, I don't run a ler on my 84), upgrade the fuel pump, adj. FPR, and hook that knock sensor up. It might be pr0ne to false readings, but it will save some head gaskets with these high boost levels. Plus the added spark retard will allow for more boost. Also with the exhaust, a new exhaust elbow , the elbow with the O2 sensor, is a major part of opening the system up. What's the point of a 3" exhaust with a 2" restriction in the stock elbow? Granted the IHI elbows have a little more room than the T3's but still an open exhaust after a restriction isn't going to help things much. I know, I unhooked my exhaust completely, just the elbow, and the turbo spooled the same as with the full exhaust. It just sounded cooler. ;)
According to this chart from Fordturbo.com, the only T3 differences were the the SVO Mustangs and late XR4TI's:
What cars have what size turbo?83-84 GT Turbo .60 & .63 A/R
83-84 Capri RS Turbo .60 & .63 A/R
84-86 XR7 Cougar .60 & .63 A/R
84-85 SVO .60 & .63 A/R
85.5-86 Svo .60 & .48 A/R
83-86 TC .60 & .63 A/R
87-88 TC IHI Turbo
Early 85 XR4TI .60 & .63 A/R
85.5-89 XR4TI .60 & .48 A/R
I do believe that the auto have the same turbo. It is they have cut down the boost to save the wimpy tranny from dying to quick. Also there are many pepole runnning a holset turbo. I would say the cheapest HP adder on the 2.3t is a manual boost controller. I made one myself and it works great. I only have about $8 into it.
I wouldn't hold that as gospel.
At the very least, swapping the IHI to a 60/63 T3 would be considered a minimum turbo upgrade. That coupled with airflow mods and boost should put you very close to your 300hp goal. I know guys have gotten 300+ with the "stock" T3s.
Since you have a manual boost controller, the fuel pump and exhaust mods should be first on the list (aftermarket manifold, T3 turbo, 3" DP, exhaust). Do that and you'll be very surprised how much the car wakes up.
NEVER EVER buy a turbo from ebay. 95% of the time, they are made by a chineese company that is well known for their turbos not even lasting 2 weeks.
A good turbo is never cheap. I just dropped 900 bucks on a Precision SC50.
A T3 is the only "cheap" turbo upgrade for the IHI equipped cars. Otherwise you're looking at spending the big bucks for a good turbo.
FYI 300 hp takes plenty of boost...20 lbs or so. I'm running 17 right now and estimate my HP at 250 with what I have done.
There's an '85 TC in the local junk yard (5-speed car)... Would that have the T3 I would want? What kind of psi will those run?
Yep. Make sure you grab the oil return line.
Yes. They're good to 20-22#
For some reason I was under the impression I would need more boost than that to make 300+ HP... Is there any way to tell if a turbo is bad, or do they not go bad? I really don't wanna go through hookin' a used T3 up to find it doesn't make any boost. Thanks everyone.
Turbonetics has a T3/T4 Hybrid Head Unit on the Summitt Website. Would that be a worthy investment over the T3 from the junkyard?
I don't know about the credibility of this company- http://www.turborevs.org.uk/Power%20Mod.html -but their t3/t4 comes out to be $460. Also, did I hear something negative about SSAutoChrome? They have one for $375.
Here's something interesting...
There a turbo diesel Lincoln Continental (mid to late '80s) in my local yard. The engine is complete. I still haven't confirmed if it has the BMW engine.
I took a close look at the turbo and it really looks like a Garrett. By that, I mean that it looks a LOT like the turbo in my '86.
Are there any differences in that turbo because it's on a diesel engine?
I wonder if it's still good...
T3 can support 300hp. That's the general max of your injectors anyhoos (among some other parts). Then you'll need to do open up that check book big time. If you don't want to use the turbo, grab it anyways and sell it. It's a pretty popular upgrade. Just check it for play first.
How would I go about that? Sorry, I'm fairly new to turbo's, but I love them... Thanks for all the info, Ether. Also, I am probably going to go for 40Bob's log header. I have the option of getting it coated and/or with egr. Are there any advantages for either that would be worth the cash?. There certainly is a price difference...
egr is exasht gas reserculator whcih is for emmisons unless ur car doesn't ahve that u need it, as for the coating someone else will tell u. The play stick ur fingers in the turbo or something and see if the impeller moves at all if it jsut wiggles it shoud be ok, if it moves alot the berrings are junk and the turbo is junk, hope this helps, and anyone correct me if i am wrong or missed something
Thanks... The only other thing is my tranny... It's out of an '85 TC, will it be able to handle the horsepower?