turbo 3.8 in a jeep

[turbojeep68]

Wanted to do this since I was 16. I have a 68 jeep that had a 225(3.7 I think)in it. I have a 76 buick skyhalk with a 3.8. I also have the intake, turbo asembly, and manifolds but Im not sure from what year(got all the turbo parts at a yard sale for $35). But I think the 76 is an od fire so I dont think the turbo will go on there. IF it will... Where can I get the rest fo the parts I need to compleet the turbo kit for cheep(if posible)?

 

[Jerryl]

Try G-bodyparts.com

Be carefull ...... I am not sure if "turbo charged" and "cheap" belong in the same sentence.

 

[Grumpy]

Be carefull ...... I am not sure if "turbo charged" and "cheap" belong in the same sentence.

you got that right !!

 

[turbojeep68]

What do you do??

Well it is either take what I have and make it work for somewhere around $1000 :biggrin: or Be just another guy with a small block jeep

 

[1QUICK85]

What are your goals with the Jeep? I think you'll find better use out of a small block V8 if you plan on hitting the trails. What about just beefing up the 3.8 without using a turbo?
Post some pictures, if you can, of the turbo setup you got. If you need a cheap downpipe for the setup, I am not sure if my old stock '85 will work, but you can have it for the cost of shipping.
-Nick.

 

[turbojeep68]

I use the Jeep on sand at coast, sand drags, and mud drags. I dont think a 3.8 pushed over .30 with a cam is going to cut it. I though if I put a turbo in it I could save some weight.

 

[1QUICK85]

What does the turbo kit you have all include? Intake? Turbo? Headers? What internals does your motor have in it? Crank? Pistons? I don't think you will be happy at all with a '76 Buick 3.8L with a turbo on it.
Also if the turbo goes out your looking a few hundred bucks for good one......for that money you can find/build a budget 350. I love the turbo buicks by far, but if your on a budget...they are not the friendliest. :frown:
Not try to tell you not to do it, its a cool project and would be one of a kind. But, it might cost you more then your thinking. And some headaches.-Nick.

 

[turbojeep68]

I was told I would be better off starting off with a 4.1 out of a torinodo. Something about it comeing with the turbo rods and crank and cam I think. I dont konw much about that but I would rather do the turbo thing just to be different.

 

[1QUICK85]

Unless your trying to squeezing every bit of horsepower out of the engine, a turbo 3.8 will suffice. You should do some searches on the board here. "4.1 build" or "4.1 engine". It has been done with a lot of success, but would cost you more I believe.
I think your best bet would be at least finding a good running turbo 3.8 from a 84/85 complete with ECM, sensors, turbo to oil pan, and wiring. I have seen them go for close to $1000. Anything older then 84/85 turbo swap and I just don't think it would be worth it.
But once you start this project it will become a nightmare you will have to deal with a making custom downpipe, motor mounts, what tranny you going to use(automatic would be best), you will have to run the exhaust, will you have proper hood clearance for the turbo, you will have to upgrade your fuel system, and then you will just run into little piddley time consuming bullsh!t that you wish you would have never started the project. That is my .02 cents. Still a cool project, I just want you to see what your getting into. -Nick. :biggrin:

 

[turbojeep68]

Its not like Im going to do this in a week. I dont have that kind of $$$. This is probably going to be one of those "buy a part there, here and be done in a year" jobs. I just want to do it because I have not seen it. I am a buick man but my jeep is my baby, it was my first rig.

 

[MoeJr]

I don't think motor mounts would be too hard as Jeep was using the Buick V6 in 68. There is a forum on here that is called" before black". It deals with the carbed turbo buicks. There are some guys in there that have done alot with the carbed turbos. May be worth a check. May wanna see if you can find an even fire engine if possible. Not sure how the turbo would be on an odd fire.

 

[turbojeep68]

The 3.8 is in it now. Problem is the manifolds block the steering box so I will have to move it. Second problem is the trans in it will be to week so I plan to put in a turbo 400. Should be strong enough to put 400 HP through easy should I decide to put that much money into a 3.8

 

[racemybuick]

i have a factory crate engine, Buick 3.8 turbo from 1980...Everything attached...The guy who almost bought it was putting it in a jeep cherokee, but then the cherokee caught fire, and that ended that!! Still got it, looking for 1K firm....Everything is there...turbo, up-pipe, manifolds, distributer, everything!!!

John
Racmeybuick@yahoo.com

 

[MoeJr]

turbojeep That is a great deal mike has there. All set up. That is the way to go. No pieceing it together.

 

[turbojeep68]

Is that contdroled by an ECU? Carb or TBI?

 

[MoeJr]

I believe 1980 was the last year of non computer controlled Turbo Regals.

 

[1QUICK85]

That is a good deal and that would be the way to go.
You could use a turbo 350 tranny......would be lighter and still strong enough.

 

[racemybuick]

the 1980 motor is carburated. has a Rochester 4bbl carb, with the turbo sitting almost at the rear of the intake, but the port is in the middle. I can post pics tomorrow.... It is still in the factory crate with buick stamped on everything! as far as computers, I think there used to be something called the Turbo Controller, or something of that nature, but I am not sure... I just know that this motor is 100% original factory replacement.... Was held in a local Buick dealer storage shed (heated) for over 20 years before the owner passed away. There were actually three of them. I got one, and the other two got shipped out west to a collector.

I was going to try and put it in a roller 84 t-type, after I blew up my 3.8 fi motor.... but it was just easier to find another FI motor and drop into the harness and all. So... since I didnt need the motor, got a few offers, and one guy just needed to pay.... I looked at his jeep... I was even going to weld the exhaust and motor mounts for him, but a week or so before he was going to pay, truck burned in his driveway

If you have a real hard time with your current project, or find you wanna go another route...let me know via email- Racemybuick@yahoo.com

Hopefully I can help out!

John:biggrin:

 

[b4black]

the 1980 motor is carburated. has a Rochester 4bbl carb, with the turbo sitting almost at the rear of the intake, but the port is in the middle.

Sounds like a Rivera motor and it would not have fit in a Regal. The firewall would hit the turbo.

I suspect the Jeep doesn't have a lot of room behind the intake manifold.

 

[racemybuick]

I ran the carb numbers on the before black website and it said 1980 regal turbo. I dont have the numbers close to me, but I do remember someone leading me to the page, and I found it real easy....the turbo is still on top of the intake, not behind it...it is just all the way to the back, like the hot air SFI cars, just carburated.

Pics tomorrow if you want!

John:biggrin: