JunkYard Turbo

this link has tons of useful info

Build Your Own Turbo Kit

Tanus said:

this link has tons of useful info

Build Your Own Turbo Kit

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Warning: pictures on this website may be NSFW. I just found out the hard way, haha.

Depends on the year of turbocoupe. The 84-86 got a T3 with a 60 trim compressor, and stage 1 exhaust. The exhaust turbine is .48 or .63, depending on if the car was a manual or automatic. These turbos car be good for 250-300rwhp each, so on a stock 5L, it should work very nicely, with quick spool up.

The 87-88 TC got an IHI that is quite a bit smaller than the T3. This turbo would probably max out around 250rwhp, and would be a bit on the restritive side for a 5.0... but it would spool INSTANTLY! LOL Even on the 2.3, it could make full boost around 2-2200rpm.

bhuff30 said:

Depends on the year of turbocoupe. The 84-86 got a T3 with a 60 trim compressor, and stage 1 exhaust. The exhaust turbine is .48 or .63, depending on if the car was a manual or automatic. These turbos car be good for 250-300rwhp each, so on a stock 5L, it should work very nicely, with quick spool up.

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2 of those would work pretty good I bet, I definatly wanna do a turbo set-up pretty soon, thinking a single holset hx40 or one size smaller. Not looking for huge HP #s, a nice fat powerband is my goal.

Yes, two T3s would work very well on a 5.0. I've seen it done before and you can make enough power to crack the stock block in half. On a 2.3, the T3 usually spools to 10psi under 2500rpm, 14psi by 2800 rpm or so. On a 5.0 (2.5l per turbo), that might be cut down by 200rpm or so. I know that would give you a nice fat torque band. I personally think twins would be the easiest. You can flip the stock manifolds and the piping isn't bad at all. Just look around for some of the previous builds using T3s.

I'm not sure if an hx-40 would be a good match for you or not. I think the holsets tend to be more efficient at high boost levels, so unless you plan to run more than 20psi, it may not be as good of a choice as twin T3s. Unless you can find someone with experience running one on a 5.0, I probably wouldn't try. I don't think the size is well understood. All I know about is the hy-35, and people running one on a 2.3 see full boost around 3500-3800rpm, and run 20-30psi.

good info, Im actually looking to run pretty low boost so its pump gas friendly, I already have the systemax kit, makes good power like 325rwhp, like to have like 425rwhp, but tons of torque. I'll seach through some project threads and see if I can find a twin turbo t3 set-up, thanks

bhuff30 said:

Yes, two T3s would work very well on a 5.0. I've seen it done before and you can make enough power to crack the stock block in half. On a 2.3, the T3 usually spools to 10psi under 2500rpm, 14psi by 2800 rpm or so. On a 5.0 (2.5l per turbo), that might be cut down by 200rpm or so. I know that would give you a nice fat torque band. I personally think twins would be the easiest. You can flip the stock manifolds and the piping isn't bad at all. Just look around for some of the previous builds using T3s.

I'm not sure if an hx-40 would be a good match for you or not. I think the holsets tend to be more efficient at high boost levels, so unless you plan to run more than 20psi, it may not be as good of a choice as twin T3s. Unless you can find someone with experience running one on a 5.0, I probably wouldn't try. I don't think the size is well understood. All I know about is the hy-35, and people running one on a 2.3 see full boost around 3500-3800rpm, and run 20-30psi.

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hey man, Im definatly gonna do some type of set-up, not sure if it'll be twins or single.
Ok, so right now I have the systemax kit with Z cam,10.5 compression, runs strong, traps 110.
So Im thinking 2 possibilities
1- swap to 8.5 compression ration, swap cam too, add turbo set-up.

or get an explorer long block (sell my whole motor, except for the holley intake) then just freshen this motor with rings, bearings, slight port on heads, polish the combustion changers to drop the CR a little more.
This would produce less power (cause gt40 heads instead of the holleys) but, that might be for the best, with the holley set-up and a turbo I'd be pushing the limits of the block for sure and the gt40s would probably produce the wider torque band Im hopping for. This way I'd definatly be able to do it sooner cause of the $$ from selling my current motor. IDK, what do you think?

93luv said:

Post any findings PLEASE! how bout a T3/T4 hybrid.. saw a bunch of these on ebay for like 300 bucks...not sure what this means though

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pretty sure the t3/t4 hybrid is when they mate the exhaust side of a t3 turbo(smaller) to the intake side of a t4 turbo(bigger), might have that backward, not sure why though, think the smaller exhaust side allows it to spools faster

Do you have good forged pistons and rods on that 10.5:1 setup? I ask because that compression ratio suddenly seems a lot more reasonable on E85. In fact, I just recently increased my compression ratio on the 88 mustang from 8:1 to 10:1. I run E85 and I think the extra compression ratio will help me take full advantage of the octane E85 has. I've been too busy to get the car running again since winter, but will in just a few more weeks.

Tanus is correct about a hybrid turbo. It is the combination of a T4 compressor with a T3 turbine. The advantage is faster spool than a streight T4, but much high flow capablities than the T3. A proper hybrid turbo would have a stage II or III tubrine wheel, which is bigger and can flow a lot more than what came on the thunderbird turbocoupe. But I think two of these turbos is slightly overkill for a 5.0. they work perfectly on the 2.3 if you want to make 300-450hp, so think 600-900hp on a twin 5.0 setup.

As for those cheap hybrid turbos on ebay... everything I've read says don't waste your money. The quality and tolerance control is very poor and there is a 20% chance it will blow up the first time you start the car. Then, there is a good chance it will blow up sometime in the first few thousand miles. If you are lucky enough, it will last, but of course these aren't genuine, so the wheels aren't well matched and the efficiency will be worse. Maybe it would work for a little while, but seriously don't waste your money.

Dang bhuff, you need to get on theturboforums more

bhuff30 said:

As for those cheap hybrid turbos on ebay... everything I've read says don't waste your money. The quality and tolerance control is very poor and there is a 20% chance it will blow up the first time you start the car. Then, there is a good chance it will blow up sometime in the first few thousand miles. If you are lucky enough, it will last, but of course these aren't genuine, so the wheels aren't well matched and the efficiency will be worse. Maybe it would work for a little while, but seriously don't waste your money.

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There's a thread just on this subject over there in junkyard section:

Some info on gt45 y2004k china turbo.(new pics)

apparently the quality control has gotten a lot better as of late, but you (the end user) is still responsible for checking clearances, etc.

so its still definitely a buyer beware situation but theres quite a few guys running the china/ebay stuff with great results.

bhuff30 said:

I'm not sure if an hx-40 would be a good match for you or not. I think the holsets tend to be more efficient at high boost levels, so unless you plan to run more than 20psi, it may not be as good of a choice as twin T3s.

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The hx40 would be ideal for a 302-331.

There are a few links to that compressor map out there, it just depends on what exhaust side you have. Also of note is the H1E, which is the pre 96 version of the hx40.

I ran a H1E on a junkyard 302 shortblock, f-cam, ported e7s and it made 505rwhp and 559rwtq on 14lbs.

to give you an idea, the H1E compressor map is almost (and I mean literally almost) the exact same map as the turbonetics 62-1.

Bought it for $80 on ebay.

bhuff30 said:

Do you have good forged pistons and rods on that 10.5:1 setup? I ask because that compression ratio suddenly seems a lot more reasonable on E85. In fact, I just recently increased my compression ratio on the 88 mustang from 8:1 to 10:1. I run E85 and I think the extra compression ratio will help me take full advantage of the octane E85 has. I've been too busy to get the car running again since winter, but will in just a few more weeks.

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Stock crank and rods (shot peened), high quality SRP forged pistons (cant remember exact type, but I got better than the basic forged piston) total seal rings, got all the bells and whistle's as far as machining/ balancing goes, arp studs all around.
I could also drop compression a little by getting the cumbustion chambers opened up a little bit, maybe down to 10 to 1, IDK. So you think 10 to 1 would work? reliably?

bhuff30 said:

Do As for those cheap hybrid turbos on ebay... everything I've read says don't waste your money.

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whats a good price for a new/rebuilt unit? My friend (VW turbo guy) knows a shop that sells fresh t3/t4s for $350.

You said twin t3/t4s are a little big, whats would be a better size? (for about 500hp, like 425rwhp)

57fairlane said:

Some info on gt45 y2004k china turbo.(new pics)

.

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I just read that whole thread, I now have a unstoppable urge to order one of those badboys, haha, DAMNIT! I want some boost!

bhuff30 said:

Yes, two T3s would work very well on a 5.0. I've seen it done before and you can make enough power to crack the stock block in half. On a 2.3, the T3 usually spools to 10psi under 2500rpm, 14psi by 2800 rpm or so. On a 5.0 (2.5l per turbo), that might be cut down by 200rpm or so. I know that would give you a nice fat torque band. I personally think twins would be the easiest. You can flip the stock manifolds and the piping isn't bad at all. Just look around for some of the previous builds using T3s.

I'm not sure if an hx-40 would be a good match for you or not. I think the holsets tend to be more efficient at high boost levels, so unless you plan to run more than 20psi, it may not be as good of a choice as twin T3s. Unless you can find someone with experience running one on a 5.0, I probably wouldn't try. I don't think the size is well understood. All I know about is the hy-35, and people running one on a 2.3 see full boost around 3500-3800rpm, and run 20-30psi.

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i have a cummins and it has a hx35/40 hybrid and it makes about 40psi with a mild set up,i would be careful putting something like that on a 5.0,they move a ****load of air!

Here is my opinion on turbo choices...

As Bad Stang said, the Holset is most at home making high boost. Sure, it would work fine doing low boost, but the compressor maps I've seen show it being most efficient at very high boost... like 25-35psi range. So yes, it would work well making low boost, like 10psi or less, but you aren't running that efficiently compared to some other turbos.

You can get a hybrid T3/T4 in a variety of sizes from small to large, so there is certainly one that would work well on a 5.0 (as a pair). A 50 trim with a stage 3 exhaust, .48 housing would spool up pretty quick... maybe 300-500rpm slower than a junk yard T3 and it would have a lot more breathing room up top. The downside is obviously cost. You can buy a junk yard T3 for 40-100$ and a genuine hybrid would cost 600-800 from what I've seen.

The T3 is slightly on the small side, but you'll get faster spool for a nice fat torque band. Even on my 2.3 with a single T3, it has tons of midrange torque that would put any NA small block to shame. Not kidding at all.

Lastly, ebay turbos. I was speaking specifically about the T3/T4 being poor quality. I've read that some of the larger turbos, like the T70 you see have a bit better quality and often don't blow up the first time you use it. Still, buyer beware. They may say they accept returns or exchanges, but good luck actually making that happen.

So if it were me, I'd throw on a pair of ford T3's with the .69 exhaust housing. They are dirt cheap, durable and would spool quickly for a very nice torque band (if you can hook it lol). If you have a healthy budget, the 50trim T3/T4 is hard to beat, but get the real ones or don't bother at all. If you still have a budget and want to do a bunch of extra welding, go with a single holset. Just seems like a huge PITA to combine both sides of the exhaust, then split it again before the tailpipes.

Just my opinion.