(this might be a double post) Hey guys i was just looking for your opinions on this setup (advantages/disadvantages) as aposed to the holley blow threw system and turbo hat..the setup i was looking at consists of

Turbo and manifold
intercooler
holley projection fuel injection fuel system
front plate
water pump
oil pan
Distrbutor (the shaft is welded no play)

Thanks,
Sam

 

That's a a great system, capable of mucho power.
Although, if you're using fuel injection, I wouldn't call it a blow thru.

 

Its a standard modification package being about the second best solution, the first being the genuine turbo engine 12 AT, the second an aftermarket efi/ turbo set-up with stock NA rotors, and the third a Weber carb/turbo set-up using stock rotors.

Obviously if you can not afford the first option, then its a personal choice between a cheap aftermarket efi system or a Weber/ Holley performance carb set-up depending on the supply of parts and your tuning skills. Most people have found the Weber approach to be better as the aftermarket efi option using a suitable throttle body, such as Injection Perfection, and stand alone ecu is far more expensive for a 5% difference in peak power.

The critical point if you are going to add an aftermarket turbo to a 20-25 year old engine is can it and other parts such as clutch, gearbox, and brakes, stand the additional stress. After all the intention is to more than double the power over the 1978 design. Thus, in most cases the first task is to rebuild the engine with new seals springs etc. Without this you are going to end up with an unreliable engine, with the possibility of a major failure destroying the engine. After that happens a 13BT installation is the most cost effective.

The reality is adding an aftermarket performance fuel system/ t04 type turbo is not just a bolt on modification. However, if you just want a few months of better performance go ahead with your proposed Holley set-up, it will be fun.

 

is there any "reliability" issues that are going to happen to my engine if i use the particular setup i was talking about if i run it at a low boost (6-8 psi)

 

There should be minimal risk if you rebuild the engine and have a good intercooler. I would also suggest upgrading the oil and coolant radiators particularily if you have the latter beehive. As for it being 'low' boost, you are still going to be using high compression NA rotors rather than the low compression 12A Turbo rotors.