turbo for L4

[SphinX]

I'm new to the Fiero forum... reason being i just purchased an 1988 Fiero GT 2.8 liter, 5 speed tranny. It has 74,000 original miles on it. I was also curious about putting a turbo on it, but i'm not familiar all that much with fiero's. What would be a decent setup i could install? Would it have to be custom or could i use a turbo system off of other factory cars.

[Ragtop_Renegade]

2.8 Turbo kits are getting rare. The stock turbo setup from a 3.1 might fit.... they are kinda rare though.... And you'll still need a new prom. Try eBay???

[coop8267]

i would tear that engine down and go through it if i were you. if somthing is worn its gonna ruin it.

[coop8267]

you could use about any turbo designed for an engine of roughly the same displacement and get a custom setup made or diy if you can. but like RAGTOP said you will need to get a custom prom made also.

[Euro_fiero]

i have a 87 fiero (IRON DUKE) and i wanted to put a small turbo from a Plymouth Voyager also a 2.5. whats the worst that could happen to my engine, what did you mean when you said that they can't handle it,

[coop8267]

a certain engine "can't handle" a turbo for lots of reasons. the internal components might not be strong enough (i.e. connecting rods, pistons, push rods, lifters, and the such) to with stand the extra force applied to them from the increase in torque and hp. and the increase in compression from the extra air can blow out a headgasket or mess up valves. or "throw a rod"

[mr_tw]

When you refer to boost as in an engine not being able to handle it what do you define enough boost to make an engine poop out it's internals? my friend was looking at a 7psi kit that he found on the net (included bored out injectors) is this something that will make the engine picture toilets every time you give it lots of throttle?

[coop8267]

7 psi should be ok. ive seen a site where they had 10 psi but they uped the timing back so they wouldnt have premture detenation

[Ragtop_Renegade]

Originally Posted by Euro_fiero

i have a 87 fiero (IRON DUKE) and i wanted to put a small turbo from a Plymouth Voyager also a 2.5. whats the worst that could happen to my engine, what did you mean when you said that they can't handle it,

Considering the low amount of boost those put out, as long as your compression is at least 150psi and even on all 4 cylinders, oil pressure is good, and you have no mystery knocks, ticks, rattles or clicks, I'd say you have a 99% chance of not making scrap metal the first time you hit the gas. The WORST thing that could happen? Blowing a hole in the block.
*note* You'll need to get a custom PROM for the ecm or the poor thing will s*it itself when the turbo winds out and the map sensor readings hit the stratosphere.

[mr_tw]

what kind of powerwould my buddy be looking at with 8psi on an 85 GT? and with an Garrett T3 Turbo how much lag would it have? for further refrence follow the link to see the components of the turbo kit http://members.shaw.ca/turbofiero/Manual.htm

[coop8267]

ive looked at that site before too. it says you should get about 225hp with the 2.8. ive read on another site that with that low of boost that kit pretty much doesnt have lag at all. if he has taken off his cat i would think 240hp maybe??

[mr_tw]

that much from just the cat? wow is this the only kit available on the net, or does anybody else know of somthing? does anybody know how reliable this is, I like to think I know allot about this sorta thing, but when your buddy is shellin out this kinda money you really don't want to have anything unexpected pop up, so is this plug and play, or is he gonna break somthing, and is there somthing that will be nessairy to run this kit for a few years reliably? Thanks

[Ragtop_Renegade]

The Garrett name is quite well know and a very dependable turbocharger. The rest of the kit is basic home-brewed exhaust pipes, air tubes and water lines. If you read up on turbocharging a little, you could buy the turbo and water cooling parts from a standard supplier, have the exhaust loop custom bent and flanged by a local hot rod shop, and plumb in the air system with whatever's good for you, anything from flexible clothes dryer ductwork to custom bent stainless steel or aluminum will work. Add your new custom programmed ECM PROM and away you go. Save yourself probably $1000 or more.

As far as lag goes, the t3 is a little doggy but not much. With a manual transmission if you work the clutch right you hardly notice the lag.

[coop8267]

yeah removing the cat frees up lots of hp.
i got about 10 by cutting mine off.
there is one thinmg you need to make the turbo kit reliable for years. Mobil 1 every couple thousand miles.

[coop8267]

i would go with at least 17 lb injectors too.