66ShortBus
Well-known member
So we're in the process of getting the 300 in the bus rebuilt. I've talked to a couple guys locally who have experience with big sixes in big old vehicles and they all tell me that the best way to maximize the potential of one of these things is with a turbocharger. So I figured 'why not?' Not now of course- we have a long way to go before we can really start having fun. But what I do want to do now is build an engine that will be capable of handling a boost of around 7-8 psi max, nothing fancy just want to increase potential output when needed: acceleration and hills. So far I am planning on going with hypereutectic pistons and aluminum timing gear set.
My first question involving component selection is (of course) in regards to camshaft selection. I had been thinking about the Isky TurboCycleA # 331-TA , it seems to me like it's pretty similar to a ''rv type'' cam with adv duration 265/260 and lift of .445 .415 but shorter on the exhaust to favor the conditions of a turbo setup. Now I was under the impression as was the builder that we could build up an engine with the intent of going to a turbo later on, and in the meantime it would operate fine with the stock intake/exhaust setup, when I called Isky to ask about cams I was told that the engine will not function at all with a turbo cam and no turbo. The tech guy told me to go with the 256 super cam instead and that if I wanted to add a turbo later I would have to switch out the cam to the turbocycle. Now what I was trying to avoid is having to break into the engine again when it comes time to turbocharge it (hopefully no later than 6-9 months from now). Is it possible to build an engine for the purpose of turbocharging but running it with stock intake and exhaust for a while before completing the upgrade to turbo? Or is it a matter of building it for specific application (non-turboed setup) now and then having to rebuild it again when the application changes (going to a turbo setup)? Any and all help is greatly appreciated!
My first question involving component selection is (of course) in regards to camshaft selection. I had been thinking about the Isky TurboCycleA # 331-TA , it seems to me like it's pretty similar to a ''rv type'' cam with adv duration 265/260 and lift of .445 .415 but shorter on the exhaust to favor the conditions of a turbo setup. Now I was under the impression as was the builder that we could build up an engine with the intent of going to a turbo later on, and in the meantime it would operate fine with the stock intake/exhaust setup, when I called Isky to ask about cams I was told that the engine will not function at all with a turbo cam and no turbo. The tech guy told me to go with the 256 super cam instead and that if I wanted to add a turbo later I would have to switch out the cam to the turbocycle. Now what I was trying to avoid is having to break into the engine again when it comes time to turbocharge it (hopefully no later than 6-9 months from now). Is it possible to build an engine for the purpose of turbocharging but running it with stock intake and exhaust for a while before completing the upgrade to turbo? Or is it a matter of building it for specific application (non-turboed setup) now and then having to rebuild it again when the application changes (going to a turbo setup)? Any and all help is greatly appreciated!