Twin Turbo 289!?!

[67FB]

I am looking for some advice on putting twin turbos on my 289. Im about to have the engine rebuilt and I need to know what components I need to upgrade and suggestions for what to use (carb, pistons, ect). Id would also be open to suggestions on the turbo kit. I am looking to get around 450rwhp. A buddy of mine suggested dual T30’s but neither of us is really sure. Im setting the car up as a track car so I need a quick spool up. Thanks

PS. I know there are probably better/cheaper ways to get the power I want but I really want to run twin turbos and I have the money to do it.

 

[2+2GT]

I put a single AirResearch T04 on a 68 289, max boost 6 psi. Sucker ran like a scalded dog. Can't see the point of two, unless you want to spend twice as much to impress the folks at cruise night. Any more than 6 psi will involve some very low compression, water injection, or both.

 

[NMEMJCM]

Hello. I work in the Turbo field exclusively in the aftermarket and race division of our company. I would be more than happy to help you with a selection for your car. PM me. Twin turbos is a good choice if you want quick spool up (especially if you run a ball bearing turbo) It will outperform a larger single any day. I have designed both styles of systems (single and twin) and as each will have its own application; but for a road race car, if you can go twins, it will be worth your while. Think of it as turbocharging two 4 cyl engines in terms of spool up time. A car we just finished building a kit for uses two Garrett GT2860 (for the 4.6 engine) and put 570 to the rear wheels on 6 psi of boost. I would be happy to help you, PM me, as I have more questions for you that may affect your application.

 

[67FB]

Hello. I work in the Turbo field exclusively in the aftermarket and race division of our company. I would be more than happy to help you with a selection for your car. PM me. Twin turbos is a good choice if you want quick spool up (especially if you run a ball bearing turbo) It will outperform a larger single any day. I have designed both styles of systems (single and twin) and as each will have its own application; but for a road race car, if you can go twins, it will be worth your while. Think of it as turbocharging two 4 cyl engines in terms of spool up time. A car we just finished building a kit for uses two Garrett GT2860 (for the 4.6 engine) and put 570 to the rear wheels on 6 psi of boost. I would be happy to help you, PM me, as I have more questions for you that may affect your application.

Sweet... Thanks... I will do that now!

 

[htwheelz67]

if you want to do it on the cheap find two 2.3 t-bird turbo coupe turbos, they are perfect size to use on a twin turbo 289.

 

[D.Hearne]

Hello. I work in the Turbo field exclusively in the aftermarket and race division of our company. I would be more than happy to help you with a selection for your car. PM me. Twin turbos is a good choice if you want quick spool up (especially if you run a ball bearing turbo) It will outperform a larger single any day. I have designed both styles of systems (single and twin) and as each will have its own application; but for a road race car, if you can go twins, it will be worth your while. Think of it as turbocharging two 4 cyl engines in terms of spool up time. A car we just finished building a kit for uses two Garrett GT2860 (for the 4.6 engine) and put 570 to the rear wheels on 6 psi of boost. I would be happy to help you, PM me, as I have more questions for you that may affect your application.

And have your wallet, check book and credit card handy.

 

[ForceFed70]

1st I've ever heard of twins spooling sooner than a large single. Size them right and there won't be a difference in spool time. Single vs Twins mostly comes down to space (it's easier to fit 2 smaller turbos and 2 smaller downpipes) and cost.

With modern camshaft technology and aluminum heads, you don't need to go super-low compression anymore. 9.0:1, intercooled, and 14PSI is easily doable with pump gas.

The Turbo Forums.com Lots of info there. I'd join the site and spend about a week using the search button.. that's how I got started.

 

[67FB]

So single or twin aside… What do I need to upgrade while rebuilding the engine in order to run a turbo kit?

 

[Hack]

Upgrades depend on how much power you want to make. If you are going over about 500 hp, you should really buy an aftermarket block, for instance.

 

[jonfor]

all forged rotating assembly (crank, rods, and piston), girdle the main caps, and a rather robust, high capacity-voulme oiling system would be a nice start.

i'm a dumdass when it comes to fords and boost, but i would assume a HO EFI system with a single turbo would be nice and easy?

 

[68EFIvert]

I just build my engine for boost and this is what I did.

Ford Racing Boss Block
Scat Forged H beam Rods and Forged Crank
Probe 14 cc dished pistons
Mahle Rings
Camshaft Innovations Custom grind Cam
TFS moly push rods
Comp Cams Magnum Rockers, Billet timing set and Roller lifters
Trick Flow Fast as Cast 190 heads with LSX springs and Ferrera 6000 vavles (worked by Jay Allen at Camshaft Innovations)
ARP bolts for EVERYTHING
Vortech V2SQ blower with smaller pulley to put out 10 lbs of boost.
MSD 6AL igintion, BTM and coil.
Meziere 55 gph water pump
Snow Performance Stage 2 Water/Methanol Injection
Trick Flow Track Hear intake
FMS 42 lb injectors

 

[Wicked65]

I am looking for some advice on putting twin turbos on my 289. Im about to have the engine rebuilt and I need to know what components I need to upgrade and suggestions for what to use (carb, pistons, ect). Id would also be open to suggestions on the turbo kit. I am looking to get around 450rwhp. A buddy of mine suggested dual T30’s but neither of us is really sure. Im setting the car up as a track car so I need a quick spool up. Thanks

PS. I know there are probably better/cheaper ways to get the power I want but I really want to run twin turbos and I have the money to do it.

As Far as parts, i would suggest really getting a better block if you can all afford it. Your really looking at the max recomended power for that block, if not too much.. Its a good idea to get forged everything, but at the least pistons and rods.

Consult CSU or C&S specialties when looking at a blow through style carb.. They are both the best.. OR, you can go to the turbo forums, and figure out how to build your own.

For a 289, id buy a set of shorty fox style headers, and flip them.. If they fit, you will be able to fabricate from there.

Twins do spin faster then one single.. You can talk to george klass at accufab.

A T-3 in around a 57mm with a .60 or so A/R would probably be great.. Might be too much power though.. Id start at 5psi, and tune it up from there. Air Fuel Wide Band is your friend.. Keep it in the 11.5-11.8 range.. And if anyone tells you otherwise, you had better find someone who knows what they are talking about.. You work hard for your money, no use leaning it out more then that, to have a hiccup and break something.

 

[DK832]

Send 10secgoal a PM here on the forum. His shop lives and breathes turbo smallblock Fords. He makes the nicest turbo headers I've seen so far, perfect welding. They have done a number of blow through carb and EFI cars.
Your 450rwhp goal is not a real challenge for a turbo so a single should do just fine, even w/o intercooler. The block could be an issue depending on how much you race it. 10secgoal and his partner (12sec67) ran a stock block 347 at 575rwhp for a while I think.

 

[67FB]

Send 10secgoal a PM here on the forum. His shop lives and breathes turbo smallblock Fords. He makes the nicest turbo headers I've seen so far, perfect welding. They have done a number of blow through carb and EFI cars.
Your 450rwhp goal is not a real challenge for a turbo so a single should do just fine, even w/o intercooler. The block could be an issue depending on how much you race it. 10secgoal and his partner (12sec67) ran a stock block 347 at 575rwhp for a while I think.

Already did a couple of days ago. He pretty much said what Wicked65 said only using T-4’s and 9.0 instead of 11.5. After talking to him I think I am going to stay with the twin turbos but change to a 351W. Getting 450 to the wheels might be more than my old block can handle.

 

[1sick65]

a 351 with turbo manifolds is gonna be a tight squeeze with unmodified shock towers. as far as your motor situation i would just go buy a junkyard 5.0 from a mark7 or something and put new rings, bearings, and oil pump. leave the stock forged pistons in there. throw an f cam in and a weiand 7515 manifold and your good to go 450hp easily. no reason to girdle, spend the money on a wide band or something. oh and i'd run a single mp70 if i were you- Nick

 

[brianj5600]

A 351 is a tight fit, but it does fit. Sometimes I wish I did twins. It can even be done by an amateur. I think Dustin has done that combo before. Is he doing your headers? If you go diy I might have a few pointers for you.







New set up.

 

[DK832]

Why not a 302 stroker? 347 is a great fit between the towers. Here's the 363 (8.2" deck height World Products block) Dustin has put in mine:

Still room for a 5" downpipe.

 

[brianj5600]

An F4TE block is more affordable than a Dart. You can build a 351W shortblock with H-beams and forged pistons for around the same money as an empty Dart block. That was my reason for building a 351w. My motor is easy to work on, but the headers are much tougher to build.