Turbo upgrade!!

[Nick Wise]

I have been pondering the idea of upgrading the turbo from the stock original. I talked with a turbo buick guy I know that was selling a used turbo off of his GN. Then I found out it was a PT-70. I don't want one that big, at least not yet. I was thinking of going with a small upgrade and putting a TA-49 on. should be plenty for what I have already done to the car and I like the stock appearance. Talked to the same guy this week and his friend has a TA-49 that he is selling. said it needs a new center section, $100 for the turbo. I know a lot of you guys would know more about this than me, thats why I wanted some opinions on whether this would be a good deal. Where can you get the center section, does precision sell them, and would there need to be any machining or is this an easy job? Or would you guysgo with a different turbo all together.

 

[RatFink]

I have been pondering the idea of upgrading the turbo from the stock original. I talked with a turbo buick guy I know that was selling a used turbo off of his GN. Then I found out it was a PT-70. I don't want one that big, at least not yet. I was thinking of going with a small upgrade and putting a TA-49 on. should be plenty for what I have already done to the car and I like the stock appearance. Talked to the same guy this week and his friend has a TA-49 that he is selling. said it needs a new center section, $100 for the turbo. I know a lot of you guys would know more about this than me, thats why I wanted some opinions on whether this would be a good deal. Where can you get the center section, does precision sell them, and would there need to be any machining or is this an easy job? Or would you guysgo with a different turbo all together.

I think that Prescision has some new stock appearing ball bearing new gen turbos. In my opinion the Ball Bearing turbos are the way to go, you can get away with a bigger compressor without the lag and you also don't have to go to a higher stall looser convertor to get the new style larger turbos to spool fast. I'm running a 61mm compressor and a .63 turbine with a 2800 stall. Very streetable and the tighter convertor doesn't feel slushy when cruising around, but when you get into the throttle it spools like the stocker did with a stock convertor. Tighter convertor gives better trap speed on the top side as well. I guess I'm saying spend the extra $$$ and get a ball bearing turbo. I actually ran the 61mm with a 2300 stall and it spooled really fast. If I had to do over I think I would get a Prescision 6262 or the Turbonetics 66mm from Cotton's performance. That's how well I think the BB turbos spool compared to the standard journal turbos. Good luck.

 

[TURBO1]

My TTA came with the TA-49 already on when I bought it. It has turbo lag till about 2,500 rpm then full power like a jet afterburner kicking in, putting you back in the seat. But I also have Eric's Turbo Tweak chip & stock torque converter on mine too... The TA-49 is a very good stock appearing turbo, but I'm sure theirs newer ones out their now w/newer technology. But for a $100 bucks & rebuild, might be a good deal...

 

[TTA976]

If I had to do over I think I would get a Prescision 6262 or the Turbonetics 66mm from Cotton's performance.

I think Shawn is right on! I have the 6262 and I like it a lot. But if I could do it all over again I'd choose the 66mm w/ Ball Bearing from Turbonetics.
You will need a 2800-3000 stall for both.

Steve (Sweet6) has them both with the same Vig. converter if I am not mistaken. He told me the Turbonetics 66 BB spools faster. Plus, turbo comes polished, big shaft and has the built in filtering adapter. But mostly, I like the 1 year no questions asked guarantee from Turbonetics.

Joe

 

[PhillyTurboSix]

There is so many options out there for turbo's. I went with a custom made turbo on my 87 GN and I love it. The center has GT series guts in it so it spools like mad with very little lag if at all. I see many guys with a 49, some 60lbs injectors and a chip into the high 11's. You have to figure out how fast you want to go and build the car around that. Keep in mind 11.50 t top car and your done. It's cage time after that and most don't want to do a cage in their cars! Don't throw parts at it just to try it or because they are a good deal. Plan it out. Do A LOT of research and ask questions like you are. That's the best way. Get a number of how fast you want to go in your head and work to it and around it. A converter can make the world of difference too! I've seen guys toss all kinda turbo's on a car and the converter just made it slower. The faster you go the more that breaks as well!

 

[TTA976]

A converter can make the world of difference too! I've seen guys toss all kinda turbo's on a car and the converter just made it slower.

X100

My experience with my friends car, a 44/49 runs good. But, you have to turn the boost up super high to go fast. A 61 or 62 will feel just as fast with lower boost with the right converter.

I was going to have Limit Engineering build me a turbo as well. I wanted a TA61(6169) w/ the Garrett housing. That will spool faster than PTE 61 or 62 I would think.

Joe