73 Vega 2.3L TURBO

[mrvette197]

Has anyone ever tried to Turbocharge a 2.3L 4 cyl. Vega?????

I'd like to try and do it myself, but need a lil info on an exhaust manifold.....

If you have any thoughts or info, please let me know...

Thanks,

Jeff

[starfire383]

Bad, bad, bad, bad idea.

The Si impregnated unsleeved aluminum cylinders are not at all suited to the combustion temps generated by a turbo. You'll have a smoky motor with serious blowby issues in no time.

If turbo is what you're after, then a better idea would be to research an iron duke swap, then turbo that one. Not only will the cast iron block handle the combustion temps, but you can also get forged pistons for that motor, another necessity for longevity under boost.

Good Luck!

[HotfootGT]

Somewhere I have a turbo article for the 4cyl Iron Duke version from the 80's I believe.

[EagleFish]

Hey guys, remember that the Yenko Vega Stinger had a turbo option for the 2.3L Vega engine! So, it does work. Nuf said.

John and Richard

[res0o7eb]

Hey, something different. I say go for it. Sleeving the block would be a good idea, though.

Someone mentioned that the Vega 140 engine could take only about 300-350 HP before it self-destructs. I think it is due to the 'stovepipe' cylinder design - no material between the cylinders at the top of the blocks. Supposedly the iron head helps hold it together. Not sure if you would need to O-ring the block/head to get a good seal.

I think if you could get 200-250 HP out of turbocharging this engine, it would be worth it.

In the 1970's, a company called IECO had a Stage 5 engine with high compression pistons, high-lift and long duration cam, ported and polished head, dual sidedraft webers and a header that made 190 HP.

Yes, you could put a modest SBC in your Vega and still get more power. Might be more reliable, too. But, then that's a fairly ordinary way to go fast.

I thought about mounting the turbo on the passenger side and using a crossover pipe from the stock exhaust manifold or aftermarket header. Then mount an intercooler and feed it to a 4-bbl carb set-up for blow-thru.
Stage II would be to fuel-inject it using the MegaSquirt kit.

The header and manifold show up regularly on ebay. I've seen stock 8.00:1 cast pistons for a sleeved block on ebay as well. I haven't seen forged 8.00:1 pistons anywhere, though.

[HotfootGT]

Article for sale on the Yenko Turbo Stinger

http://www.mclellansautomotive.com/sale ... ndex.shtml

Articles were in "Hot Rod" magazine, May 1971 and "Car Craft" magazine, April 1971.

[Vega75randy]

One word of caution, if you gota do this make sure you sleeve the block but, use the large flange sleeves that also touch the block and put O'rings in them. (stainless steel) Use ARP head studs! For induction, use a YH turbo carb from a Corvair. You'll have to make your own turbo exhaust header and find a Offy intake. This would get it up and running RIGHT!

[avitet]

Bad, bad, bad, bad idea.

The Si impregnated unsleeved aluminum cylinders are not at all suited to the combustion temps generated by a turbo. You'll have a smoky motor with serious blowby issues in no time.

If turbo is what you're after, then a better idea would be to research an iron duke swap, then turbo that one. Not only will the cast iron block handle the combustion temps, but you can also get forged pistons for that motor, another necessity for longevity under boost.

Good Luck!

id be careful of turbo on a duke at least with a stock crank

[ColinOpseth]

You should consider a 2.4L Quad4 motor. I'd love to put the motor that's in the Z24 out back into a 1st gen h-bod.

[92turbogtz]

Or a 2.3L HO Quad4. 180hp stock and a 7200rpm redline

I turbocharged my GTZ and it dynoed at 210whp@8lbs with a 2lb boost loss between 5000 and 7000rpm. With some tweaking, tuning and fixing the cause of my loss of boost, I can get this into the 250/275whp without too much probs.

I always thought it would b a very cool to swap a Quad4 into a Vega.

[ColinOpseth]

I have a Quad4 that's still in my '97 Z24 that I could use. The bellhousing that will allow me to use a RWD transmission is very expensive, though—around $600.

[HotfootGT]

Whats Money when your having fun?

That would be a unique conversion. Just a little more expensive!