So I've started poking through old posts, and reading. Has anybody done an install and managed to keep their AC? Mine is a '90, I'm not afraid to do fabrication. Packaging wise I think a twins would be easier, think I would rather go up top instead of down low, and plumb a scavenge pump.
I don't mind relocating some stuff, but really want to keep the AC, I like it for the humid summers and be a shame to throw away all the money I spent to get it up and running. Just looking at it with the long tube headers in place, the clearance around the passenger side to run a down pipe past a manifold/header is at a minimal.
The air pump is already disconnected, so removal wouldn't matter, it's there only as a pulley now.
Fuel system. I have a Megasquirt sitting around that I was going to use on my Jeep, but decided to leave it more stock. I could use that for fuel tuning. If I only did fuel with the MegaSquirt, how would the ECU react for timing, and idle control. Or is it maybe better to do additional injectors on the megasquirt and tune the stock ECU for off boost, and to run a steady fuel flow one in boost.
Here's a couple pictures of a turbo kit I helped fabricate when I used to work for a shop a few years back.
I'd welcome any advise you'd like to offer.
PS
Wish I could take credit for the tig welding on those pipes, but that was the owner of the shop.
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2002 Black Z06
1990 L98 6 Speed Coupe - Sold; she will be missed!
Money Can't Buy Happiness. But somehow it's more comforting to cry in a Corvette, than a Yugo.
Okay I just went out to the garage to get a better look. There is less room than I thought I don't see twins happening up top, and keeping the AC.
Probably looking more like single.
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2002 Black Z06
1990 L98 6 Speed Coupe - Sold; she will be missed!
Money Can't Buy Happiness. But somehow it's more comforting to cry in a Corvette, than a Yugo.
Cool, thanks for the link. That's the cleanest picture of Meaney's Time Machine I've seen, the couple I came across online were all grainy. Rad Rides isn't far from me if I could afford Troy's work, haha.
Too bad you don't live near me...I'd build you a better and cleaner setup than that. I don't like the wastegate placement, nor do I like the turbo positioning. It's a great setup, don't get me wrong, but it could be better.
Too bad you don't live near me...I'd build you a better and cleaner setup than that. I don't like the wastegate placement, nor do I like the turbo positioning. It's a great setup, don't get me wrong, but it could be better.
If you have any pictures for more idea's I'm all eyes (not sure if that statement works or not...)
My biggest hurdle is going to be, my stubbornness to keep AC I think.
__________________
2002 Black Z06
1990 L98 6 Speed Coupe - Sold; she will be missed!
Money Can't Buy Happiness. But somehow it's more comforting to cry in a Corvette, than a Yugo.
Best bet I'd see is to go with a big single. Small twins are nice, but a big single can be terrifying...just look at what Supra 2jz guys mount up. T6 framed beasts making over 1000whp.
Reason I say big single, is it's the only feasible way to keep the a/c, and that's just honestly guessing. A/C, big power, what's not to like?
In the circumstance of what's pictured, I don't like the wastegate positioning just simply because it's not a very prioritized setup, which may cause creep issues. I also think it may be possible to face the cold side of the turbo's forward with the dp's going rearward. This way you could possibly do a ram induction hood similar to the callaways, but instead of benefiting small intercoolers, it'd feed the turbo's. Good look, clean, would be damn nice.
I've personally done custom forced induction setups on other applications, but never Corvettes. I'm getting back into these cars after over a decade of being away. I'm searching for the right 92-96 candidate to do just what your proposing. My work has been dedicated solely to 4 cylinder applications, but this is merely just a double setup...no big deal. I'd like to do some work on vehicles more "accepted by society" because building Honda's, regardless of quality just doesn't bring the recognition it should, nor do the owners have the funds to truly fund what it takes to make something sick. I've fabbed entire setups though, manifold, piping, dp, dump, intercooler and endtanks, etc.
In your case, wanting to keep a/c, I'd explore a well suited single and then possibly do a crossover setup like that of the Subaru's, where each side of the motor combines to one at the turbo location. This is all theoretical of course, but based on what I'm seeing it appears possible.
Here's some of my fabwork just for reference and conversational purposes:
Did the piping, manifold, dp, dump, etc
Setup nearing completion...did mani, dump, piping, dp, built the motor as well as added breather setup to valve cover.
Best bet I'd see is to go with a big single. Small twins are nice, but a big single can be terrifying...just look at what Supra 2jz guys mount up. T6 framed beasts making over 1000whp.
Reason I say big single, is it's the only feasible way to keep the a/c, and that's just honestly guessing. A/C, big power, what's not to like?
In the circumstance of what's pictured, I don't like the wastegate positioning just simply because it's not a very prioritized setup, which may cause creep issues. I also think it may be possible to face the cold side of the turbo's forward with the dp's going rearward. This way you could possibly do a ram induction hood similar to the callaways, but instead of benefiting small intercoolers, it'd feed the turbo's. Good look, clean, would be damn nice.
I've personally done custom forced induction setups on other applications, but never Corvettes. I'm getting back into these cars after over a decade of being away. I'm searching for the right 92-96 candidate to do just what your proposing. My work has been dedicated solely to 4 cylinder applications, but this is merely just a double setup...no big deal. I'd like to do some work on vehicles more "accepted by society" because building Honda's, regardless of quality just doesn't bring the recognition it should, nor do the owners have the funds to truly fund what it takes to make something sick. I've fabbed entire setups though, manifold, piping, dp, dump, intercooler and endtanks, etc.
In your case, wanting to keep a/c, I'd explore a well suited single and then possibly do a crossover setup like that of the Subaru's, where each side of the motor combines to one at the turbo location. This is all theoretical of course, but based on what I'm seeing it appears possible.
Here's some of my fabwork just for reference and conversational purposes:
Did the piping, manifold, dp, dump, etc
Setup nearing completion...did mani, dump, piping, dp, built the motor as well as added breather setup to valve cover.
Some manifolds I've built (some still in the jig)
Some random welds
that is some seriously nice fabrication skils! the welds look fantastic!
I would look into the low-mount twin-turbo option (much like the callaway cars) to get an idea of installing twins without too much interference with AC and other details.
Keep in mind, that most of these guys doing top mount turbos typically end up using smaller AC compressors and relocating them elsewhere.
I've also seen some crazy single mounts that manipulate the layout of the radiator.
Yeah, I've looked through some of those photos above...there were quite a variation of layouts used.
I tend to like high mounted setups just for ease of maintenance, inspection and provides good oil drainage. I like things with access for people to be able to work on their stuff, which is the only thing I have against the Callaway setup.
Yeah, I've looked through some of those photos above...there were quite a variation of layouts used.
I tend to like high mounted setups just for ease of maintenance, inspection and provides good oil drainage. I like things with access for people to be able to work on their stuff, which is the only thing I have against the Callaway setup.
Thanks for the compliments on my stuff.
Yeah the turbo work I did was on 4 and 6 cylinder, front wheel drive stuff too. Those are some great looking welds. I have a mig in my garage and a friend who says I can use his tig (need some practice first though, probably do it on my friends car, haha).
The design you mention is what we did with the V6 picture I posted up, and I liked our wastegate position, very short runs from charge pipe to downpipe.
I have some ideas in my head on what I need to route where, but won't be able to be sure it's possible until I get things apart an see what actual room there is to work with. Each side has it obsticles, passenger side has the ac compressor and evaporator (which is also new) in the way of header and downpipe. Drivers side has the steering shaft with accessories.
From my initial look without taking anything apart, I think my best bet to keeping as much unmodified as possible is to use an electric power steering pump, relo the alternator up high and position the turbo on the drivers side. Drivers side header will be the most interesting to make sure I have enough room for a big enough downpipe past the header and steering shaft. Probably grab some off the shelf cheap shorty headers to start with.
I like the slanted radiator for air flow, but may need to straighten it up for space, which I want to avoid if possible, since I just had the AC lines fixed (have to make custom lines if the radiator goes vertical).
__________________
2002 Black Z06
1990 L98 6 Speed Coupe - Sold; she will be missed!
Money Can't Buy Happiness. But somehow it's more comforting to cry in a Corvette, than a Yugo.
Bad Karma- I would check out some of the supercharger locations that these larger vendors have come up with just as a point of reference for you.
The LT-x cars get the supercharger mounted on the passenger side head. there is very little in the way on that side of the Lt-x cars. this also happens to be the first choice for a turbo location in a lot of custom fabricated builds.
the l98 cars got the blower on the driver side head. So you're on the right track as far as a valid location for a single turbo build. the blower kits for l98's swap the alternator around to make room for the head unit.
I would also look into some customer brackets (there are several to choose from in the Jegs/Summit catalogs). just an idea. If you ditch the water pump (go electric) and totally re-arrange the belt driven components you might be able to free up a ton of room, possibly enough to get twin-turbos (one infront of head cylinder head) to fit.
Corvette Store
Think I want to build turbo next year
