Hybrid Turbo Question

[J-MoNeY]

I read the thread about it with the aid of the search feature, but didn't find the answers to my questions.

- What kind of fit issues are there going to be with the new compressor housing?

- What kind of power enhancement should I expect?

As replies come in, I'll think of more.

[THAWA]

what are you hybridizing?

[J-MoNeY]

what are you hybridizing?

The ole T-Bird turbo with the Vf-11

[-K-]

Well
The compressor fits just fine exept for the 90deg inlet-mainifold. I machined about a 1/4in off I think. There is about that much play in the up pipe bracket so that might work as well. Or you could enlarge the holes in the bracket a bit to get the extra space.
The outlet is different.

Power is hard to say because I did the IC at the same time. It was good. Pulls hard to redline now, it feels real good. It used to run out of steam up top but not anymore.

I think I would look for a VF12 if I was doing it again and had money. Then again it cost me just about nothing and I'm happy with it for now.

[J-MoNeY]

Arn't you making sort of a VF12 with the new compressor and housing? If not, then, did the VF12's come on the T-Bird?

[-K-]

Not at all. Subaru turbos are known by the VF##, the IHI on a T-Bird has a Ford Part #. Different inlet totaly different hot side. It's a good bit bigger and has the garrett bolt patern. Center section is the same RHB5 model. So I think the hot side may still be too small for a big gain in power.

I will be looking for a VF12 or maybe a 16G if I need a bigger turbo.

[free5ty1e]

Yes, to fit the hybrid t-bird vf-11 turbo back in after rebuilding it, you will definately have to re-use the stock turbo compressor inlet elbow (unless someone's found another available turbo inlet elbow that fits that might be a bit larger) and have the compressor housing mating surface milled down a good 1/4 inch as K states above to have it clear the intake manifold and have a chance at being routed. You'll also have to modify the stock turbo->BOV->TB pipe to fit your new larger (2") compressor output, not to mention to aim at it properly in it's new clocked position (can't have it clock at the exact same angle as the stock compressor housing, just isn't an option).

If you have to modify the stock turbo->BOV->TB piece, a nice formed 2" radiator hose with some good bends in it will take care of ya. The old turbo outlet was 1 3/4" or 1 7/8" or something like that, so you'll have to cut off the old turbo end to where it's tapered up to 2", and then clamp down your radiator hose along with two screws to hold it on the taper, and you're good.

Of course if you've got IC piping you'll be able to make the proper modifications to that section without a problem, since you've already had the experience of making IC piping

Anyway, cheap to do, especially good idea if you're due for a turbo rebuild anyway - get you a rebuild kit for $100 and replace the bearings and such at the same time. The compressor wheel itself is only about 2% larger than the stock one, it's seriously hard to see any visible difference but it does feel much happier in the higher revs. Especially with the 3" TBE.

By the by, when you re-fit the inlet elbow to the new compressor housing, it should get a new gasket. It just so happens to be the exact same gasket as used on pretty much all chevy thermostat housings, so you can pick one up that way. I looked at chevy thermostat housings themselves but they wouldn't be good replacements for the inlet elbow, although they sort of look right in the catalog...