Here’s the latest reader comment, along with my reply!
Steven writes:Â 1992 Geo Metro. Turbocharged! Might blow a rod. 1,494 pounds on the scale. 12 pounds of boost. Goes like stink!!!
My reply: I don’t doubt it! Many Moons ago, when I was in college and driving a not-slow ’80 Z28 with a hotted-up 350 under the Air Induction hood scoop, I got into a tussle with a guy driving a Dodge Omni GLH-S. Remember them? Similar to yours in being a light shitbox – no offense meant, wait and see what I mean – with a heavily boosted turbocharged four under its hood.
Well, the little shitbox nearly beat my Z28. I could not get away from him. The best I could manage was to put about a car length between us.
As Ali G says, respect!
PS: These days, 12 PSI is a light breath on the cheek. Many factory turbocharged cars are running 20-plus pounds of boost; a few are close to 30.
As OJ says, look out!
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If I took the engine apart I would build it like my SB Chevy’s. Forged crank, “H” rods, Forged Pistons.
Until then I’ll go low on the boost. Better safe than sorry…
Test a new Turbo car 5 years from now 🙂
The tires are Yokohama, 175×60. Y323 radials. Look big on
this car. Handles like a slot car. Run into the apex, pick your
spot and hammer it!
I’am building a sleeper. The only way I can run 20lbp of boost is with
an intercooler. The car looks ordinary. Local cops don’t even look up. 🙂
I would like to run 20 or 30psi. I don’t think the engine will take it
more than a run or two. This car has only 52,260. But it is still
25yrs old. I bought it from a professor at the UW Madison.
He brought it here from Berkley, CA Looks like brand new.
Not a pimple of rust!
Hi Bob,
I am assuming these new engines which are running 20-plus pounds of boost are put together to handle it. Then again…
I’ve heard some grumblings about the GM 2.0L turbo motors….
https://www.google.com/search?q=ltg+piston+and+turbo+failures&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
Hi Eric,
My buddy is a Ford dealer tech, he just told me the new Focus RS awd has a tsb to replace the head gasket and head bolts, with revised head bolts.
So, no, they didn’t build them to handle it.