Yeah, sometimes I don't do things the easy way. Maybe I sniffed too many diesel fumes from the Poppin' Johnnies I drove when I was young. That's where I got my love of low-end TORQUE!

I've got a 401 GMC Big Block 60-degree V-6 I want to put in my '49 Willys PU. (Please don't beat up on my engine choice; I have my reasons.) The stock '60's era numbers are 377 @ 1400 rpm lb-ft gross torque and 205 @ 3200 rpm gross HP. Bore/Stroke is 4.87 in. - 3.58; CR. is 7.5:1. Yes, there are numerous engines that would be "better" but give an old man (I'm 73) his eccentric tastes. I think it would be a blast to drive down the road with engine chuckling at 1500 rpm. And yes, I will have to fabricate an intake manifold; the one it has is for a harvester (New Idea?).

We had turboed tractors and irrigation engines on the farm, but I was not involved in setting them up; I was too busy keeping them running.

So I want my boost from off-idle to 3-4K.

So how do I size my turbo to do this? I assume it will take a small turbo. Will there be extra plumbing for waste gate, etc? Or would a blower be a better option?

Not looking for specifics yet--just getting ready to pull the truck out of the weeds and mud but I need to know if it's possible before I build motor mounts, etc.

I appreciate any help/advice on this. Yes, I'm a crazy old coot but that's what makes life interesting!

 

making boost off idle using a turbo on a gas engine is hard on parts. You might be better off with a 6-71 .

 

Sounds like it would be really fun. I've never seen one of these, a little before my time. Apparently people have done some decent upgrades to them which might help unless you want it to look period correct (holley, hei, etc.)

http://6066gmcguy.com/gmcv6a.html <- no affiliation, found with google

I say turbo it. I bet it would be a lot of fun and it's not like it will be lacking for torque as is. Twins would package off a pretty simple manifold and look really cool.

I'm sure somebody with more experience will chime in with a good recommendation on sizing.

 

Talking to Magnus about one of their 2.9's. Got a lot of reading to do.
Thanks for the suggestions.
I will have more questions I'm sure.

 

There's a forum for them -- you found the reference page. Lots of good information there.

 

Hx35

 

As twins?

 

Nope, single would work fine, gt35 would work as well to.

Although neither would be as good as a blower for boost less than 10-12psi.

 

Turbo it, but I think you need some realistic goals.... Boost from any form of compressor will be hard on parts at low rpm, especially with such a large bore. I'd personally look for boost to start at ~2000 rpm, peak at 2500-3000, and run it to 4000. Keep boost low, or use an ebc to ramp in more boost above 3000 rpm.

 

What trans are you thinking about using?