85 T-Type LS turbo swap

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kornball426

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May 29, 2009
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Hey guys, just wanted wondered how you guys would feel about doing an LS swap on an 85 T-Type. I'm negotiating with a seller, has the car, it's a roller no engine.

I already have a PSI conversions LS swap harness, LS engine mounts, and 4L80E g force crossmember, a Brian Tooley racing stage 2 turbo cam.

I figure a junk yard 5.3 and trans, hooker single turbo manifold, BW T6 S475, some bigger injectors, an eBay intercooler would all be reasonable price. Then I'd need a driveshaft made up, and an exhaust (would probably use a RJC one shot 4 inch exhaust) and down pipe and could have a real beasty...

Just wondering how you guys feel about molesting a Turbo Buick lol.
 
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Injectedcutty

G body LS mafia
Nov 24, 2014
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Meh, it would still be a turbo Buick. As is it's a roller, so do what you want...it's your money.

This is also coming from a guy with a Cutlass Supreme that ditched a 307 in 2003, went 355sbc and now LS.
 
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kornball426

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May 29, 2009
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Meh, it would still be a turbo Buick. As is it's a roller, so do what you want...it's your money.

This is also coming from a guy with a Cutlass Supreme that ditched a 307 in 2003, went 355sbc and now LS.
What did you need to get it up and running, being it's a T type it should already have electric fuel pump, figured something bigger like a walbro 340 or whatever that Bosch pump is people use, to replace the stock pump will be needed if I go turbo, and a hotwire kit.

The swap harness I have should make it a plug and play deal I think, just connect starter/battery cables and plug in all the connections, connect fuel lines, and should theoretically run. Just trying to think of what else I'll need for the swap.

Hoping I get this car, even if I have to back burner it till I get my GN done.

I know people are less picky about modding the 84/85 hot air turbo cars than the 86/87 intercooled cars. I figured since it's a roller, people wouldn't get bent out of shape at the idea of an LS swap.
 
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Northernregal

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kornball426

Royal Smart Person
May 29, 2009
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Philadelphia, PA.
Check my build for info on the LS swap setup
from Holley.

https://gbodyforum.com/threads/project-the-ghost.66044/page-36#post-693487

On that note I say do it. I also have the BTR cam, currently pulled it to go with a big stupid NA cam until I put the turbo in this winter. Sure idles nice, and definitely has a proven pedigree of making big power.
Yeah I've heard a few 5.3 and 6.0's with the stage 2 cam with an open down pipe single turbo... And it sounds pretty nasty (in a good way haha).

I mean, I should put all my resources into the GN but the price of this roller is too good to pass up... He has one other guy interested, I'm hoping he passes, if he does I'm going not get it.
 
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Injectedcutty

G body LS mafia
Nov 24, 2014
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My LS isn't running yet, but getting closer. I scored a 5.3 with new rings and bearings, slapped a Tick stage 1 boost cam, a ton of other goodies to boot. I recently bought a harness from BP automotive which is similar to the PSI unit since the truck harness I had was in bad shape. I've spent WAY more than I should've doing this swap, but going to a 80E trans and eventual boost it requires it.
I have a complete truck intake with cover, rails, two throttle bodies and a couple set of injectors if interested. Here is a recent pic...
20190407_002714.jpg
 
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kornball426

Royal Smart Person
May 29, 2009
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Philadelphia, PA.
My LS isn't running yet, but getting closer. I scored a 5.3 with new rings and bearings, slapped a Tick stage 1 boost cam, a ton of other goodies to boot. I recently bought a harness from BP automotive which is similar to the PSI unit since the truck harness I had was in bad shape. I've spent WAY more than I should've doing this swap, but going to a 80E trans and eventual boost it requires it.
I have a complete truck intake with cover, rails, two throttle bodies and a couple set of injectors if interested. Here is a recent pic... View attachment 111121
That looks clean, what, if anything are you going to do for heat/air conditioning?

I know that intake you have there isn't cheap, if you had to guess, how much do you think you've spent on your swap. What was necessary just to get it going, and what would you consider optional, for better looks/performance.

I got all the swap parts in a trade, they basically cost me nothing. But I know that harness I got is like $700 without options. And the mounts and other stuff probably adds up to another $400, and the cam new (which it is, but not in original packaging) is another like $350-400, so there's like $1500 I don't have to spend.
 

motorheadmike

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Nov 18, 2009
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Couple of swaps in my signature. Enjoy!

PS. Do what you want with the car.
 
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Injectedcutty

G body LS mafia
Nov 24, 2014
6,057
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That looks clean, what, if anything are you going to do for heat/air conditioning?

I know that intake you have there isn't cheap, if you had to guess, how much do you think you've spent on your swap. What was necessary just to get it going, and what would you consider optional, for better looks/performance.

I got all the swap parts in a trade, they basically cost me nothing. But I know that harness I got is like $700 without options. And the mounts and other stuff probably adds up to another $400, and the cam new (which it is, but not in original packaging) is another like $350-400, so there's like $1500 I don't have to spend.
Well, HVAC for me is putting the windows down. I was a young, dumb kid when I yanked all that stuff because racecar geez!!!!
Honestly, I went overkill and could've saved alot of money on the swap by using stock truck parts. However, my Cutlass is more of a show car/cruiser and I just couldn't use the ugly intake or front drive setup. If I were to guess I'd say I'm $6K deep at least on the swap, but I learned along time ago to not fret over build cost. I save, buy parts, save, buy more parts that way it's all paid for in the end.

You're definitely ahead of the curve on the stuff you already have. Get the car and hammer down!
 

kornball426

Royal Smart Person
May 29, 2009
1,439
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Philadelphia, PA.
Couple of swaps in my signature. Enjoy!

PS. Do what you want with the car.

I might have to log in on my computer to see your signature. I don't see anything on my phone.
 
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