I've got this crazy idea brewing about putting a turbo on the Aurora project I have pending. How much boost can you safely put on one these engines, if any, without going through the engine? I was looking at 6PSI +/-2PSI for beginners...
thanx, Bob
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03:42 PM
PFF
System Bot
Fiero STS Member
Posts: 2045 From: Wyoming, MN. usa Registered: Nov 2001
Your motor has a CR of 10:1, or there abouts, so it is not going to be very boost friendly. The head gaskets have been an issue on non boosted engines , so they may need an upgrade. And I would replace the headbolts with studs or at least go to the bigger N* bolts. Also you will need a programable ECM to be able to compensate for the boost. I would try Ryan Hess for that.
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The head gaskets can be dealt with, although boosting such a high compression engine is going to make it close. Sheet steel gaskets are what LT3 gurus recommend on their engines which were very notorious for eating stock head gaskets. I am sure there are some headgaskets available for that engine that will be able to withstand the pressure.
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04:32 PM
ryan.hess Member
Posts: 20784 From: Orlando, FL Registered: Dec 2002
6-8psi intercooled is about perfect for a stock engine.
There is a guy on the cadillac forums that has a turbo northstar with a tiny turbo..... He is running 7psi. The loss through the auto probably puts him at 500 crank hp. A better turbo would get more power at the same boost levels.
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04:40 PM
ryan.hess Member
Posts: 20784 From: Orlando, FL Registered: Dec 2002
Also, with regards to the other issues that have been bought up.....
A stock northstar will run 87 octane just fine. That's with 10.3:1 compression. That's the magic of the northstar's heads.
It will take intercooled(!) boost fine.
Head gaskets aren't really an issue. Use the coolant supplement and you'll be fine.
Head bolts aren't an issue.
The block threads are an issue whether you turbo it or not. With a used engine you're taking a roll of the dice. If you don't want to take it out again after the engine is in, you should timesert the block. The added stresses brought about by boost are nil compared to the thermal stresses that are in play every time the engine is warmed up. The thermal cycling and work hardening of the aluminum threads are what cause them to pull from the block. The later northstars used finer and longer thread engagement to stop this problem. You don't hear about "headgasket problems" on them.
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04:48 PM
Mar 17th, 2007
RCR Member
Posts: 4416 From: Shelby Twp Mi Registered: Sep 2002
I was thinking about this also and was considering the Aurora block with vin-9 N* heads. That should drop the compression to somewhere just over 9:1. Alan at chrfab.com has probably gone through all of this already at his shop.
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10:46 AM
RCR Member
Posts: 4416 From: Shelby Twp Mi Registered: Sep 2002
