What's a safe boost level for a 1987 turbo coupe?

[JosephB]

I have a new remanufactured 1987 t-bird 2.3T with the IHI turbo in a old 4 cyl mustang lx body. I'm new with messing with turbo's. I bought a gillis boost valve and it's set at 12 psi. What is the max boost i can run safely without engine problems? Does the timing have to change like on my 95 supercharged cobra? I just don't want to blow a gasket or detonate.

 

[88stangmangt]

well keep high grade gas in it...you could up the timing but i wouldnt mess with that...the only way you could kill that motor is detonation.But many run 18 psi which is about it for the IHI.

 

[JosephB]

Cool. I'll keep it at about 16 just for longer engine life. I want to put a dynomax muffler on it and dump the exhaust. Any Idea how much hp that should give me on stock engine with 16 psi.

 

[evintho]

Cool. I'll keep it at about 16 just for longer engine life. I want to put a dynomax muffler on it and dump the exhaust. Any Idea how much hp that should give me on stock engine with 16 psi.

Probably 210-220. Dynomax is a good choice. Go with a full 3" exhaust system and that'll really wake it up. FMIC would help with power and detenation prevention. You'll need at least a 190 lph fuel pump if you're gonna make any semi-serious mods, 255 lph if they're serious mods. Then there's headwork, gearing, bigger turbo, etc. It all depends on your budget.

 

[Red_LX]

Just an FYI...stock boost level was 15, so 17-18 really won't hurt anything and you can pick up about 6-7 hp for each pound of boost over stock.

 

[JosephB]

I read somewhere that 9 psi is stock. that's where it was with the stock bcs. I have 3.73 rear because that is what the rear tag says plus it was auto trans converted to 5-speed. It has a K&N filter in the stock air filter housing but I drilled three 5/8 inch holes in it so when i drive, cooler air can get in there. It's ghetto but i'm sure it helps. Since the metal filter housing and intercooler is black and metal it absorbs a lot of heat, I put heat reflective tape aroud them. I noticed that it doesn't get near as hot as it used to. I really don't like the way the intercooler sits right above the turbo. i might put heat wrap on the E6 manifold.

 

[Red_LX]

The way it was with the stock system, the boost controller limited the car to 10 psi in First gear, but it had 15 in all other gears.

Anyway...honestly, you might look into putting a cone filter on your VAM, the stock air box setup sucks ass. Also don't bother wrapping the exhaust manifold...I've heard it just leads to cracking because it holds in so much heat.

Best bet for the intercooler is to go front mount.

 

[65ShelbyClone]

The BCS is also there for when you put regular gas in it and flip the switch to "unleaded". 18psi is about as high as most like to go without an FMIC.

 

[JosephB]

What??

What switch are you refering? I have the 87' turbo coupe engine in a 89' lx body. The stock BCS had a spring, electrical connector, and two hoses.

 

[Stinger]

Yes, and the turbo coupe had a fuel swith in the center console for premium and regular fuel...which controlled boost level and timing.

 

[JosephB]

ohh, well my car don't have that switch, just a overboost light. I guess i just have to adjust the timing with the distributor like my 5.0 and adjust the boost with the gillis valve.

 

[65ShelbyClone]

If you find a pinout of the 2.3T ECU, you could track down the wires and install that stuff.....if you wanted to. IMO it would be convenient to keep the BCS and only have a Gillis control the high boost.

-65ShelbyClone, running $3.40/gal regular gas.