Turbo How-To

[BlackBetty_83]

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum, & have a question. I have an '83 Pontiac Grand Prix with a 3.8 Carb'd engine coming out of her. I was originally going to drop a 350/383 in it, but if there is a way to Turbo my 3.8 & it cost around the same, I'd rather take that route.

This is my first rebuild/swap, so I was just looking to see if anyone could let me know what all I'm going to need & do? All the way from Manifold, ECU, to any info on vacuums, etc.

I appreciate your time very much,
Chase

Posted from the TurboBuick.Com mobile app

 

[earlbrown]

Normally I don't dissuade people from working on their own cars........

.....but just from the complex question you asked under the guise of it being simplistic, it'd probably be much better to just "drop" in a SBC. It will allow you to drive your car and enjoy it with mostly off the shelf parts. Along with very little custom fabrication and head scratching.

No way it's going to cost the same. Get a junkyard LS engine and put a carb on it.

 

[BlackBetty_83]

Yeah, the JY'd LS was an option on my list, & I figure the Turbo swap will be no easy task.

Egh, decisions decisions.

Posted from the TurboBuick.Com mobile app

 

[1984 t-type]

I would go LS in a heartbeat, done it before feel free to ask questions if you go that route. check out ls1tech.com they have a dedicated ls conversion section with a g body swap thread in it that's about 50 pages long and they also have a carbed ls section. if your local to Michigan i have a hot air drivetrain and harness that's going up for sale soon.

 

[SHADOWII]

Welcome Pilgrim!! The easiest way to do what you are requesting, would be to have a donor car. You would need the wiring harness, ecm, etc. fom the wrecked vehicle. Preferably, an 86/87 year. The drive train would also have to be swapped, as the rear pumpkin in yours is probably the 7.5" and would eventually fail.(btw, something to cinsider w/the ls swap.)
I know this sounds like we are trying to discourage you, and we are not. As we like hearing the on going progress of project cars, but you would have to have a daily driver, patience, a garage, patience, lots of tools, patience, a donor car, patience, lots of money, patience, the knowledge to keep it alive once it is running and did I mention patience? lol-You get the picture? Besides the ls swap, the next easiest thing would be to sell the 83 and just purchase a turbo regal. But whatever you decide, we are here to help. Don't forget to check the "parts for sale", "parts wanted" and even the "cars for sale" sections.
Again Welcome to the board!!!

 

[turbodave231]

I have done the NA to turbo swap. There are lots of unique parts that only the turbo Regals and GN's used. The list is long, but the work isn't bad. Running proper fuel lines was one of the more difficult tasks. I pulled the body off the frame and ran the correct hard lines. As suggested above, a SBC or LS engine might be an easier quicker choice.

 

[RunninShine231]

Salutations! Turbo swap isnt too bad. The juice isnt worth the squeeze if you ask me. Ls swap with a carb would be my route. Cheaper parts more availability. Not to mention. They sure make some power! If your determined to run a lc2 swap. We are here to help

 

[earlbrown]

There's a BIG difference between a turbo swap and custom fabricating a complete turbo system along with a fuel system and an matching ignition control system.

 

[Howling Mad]

This is one instance where I fully support and condone and LS swap.