Building the SFI/Turbo V-6 Vega

by

Dave English

 

 

Many of my H-Body friends have asked me to document my follow-on project to my previous LT1 Vega conversion.  This is the story of my latest effort; swapping a fuel-injected, turbocharged 3.8 Liter Buick V-6 into a 1977 Vega Hatchback.

 

The idea for this project grew out of the generosity of “Vega Man Larry” Heagren.  When I sold my LT1 wagon, Larry encouraged me to pick up another project.  I had already been tinkering with a ’77 Vega Hatchback that I planned to purchase from Sherman Wright, and Larry had a complete ’81 carbureted Turbo set-up that he had previously run on another Vega.  When I sold the LT1 car to Sherman, acquiring the ’77 Hatchback and low-mile V-6 engine were part of the deal.  My plan was to get the car running with a V-6/Quadrajet set-up.  I had a couple parts that Larry wanted to upgrade his brown ZZ430 car, and I asked what we were swapping—Larry replied “How about the Turbo set-up?”  I was shocked, because I knew he had a lot of money invested, but he insisted that it would be a good basis for my next project, and that his wife wanted him to “get it out of the garage”.  So, I inherited several boxes of Turbo parts, including intake and exhaust manifolds, plenum, an MSD6AL Boost Timing box, and the turbo itself.  It was basically complete except for the carburetor.  I got busy learning all I could about early Turbo Buicks and the 3.8 V-6 Vega conversion.  My plan was to get the car running with the naturally-aspirated V-6, fueled by a Quadrajet carb, then build another V-6 with the turbo parts and do a swap.  This time, I would all the work myself (with help from Sherman who agreed to work with me and teach me what I needed to know), except building the engine, transmission and doing the final paint and body work.

 

The Rolling Shell!

 

 

'77 Vega with NA V-6

 

 

NA V-6

 

Stock Monza Heat and A/C on Firewall

 

Monza A/C with S-10 Accumulator/Drier in Vega

 

Living in Texas, I had already decided the car would have air conditioning.  This was a challenge in a car that had come from the factory without A/C.  I decided to replicate the stock Monza wagon set-up as closely as possible, so I traced the outline of the A/C holes on the firewall from a car in the junkyard to a piece of cardboard, then transferred that to the Vega firewall and cut them out with my Dremel tool.  I also had to cut the blower fan plenum opening behind the firewall and under the dash.  Some of the earlier HO-7 Monzas used a cover plate to seal off the A/C opening after the HVAC core control box was installed, so I found one from a Starfire Hatchback that would work and installed a stock system from parts I scrounged from other H-body guys, eBay, and the local wrecking yard.  After installing the modified Monza wagon condenser, evaporator, and lines I realized that I would need to change the accumulator/drier to an S-10 type with the inlet and outlet lines near the top of the canister to allow for the turbo downpipe to clear. 

 

I found another early Buick engine and set it aside as the basis for the Turbo motor.  I planned on using the stronger turbo crankshaft with rolled and filleted main and rod journals, and a set of .030-over forged aluminum pistons.  I found most of what I needed by watching eBay and the Turbo Buick “Parts for Sale” message boards.  In the meantime, I worked on my basic V-6 Vega project while I was sitting standby reserve in Louisville, KY for my job as a UPS pilot.  I started to build the car up from a rolling shell in fall, 2003, and had it running and driving by March, 2004.  But even though the V-6 was supposedly recently rebuilt, it was obvious whenever I put a load on the engine that it had a rod knock.  I didn’t want to drive the car back to Texas like that, so I borrowed Sherman’s trailer and towed it home in fall, 2004.  I sold the extra engine and planned on rebuilding the engine that was in the car as the turbo engine.  When the car got back to Texas, I pulled the engine, broke it down to a bare block, and took all my parts to Samford Racing Heads in Abilene.  Mark Samford had earned a good reputation as an engine builder, especially among the local Turbo Buick crowd.  I gave Mark all the engine parts I had gathered, and we agreed he would fit the engine in to his work between other projects so I could stretch out payments and stay “on budget”. 

 

In the meantime, I learned a lot about Turbo Buicks.  The ’81 set-up was the least desirable among the early carb/turbo designs because it used a normally-open wastegate instead of the normally-closed design.  I would either need an M4ME electronic feedback Turbo carb, or I would have to find a way to make a manual carb power valve go full rich under approximately 4 p.s.i. of boost.  The ’81 and ’82 exhaust manifolds were more restrictive than the other years. 

 

Text Box: Exhaust Manifolds (top to bottom)

’83-85 (’86-’87 similar)

’81-’82 (Smaller Outlet)

’78-80 (same outlet diameter as ’83-’85)
        

 

Although I enjoyed the technical challenges this presented; obviously, this was not going to be a high-performance screamer.  The Buick carb/turbo design did not lend itself to a good, uniform flow to the outboard cylinders.  The boosted fuel/air mixture just dumped into a center port from which all the intake runners were fed.  Although I found a great NOS non-electronic Q-jet carb and devised a way to make the power valve go rich under boost using a Hobbs switch and solenoid, I recognized the weaknesses inherent in the early Buick design.  I started looking at the ’84-’85 fuel injected Grand National set-up that replaced the carb/turbo Regal.  The turbocharger was in the same general location as in the earlier carb/turbo set-up, the exhaust manifolds were the same design and fit in the same location, the up-pipe, down-pipe, and crossover were essentially the same.  All the major differences were above the heads, so I knew it would fit in a Vega as well as the carb/turbo set-up.  The Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI) Turbo intake manifold also had a better flow design.  Although the ’84-’85’s were not intercooled like the later Grand Nationals,  many of them were turning high-12 second E.T.’s  on pump gas.  Clearly, this was what I eventually wanted in my Vega.

 

 

 

'81 Carb/Turbo Buick Manifold Set-up         

 

                      

Electronic Power Valve Control

 

 

And then it showed up on eBay—not complete, but the basic foundation was there.  A rebuildable turbo, throttle body, intake manifold, fuel rails, and injectors from an ’85 Grand National.  I told my wife she was getting it for me for Christmas, and I felt like I stole it when I won the auction for $130, plus shipping!

 

            

'85 Turbo Manifold (example)

 

'85 Turbo Buick SFI Engine (example)

 

When Mark got ready to start on my engine, we hit the first snag.  I had a set of .030 forged TRW pistons I purchased for the engine that was sold.  The engine with the rod knock we pulled from the Vega had been previously rebuilt and bored .040-over!  Since forged Buick pistons aren’t available in .040-over, the best option was to find another stock block.  Other than the Stage I and II blocks, the strongest blocks in the Turbo Buick cars were the -109 blocks that were used from mid-1985 through the end of the production run (also used in the ’89 Turbo Trans Am).  It is increasingly difficult to find a good Turbo -109 block that hasn’t been thrashed, overbored, rebuilt, or abused.  When you can find them, they command a premium price.  Fortunately, the naturally-aspirated Buick V-6 1986 and 1987 GM RWD cars all used the same -109 block with one minor difference—the turbo oil drain hole on the front of the block was cast solid.  Other than that, the block and heads are identical.  I went to my local wrecking yard, and located six potential donor cars with -109 blocks, and settled on a 1987 Grand Prix as the best candidate.  I gave the owner $150.00, and he delivered it to my home.  Twenty-four hours later, I had the block completely disassembled and took it to Samford Racing Heads as the bare canvas for my new Turbo engine.

 

The engine is built around a standard “-109” Block from a non-Turbo 1987 Grand Prix.  The pistons are TRW Forged .030-over.  Connecting rods are standard Turbo Buick -763 castings with ARP bolts.  It is balanced at 38%.  The Main Bearing caps are held in place by ARP studs.  A double-roller timing chain replaces the stock unit.  Heads feature a 3-angle valve job by Mark Samford; Manley "severe duty" 1.71" intake and 1.5" exhaust valves are used with LT1 springs at 105 lbs. seat pressure. ARP head studs are used to fit the heads to the block. The Reed cam uses profiles from Sod-Buster 4H260 intake (210@.050”) with a Torque-Master TM252 exhaust (205@.050”).

 

The engine uses a drivers-side polyurethane mount from RJC Racing to control torque, and a standard rubber on the passenger’s side to dampen vibration.  The transmission mount is a standard Energy Suspension TH-350 polyurethane mount from Auto Zone.

 

 

'85 Intake and Exhaust on Bare Block

 

 

'85 Turbo Intake and Exhaust Plumbing

 

Engine installed !

 

Having put the fuel injected LT1 in my previous Vega, I felt comfortable with fuel injection, sensors, wiring, and computers.  The ’84-’87 SFI/Turbo was an early second-generation design, but it basically used similar sensors and design logic as the LT1 and even the current LS-series engines.  I spent countless hours on the Turbo Buick message board sites, and found one fantastic source— www.gnttype.org has more good information in one location than any site on the web.  One of the first things I learned was that since the earlier ’84-’85 computers were more rare and expensive to replace you could set up the earlier ’84-’85 engine with the ’86-’87 computer.  Even more interesting was the fact that the same basic computer was used with a different replaceable chip in many of the FWD 3.2 and 3.8 liter V-6 cars built by GM between 1986-1989.  If the computer was the same, the engine control wiring harness would also have to be very similar to the SFI/Turbo harness.  One improvement over the ’84-’85 ECM and harness is that the ’86-’87 set-up added a manifold air temperature sensor for improved throttle response and lower emissions.  Since I didn’t have a Turbo donor car, and I didn’t want to pay $600.00 for a custom harness, I decided to pull a computer and harness from a 1987 Olds ’98 Supreme and start modifying.  I compared the wiring diagrams for an ’86 Buick Century FWD car to the ’86-’87 Turbo Regal and found it only required changing about five wires to make it work.  You can find the wiring diagram for the Turbo Buck here: http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/ecmsensors/regal_ecm.jpg.  I added a connector and wiring for the Turbo Wastegate Control Solenoid and spliced the Third gear and Fourth Gear (2004R) input wires together take an input from a third gear pressure switch from the TH350C transmission I am using.  This not only allows torque converter lock-up, but also provides timing and boost adjustments to the ECM.  The ’84-’85 Turbo Buicks used a mechanical fan and standard v-belt accessory set-up.  I hoped to retain that, but I would have to go with a small 14” diameter fan to avoid hitting the steering box.  Since the ’86-’87 ECM was capable of controlling the fan based on coolant temperature, I decided to use a 16” Zirgo 2950 CFM puller fan built into a Monza Towne Coupe fan shroud.  All the ECM wiring is on a dedicated fuse and relay Circuit Boss from Painless Wiring.  Power for the engine control harness comes straight off a 12-gauge hot lead from the battery to a relay that is activated by the existing Vega 12-gauge pink "Ignition Hot" lead.  Three fused feed lines tie into the ECM and sensor wiring from the relay.  That way, additional loads are not placed on the Vega wiring.  Follow this link for more details on converting a FWD GM V6 engine harness to work with the ’86-’87 Turbo Buick ECM:  http://dave.h-body.org/Converting%20a%20GM%20FWD%20Wiring%20Harness.htm .   I decided to use a used stock prom for starters, and I bought a CALPACK chip from www.GMPartsDirect.com.  Another popular electronic upgrade is to swap to the later 3-coil pack used in late ‘80’s through mid-‘90’s GM FWD cars.  This is a simple upgrade; read about it here: http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/ignition/type2coils.html .  One thing to remember is that whichever ignition module you use; you MUST ensure the module housing is grounded to the engine block, either through the mounting bracket or a separate ground wire.  I had lots of intermittent ignition problems (described later) that I thought were related to bad ignition modules that were caused by the fact that the bracket was powdercoated and the module was not getting a good ground through the coating.  Once that problem was solved, I was good to go with my wiring and electronics.

 

The older GM ECM cannot be exposed to temperature and weather extremes like the newer ones used in the LT1 and later vehicles.  This required me to locate the computer inside the car.  I found an old Turbo Regal RH kick panel that had provisions for mounting the ECM and modified it to mount behind the console.  I used a Dremel tool to cut a hole in the firewall and a rectangular computer desk grommet to pass the wiring through and close the hole.

 

One of the weaknesses in the earlier SFI set-up was the Mass Airflow (MAF) Sensor.  They had a tendency to fail, and were expensive to replace.  Fortunately, the later LS1 MAF is more reliable; flows more air, and can be used with a device called a MAF Translator to work with the Turbo Buick ECM.  I decided to go with the MAF Translator Plus, which also allows some custom tuneability for spark and fuel delivery by modifying the MAF signal to the ECM.  Read about how it works and how to install the MAF Translator by clicking here: http://www.fullthrottletech.com/ and navigating to the install instructions page

 

Exhaust

 

As mentioned earlier, many of the exhaust parts from the ’79-’83 carb/turbo Regals will interchange with the ’84-’85.  I experimented with the stock tubular headers that were used in ’83-’85, and concluded that they did not provide enough clearance.  I found a 1980 Turbo Monte Carlo at my local wrecking yard and tried cast manifolds from that car but the crossunder pipe flange on the passenger side hit the RH fender well.   Finally, I decided to use the smaller ’81-’82 cast exhaust manifolds from the carb/turbo stuff Larry Heagren gave me, and the larger ’80 Turbo Monte Carlo up-pipe.  I had an oxygen sensor bung welded into the up-pipe for the ECM.  The manifolds were coated with a black heat-resistant powder coat, and I painted the up-pipe with Eastwood Silver 1200 degree manifold paint.  Despite the tight clearances, Terry St. Pierre at The Muffler Shoppe in Abilene bent a custom 2.5” downpipe from the turbo outlet and crossunder, between the manifolds that tied into a 3” single pipe system.  The downpipe is heat-shielded with a sleeve from Thermo-Tec.  A Flowmaster 40-series muffler gives the car a wicked, snarling exhaust note.

 

Up-pipe and Downpipe Clear S-10 A/C Drier

 

Up-pipe and Crossunder

 

3-inch Exhaust and Flowmaster 40 Muffler

 

As I learned in my first project, fuel delivery is one of the major costs and headaches of doing a conversion to fuel injection.  I wanted to use a stock Vega fuel tank and sender, so I was able to extend the existing pump bracket to take a Walbro 340 255 LPH pump.  I had to make some wiring modifications to allow the pump to work with the Vega wiring to the top plate, but got solid contacts and grounds.  You will also need to add some type of fuel pulse damper to prevent the pulsation caused by the injectors cycling from causing excessive banging and possibly damaging your fuel system.  I found the same kind of corrugated tubing GM uses in the canister-type fuel modules in late-model EFI vehicles at Auto Performance Engineering  (http://www.autoperformanceengineering.com/ ) .  The secret is not to cut the tube, but leave it long and create a loop in it between the tank pick-up line and the pump output nipple to act as a “bungee cord” in the fuel system and reduce pulsation shock.

 

Fuel Pulse Isolation Tube

 

Since I didn’t add a baffle to the tank, I needed to ensure a constant fuel supply under lateral acceleration.  I found that Walbro made a multiple pick-up system (also sold by Holley) that used check valves to prevent cavitation.  I threaded a brass hose nipple fitting into the plastic end of the pump pick-up below the screen and connected three pick-ups in series into the fitting with 3/8 inch fuel hose.  If you need to put a piece of high pressure hose in your fuel tank, be sure it's rated for in-tank use [SAE J30R10].   Your typical parts store high pressure EFI hose is only rated for outside the tank used [SAE J30R9].   That hose will turn to mush in no time. 

 

Fuel Tank Pick Up

 

As much as I thought that this alternative to a baffled tank or a sump would provide reliable fuel delivery, this proved not to be the case.  Anytime I get below ½ tank, I would hear the pump working and experience cavitation resulting in heavy detonation when either accelerating or cornering hard.  This could lead to a blown head gasket, burned pistons, and other severe engine damage.  I contacted Mark Rock, one of the premier Cosworth collectors and mechanics, about using a baffled Cosworth Vega tank with my existing modified Vega pickup/sender assembly.  Mark agreed to do a complete rebuild of a Cosworth tank to provide constant fuel to the pump pickup.  I purchased a new Walbro pump from Auto Performance Engineering and modified the lower fuel pump hanger bracket to accommodate the extra length of the pump.  The pick-up sock that sits in the tank baffle is actually the replacement Vega/Monza part I found on the rack at my local NAPA.

 

Restored Cosworth tank with baffle

 

Tank Baffle and Vega Pump/Pick-up

 

Longer Walbro pump vs. Stock Vega Pump

 

I had a local radiator shop add a 5/16 inch return pipe to the top plate, and braze 6AN male fittings on the ends of the existing supply pipe and new return.  Sherman and I then went to a hydraulic supply shop in Odessa, TX; and found reuseable steel fittings and 200PSI fuel-proof braided hose for a fraction of what it would cost to order similar parts for Jegs or Summit.  (We even got enough to do the oil cooler lines!)  We had to use 8AN with 6AN female adapters, and we needed two 45-degree ends, but we were able to make out own hoses to connect the tank to the supply and return fuel lines.  I pulled the existing Vega fuel lines, and spent an afternoon hand-bending two 3/8 inch aluminum lines that closely matched the bends in the Vega lines.  I used Russell 6AN male hard line fittings on each end.  These were mounted in place alongside the existing stock vapor line using rubber padded brackets.  I crossed them to the LH side behind the transmission mount and routed them to the left side to connect with the stock Buick supply and return lines coming off the engine.  I used a custom 3/8” braided flex line from the Russell return hard line to the fuel regulator, but the stock steel Buick supply line to the fuel filter and from the filter to the RH fuel rail worked fine with minor modification.

 

Fuel Pump Assembly

 

Supply and Return Hard Fuel Lines

 

Custom Return Flex Line and Fitting

 

One of the popular upgrades to the Turbo Regal is a “Fuel Pump Hotwire Kit”.  It uses the existing 16-gauge fuel pump power wire to actuate a relay connected to a 10-gauge wire straight from the battery to the fuel pump power connector.  These are available from many companies, but the least expensive is from Full Throttle Speed: ( http://www.fullthrottlespeed.com/ ) .  Because of the age of the wiring in the Vega, I decided this was something I had to have.  You can read more about the installation by clicking here:  http://www.installationinstructions.com/102028.pdf .

 

Lubrication and Cooling

 

I started by using a re-cored 3-row Monza copper/brass radiator with an internal transmission cooler for the time being.  I replaced this with an aluminum radiator with internal transmission cooler in mid-2007.  A V-6 Monza Towne Coupe fan shroud provides both an integral top mount and minimizes air loss around the fan.  I used HVAC pipe insulation of either side of the radiator to further minimize air loss and force air through the radiator and shroud. I originally used a 16” Zirgo electric puller fan rated at 2950 CFM is built into the shroud and replaces the stock mechanical fan.  I am using a 160-degree thermostat which is required for the TurboTweak performance ECM chip I’m using.  The ECM activates a relay which will turn the fan on at 185* and off at 175*. 

 

Zirgo Fan in Monza Shroud

 

Since the turbo is not intercooled, maintaining a good supply of cooled oil to the bearings is critical.  Oil is supplied to the turbo from the port on the block where the oil pressure switch fits on a non- turbo engine.  The oil pressure switch is retained by using a brass t-fitting.  I am using a Kenne Bell High Volume Oil Pump kit with an aluminum spacer, longer gears, and a steel thrust plate.  The oil flows through a sandwich-type Grand National oil cooler adapter and through an oil cooler in front of the A/C condenser.  After dealing with leaking stock Grand National oil cooler lines, I used the same 200 PSI hydraulic hose and fittings that were used for the fuel flex lines to make my own oil lines from the sandwich fuel filter adapter to the cooler.  They leaked just as much as the stock lines, so I replaced them with pre-made 48” Trans-Dapt oil cooler lines.  They cut down on the leaks, but there are still a few drips from the oil cooler and the filter adapter that I have not been able to eliminate.  Fortunately, they are small enough to live with.

 

Oil Filter/Cooler Sandwich Adapter

 

Oil Cooler

 

Vacuum

 

Since a couple of the vacuum ports were damaged, I replaced the plastic vacuum block on top of the throttle body with a billet aluminum piece from John’s Performance.  Because the ’84-87 Turbo Regals used an electric Powermaster brake booster, the normally-unused large port on the vacuum block must be used to supply vacuum to the Vega power brake booster.  I installed a mechanical vacuum/boost gauge that takes its signal from the back of the intake manifold plenum after the air is turbocharged.  (NOTE: The transmission vacuum modulator must not see boost pressure. DO NOT HOOK THE TRANSMISSION VACUUM LINE HERE!)  I also incorporated a blue boost light off a Hobbs pressure switch that comes on around 4 psi.  Vacuum connections are shown in the diagram below.  The Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor on Turbo Regals is only used to supply boost information to the digital dash boost gauges.  The 3-bar MAP sensor is not used by the ECM, but was added specifically to provide a vacuum/ boost signal to Buick Power Logger laptop tuning/logging software. 

 

 

Accessory Mounting

 

The stock ’84-’85 Buick A/C and Alternator accessory mount would not work with the cast exhaust manifolds.  After looking at several different ideas, I concluded that the best mounting system was the stock ’79 H-body Town Car/Wagon set-up with some minor modification.  The stock back brace for the alternator would not work with the Buick intake manifold, but the alternator brace from the ’84-’85 Buick could be modified to attach to the top of the adjustable slide mount for the alternator.  I had a piece of steel tube stock welded onto the brace after heating and bending it to create a mounting surface.  This actually provided a more secure mount than the stock H-body set-up.

 

Modified Buick ALT brace with H-body Accessory Mount

 

Power steering presented a bigger challenge.  The stock H-body power steering pump, reservoir and mount would not allow me to use the Buick ignition and coil pack mount.  The Buick P/S system was tilted toward the LH side of the car, but it hit on the power steering box.  I wanted to keep my power steering, so I had to find an alternate system.  I found a CV Products NASCAR-style Buick P/S mount for use with a Type 2 Saginaw pump.  It needed to have the mounting legs shortened to line up with the V-6 pulley, and two of the bolts needed to be counter-sunk to allow me to mount a pump with a built-in reservoir.  I searched several parts websites to find the right pump and reservoir combination, and found that the power steering pump off a 2000 Cadillac with the Northstar engine would work perfectly.  The pressure line fitting needed a brass adapter from the H-body flare fitting to an o-ring fitting on the pump.  A Borgeson billet V-belt pulley was pressed onto the pump, and everything lined up perfectly.

 

Modified CV Products NASCAR P/S Pump Mount

 

Cadillac Northstar Saginaw Pump and Reservoir

 

Steering and Suspension

 

A standard H-body Saginaw power steering box is coupled to a Monza tilt column by a Flaming River needle bearing universal steering coupler.  The Vega front sway bar was replaced with a heavier, 1 1/16 inch Monza unit, and the rear sway bar is the standard 7/8 inch H-body piece.  Delco offset upper control arm bushings were installed to cope with camber issues.  The upper ball joints are S-10 type, and the lowers are late-model H-body replacement pieces installed using Bob Gumm’s ball joint adapter kit.  Front coil springs are stock V-6 Monza A/C springs that have had a coil removed for a lower stance mated with KYB gas shocks.  Rear coil springs are Moog/TRW CC-617 progressive rate springs for better handling with late-model F-body rubber isolators to gain an additional ¼” of lift and clearance.

 

Flaming River Steering Coupler

 

Drivetrain

 

The transmission I selected is a Buick/Olds/Pontiac TH350C with a 2800-stall lock-up converter.  It was rebuilt by Ronnie Smith Transmissions and features Kevlar clutch packs and a hardened input shaft.  The advantage of the TH350C is that it is cheaper and stronger than a stock 2004R, it fits in the Vega chassis without modification unlike the 700R4, and allows the use of the stock torque arm.  The Buick ECM takes a signal from an internal 3rd gear pressure switch and sends it to the 3rd and 4th gear input pins of the computer to make timing and spark adjustments.  The computer then sends a signal back to control the 12-inch heavy-duty lock-up converter with anti-balloon plates and heavy-duty clutches from Pat’s Performance Converters.  A dual connector brake switch provides positive cut-out of the lock-up function when the brakes are applied.  I also added a normally-closed guarded switch to the dash that allows me to manually cut out the lock-up feature

 

Since the Buick ECM uses a two-pulse vehicle speed sensor input, I put a JTR Conversions 12PRS two-pulse VSS drive between the speedometer cable and the speed drive on the transmission.  This is highly recommended for a street-driven car, because it prevents stalling when the car is coasting to a stop and at idle.

 

I was unable to find a TH350 kick-down cable that was ling enough to run from the transmission to the throttle bracket on the sideways-mounted throttle body.  I had to order a custom cut-to-fit cable from Lokar that was 12” longer than their longest standard TH-350 cable.  Note that the 2004R and 700R4 cables are long enough, but neither will work with the TH350C.

 

TH350C BOP

 

Lokar Kick-Down Cable on Throttle Bracket

 

7.5-inch Rear End and V-6 Monza Torque Arm

 

Axles and Brakes

 

The front spindles, rotors, and calipers were swapped for a set of low-mileage 2002 S-10 pieces (with provisions for ABS).  The upper conrol arms were modified to accept S-10 ball joints, and Bob Gumm’s adapters are used to allow the S-10 spindles to work with H-body lower ball joints.

 

The rear axle is upgraded from a stock open rear to a 7.5” 28-spline Torsen Limited Slip rear differential with Superior hardened steel replacement S-10 axles and a TA Performance stud girdle rear end cover. After much discussion on the Hybrids section of the Turbo Regals message board, I decided to retain the 2.92 ratio rear gears.  The consensus among guys running similar weight Turbo Buick-powered RX-7’s (around 2700#) is that the ideal gear ratio is somewhere around 3.00 to 1, and that lower ratio gears simply aren’t as critical in a lighter car.  The torque arm is from a stock V-6 Monza application, so it did not need to be shortened or modified.  I used a polyurethane bushing to reduce wear and play in the torque arm mount.

 

Rear brake drums are new replacement S-10 pieces, and the rear brake cylinders were upgraded to new replacement S-10 ¾-inch bore cylinders.  The master cylinder is from a Jeep CJ7 and mounts perfectly to the stock Vega power booster.  I retained the stock Vega proportioning valve and the brake lines fit the Jeep master cylinder without any modification.  If you want to read more about how to convert to a five-lug front and rear suspension, go to www.v8monza.com .

 

Late-model S-10 front spindles and brake

 

Jeep CJ Master Cylinder

 

Adding Hydroboost

 

After several months of driving, it became obvious that my engine vacuum was marginal for powering the vacuum-boosted power brakes.  I rarely saw more that 15” at idle, which is less than desirable for most power brake systems.  Since I didn’t have room for a vacuum pump or holding tank, I decided the best solution would be to replace the vacuum booster with a Hydroboost unit.  Several complete kits are available through aftermarket vendors, typically selling for $600 or more.  Since they all have the Bendix Hydroboost unit as the core piece, I decided to look at my local wrecking yard for one from a late-model GM truck.  I found one from a 2000 Chevy ¾-ton truck for $50.00.  Using the part numbers from the Hydratech Braking website (www.hydroboost.com) I ordered a set of Aeroquip Teflon hoses, AN6 fittings, and adapters to connect the hydraulic brake booster between my power steering pump and steering box.  I had to modify the mounting plate by flipping it front-to-back, inverting it, and drilling new holes for the studs from the brake pedal that come through the firewall.  I also enlarged the hole where the rod went through the firewall to the pedal.  By mounting the Hydroboost unit with the accumulator on the lower right side and the hose connections on top, I cleared the steering shaft rag joint by about ¼ inch.  I cut off the end of the actuator rod, threaded it with a 3/8- 24 die, and screwed on an adjustable clevis pin bracket that attaches to the brake pedal assembly.  High pressure steering fluid flows from the Saginaw Type 2 power steering pump outlet to the Hydroboost input, then from the Hydroboost output to the power steering box high-pressure input.  A low-pressure rubber return hose connects to the power steering box return line with a brass t-fitting.  A small in-line filter keeps contamination out of the reservoir fluid.  I did not even disconnect the master cylinder when I installed the Hydroboost; I simply unbolted the MC and proportioning valve from the vacuum booster and left inside fender and moved them forward, then pulled them back into position and bolted them back into place.  This system provides a major improvement in pedal feel and pressure.  Now I no longer have to watch the vacuum gauge and pray when I come to a stop light!  The original junkyard Hydroboost started leaking in summer, 2007 and was replaced with a rebuilt unit—so far, no leaks!

 

Hydroboost Installed

 

Instrumentation and controls

 

The stock Vega GT dash is retained with some added features.  As mentioned, a two pulse JTR Vehicle Speed Sensor is used at the transmission speedometer pickup to send a speed signal to the ECM.  The speedometer cable then attaches to the VSS.  Tim McCabe reprogrammed the tach for a V-6.  The tach signal comes from the white tach wire on the ECM.  The coolant temperature gauge is stock Vega with the standard sender installed in the upper intake manifold.  I also retained the Vega GT volt and fuel gauges.  I added an Autometer mini oil pressure gauge in the clock location with the pressure sender pick-up coming of the right galley plug in the back of the block.  This required some ingenuity and tube bending.  Fortunately, Sherman Wright knew exactly what kind of fittings were needed, and figured out how to route the lines so the sender would be at the top rear of the block  We used a ¼” brass pipe fitting into the block with 90-degree elbow and a brake flare fitting on the other end.  This goes to a 5/16” steel brake line, then out through a hole in the block flange to an adapter that the sender threads into.  Use RTV or Teflon paste on all fittings if you install the sender lines this way.  We found after initial start-up that the red RTV on the elbow fitting into the block eliminated any leaks from that connection, but there is a very small drip from where the brake line threads into the elbow fitting. Unfortunately, I would have to drop the transmission or pull the engine to fix it.  Fortunately, it is small enough to live with.

 

Oil Sender Parts

 

Oil Sender Assembly

 

Oil Sender Installed

 

All “idiot light” functions including the “Add Coolant” light are retained.  An amber Check Engine light is mounted in the clock stem hole.  I epoxied a dual gauge pod onto the left A-pillar cover to house a vacuum/boost gauge, boost light, and Casper’s Electronics LED Knock Gauge.  The Assembly Line Diagnostic Link (ALDL) from the ECM is mounted under the dash near the ashtray.  A normally-on guarded switch for Torque Converter cutout switch is mounted next to the headlight switch to disable automatic lock-up.  This ties into a four-pole brake light/cruise control interrupt switch that interrupts the lock-up signal to the torque converter when brakes are applied.

 

'77 Vega Dash and Console Mods

 

Vac/Boost and Knock Gauge Pod Detail

 

 

Door Panel

 

Wheels and Tires

 

In “Building the V-6 Vega” by John Thawley, there are several pictures of a Vega with 13” American Racing “Vector” wheels.  These were used on a variety of cars in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s; most notably the Dodge Charger and the Buick Grand National and Turbo T-type.  Because they looked so good on the cars in Mr. Thawley’s book, and they fit the Turbo Buick theme of the project, I decided I had to have a set on my car.  They have been out of production for quite some time, and are getting expensive and hard to find.  Fortunately, the “Dukes of Hazzard” movie has brought them out of the woodwork; and by doing a search for “General Lee Wheels” on eBay, I turned up a set of Appliance Turbo wheels with the correct GM 5 x 4.75” lug pattern. The front wheels are 14” x 7” rims, and the rears are 15” x 7”.  I modified a set of plastic center caps I found on eBay designed for Porsche 914 wheels to fit the center hole by heating the mounting tabs with a heat gun and gently bending them.  Black RTV helps hold them in place.  They are trimmed out with 1 7/8”- diameter Buick “Turbo 6” logos.

 

Appliance Turbo Wheel

 

Body

 

I painted the car with red primer until I could afford a good-quality paint and body job.  The hood is a Glasstek cowl-induction bolt-on with a 4” rise to provide clearance for the turbocharger.  I insulated the underside of the cowl cavity with Thermo-Tec heat and sound insulation material.  A front air-dam/spoiler will replace the stock Vega air deflector under the front lower valence.  A rear deck lid spoiler is mounted on the hatch.  The radio antenna is an electronic mast antenna mounted on the rear of the roof line as seen on modern sport/touring coupes.  The 1977 black window bezel treatment is used instead of the polished aluminum from earlier Vegas.  The rear taillight panel is blacked out like many of the Chevy SS models of the mid ‘70’s.  Bumpers will be painted body color, with the stock black rubber strips. 

 

Turbo Vega Body Concept

 

 

 

 

 

Thermo Tec Hood Insulation

 

Final Set-up!

 

Initial Start Up—Lights and Codes

 

After pumping up the oil pressure to 40 PSI and re-setting the base timing on the cam position sensor, it was time to try to start.  Repeated cranking yielded nothing.  I made several attempts, but got no start. I tried using two different ECM's, but no trouble codes displayed. I probed the ALDL for trouble codes and got Code 12-12-12 --that verifies a good Electronic Control Module-- and nothing more.  Then I checked for spark at the coils-- got it!  Next, check for fuel at the rail-- it’s squirting out the Schrader Valve-- got fuel! Why won't it start?  What else-- how about air?  OK, I cracked the throttle with the gas pedal-- BANG! BANG BANG! A rich dark exhaust mixture filled the garage! Maybe a bit more-- Bang, chuga, chuga! This is starting to get interesting (and I'm getting asphyxiated from the pig-rich exhaust fumes) Finally, I got it to catch for a few seconds, and it starting to sound like it might actually run, then it died! At least I got to hear it run, and a little turbo spool.

So I'm thinking maybe I just need to adjust the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) or Idle Air Control motor. But now, I'm also thinking I might probe the ALDL again and see if there are any new codes.

Here's what I pulled down-- Code 21-- TPS Circuit High. Code 22-- TPS Circuit Low. Maybe that's because I was moving the throttle when cranking to see if it would start? And Code 42-- C3I Electronic Spark Timing Failure.  So maybe I was right about the ignition module being bad!?  Could I have screwed up installing the TPS-- (remember it's the '86-'87 TPS on the '85, so it's different)?  Maybe my base timing is off?

I found and fixed the major problem preventing the car from running-- Since TPS codes 21 and 22 came up, so I though maybe I should start there because I could diagnose those with a digital multimeter.  When I probed the Throttle Position Sensor, I discovered that it was showing 4.60 volts at closed, and 0.50 at WOT-- exactly opposite to what it should be.  As I mentioned, there's a known problem with using the '86-'87 TPS with an '84-'85 throttle body, because it works just the opposite mechanically from the '84-'85 TPS. So, I wondered what would happen if I switched the grey and black wires on the connector.  I made the swap, and TADA!  Now I got low volts with the throttle blade closed and high volts at Wide Open Throttle, just like I should!!!  Next I re-adjusted the TPS for 0.44 volts at idle, 4.6 volts at WOT, and tried to start.  After cranking and getting nothing again, I noticed that the LED light on the cam sensor cap was not on-- usually that means I'm not getting power into the ignition module. So I wiggled the connector a bit, the cam cap lit up, and I tried again--VROOM-- instant start!  It was still running a bit rough off idle, and was getting a few codes, but basically it was the TPS that kept it from starting.

 

So now I had it running, but not very smoothly.  I was still pulling codes--  Code 34, Mass Air Flow Low, and Code 42, C3I (Ignition Module) fault.  And the car was smoking a lot!  I decided to replace my Gen 2 module and coil pack with a new AC/Delco Gen 1 module and Accel DIS coil pack to see if my Code 42 would clear, but was still there after the swap.  The Mass Air Flow Translator Plus ties into both the MAF and the Electronic Spark Control wiring, so maybe this isn’t two separate problems, but one problem throwing two codes.  So I disconnected the MAFT+ plug to the ignition module and plugged the stock EST wires back together.  That eliminated the Code 42 for the Ignition Module fault.  Next, I decided to check the MAF sensor.  I swapped the LS1 MAF on the Buick engine with the MAF in my 2002 Z-28.  The Camaro ran fine with no codes on the MAF from the Vega, and the ECM still showed a Code 34 with the Camaro MAF.  I also tried swapping an ’85 Buick MAF and running without the MAFT+, but still pulled a Code 34.  Before giving up on the MAFT+, I started wondering whether it could be a wiring problem.  Using a chart with output voltages for each ECM wire, a wiring diagram, and a digital voltmeter I back-probed the MAF wiring.  I discovered the ground wire carrying positive voltage, and the control wire showing no volts.  So, I switched them in the connector and re-probed them—BINGO—correct volts on both!  I fired the car up and got NO SES light.  I pulled codes again, and got solid 12’s, indicating a good ECM with no faults. 

 

The car sat for two weeks while I was on a trip.  The first thing I wanted to do when I got home was re-connect the ignition module, bolt the module/coilpack/bracket assembly to the engine, and tighten up the accessories.  When I finished, I had no power to the cam position sensor and no start.  By luck, when I swapped modules again, I grounded the ignition module to the engine by touching the base of the module on the power steering pulley.  It was then that I discovered the module housing must be grounded, and after scraping the powdercoating off the pack bracket, I finally got everything working, running, and no codes.  This explained why I was having problems with the ignition module intermittently not seeing the cam position sensor input.  Lesson learned- when having multiple electronic problems, always suspect a bad ground first!

 

After swapping the front coils to V-6 A/C springs with one coil removed, I started a week of daily driving.  The throttle response is impressive— turbo lag is minimal.  I think the head work and cam selection on the basic engine work well with the turbo—as the basic engine starts falling off, the turbo kicks in and really pulls as the car revs through the gears into third. 

 

Later that week, I started getting a “Check Engine” light and a Code 41—Cam Sensor Circuit Error.  After running the GM diagnostic, I determined that the problem was either in the ignition module or the cam sensor cap itself.  The ignition module was easier to get to, so I swapped modules first but I still had the Code 41.  Next, I swapped from the Casper’s LED Cam Sensor Cap to a stock cap I got with the cam sensor drive.  That solved the problem and cleared the code.  Casper’s replaced the defective cap under the lifetime warranty.  Since then, I have not had a “Check Engine” light or any other codes.

 

The engine maintained around 190 degrees in city driving, and oil pressure is around 21 p.s.i. at warm idle without the hood.  Once I installed the cowl hood, temperatures went up considerably, especially at highway speeds where I saw over 250 degrees when moving the car to its new home in Weatherford, TX.  I replaced the radiator with a Griffin BAX 2-row 1.5” tube Monza radiator with a modified straight inlet tube to work with the V-6.  I also replaced the Zirgo fan with a 2730 CFM SPAL fan.  SPAL fans are rated at zero static flow, and this was the  strongest SPAL fan rated for continuous duty.  Because of the weight of the fan, I used the billet brackets that attach to the top and bottom of the radiator core rather than the plastic pin-ties through the core that could have damaged the radiator over time.  That combination brought temperatures down to 210 degrees after a highway high speed, high boost run.  The temperatures drop below 210 fairly quickly once the car is not under boost.  I believe the air coming in from the cowl hood is pressurizing the engine compartment and blocking air through the radiator or forcing the hot air to remain trapped under the hood.  I ordered a replacement lower air deflector from Dave’s Vega Village which I hope will help correct the problem by forcing more cool air through the radiator.  Even though the V-6 wagon fan shroud is probably not needed for low-speed cooling, I installed it to help mount the radiator securely.

 

Griffin Rad and SPAL Fan with Shroud

 

Griffin Rad Trans Cooler Lines

 

 

Knock, Knock!

 

I installed a Casper’s LED Knock Sensor above the boost gauge.  I had no idea how much knock I was getting with the stock chip, but after getting the gauge, I got a good visual indication and started watching my boost levels until I received my custom chip for Turbo Tweak.  Once I installed the new chip, idle and throttle response improved, but the knock persisted at boost values above 3 p.s.i. .  Since the chip was burned for 92 octane fuel, I decided to see if running 93 octane and adding some octane booster additive would allow me to reach higher boost levels without knock.  I was able to get to about 4-5 p.s.i., but still had knock problems at greater boost values.  The chip has a limited degree of tuneability based on raising fuel enrichment values, but requires a diagnostic scan tool.  I am using Buick Power Logger from Full Throttle Speed.  It features an add-on board to the ECM and simple computer software to display the output in easy-to-understand formats. 

 

Power Logger Gauge Display

 

Power Logger Data Display

 

I can also tune the ignition advance using the MAF Translator Plus and try running some spark retard.  Every Turbo Buick owner will tell you that tuning is critical, and between a good diagnostic scan tool, an Edelbrock Fuel/Air Ratio gauge, the MAF Translator Plus, and a tuneable chip, it’s only a matter of time until I optimize the fuel and spark curves to match the available boost.  After returning the chip for a re-burn, I was able to pull enough timing and add fuel to run 11 PSI of boost at wide open throttle without detonation.  But oddly enough, I still have detonation at light part throttle climbing up a grade at 75-80 MPH, over 3000 RPM, and 10”-0” hg of vacuum (no boost).  I will need Turbo Tweak to address this area since I can’t tune there.  

 

But at this point, the project is a success.  The car starts quickly, idles smoothly, displays no “false knock” from valvetrain, engine, or drivetrain vibration, and accelerates quickly under boost.  After all, my goal is to eventually take a Vega on the Hot Rod Power Tour in honor of Larry Heagren’s contribution to the project.  Running in the Hybrid class at the GS Nationals at Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, KY is another milestone I hope to achieve with this car.

 

UPDATE 2008

 

After several years in rattle-can primer, I decided it was time to tackle paint and body on the Turbo Vega.  I figured it would cost at least $5000 to have it done professionally by a body shop.  When I told my wife, she said “Gee, I guess you’ll be learning to do it yourself!”  Well, I figured why not?  I’ve done everything else on the car myself or with a little help from my friends.  I used to be a pretty good plastic airplane modeler, so I figured some of the filling, sanding, and painting skills should transfer.

 

After doing some research, I thought the Vega would be a good candidate for a roller paint job.  Having read the original writeup by a Canadian Dodge Charger owner on moparts.com, http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.ph...;fpart=1&vc=1 ; plus the article in Hot Rod magazine, http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/body/hrdp_07...nt_job/index.html  ; I thought I could achieve better results with this process than doing a trial-and-error spray job at home.  I wanted an orange color, but I knew I would have some areas that would require spraying, so I wanted a Rustoleum product that I could purchase in by the gallon as well as in spray cans.  Surprisingly, I couldn’t find many selections in orange that would look good on my car.  But I found a specialty product that was the same as their regular rust paint in the outdoor equipment line—Allis Chalmers Orange.  Yep—tractor paint!  It’s a dead-ringer for Hugger Orange.  You can read about the process in detail at: Roller Painting Vega.

 

Here’s a quick summary of my lessons learned:

 

1.      Spend as much time smoothing out all the dings in the car as you can.  Even though I thought I had eliminated most of them before and after spraying with epoxy primer, I found a lot of areas I wish I had spent more time with after the glossy paint was applied.

 

2.      Spraying epoxy primer was totally unnecessary.  If I had it to do over again, I would grind down the old paint with a dual action air sander using 320 grit until smooth.  Then I would fill as necessary with body filler, sand, and top with glazing putty.  Any remaining low areas or rough patches can then be coated with a high-build primer from a spray can.

 

3.      Mixture is critical to success.  I recommend using a graduated mixing cup, filling to the 4 oz. line with mineral spirits, then adding paint through a strainer up to about 14 oz (+/- 2 oz depending on temperature).  In warmer weather (above 80 degrees F) the mineral spirits will evaporate faster and the paint will “flash” and become unworkable sooner.  To compensate for this, use a higher ratio of paint to mineral spirits.

 

4.      Start rolling with enough pressure to get complete paint coverage on the panel, the go back over with decreasing pressure until you get an even coat with no lines, no runs, and no bubbles.

 

 

5.      My work plan was to wet-sand in the morning, wipe the car down with mineral spirits, and then roll on a coat of paint.  This took approximately 2 ½ hours if everything went well.  Then I would let the paint dry overnight and roll on a fresh coat the following morning.  I would let that dry overnight, and then repeat the process.  You can apply a fresh coat immediately after wet-sanding and then wiping the surface down with a tack rag dampened with mineral spirits, but let each coat dry at least eight hours before applying another coat or attempting to wet-sand.

 

 

6.      This process is very forgiving.  If you screw up, just wet-sand the panel and roll on another coat.  It’s also addicting, because each coat looks better than the last.  Knowing when to stop is as important as knowing when to roll on additional coats.

 

 

7.      Do not allow any drips of paint to dry on a finished panel!  It’s very difficult to sand it off and blend it without repainting the whole panel.  Immediately wipe any fresh drips off with a rag dampened with mineral spirits.  The finished paint will not come off with mineral spirits after it is dry.  Mineral spirits will leave the surface dull, so you will need to buff and polish to restore the shine.  If you need to strip a panel after it is dried, use straight lacquer thinner and the paint will come right off.

 

8.      You can blend in any burned-though areas with the standard mixture of paint and a foam brush followed by carefully feathering with 1000-2000 grit sandpaper and then polishing with white compound.

 

 

The process is time-consuming and labor-intensive, but it’s easy and cheap if you aren’t experienced with spraying.  I liked the fact that I had fewer variables to deal with, hence less chance to screw up, and even if I did it was easy to recover.  I liked the results and would do it again on a car where I didn’t care about a show-quality finish.

 

Primered and Sanded

 

First Two Coats Wet Sanded

 

Fourth Coat Coverage

 

Final Eighth Coat

 

Polished and Buffed 1

 

Polished and Buffed 2

 

Polished and Buffed 3

 

Polished and Buffed 4

 

Alignment

 

After finishing paint and body work, I decided to re-address the front end alignment.  After Weatherford Front End and Brake checked it out, they delivered the bad news—the car needed a new left tie rod, and a new centerlink, and they couldn’t even get close on adjusting the camber.  I replaced the tie rod myself and ordered a pair of fully-adjustable upper control arms through Chuck (cosveg76) on the h-body board.  These were $275 shipped to my door and it was money well spent.  Finding the correct centerlink was a bigger problem since Moog stopped producing them in 2003.  The only source for H-body power steering centerlinks I could find is Rare Parts in Stockton, CA.  I ordered the correct P/S replacement (#25918) from their site online for $238 and a $75 core charge.  Not cheap, but it took care of the slop in the steering.  Now the car is aligned to rally specs and handles nicely.

 

Adjustable Upper Control Arm

 

Adjustable Upper Control Arm  Close-up

 

Race Day Results

 

I finally got the Vega back together for the Temple, TX H-body gathering at Little River Dragway in June, 2008.  We all hung out and bench-raced until 5:00 when time trials began.  Mike Spigelmyer from Weatherford and I thought we were pretty evenly matched, so he suggested we run the test and tune side-by side and race for fun.  After praying the Shepard's Prayer (Al Shepard--"Please, God, don't let me screw up") I got ready for my first pass ever.  Nothing spectacular; a bit of beginner's luck in the 1/8th, followed by a wheel-spinning launch in the 1/4.  Basically, on my first pass ever I staged late and got it revved just below the boost range for a 9.78 at 68 MPH.  I beat Mike’s beautiful 350 Monza Town Car when he spun off the line, but he got within a half car length through the traps.  He would have had me in the 1/4.  I was surprised the car was not stronger on the top end running 13 PSI of boost.  Since I was not seeing any detonation I added two more degrees of advance during the cool-down and waited for the next run.  This time I was first to stage and I tried to launch just under 5 PSI.  But I had the wheel spin problem on the line waiting for the last yellow and Mike’s blue Monza left me while I struggled to get traction.  The car slid right, then caught about the time I corrected and went left, so I lifted off the gas, straightened out, and hit it again, but this time it was no race.  At least I didn't red-light on either pass.  Lesson learned- I need to figure out where the wheels break loose and launch under that, or get bigger rear brakes!

 

But I'm definitely hooked.  I achieved my major goals- finished the car, drove it to Temple under its own power, made a couple runs for timeslips, and drove home with me and the car in one piece.  The car did great, and the A/C worked the entire trip.  I think there's a little more there with some tuning and experience, so 13's are within reach.

 

 

Temple HBOA Gathering 2008 1

 

Temple HBOA Gathering 2008 2

 

Mike S. at Temple HBOA Gathering 2008 3


Temple HBOA Gathering 2008 4

 

Temple HBOA Gathering 2008 5

 

Racing Mike S. at Temple HBOA Gathering 2008 6

 

 

STRIPES!!!

 

Rally Stripes 1

 

Rally Stripes 2

 

Rally Stripes 3

 

REWIRE—2008

 

I finally found the source of my detonation problem.  The engine likes 50-53 PSI of fuel pressure to stay out of the knock range.  When the car has been driven for a while, the fuel pressure drops off to around 30-35 PSI.  I tested the voltage coming off the alternator when the car is cold, and found it was right around 14.06 volts.  But after the car has been driven enough to get hot, it drops off to 12.95 volts.  Basically, the fuel pump isn’t getting enough voltage to run at full speed, so the fuel pressure drops off.  I did some research on designing a better electrical system, and decided to put all the high-demand circuits on relays from a terminal straight off the alternator, then I upgraded the alternator to a 140-amp Powermaster, and finally replaced all the 31-year old wiring with a new harness from American Autowire.  Their ’70-’73 Camaro Classic Update kit had practically everything I needed to replace the original wiring and still keep all the stock circuits with very few modifications.  I highly recommend this kit for anyone who wants to rewire their H-body vehicle.

 

What’s next?  The next performance mod will be adding an alcohol/water injection system; a sure-fire way to increase boost and eliminate knock.  I would like to replace the old stock power steering box with a Saginaw or Flaming River unit that uses a rack-and-pinion drive with the conventional Pitman arm and center link for more positive road feel.  Finally, there are the brakes—the car deserves rear disks after replacing the vacuum booster with a Hydro-Boost set-up.

 

I hope this web article helps anyone thinking about dropping a Turbo Buick engine into an H-body, or any car for that matter.  This project was easier, simpler, and cheaper than putting an LT1 into my Vega wagon a few years ago.  But judging by “seat of the pants” feel, I think the performance is equivalent, if not slightly better.  The true test will be if I can pull a sub-13 second time slip.  As with any car project, this car will continue to be upgraded and modified over time.  If you want to follow its progress, check the Garage section of www.h-body.org, or the Forums for the latest updates.

 

 

Best of luck with your projects,

Dave English

“vegatex”

denglish@ipapilot.org