How tough is Turbo Fabrication?

[Markgase2000]

I am interested in installing a turbo on my 3.4 v6 in my grand am. I want to know if the center piece of the header (half the exhaust manifold) is sufficient enough to spool a turbo or will I have to deeper back after the two merge? I think the standard compression on my engine is 9.5-1 or 10-1 not exactly sure. What would you fellers suggest?

[Schister66]

I think that unless you build the bottom end of the engine, that you are going to have more problems than you know. There are turbo and supercharge kits for the 3400 series GM motor. I think if you don't know how to do it, then don't. Even if you could put it in, you need to figure out which kind of turbo, fuel system, BOV or WasteGate, how much boost, if the turbo will fit, and a whole lot of other shit. There are a lot of variables to work out if you plan on turboing the GA (Grand Am). I personally think that buying a supercharger may be a little more expensive than the turbo, but you will be able to keep the driveability of your car and still have the power you want. Also if you only using on set of exhaust, you aren't going to have much boost, or you'll have severe lag. Either way, i don't think that the turbo is the way to go, unless you find a kit or plan on spending some serious time, money and thought in this project. Figure out how to connect the turbo to both exhaust manifolds or a twin turbo and i think youre in luck, but the supercharger is probably the way to go.

[drdisque]

ya, there's already a turbo kit made for your car

http://www.exoticperformanceplus.com...arts/?item=389

[Markgase2000]

Cheers to both replys , I have been looking into these types of mods for a few years now. Never could find a turbo kit till you gave me that link thanks as for supercharger , I tried a supercharger fabrication and it flopped almost costing me an engine (didnt put enough research into it) but as of now I have been building it up N/A and it works well to an extent. I have all my intakes ported , MAS , throttle body , upper lowwer intake manifolds port polished exhaust manifolds and custom exhaust. I also needed to enrichen the fuel system to make this setup work better so I purchased a Jet Power Controll Module and it enrichens the air/fuel ratios excellently. Should I consider a wet nitrous kit instead of forced induction?

[drdisque]

alot of people see good results using nitrous on the 3400 and it won't kill your trans as fast as a turbo will since you can turn it off. Turbos are just so much fun though.

[Markgase2000]

Great you helped me make my decision! A wet shot of power when I need it and save the engine life in the long run. Cool I have all winter to make this work thanks again for the input guys and thanks for not putting me down for my ride like alot of other folks in here.

[nissanfanatic]

It would probably work. Were you considering a twin or using the meeting point of the exhaust manifolds to place a single setup? I have looked at my friends Grand Am and it looks do-able. I run 6psi on stock internals with a 9.5:1 compression ratio and 16psi has been done with a stand-alone. I have 135,000 and the 16psi was on a 114,000 mile engine. The supercharger is going to be more of a bolt-on affair. You may be better off going this method just so you run into less problems. Definately lose the JET stuff if you go to FI. Sometimes those things advance timing and cause detonation. Get a wideband too. Know anything about the fuel system? You'll probably need to get a fuel controller and larger injectors or go with a RRFPR or a FMU. Intercooler is a big plus. It is a hotwire MAFS right? How much boost do you plan on running?

[beef_bourito]

I`d say stay away from the nitrous, I hate the stuff, I would only use it in a setup ment only for drag. Nitrouse creates lots of heat when it burns and that isn`t good for the engine. With turbos you can turn down the boost with a boost controller, get an electric one and hook it up in the console and you can turn the boost low or even off if you want, then when you want to race or someone pulls up beside you, flick the switch or whatever and you`ve got boost. The only downside to this is that even when you aren`t using the turbo you still have backpressure but if you aren`t using it, you aren`t looking for performance.

[Markgase2000]

Thanks for the inputs guys! Nissanfanatic I woulda gone with a small boost like like the 6psi you were suggesting but its risky considering the ported upper and lower intake manifolds. I had to modify the gaskets and they dont hold out too long. Im not 100% sure but since I would be creating a more powerful vacuum in the intakes couldnt that cause me alot more grief with leaks or is it the other way around , does it actually increase the sealing capabilities of the gaskets? Im pretty screwed Im sure since I got a little too greedy with the port job.

[nissanfanatic]

Just how thin are the seals for your intake? As long as they are torqued properly with sealant(if required), you shouldn't have a problem. No more vacuum than before, just more pressure. Hook up an air compressor, block off the intake, and pressure test it. I don't think 6psi will pop a gasket.

BTW, with all that stuff you have done to your GA, what kind of times are you turning? I have a friend that wants to put a little into his GA. Any suggestions? And do you have headers? They look like a bitch to put in and are really expensive.