Turbo for tq and mpg increase in a truck

[raPoM]

This is just a "what if" kind of discussion. I dont have any money to do this,but I have had this idea for a while.I thought some of you might like to make a discussion out of it.

I daily drive an 87 D100 with a hydro 225,833 od,and 8 1/4 with a 3.55 open. It runs great,the slant/4 speed combo is about perfect for a daily driver I think. Im getting about 15-16 mpg in town,and about 18-19 if I do all highway. Not too shabby I think,and this is with the stock lean burn carb/ignition,and old pre-cat and cat that im sure could stand to be replaced.My only real complaint is that it is about as gutless as roadkill. I dont hot rod it around at all, I dont drive over 65-70 mph on the highway,and I dont rev it above 3800rpm.I would, however, like some passing power on the highway.

Here is my "idea": I have been thinking about finding a small turbo in the junkyard,and doing a cheap turbo build for my truck with three goals. 1. increase mpg,2. increase low end torque,and 3. increase passing power on the highway.

My plan would include a small turbo ie: 2.5 dodge,2.3 ford/mazda etc... Convert a holley 1920 for blowthrough,and run an intercooler. Low boost like 5-8lbs on my stock motor. Stock cam,block,head etc...

I would basically treat it like a diesel,only rev it up to about 3500,and cruise it at 1800-2000 rpm. I think I might be able to pick up a few mpg,and an appreciable amount of low end tq/passing power.

What do you think?

[SlantSixDan]

I can think of a fair list of reasons why this would probably not give you a result like you're hoping for. D'you really want me to list 'em out?

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[raPoM]

Sure,if you are so inclined. I am open to all opinions. This is only a what if situation anyway,so its just "talk" at this point.

[SlantSixDan]

[post deleted by author]

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[raPoM]

Thank you for your insight.

Blow through with a 1bbl has be done successfully before,and from my research mpg stayed the same,or saw a slight improvement,and that was from users who added the turbo for performance,not economy.

I understand what you are saying about having to jet up,and losing out on economy,that was a concern of mine as well.

As far as tuning the blow through set up,it shouldnt be too hard with a wideband 02 installed,and I like to tinker.However I have no desire to go with any form of fuel injection.

The truck is also cat delete,and I do not have to pass any form of emissions testing, so no worries there.

As far as not getting really good mpg,again,I agree with you there. I feel that the current mpg I am getting now is down right respectable for what it is.

Even if I gained 1-2 mpg city/highway I would be happy. Even without a gain in economy,if the low end tq was improved enough for me to use 4th above 60 mph,without a loss in mpg,again I would be very happy.

[SlantSixDan]

[post deleted by author]

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By choice: Canadian citizen, 1st class

[raPoM]

[SlantSixDan]

[post deleted by author]

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By choice: Canadian citizen, 1st class

[raPoM]

I understand that you do not like the thought of a blow through set up with a 1bbl carb,but that is what this thread is about. Its not about the best option,or the worst option,or how breaker points suck.

[kesteb]

There is information on how to do a blow thru with a 1v carb is on the Ford Six board. http://fordsix.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=31477

[raPoM]

[Dart270]

My 2 cents:

I would put on a rather big turbo, and a BBD or even bigger carb. On my car, the MPG did not change at all with the big T4 turbo set up, IF I keep my foot out of it and it makes little or no boost.

Heck, I would try a BBD with nothing else first, and you'll get more power and likely better economy.

Lou

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[raPoM]

Lou-

I understand your logic,but the whole idea behind this would be "cheap". I dont have a 2bbl intake or BBD. I do have a 1bbl intake and a spare 1920.
I cant find any "big" turbos in the JY that arent too big(think turbo diesel).

For the price of buying a 2bbl intake,and a BBD+rebuild kit(if I can find a bbd without leaking throttle shafts...)and aircleaner, I could get the turbo/intercooler/rebuild-retrofit parts to set the 1920 up for boost/ and have a pipe welded up to mate the turbo to the stock exhaust. The only real extra expense over the 2bbl set up would be a wideband O2.Plus the whole turbo experiment would be new and interesting compared to the 2bbl swap(been there done that)

Again these are all just thoughts,as I dont have any money to spend at the moment. Thanks everyone for your input!

[Rug_Trucker]

Allpar.com a few years ago had a "how to" budget turbo slant article just like you want. IIRC $300?

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[raPoM]

I will have to look it up,but I think I have seen it before. I can get all the turbo stuff at the JY for 120.00,and then I need a rebuild kit and odds and ends for the 1920 to get it ready for boost,and then a wideband O2 which I can get for 150.00 so around 300.00 sounds about right!