Where To Begin... Or How To Select A Turbo?

[~JM~]

This is my first visit to this section of the forum & I'm already a bit overwhelmed with the information. My car is fairly stock so far, with the addition of a large FMIC. I'm thinking that a Turbo upgrade is in my near future & I need to start learning everything that I can to make educated decissions.

How should I proceed? Is there a normal series of progression that most follow? Is there a Turbochargers for Dummies book that I can read? LOL

Thanks
~JM~

 

[ZNix]

If you really want to learn about turbocharging: Amazon.com: Turbocharging Performance Handbook (Motorbooks Workshop) (9780760328057): Jeff Hartman: Books

"What are your goals?" will be the first question here before they suggest a turbo. So what are your goals?

 

[gnloyalty8777]

I would research some other mods instead of a turbo such as heads, cam, injectors, converter as they will provide more performance than a turbo will imo.

 

[big reazon]

I would get a razor alky system.

 

[Grumpy]

I would get a razor alky system.

X2 .. get use to the car and have a blast driving it.

 

[~JM~]

Goals? Hmm... My car is a road car more than a 1/4 miler. My turbo & engine have 130k on them, but still seem pretty tight. It would be nice to knock down a 10 second quarter while still having a car that corners well. I'm running 17" wheels so I don't see coming off the line or my 60ft times being real great. I like the idea of picking up a set of heads & a cam swap. I'm trying to provide a base that will perform well on 92 octane without any assistance from alcohol injection. What else can I tell you?

Thank you
~JM~

 

[Sweet6]

On 92 octane then stick with a stock turbo. Like stated above get the alky kit then upgrade the other stuff.

 

[Grumpy]

On 92 octane then stick with a stock turbo. Like stated above get the alky kit then upgrade the other stuff.

"I'm trying to provide a base that will perform well on 92 octane without any assistance from alcohol injection" from the thread starter..... I have ran race gas (years ago) or Alky (since 2003..I think) .. Soooo Ill shut up for now.

 

[Grumpy]

Goals? It would be nice to knock down a 10 second quarter while still having a car that corners well.
Thank you
~JM~

maybe easier said than done..

 

[Pronto]

Here is the simple formula. (10 seconds+cornering +17" rims)-(92 octane+no alky)=(pipe dream)². Leave the engine and turbo alone. Might think about a timing chain though. A 130k vehicle is going to need plenty of maintance. Be prepared to spend 10k on a engine/trans/converter and another 8k on suspension/tires/brakes/roll bar, if your serious about 10s. A much more realistic and economical goal would be a low 12 car with a few boltons and spend coin on suspension. Add alky and 11s are in the mix. Right now I would not be looking at turbos unless yours is toast.

 

[bison]

You will need a lot of engine to run 10's on 17" wheels with 92 octane. That and a lot of practice. You are going to need some rpm to get it done since you will be cylinder pressure limited

 

[~JM~]

O.K. So maybe that goal is unreasonable. I'm not informed enough yet to set reasonable goals. It does sound like maybe I'm jumping the gun on a new turbo so what else would you recommend. I'm not interested in running alky so please refrain from telling me how great you think it is. I've already done some research on this subject & have decided that I'm not interested in adding another system to the car at this time. Daily driver performance is more important to me than 1/4 mile times.

Thank you
~JM~

 

[charlief1]

The goals you want can be done, but you need to think of everything as a system to get it there. That means all parts need to work together so you can't just buy one thing and add another to get there. You really need to sit down and figure out what you plan on doing and then see if it's feasable. Do a lot of searching for info you're looking for and see if someone's done something like it before. You might look at some of the threads about other G body platforms, even though they're V8 engines. If you find someone that's done it with a V8 then you just have to look at the set up and see if it's usable for the Regal chasis.

 

[jasjamz]

Ok forget the 1/4 and the alky. What other cars do you want to out perform? How much horsepower do you want this car to make? Have you had powerful cars in the past, if so describe them(pros & cons) please. The more restrictions you put on ways to make more power, the more involved the project becomes. This could mean more $$$.

 

[Pronto]

Best to start with the basics. Do the spring cleaning, replace every hose, O2, fuel filter, etc, etc. I'ld pull the radiator and have it cleaned and pressure tested. With a fm you are going to need it to be totally up to the task or you will be overheating. I'ld get a free flowing exhaust like the Hooker or something similar. No need for huge pipes. Downpipe is not needed yet either. If you want it to handle you need to make sure all the missing body mounts are there and they are not rotted through. I'ld look at rear control arms, shocks, and a complete front end bushings etc replacement and front braces. You can go wild on suspension upgrades and brake upgrades but at this point I'd do the mininum. Once your ready to make more power you'll be looking at the tranny first if it's orginal. That's where I'd start. With everything working right you should be able to run at least low 13s with 30lb injectors. 17s will be tough unless they drag radials.
Oh, and after noticing your post about RJC frontmount, get a boost gauge and a Scanmaster if you don't have one of those too.

 

[Hot Air]

Call Jack Cotton.....he helped me a LOT! Listen to Jack.
Conrad

 

[bison]

You can have 10 sec power on 92 octane but looking at what others on here have posted about combos won't help you since you are limited to low 20's boost and will need a much different compression ratio, cam, and turbo to get it done. None of which will be the build cheap.

 

[usetaboost]

It sounds like you are more interested in carving corners than 1/4 mile?