180 improvements

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nmunn
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180 improvements

Post by nmunn »

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So stripped my 180 down this weekend. Needs a good cleanup, exhaust, carb/turbo rebuild.

So looking for recommendations, as I hate the idea of putting it all back stock.

I’d like an improved exhaust, but don’t really see any thing exciting and don’t see any stainless kits.. Would consider a Weber conversion but would like to see it in a complete kit. Would like to make improvements to the turbo, sounds like an early model hot side is an easy one, but would like to know what else I can do.

Anyway I’m still researching, but any links or recommendations would be appreciated.

Merry Christmas!




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66vairguy
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Re: 180 improvements

Post by 66vairguy »

If you don't mind spending some money, then Steve Goodman at Rear Engine Specialists in Colorado has a good reputation regarding working on the Corvair turbo engines. Note that as you increase the engine output you're putting more load on the transaxle. If the transaxle is original you might think about having it rebuilt. One thing leads to another when you make more power $$$$$$.
nmunn
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Re: 180 improvements

Post by nmunn »

Thank you vairguy, understand the downstream impact. I’ll look Steve up. Merry Christmas.


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notched
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Re: 180 improvements

Post by notched »

Boost increase via a larger carburetor is a HUGE improvement but must be made with the addition of a waste gate. Also improving the exhaust on the outlet side.
Then you get into ignition controls such as a hotter ignition and a better boost retard system. Then if you plan on running it on pump gas you would want to add an alcohol/methanol injection system. It snow balls!
1966 Corsa turbo
1969 Monza convertible
1987 Buick Grand National
nmunn
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Re: 180 improvements

Post by nmunn »

Notched, I’m up for those type improvements, but was thinking I’d start with carb/turbo upgrades along with an improved exhaust. Eventually add a megasquirt possibly. But there is just so little information. I own several other cars and while they are more traditional collector cars, I’m just not use to such a limited selection of upgrades.


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miniman82
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Re: 180 improvements

Post by miniman82 »

Where are you located?
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nmunn
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Re: 180 improvements

Post by nmunn »

North Florida


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miniman82
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Re: 180 improvements

Post by miniman82 »

I mainly rebuild turbos, but depending on what all you need done I might be enticed to work on other things.
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Nickshu
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Re: 180 improvements

Post by Nickshu »

My recommendations based on my experiences for someone who wants to improve drivability and performance somewhat but generally retain a mostly stock look to the engine bay and car:

-Get rid of the original turbo heads and use modified 95HP heads or 62-63 cylinder heads to eliminate spark knock issues on modern fuel
-Do not go more than 030 over on the cylinders/pistons
-Otto TB-20 camshaft gives really nice full range drivability
-Build a turbo with a B-flow turbine side and an F-flow compressor side - Gives earlier spool up
-Install a Safeguard ignition system to protect the engine from dentonation and allow improved startup with crank retard and individual cylinder knock detection and timing retard
-Install a ball-type inlet valve on your YH carburetor (if you plan to keep it) - this will tolerate fuel pressure variations much better than the stock needle valve. Ensure your fuel pump (electric or standard) puts out no more than 4-6psi, if it does install a fuel pressure regulator (Holley type is the best). Make sure your fuel return is clear and working.
-Make sure you have a two-way breathing gas cap. Fuel tank pressure when warm will force fuel back up the fuel return and cause flooding. All gas caps made after 1970 only allow air inwards, but not outwards yet the Corvair does not have a charcoal canister breather system to relieve pressure. You can buy a modern cap then disassemble it and remove the diaphragm, or just use an original one.
-There's probably more I am forgetting.

@Miniman82 will tell you to do more than this...crank fired ignition, Weber carb, etc....it just depends how far you want to go. I wanted to retain the stock look as much as possible for originality purposes and with the above modifications my car drives great, starts right up and I have no issues w/ the YH carb...but learning to setup the YH carb well took some time and learning. If you need tips let me know.
Nick
1964 Monza Spyder Convertible #435 - Rotisserie restored - SOLD ON BRING A TRAILER 4/30/2019 - Check out my restoration thread here: [corvaircenter.com]
Thanks to all the awesome CCF, CF, COG, and CORSA members who helped me with the restoration!
miniman82
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Re: 180 improvements

Post by miniman82 »

Hi Nick,

My recommendations as you know mainly revolve around getting more from the engine than you can get from a stock one, you can make a stock engine work acceptably but IMO it’s pretty boring and relatively tame that way. To each their own, if you’re looking for more obviously that entails more work and more money.
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nmunn
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Re: 180 improvements

Post by nmunn »

@nickshu thank you, this is good. I appreciate all the feedback. I'll bite this off in chunks, starting with the exhaust. As much as I hate it, I guess I will be buying stock pipes and Cerakote them. Still trying to find a good replacement muffler as the big stock muffler is not acceptable. I'll go ahead and do the turbo & YH mods. Once getting that done, I'm interested in the crank fired ignition but the Safeguard system is interesting. Will have to do research on it, but if I read correctly the MS can do the detonation protection as well. By the time I am done, I am sure I'll spend way more than this thing is worth, but hey, its fun making it all work.
miniman82
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Re: 180 improvements

Post by miniman82 »

Cars are always a losing investment, good news is that with a turbo you can have nearly any performance level you wish with the twist of a knob, provided you take care of a few things first. Avoiding detonation is top priority, whether you do that with a safeguard or MS really isn’t important the main thing is you make sure it doesn’t ping. Next you need to be able to tell if the mixtures on boost are correct or not, which means having a wideband oxygen sensor. Fortunately they have gotten pretty cheap these days, so it’s not a huge deal. I can help you the turbo unit if you like, I’m building one for another member right now.
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