You're going to find out that putting a turbo on a 302 block in a Maverick is quite a bit more challenging than you think it is! Even with the battery in the trunk, there is still VERY little room for things. Getting the turbo mounted, secured, braced is 50% of the problem. Getting the exhaust out the back, running oil lines, bypass valve, wastegate (if you run ext WG), and if you plan on using an intercooler...there's where the problems are. Been there, done that, might do it again someday if I had another Maverick to do it with. It can be done, however, just be warned...it sounds and looks easy but easy it is not. Oh and to those who say lag is an issue--you are correct in stating that lag is an issue, but it is the lag that makes it an absolute blast to drive on the street. At least to me. Ever ridden a two stroke motorcross bike? Yamaha banshee? On or off....and not much in between. And that is what makes 'em so fun, IMO. Lag will always be present on turbo cars, some have VERY little and others have a LOT. It's all in how you drive. You learn to deal with it. Use the lag to your advantage. Many times right after lag and when boost sets in, that is where peak torque is...which can be VERY early in the powerband. It's an instant rush of power that can be used to get a pretty good jump on the competition, if you manage it right. But it can also be a weakness if the rear tires go up in smoke. I can say this, also from experience. Not long ago I had a Merkur XR4Ti, 2.3 turbo, intercooled and 24 psi boost. Also have an '03 Lightning. The Merkur was hands down a quicker car and more fun to drive. THe lightning, with it's roots-style blower, was boring compared to the "hit" of the turbo 4. But the Lightning has zero lag-you gas it, and boost is right there right now. Not that either one of them is "fast" by any means, but the little 4 pot was more fun power-wise. Beat many a stock GT on the local streets, just gotta know how to drive it. Got my tail end handed to me quite a few times too, but it was a respectable, UGLY, fun little turd.
yea his car is pushing a good 500hp, i know im getting almost 410whp with 4:11 and a 3 speed toploader.. i did a couple of drafts of a plan for the braces, plumbing, intercooler, and oil lines.. i'll try to upload them asap. and i am going to use a set of stock manifolds and face them to the front of the car, and try to squeeze the exit exhaust pipes to hug up under the maninfolds.
Why is nitrous cheating,but turbo/supercharged isn't?They're all power adders,nitrous is just there when you need it.And it's cheap.And it's not cheating unless you lie to him and hide it.
Im no racer and probably shouldnt comment but it sounds to me like your just running out of gear. I suspect your getting the jump on him off the line but he just simply out runs you. Your 410 hp and light weight should be plenty to handle his heavy 500 hp.
turbo lag isnt necessarily going to be a problem with him off the line since he has the toploader he can run it up to a pre determined rpm and equate it out... now traction will be with the 4:11's but if racing him at the track, drag slicks will help out assuming drivetrain doesnt break. but if money isnt an option, i'd go blown for a little bit easier install. see I went nitrous, because of money (or i thought) and cant say it saved me a ton... after getting an msd timing retard ignition box, the nitrous kit, an extra solenoid, blow down tube, nitrous filled up, etc... it's over a grand....and my compression ratio was a bit high to run any real boost. and as long as you're not running a centrifugal like a paxton you wont need a blow thru carb, but guess that doesnt matter as you have one....
What he said! Over 400 to the wheels? Probably the only things keeping you from winning are the 3 speed and gears...
Nitrous is initially a cheap power adder. After a few bottle fills you will start to feel the pinch of the cost of refills. As for cheating, I have used nitrous since the late 70's and been called a cheater. I even had it on my license plate for a while. Funny part was I didn't use it all that often. I only used it when I was totally overmatched. Either way, my thought is that it is part of the car. If the engine has been built around it, it's not different from a blower or turbo. Problem is, it's easy to tell someone to turn off the bottle...but much more difficult to unhook the blower belt! The other thing that comes to mind is the guys that run boost controllers. Is that cheating too? They can boost just enough to keep from having tire spin. I know that they outlawed some turbo cars (by adding weight) back in pro-stock back in the 80's because of that. As for getting boost up with a manual transmission, you might want to consider using a two step in order to dump some raw fuel into the turbine and to get that to build some boost. That's my plan anyway...well that and to use the nitrous until the boost comes on.
Good for you man. It's your baby and if you can get a turbo set-up to work, spanking that 500GT will be that much sweeter!
I think I would do whatever I could without using a power adder whether it be heads, tranny, gears, etc. The right combo will surely get you the 2+ car lengths you need and it will be so much sweeter when you can say..."all motor"!!!
