Time to go Stage II!

[Alky V6]

A quote out of a new book that I'm reading.
"Even turbocharged engines can benefit from a properly tuned exhaust system, particularly before the exhaust is ducted into the exhaust turbine housing. It is a common misconception that supercharged or turbocharged engines do not need to address the intake or the exhaust manifold design. Forced induction engines RESPOND JUST LIKE THEIR NATURALLY ASPIRATED COUNTERPARTS to intake and exhaust system tuning. The only difference is the amount of power they produce, and it is often at the same peak power rpm reference of a similar unblown engine."

ref: Engine Airflow by Harold Bettes. Published by HPBooks.

 

[Alky V6]

Some numbers that I came up with using a calculator I found online.

Intake up pipe diameter: 4.8" ID

Plenum volume: 87.44 cu. in.

Exhaust primary length;
Method 1, 42.28". This computing method result would greatly pump up the midrange while sacrificing top end power. At least, that is what the engine sim is showing.
I have read a few accounts that describe the Buick V6 as being especially unique in that relatively long primary pipe lengths seemed to increase midrange power without significantly knocking down top end power, as would normally be expected. Hmmm.
Method 2, 18.78"
Method 3, 19.68"
Method 4, 18.58"
These exhaust primary length recommendations pretty much fall in line with what my engine analyzing simulator has been showing me.

Tail pipe diameter (after turbine): 6.5" ID. I had the plan to use a 6" pipe with this new build, but after finding this result, I may go with 6.5".

 

[Alky V6]

Does anyone have a straight on shot of number 5 cylinder exhaust port (Stage II head) with the engine installed in a TR engine bay? A picture shot through the wheel well area with the wheel well removed.
What I'm trying to gauge is the clearance between the number 5 exhaust piping on a Stage II head and the steering linkage. Will I need to make a tight turn with #5 exhaust piping right off the port to clear the steering, like I had to with the Stage I heads? The piping will need to turn upwards and forward. Not downwards.
The #5 exhaust port with the Stage II heads is higher and forward of where the Stage I exhaust port was. I'm hoping that will give me a lot more clearance with the steering linkage to work with.

 

[Squid4life]

My engine is out, and don't have any pics through wheelwell, but this is about as close as I can get to that in the pics I took. I can bring the headers by if that helps.

 

[Alky V6]

The picture does help. Thanks, James.

 

[Alky V6]

The stubs are tacked in place.
Tomorrow, work will start on the new turbo hanger.

 

[Alky V6]

The old hanger is shown in place to be used as a reference for positioning the new hanger.

 

[Alky V6]

The beast will soon be hanging in its rightful place again.
Is this the largest turbocharger ever to be hung on a BUICK V6?

 

[59 El camino]

The old hanger is shown in place to be used as a reference for positioning the new hanger.

View attachment 179338

Im new to the turbo Buick world and lots to learn .Is the front timing cover home made like the intake manifold or made by some speed shop.The intake manifold is very impressive

 

[norbs]

Looks great what your doing. BTW that welding must have been done by automation, no one has a hand that steady!


Norb

 

[J-B Racing]

94K viewers....What!!!

 

[278cikiller]

94K viewers....What!!!

Joe! Did't you know that Donnie looks out side the box and still gets it done , Also he works for NASA on the side. lol.

 

[Squid4life]

Joe! Did't you know that Donnie looks out side the box and still gets it done , Also he works for NASA on the side. lol.

Donnie DID work for NASA, but their attention to detail and quality of work was not up to his standards, plus it wasn't challenging enough work.

 

[Alky V6]

Im new to the turbo Buick world and lots to learn .Is the front timing cover home made like the intake manifold or made by some speed shop.The intake manifold is very impressive

Thanks. The timing cover is home made. Welcome to the BUICK community.

 

[Alky V6]

Looks great what your doing. BTW that welding must have been done by automation, no one has a hand that steady!


Norb

I know what you mean. Those are some beautiful welds.

 

[Alky V6]

A rumor is going around that I might be working for, or have worked for NASA. The truth is, I have never worked for NASA. (I tried to tell them to put a turbo on the Mars rover, but they didn't much like the idea)

I'm about halfway done with the turbo hanger. The new tripod turbo hanger is going to be configured a little differently than the old one.
I had to drill and tap the accessory mounting holes in the Stage II heads for 10mm fasteners. The holes in the Stage II heads are standard, not metric. All my mountings were fabricated for 10mm fasteners with the Stage I engine.

 

[Alky V6]

James, the drum came in today. Pick a date and time.

 

[Alky V6]

Almost done with the hanger.
You would not believe how hard it is to hang that turbo by yourself. HEAVY!

 

[Alky V6]

More pics...

 

[Alky V6]

More pics.
Since I couldn't make the hanger into a true, complete tripod unit because of room constraints, that's leaving about half of the tripod weak from about the halfway point to the end towards the turbo. I'll be adding a sheet metal skin (1/8" thick) to cover about 2/3 of the assembly from just before the halfway point to the end. That should be enough to add the strength that will be needed to support this freakin' monster of a turbo.
Even though it appears that the structure is supporting the turbo sufficiently in the picture, about half of the structure (the half towards the turbo) is pulling down just a tad due to the lack of proper triangulation. In a situation where I might come down from a wheelie hard with this heavy turbo, the force might be enough to bend that section of the support.