Inline 6 with turbo

[budweasel]

Quick question: Most everyone on hear has actual experience with building engines, or friends who have, I do not know much. I only helped assemble a 402 once about a decade ago.

Anyway, I was wondering if there is value in going down the Inline 6 route with turbos, (to compensate for lack of cubes). Is there a significant weight savings or cost over a ls series n/a setup? I understand I6's to have a strong torque curve, live at higher rpms easier, and have lower parisitic losses.

I have the ubiquitous first gen camaro and would like to do something different in the 500 - 600 rwhp range with manual. I was thinking a n/a ls might not be tame enough to drive when I want, but a smaller motor with turbo would be.



It is late so my mind may be playing tricks on me but I think I remember a 9sec chevyII wagon running an I6.

[RudeJester.s10]

Yeah, you saw that wagon...His car was at a couple of the drag weeks, and in one of the pump gas drags shows. Its a trailblazer I6 and when I talked to him, he acted as though most of the parts were readily available. (He knows something we dont?) I like the idea, but then again...Im weird so....Anyway, his name is John Cunningham.

[MuscleRodz]

Contact OHCBird. He is building a Firebird with a Trailblazer I6. Many of the mods that work on LSx will work on those I6's and can reach those power numbers.

[budweasel]

Thanks, I will look into it. I think I might be weird as well. The idea just seems so crazy that it might work.

[OHCbird]

It will work- but it won't be 'bolt-in'. My 68 Firebird will be powered by a 270-inch Trailblazer engine with a GT42R turbo. I haven't made much progress, but myself and few other crazies have a group going that all run (or build parts for) the Atlas series engines (the 4,5, and 6 cylider engine family). JC's car made well north of 1000hp, with moderate boost- but there was considerable bottom-end enhancements made, as well as some nice headwork. the reality is that a VVT LS would probably out-perform my I6 setup, and sound 'proper'... but I've already dove in feet first.

Let me know if you have any questions- my engine is in & manifold mock-up has begun.

JEFF

[COPO-RAT]

Any updates on this project OHCbird?

[The Stickman]

If you are looking to use the older 250 or 292 straight 6 then there is an aftermarket trubo manifold availible. These engine are damn near bullet proof as is. I have seen a few people build these with more than enough HP. Might want to check out Inliners international.

[6'9"Witha69]

For old school I6

http://cliffordperformance.net/index.html

[mdurbahn]

i had a turbo on a jeep 4.0 inline 6. it was pretty wicked because of all the low end torque the motor made, then the turbo took car of the high end.

[johnny rockett]

Quick question: Most everyone on hear has actual experience with building engines, or friends who have, I do not know much. I only helped assemble a 402 once about a decade ago.

Anyway, I was wondering if there is value in going down the Inline 6 route with turbos, (to compensate for lack of cubes). Is there a significant weight savings or cost over a ls series n/a setup? I understand I6's to have a strong torque curve, live at higher rpms easier, and have lower parisitic losses.

I have the ubiquitous first gen camaro and would like to do something different in the 500 - 600 rwhp range with manual. I was thinking a n/a ls might not be tame enough to drive when I want, but a smaller motor with turbo would be.

It is late so my mind may be playing tricks on me but I think I remember a 9sec chevyII wagon running an I6.

The wagon belonged to me and I would be happy to answer any questions you might have.
the I6 is a very nice piece.....normally aspirated they will make an easy 500HP
I went 8.50 165 MPH with that wagon with 20 pounds of boost and on pump gas some low nines.

The engine needs a girdle on the bottom to supprt the bottom end and some Darton Sleeves....those are the main thing

I ran some motorcycle pro stock valve springs.....I turned that engine 9500 RPM all the time..

[John McIntire]

wow! This is a cool post! I have an I6 in my 67, and really want to keep it that way to make it different! Its always a hit at the cruise nights!

[johnny rockett]

wow! This is a cool post! I have an I6 in my 67, and really want to keep it that way to make it different! Its always a hit at the cruise nights!

I would like to see a picture of that in your f body.....I can dig one up in my 66 Nova

It was real tight in the Nova......you only have 30 inchs to work with........The camaro would be a dream to install.

Whats nice about this engine... is its light......I weighed one and as I recall it was only about 350 pounds...

[JMarsa]

I would like to see a picture of that in your f body.....I can dig one up in my 66 Nova

It was real tight in the Nova......you only have 30 inchs to work with........The camaro would be a dream to install.

Whats nice about this engine... is its light......I weighed one and as I recall it was only about 350 pounds...

johnny rockett,

Sounds like you don't have the car or at least that motor/combo any longer?

I was interested too after reading about your car at the pump gas drags a few years back. I'm guessing you had a fair amount of money invested in the engine build.

Any insight into budget builds aimed at 350-400 HP?

--JMarsa

[johnny rockett]

johnny rockett,

Sounds like you don't have the car or at least that motor/combo any longer?

I was interested too after reading about your car at the pump gas drags a few years back. I'm guessing you had a fair amount of money invested in the engine build.

Any insight into budget builds aimed at 350-400 HP?

--JMarsa

You almost have to put sleeves in those engines.....they failed from the factory. That is something I would not skip.

Other than that you can regrind the stock cams and it will make that kind of power pretty easy. Sealing the engine is the most important thing...Take in consideration its a four valve inline six which is smooth as silk as you can make that kind of power pretty easy.

If you put sleeves in it , you should put pistons in it...so a small overbore is a good thing to do. Make it about 11:1 cR

In race trim NA......they make over 600HP

[OHCbird]

John-
Nice to see you here. I hope we can raise awareness of the great potential this engine has. For those of you that don't know, John was THE pioneer of the 4.2 Vortec. Self Racing built the combo, and has done a few for the COMP guys, but John was the guy buying the one-off parts & getting it tuned right. Kudos to you.

If anyone is interested in running one of these, a few other guys have started to offer parts for them- namely Cams, rods, pistons, sleeves, trans adapters, flywheels, intake & exhaust flanges, etc. You can even get a dedicated turbo manifold now (top mount). My combo has been idle due to my military comittments & other projects, but I finally have the last parts coming in. I'm building a combo similar to Johns, with a smaller turbo (GT42R vice a GT47). 900hp should not be out of the question if I can get the fuleing right.

I say do something different!

[John McIntire]

I'm with ya on doing something different! The trouble I'm having is just finding the basic info on these engines! Is it a 230? a 250? What oil does it take? How much? What kind of filter? Just the bare basics. I bought Santucci's book, and it good, but doesn't have the basic info I was looking for.
I belong to inliners, and browse there once a week maybe just to get some more knowledge.

John, I'll get you some pics this weekend hopefully, as long as the weather cooperates! Can't wait to pick your brain on some stuff!

[johnny rockett]

I'm with ya on doing something different! The trouble I'm having is just finding the basic info on these engines! Is it a 230? a 250? What oil does it take? How much? What kind of filter? Just the bare basics. I bought Santucci's book, and it good, but doesn't have the basic info I was looking for.
I belong to inliners, and browse there once a week maybe just to get some more knowledge.

John, I'll get you some pics this weekend hopefully, as long as the weather cooperates! Can't wait to pick your brain on some stuff!

You guys can aske me anything.......I really like the engine for the most part......the only shortcomming is that is pretty small and if you build it for boost most likely the part throttle performance is a compromise.

At least thats what I found out. I had a GT4788 which is quiet large. All I wanted to do is keep my foot in it!.LOL

Things I know

Darton Makes the sleeves...
Coan will make the flywheel adaptor ( has the blueprint)
The torque convertor will bolt in thru the starter hole
Kip at Cam Motion will grind the cam..he has made some billet cores (expensive)
Anybody can make a fab manifold.
Use the stock injection location..works perfect
Replace the rear cam caps with billet as they break in time
Will need a lower girdle if you make big boost.
Stock crank is ok
of course you could run any good rod and piston combo
Ferrara makes the valves & springs

If I was doint an NA engine I would twist the engine into the 8000 rpm area to make some decent HP...the four valve could care less

I think to build this NA you sure need to change the sleeves first thing....the junkyard engines almost always have sleeve failure.

The cores run about $250.00

[John McIntire]

Here ya go John! This is how she sits now, I'd love to keep her this way, just upgrade the steering, suspension and brakes.

[John McIntire]

Hey John, got any pics of your Nova? Love to see it!

[WS6]

So you're telling me I can make my 4.2 Trailblazer haul pretty good as without being a ridiculous build? I'm listening