Engine swap recommended for turbocharging?

[Samwise]

I have an '89 DX that I'm looking to turbocharge. Still has the stock engine, although I'm planning to throw in a Weber 32/36, and already has the 5-speed manual trans.

Anyway...is it at all necessary to do an engine swap and/or EFI conversion before I install the turbo?

[Catalyst]

Here Sam, check out all the numerous threads in the forced induction section, it will answer all your questions..

https://www.3geez.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=81

[Samwise]

I found out what I needed to find out. There exist turbos specifically for carbs, known as blow-throughs, that would work. I'd need to ditch the Keihin, but I was planning on that anyway...and I wouldn't need to swap, just tune a little.

if you feel like it.

[Doward]

Um... not quite.

There's no special turbo for a blow-through carb system. There's also a draw through design, as well. HIGHLY recommend you go EFI before you turbo, if you want the best all around experience.

[Rendon LX-i]

Convert to fi an the. Boost . Make sure you have good compression. An pull your pan an check bearing clearance . If ok your good for 8-12 psi daily .

[lostforawhile]

i already answered this for you on facebook, but once again, go FI for turbo, yes there are special carbs for turbo, but they are all designed for v8 setups, the carb has special modifications and jetting, there were a few webbers way back like that, but you aren't going to find those. It's also very difficult to set up and tune a turbocharged carb setup, most forced induction carb setups are the carbs on top of a supercharger operating as a draw through setup. Just find a doner car for all the FI parts and go through that route.

[Doward]

i already answered this for you on facebook, but once again, go FI for turbo, yes there are special carbs for turbo, but they are all designed for v8 setups, the carb has special modifications and jetting, there were a few webbers way back like that, but you aren't going to find those. It's also very difficult to set up and tune a turbocharged carb setup, most forced induction carb setups are the carbs on top of a supercharger operating as a draw through setup. Just find a doner car for all the FI parts and go through that route.

Nope, if you REALLY want to boost on a budget - you just need to enclose the carb (completely) and go. As long as you have the same pressure to the float bowl vent as you do pre-venturi, the carb will run just fine.

By 'enclosing' the carb, you've not changed the way the carb functions - merely put the entire carb under a new, higher 'atmospheric pressure', at least from the carb's POV.

The major problem is that a carb is only good across a very narrow range - and with a boosted engine, you're operating over a very wide range. Hence, EFI before boost.

Draw through carb systems are easier to fuel - as the carb just sees a big engine. I REALLY hate the idea of compressing air and fuel through the turbo, though... *shudder*

[lostforawhile]

Nope, if you REALLY want to boost on a budget - you just need to enclose the carb (completely) and go. As long as you have the same pressure to the float bowl vent as you do pre-venturi, the carb will run just fine.

By 'enclosing' the carb, you've not changed the way the carb functions - merely put the entire carb under a new, higher 'atmospheric pressure', at least from the carb's POV.

The major problem is that a carb is only good across a very narrow range - and with a boosted engine, you're operating over a very wide range. Hence, EFI before boost.

Draw through carb systems are easier to fuel - as the carb just sees a big engine. I REALLY hate the idea of compressing air and fuel through the turbo, though... *shudder*

I know about the carb enclosure, but in the case of these cars he will be much happier with a FI setup, he needs a doner car and a weekend and he will be good to go, to at least have it running on the factory FI system first

[87roach]

Nope, if you REALLY want to boost on a budget - Buy a different car.

[Doward]

LMAO!

Expense to turbo a car is inversely proportional to your fabrication skills imho