I just picked up a 64 nova with 87k original miles. I'm interested in adding some boost to the motor vs ls swap. I don't know much about these motors so I was hoping you guys can help me out. 1. Whats the best straight 6 to boost in terms of block strength 230,250 etc or are they all the same? 2. Would it be worth finding someone to rebuild it or will a stock motor in good running order do ok with low boost? Less than 7lbs. 3. Average cost to have motor rebuilt? 4. Any reliable builders in California who can build the motor if thats a viable option?
Information about how you will drive it,what you want to do with it ,daily driver ,pump gas,drive train ,california is a big state .Ken Duttweiler is in california
350 gears ford 9 inch driving around town when weather is nice no track time maybe some street light action from time to time. Turbo 350 trans CA 91 oct Northern California Modesto area
Why are you artificially limiting yourself to just either a "boosted" inline six or an LS swap? Why not consider swapping a older (non-LS) small block Chevy? Cheap: Used 350 SBCs can be had for a few hundred $ (free if you're savvy); that's than an LS and less than an inline six rebuild. Reliable power: You'd have as much power as the boosted six and more reliability. Ease: They bolt right in to your '64 Nova, and to the T-350 trans, with no fabrication required. Schedule: You could do it in a weekend with hand tools.
If you plan to get boost with a turbo, you'll probably discover that your plan of 7 psi will turn into 20 or so...and it will get expensive. But it will be a lot of fun. I only run about 7 psi boost in my Chevy II, but it's going into a 427. Way fun!
So the reason I want to do a boosted is because this is my 4th nova lol. 67 2 door hard top dart 427 66 4 door LS7 swap 63 conv built 350 64 4 door.....boosted Something different than what I have already.
I'm sure there are plenty of competent engine guys in your area but if you want to travel, Tim McMaster is about 1 1/2 hours down the 99 from you and he has an excellent rep.
On the rebuilding costs thing....I just ****oned up a 292, basically the same engine, but taller. I think I'm in it for about a grand, but it didn't really get the full rebuild treatment, I cut a few corners. It won't have to last a real long time, and I'm not going to give it any boost. I'd guess you're looking at at least 1500 to get it done right. That's a lot of money, and when you consider that it'll have boost, you'd want to do several things just a little bit differently. Forged pistons might be a good idea, although if you can keep it down to 7 psi you won't need them. The head can use some help, the intake ports are lousy, the chamber shape is lousy, etc. The bottom end is probably ok, though. I would be tempted to just do a quick overhaul, see if its in good enough condition to just replace the rings and maybe the bearings, put a little bit of cam and new valve springs in, and of course new gaskets/seals. Then do some experimenting...won't be out much if it doesn't hold up to the boost.
Do all the straight 6 blocks hold up about the same to boost? I got 15k into my ls7 built nova so $1500 sounds like a great deal to me for building a 6cyl lol. Who did the work on your 292?
The earlier 230s and 250s are identical except for the stroke and the pistons. A fresh stock 230 should take 7psi of boost easily, you only need to set it up with a little more ring gap. They only have a 8.5:1 compression ratio from the factory, so you should be able to run pump gas with a good intercooler- or water injection setup. The question really is how much power you want from the engine and how much you are willing to pay? A stockish 230 with 7psi of boost will not set the world on fire..
A local shop. Just a bore, valve job with guide inserts, and resize the rods. I have 20k in the hemi in my other car....I really prefer the low buck builds.
I need at least 400hp....jk I'm not really tied up into a number so much just want to get the most out of the engine while staying in a safe range. If spending an extra $500 during the rebuild allows me longevity of the motor or ability to add a few more psi its worth it to me.
Try and Google the TV show engine power they just build a 292 dynoed with and without the turbo Sent from my SM-J737T using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Intercooler, for sure. At a point, the size has diminishing returns. The most beneficial one may not be as big, or as expensive as you think.
there's a book you may find called "how to select and install turbochargers." it's from the '70s and takes a "shade tree" approach--not much was known about them then. i was so taken that i bought a truck exhaust manifold (2-1/2" outlet) in case i ever came up with the cash for the project. turbo blew straight into the intake and used the old sidedraft carter 1 bbl. some of the chevy 230 engines had forged cranks, but there are a lot of options: 194, 215, 230, 250 and 292!
You want to be different than your other builds stick a 500 Caddy in it . Then you can have 400 hp and over 500 ft lbs of torque. With nothing more than a rebuild and a cam and intake. I put one in an O/T Malibu and drove it everyday for years.
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