I'm daydreaming here, but I think sometime in the far distant future, I'd like to put a small turbo on my spare Dodge flat 6. It's a stock motor, 230cu, with 7:1 compression. I remember a cool Ford 250six-powered roadster on here before with a cool turbo setup. Any suggestions on turbos, routing, draw-through vs. blow-through etc? I'm a total newbie when it comes to forced induction, but I think the little flattie would respond well.
I'd be wary of putting forced induction on that crank with only 3 main bearings. But the thought did cross my mind as well. Besides my 1940 Dodge project, I'm also doing a turbo conversion of my 86 Dodge/ Mitsubishi 2.6 liter Montero. That motor is at the machine shop as I write this. To upgrade that motor, I've gone with new non-jet valve heads, ARP head studs, roller 1.6 ratio non jet rockers, and the complete TBI setup and harness from an 87 Starion. The Montero will only run 8 lbs boost with an intercooler, hard pipes, blow off valve, factory knock sensor and distributor retard. If you want to turbo the flattie, be advised that you'd likely have to settle for a blow through carb set up, 6 lbs of boost, an MSD box with retard, and an upgraded fuel pump. If you're good, you'll be able to get the carb jetting sort of okay within a limited rpm range but it won't even come close to the Starion's primitive TBI setup. It might be fun to do it just for ****s and giggles but you'll put way more than a grand into it even with junkyard parts. To put this into perspective, I bought a Mopar 318/ 904 combo with 44k miles after a rebuild for $250. With Plydo motor mounts, Patriot Tight tuck headers, used Edelbrock 4V intake, used Holley carb and a gasket set, I've still got change from those 10 C-notes (but not much change).
thoes motors actually have 4 mains, and have a very stout bottom end. from what i've done, read and been told, these motors respond very well to higher compresson(on regularly asparated motors) and super/turbo charging. if you do it, i'd love to see a thread on it! thats something i would have loved to do with mine.
For what it's worth, I ran a 270 gmc (also 4 mains) with as much as 21 pounds of boost on a **** through deal. I used two Corvair turbos and a 780cfm Va*** secondary Holley. Later dropped it down to 18 pounds for piston life. No crank/bearing issues, ever. Thing went 158 mph in my stock roof '32 Ford 5 window. Ran at WOT for 3 miles at a time, plenty of times. I think under 10 pounds on the street you will be fine. Check out http://www.salt2salt.com/ and the links to see how Greg and his turbocharged Studebaker flathead sixes do. May as well get your info from someone who has been there.
Man Curtis, I am glad I didn't give you a warranty with that flathead you bought from me!!!! Just kidding Hope you are getting the car whipped into shape. Dan
count me in!!! I want to see the tech thread. I'd love to have a throttle body and turbo on my '50 Dodge. wooo hoooo 19 sec. 1/4 mile times, here we come!!!
Ha! Thanks guys...I doubt I'd put this into the hunk 'o car that is the '49 Dodge...maybe in a roadster or something.
for simplicity do a draw thru setup. keep the boost around 6 and you will have no problems. you should see at least 50% power gains. that torque is a rush. tom
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