Turbo question

May 06, 2007, 10:37:05 PM

OK, I've got a question for you turbo guys:

My brother has given me another engine. This one is a 1997 GM 6.5 turbodiesel. He gave it to me as s as partial payment for doing an engine swap for him - he split it in two in his cube van (literally, the main bearing web split right up into the lifter valley - still ran, though), and I've got to swap a gasoline engine, probably a 350, into it. I know, a 350 is kinda weak for a 14 foot, 3500 series cube van hauling hardwood floor and tile, but I figure if Ford can get away with putting 300 I6's into their 1-tons a 350 should be OK. My brother just wants to get the van back on the road - it's been sitting a year now - and he doesn't want another 6.5 Turbodiesel - after ignoring my advice when he bought the ed thing he's finally accepted that the engine is poison.

I've got no use for the engine, but I figured could make a few bucks off the parts - it has new heads, injector pump and turbo, all replaced within the past year. The injector pump, actually, has been an annual affair - every year he'd have a new one under warranty, but the warranty finally ran out just before the engine blew.

My question is about the turbocharger. Or rather, my questions. What make and size is this turbo (even though I've had courses on this engine I have not done any work to them, and this one is still in the van)? And does it have any performance potential mounted to, say, a 302 (or, dare I say it, a 351)? I know it is a big-ass turbo, but a 302 or 351 is a fairly big engine (when compared to a 2.3). I could probably get a few bucks selling it, but when I build my engine it will be with future forced induction in mind, and a home made turbo kit would give me the excuse to get a pipe bender :D

This is way, way WAY off in the future - In addition to the fact that I still haven't even firmly decided whether I'll be going with the 302 or 351 (as soon as I start thinking the 302 would be nice and easy, I start thinking about cubic inches), this turbo/engine is still in the van. It's awaiting my brother having it towed up here for the swap, and given his history it'll probably still be waiting this time next year. No matter, as I'm more concerned with body/interior on the 'Bird this year. Just curious...

Turbo question

Reply #1 – May 07, 2007, 12:00:44 AM

Well, I can tell you what I DO know...

It's an IHI turbo, though I don't know the specific model. If I recall correctly the turbine is a .70 or .82...it should be stamped on there somewhere. I think the compressor is a .60.

I DO know that it's not big enough to run as a single on a V8 (turbine side)...I'm pretty sure you'd need twins. Thing with diesel turbos is that they're designed to spool quick and are done by 3500-4000 RPM. So as a single on a n/a gas V8 it probably would give fairly lackluster performance.

Turbo question

Reply #2 – May 07, 2007, 12:14:23 AM

i can tell you this

its either a GM5 or GM8 IHI/Borgwarner turbo

I have a GM8 on my T/C and love it it is comparable to a T04B

there not good for big boost (they make 6-8 on the diesel)

They will go about 23-24 psi on a 2.3T before going into overspeed.