Borgwarner IHI GM-5 turbo question

[MPR]

Hey y'all,

I have an excellent condition Borg warner IHI GM-5 turbo from a mid 90's GM 6.5L V8 diesel truck engine.

It has a t3 flange, I had it on my V6 cavalier.

What I'm wondering is, will the B230ft be able to spool it up or is it too big for the 4 banger?

Anybody had any experience with these or similar turbos?

I know on the cavalier's 3.1L V6 it would spool the turbo very quickly, but for some reason it would only build up to 4 or 5 psi boost. I'm not sure why. I put on a waste gate from a garret t3 similar to the stock unit in a b230ft. Even with the mbc turned all the way out (for max boost) it still would only build 4-5psi boost. Anybody have any thoughts on this?


Thanks.


Mike.

[barry240]

turbo is wayy to big

[str8krewzn]

good turbo

it think its like a t3t4 with 57trim wheel
I THINK not sure

i know people who have run these on corrolas and get full boost by 3500

[MPR]

So far, I've got one person telling me it's way too big and the other says it's good....

I knew this would happen....lol

[Tamnakz]

The person who told you it was too big.

Look at his history with turbos.

[MPR]

Originally Posted by Tamnakz

The person who told you it was too big.

Look at his history with turbos.

Yeah, true.

[MPR]

Here's a pic of the GM-5 in the cavy.

Keep in mind this was ultra low-budget-ghetto-rigged....but it worked pretty good. 7th fastest cavy at the jbody bash back in 06.

[Tamnakz]

I LOVE the oil pressure gauge!

[MPR]

Originally Posted by Tamnakz

I LOVE the oil pressure gauge!

HA, yeah. I had that oil line made up custom from princessauto for like $25 with the proper fittings and everything. I added that fluid-filled pressure gauge and the adjustable regulator for another $10. Princessauto is THE best store EVER!!!


Anyways, back to the turbo, so do you guys honestly think it will work?

[dl242gt]

If you have any information about the turbo like what A/R it has on it or a compressor map. That would help give you an idea of how well it would work. People here have put Holsets on their Volvo engines so why not an IHI turbo? Looks like a pretty big turbo so you'll want some supporting mods like exhaust, intercooler, 90+exhaust manifold or header would be better. Some larger injectors and so forth.

[MPR]

I'm not necessarily looking for more power. I would just be running it at 12psi or so with everything else mainly stock. Reason being is the turbo I have in the car now is dying. It still works ok, but there is lots of oil in the charge pipes and she wirrs quite a bit, and it's not just the sound of the air being sucked in.

So basically I'm looking for a good replacement that has good potential for moding later on. I have this IHI turbo sitting here staring at me everday. I also have one of the twin turbos from a nissan skyline R34. It's a garret T3 and the center bearing housing looks identical to the unit in my car now, so I'm also thinking about swaping that turbo in, or swapping the bearing section and using the shaft's wheels and housings with the one in the car now.


Just not sure what to do at the moment.

I'll get more info on the IHI turbo tonight and post up.

[badvlvo]

Originally Posted by barry240

turbo is wayy to big

Originally Posted by Volvo_Thunder

So far, I've got one person telling me it's way too big and the other says it's good....

I knew this would happen....lol

Originally Posted by Tamnakz

The person who told you it was too big.

Look at his history with turbos.

So Barry decides to chime in on a turbo thread. That's great. All we need now is some noob to actually listen to his advice and we can have 2 Barry240's on the board to keep up entertained.

[MPR]

Originally Posted by badvlvo

So Barry decides to chime in on a turbo thread. That's great. All we need now is some noob to actually listen to his advice and we can have 2 Barry240's on the board to keep up entertained.

I know a bit about turbos, but not everything. Thats why I ask alot of questions and don't give alot of advice.

I've done the turbo install on my cavalier, and have done ALOT of research as well. The turbo in the cavalier was crazy ghetto rigged, the car worked awsome and that turbo is still in great condition (the GM-5). That means I did something right. I do know what I'm talking about when it comes to installs, fabrication and engine tuning etc... What I'm unfamiliar with is all the different types of turbos and sizes and what works well with what engines. I know the GM5 and the skyline turbo will both bolt up. But I don't know which will work best.

[MrBill]

if you want some sort of "plug and play" just go get a t04b compressor/backing plate/housing and go on your way.

I think your 9mm rods will snap first

[MPR]

ok,

Took another look at the GM-5 IHI, it's definately too big for the b230ft. It was made for a 6.5L and barely made 5 psi on a 3.1L v6.

However, I have done some more research on the skyline turbo I have. Even though it apears to be smaller, the bearing housing is the same, and it will bolt right in. It will spool faster than the stock unit and considering how much boost ppl have pushed through these things in skylines with 2.5L I6's, it should be perfectly fine up to 15psi and won't run out of steam in the higher rpms. The b230ft doesn't like to rev over 5000 anyways.

So I've decided to swap in this turbo (the skyline t3) instead of the GM-5.

My new question is: The stock turbo is oil cooled/lubed only, no coolant lines to it. the skyline turbo I'm putting in does have coolant lines. where do I T in for coolant in, and same with coolant return?

Any help would be great. Pics of this would be great too.

Thanks.

[MrBill]

do you have junkyards locally to you?

The "T" is an integrated rubber piece from the lower radiator hose AND the coolant expansion tank on stock watercooled turbso.

[black 940]

Or you can buy new hoses from a later model 940 from fcpgrotten. I would think that would would work.

[MPR]

So it runs from the lower rad hose to the turbo then from the turbo to the skinnier hose that runs to the little coolant tank?

And yes, I am surrounded by you-pull-it junkyards.

I'll take a trip tomorrow and see what I can find.