Hey, all...I was wondering if some of the experts here could lend me a hand on what I should be looking for, in terms of a turbo. I've read a couple dozen threads now and I'm still not sure of what would be best for my applications/goals. I've got a 93 Camaro Z28 M6 (94-97 T56), and I really don't drive this car very often these days (maybe 1500-2000 miles/year), but once fully-built, I expect it to see about 60/40 street/strip duty. Since it's so seldom driven, I think an air/water intercooler would be the best application.

The planned turbo system will be mated to a forged, low-compression 357ci LT4. I'm not afraid to run high boost, but I don't necessarily want to run 20psi to reach my goals (not that high boost is bad, but I'd rather be running a unit that's not "maxed out" in terms of power potential). I see a lot of people here talking about wanting to make XXXX rwhp, but that number means squat to me. My goal is essentially to get my car's 1/4-mile time into the single digits...not just barely there, though. I'm not John Force, so I'd like to be able to hit single digits with a "good" driver (note- "good", not "great" or "perfect"...)

If that takes 1000rwhp, so be it. If that number only takes 700rwhp, fantastic. Horsepower figures are nice, but I want a car that delivers, not something with awesome figures but can't hook. I was looking at the T-76 GTS and the PTE-88 turbos, and I've heard that T-76 should be all most people need, however, I was wondering if the T-88 would be better, since I figure more power would be made with less boost (right?), and it would take a little longer to spool up, which, IMO, would be a good thing. LT1's are torquey enough as is, let alone slapping 15 lbs. of boost to it. While I understand, once you get up there in horsepower, traction is always an issue, but I don't want some overkill power monster that needs heated drag slicks in order to hook up everytime. I want something I can play around on the streets with & not need full-out drag slicks unless I'm running it at the track.

Honestly, whether I end up going with a T-76 or T-88, I care not. I'm just looking for the best-suited turbo for my goals:

*single-digit 1/4 times (and not requiring the skill of John Force)
*streetable (don't want to need full-out slicks everywhere I go)
*comfortable boost levels (not afraid of high-boost, but don't want to be maxing out the turbo)
*pump-gas preferred, but certainly not a requirement...


Can you guys help me out?

 

I read a thread where there was a direct swap between a 76GTS and T88 and the car picked up 20 rwhp with a slower spool. I dont think it's worth the extra 20rwhp for the slower spool personally. I'm going with the 76 and planning on being comfortably in the single digits if that makes you feel any better.

 

Yes, that does, though I'd obviously like to hear from a few more members before I'm set on a unit. I think I'm still leaning towards the T-76, though...

 

More info on the rest of the setup? tranny/rear/wheels/suspension?

You'll need a GOOD meth kit also if you want to run pure pump gas, even then you'll be limited if you want to keep it SAFE.

Damn, just reread the name, whats up Shaun(sp?)

6 speed is going to be HARD to get in the nines on PUMP.

GO 85!!!!

 

Yeah, that's what I figured...wishful thinking, right?

More than likely, I'll do what a number of others do, and have a lower boost, conservative tune for playing around town on pump gas, and a higher boost, more radical tune for the strip...so a 15-gal fuel tank for pump gas cruising, and probably a 5-gal fuel cell for the high-octane fuel when I mean business, hehe.

I've always liked the idea of a 357ci motor, but would my single-digit goals be more achievable with a 385ci, or can I just make up for the lack of cubes with more boost?

 

With a manual tranny, it will take you atleast 800rwhp to run in the 9's (and you will need to drive like John Force to get there).

As far as streetability goes, it is the most streetable high power setup out there. It will be tame until you step on it. Now, if you want traction on the street, find a low boost level that allows you to hook... from a 4th gear roll

I dont see you making 800rwhp without meth like Justin stated. With a T76, you'll be pushing the pump gas/meth setup pretty hard. The T76 will support that power, but you SHOULD run racefuel at that level and you will probably be in the 20psi area making that power. The T76 has made 700rwhp plenty of times on pump gas for LSX vehicles (so you could run 800rwhp at the track with racefuel and turn it down on the street).

It will take a T88 IMO to make 800rwhp on pump gas. With the T88, you should be in the 13-15psi area @ 800rwhp.

The T76 is easier to package and will be suited pretty well for your cubic inch. I think it will push you to the 9.99 @ 145mph with the manual. The PTE88 will probably stall out around 155mph when pushed.

BTW, Justin is only making ~500rwhp and he has traction problems on the street sometimes... no matter which turbo you go with you will have traction issues on the street unless you turn it way down.

What turbo kit you going with?

Jon

 

Just run E85, lawrence has several e85 stations.

I looked into the dual tank setup, it's NOT cheap by any means.

 

Yeah, when Jose posted it, thats how I read it. He later said the T76 had a boost spike and thats why the numbers were close. The T76 realistically stopped around 900rwhp (without the boost spike) and the PT88 made over 1000rwhp.

 

How hard would that be pushing the T-76? Do you think the T-76 is plenty for my goals?

 

Really? Where at? Is e85 good for high-boost applications? Also, what engine & fuel system mods would I have to do to adapt my Camaro to e85??

 

If your goal is 9's on pump gas (non E85) then it won't meet your goals IMO. If you dont mind running racefuel and pushing the turbo to get 9's, then it will support 800rwhp at higher boost levels. Is it plenty... no, but should be just enough. The T88 is plenty

 

Well, like I said earlier, that was wishful thinking. I'm just learning about this e85 stuff, and from the looks/sound of it, I'll probably be switching to e85. Do you think 800rwhp is what I'll need to propel a 3800+ lb car into the single digits?

 

I'm not real familiar with lawrence, but I know they have a few stations and also are putting in a few more around 9th/iowa area.

You will need a lot bigger fuel system, bigger injectors, modified rails, twin pumps with boost a pumps or tripple pumps, -10an feed line, etc.

 

Well, and see, there's my dilemna. I like the T-76 because it's just that much less "crap" I have to make space for. I'm sure the T-88 route will be an even tighter squeeze. I do, however, like the idea of the T-88 making the same power with less boost and less "work". I guess the question is, what would I be happier with? I have no previous experiences with a turbo, so I'm really not sure what I should be looking for or expecting...

Well, yes, I planned on having a "street" and "strip" tune. It'd be much lower boost and more conservative for the streets...

I planned on going with one of your "hot parts" kits, of course!!

Of course, I'm gonna have to figure out what else I'll need, so I can build the rest of the setup...

 

My only fear would be running out of gas with no e85 station nearby...