What to do first, H/C/I or single turbo?

DaveB · Jan 26, 2004

Right now my 94 GT has the basic bolt ons: LT headers, offroad x-pipe, catback, pullies, CAI, Tri-Ax and a SPEC Stage 1. Im ready to start making some serious power though. My ultimate plans for this car is to have a single turbo pushing 10spi though an Edelbrock Performer or Performer RPM intake with AFR 165 heads and an FTI cam.

Now its going to take me time to save up for this probably 3 or 4 months, but I was wondering what I should start buying stuff for. In regards to things such as injector size, if I need a BTM, etc.

The turbo kits Im looking at are HP Performance Stage 1 and the PTK SN95 Street kit with a T64E turbo. Both would be set to 8-10 psi.

With the H/C/I combo I would expect around 320rwhp, while just swapping on a turbo can be up to 400 depending on boost.

If I got the turbo first, Id imagine Id have to get a new clutch and I have to sell my headers and x-pipe, where as if I went the NA route, id be able to keep that stuff for a while.

But like the title says, what would be better to do first?

Joes95GT · Jan 26, 2004

H/C/I without a doubt. Why run all the tubing and piping for a turbo when you are going to have to rip it all back off to put on the new H/C/I whenever you may get it. Also, if you are driving the car daily, there are less tuning concerns with a N/A combo than there are with a turbo.

Joe

DaveB · Jan 26, 2004

That is what I was leaning towards, with that specifically in mind. Just wanted to see what everyone else has to say. Thanks for the reply.

yellow1995Cobra · Jan 26, 2004

I agree with everything joe said.

Also, boosted cars will be much more of a headache then an n/a car. Not sure if your a do-it-urselfer or not..

Another thing, i can pretty much gurantee you wont see 320 rwhp with that combo. Especially with the FTI cam since he usually doesnt make cams for "peak" power. Area under the curve is the thing to be concerned about.

EDIT- spelling

yellow5.0cobra · Jan 26, 2004

It depends on the budget.

I PERSONALLY would say SINGLE turbo.

You DONT have to have H/C/I to make some sickening power with TURBO's.

11's on STOCK everything is 100% possible, and I think that is surely enough.

PITA to tune, eh, but its not your problem if you take it to a reputable dyno/tuner.

Pete

DaveB · Jan 26, 2004

Oh ok, I was just making an estimation.

DaveB · Jan 26, 2004

I really could afford either. Just found out that Visa raised my credit limit to $10,000, so I mean, I could afford both if I really want to, but I just want to do one for now.

Joes95GT · Jan 26, 2004

DaveB said:
I really could afford either. Just found out that Visa raised my credit limit to $10,000, so I mean, I could afford both if I really want to, but I just want to do one for now.

A car is nothing to ruin your credit over .

Joe

DaveB · Jan 26, 2004

Ya I know, I try to use it sparingly. Thats why Im trying to save up and not just use my cc.

mo_dingo · Jan 26, 2004

Running 400HP on the stock block is asking for engine problems. 8PSI will get you 320 rwhp. H/C/I will get you 320rwhp.

With the h/c/i, you will have a completely brand spanking new top end. Which means you don't have to worry about valves/springs/head gaskets blowing. The only major problem is that your bottom end could go.

With a turbo, you have stock everything, so you could blow anything on your engine. The injectors/fuel pump/MAF will be new (usually), but those aren't major components.

So if it's a daily driver, with above 50k on the longblock, I personally would get a h/c/i combo. Money ends up being the same, but dependability is increased 10-fold w/ the h/c/i. But that's JMO.
Scott

U_BN_BIT · Jan 26, 2004

The stock bottom end can run 400 easy, without any major problems. Anything over 500 at the wheels, is where they become prone for problems ie: if it detonates you'll split the block in two. Go ahead and get the single turbo and later worry about H/C/I when you put a new motor in. Besides you'd have to change your cam anyway if you did a H/C/I set up first since turbos don't need an aggressive cam like what you would run for a NA setup. The only thing I would do if you go with the turbo first is to change out the head gaskets depending on how many miles are on the motor.

DaveB · Jan 26, 2004

Odometer just turned over 90k. If I get an FTI cam, I will tell them that the engine will be turbocharged with 10 psi of boost, though not initially, it will be in the end. FWIW after I get H/C/I and/or a single turbo, I plan on getting an appointment at Larocca's for a custom tune, as Im a half hour away.

yellow5.0cobra · Jan 27, 2004

Larocca will get the tune right, BAR NONE!

They are VERY good at what they do.

With 90k and on HYPERCRAP pistons, eh, it can get IFFY, but check your compression and do a leak down test, and if it comes out clean, you are ready to go!

400hp is NOT asking for trouble, as long as you do not detonate, its PRIMO.

Boost doesnt necessarily kill motors, detonation does.

GLUCK on your choice.

Can I endulge you in twin turbos perhaps?: http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=416953

Pete

DaveB · Jan 27, 2004

I plan on doing a compression test before any of the big mods begin. God knows Ill be pissed as all hell if it ends up bad . Im hoping for the best though, as the engine doesn't use any oil, and runs fine . As for the detonation thing, I was going to look into one of those add-on knock senors that are available (I remember seeing it in a thread about KB blowers), and have that installed when I get the turbo.

yellow5.0cobra, did you have your car tuned at Laroccas? How did your car run with the TTs? I heard they rock for centri. blowers and NA cars, but haven't heard much in reguards to turbos, but I figured if I were going to have my car tuned anywhere, it would be there. Thanks for the replies guys. Anyone else have any input?

yellow5.0cobra · Jan 27, 2004

DaveB said:
I plan on doing a compression test before any of the big mods begin. God knows Ill be pissed as all hell if it ends up bad . Im hoping for the best though, as the engine doesn't use any oil, and runs fine . As for the detonation thing, I was going to look into one of those add-on knock senors that are available (I remember seeing it in a thread about KB blowers), and have that installed when I get the turbo.

yellow5.0cobra, did you have your car tuned at Laroccas? How did your car run with the TTs? I heard they rock for centri. blowers and NA cars, but haven't heard much in reguards to turbos, but I figured if I were going to have my car tuned anywhere, it would be there. Thanks for the replies guys. Anyone else have any input?

Larocca tuned my 97 Cobra, which sports a Vortec, and she runs 11.80 with their tune.

As far as my TT car, it ran just fine, before I had a little mishap with the engine. It was never OFFICIALLY tuned with a chip...etc.. she was only tuned to a safe mixture(from a dyno with air/fuel) and set on the road from there with wastegate adjustments and fuel adjustments.

Goodluck on either choice!

BTW, you dont need to spend big bucks to make good power. Ever look into ported stock heads? They are the biggest bang for the buck. And in my experience, a STOCK cam is the BEST cam to use for a turbo setup. Although there are nice ones OUT there, but for a heavy price tag.

Pete

DaveB · Jan 27, 2004

DaveB · Jan 27, 2004

yellow5.0cobra · Jan 28, 2004

I guess i'll just sum it all up for you, go turbo and forget about it.

DaveB · Jan 28, 2004

yellow5.0cobra said:
I guess i'll just sum it all up for you, go turbo and forget about it.

And just start saving up for a new motor, sounds like a plan.

classic boost · Feb 14, 2006

i ran turbos on my bone stock '94gt. @9psi it dynoed 400rwhp/466rwtq and ran 11.96@119. you'll run over a h/c/i car.
i made 500rwhp on the stock hyper pistons for years. ran 10.78@130.
go with a turbo. it's a no brainer.

What to do first, H/C/I or single turbo?

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