Wanting Turbo Knowledge

[vdubrailer]

Hi, I am a Corvair Noob. I am purchasing a 1960 Corvair 4-door sedan, the floor pans are shot, and so is the interior, so I plan on using the engine in a sand rail project. my question is how difficult is it to install a Turbo onto the engine, and what do I need to accomplish this. Is there a conversion kit out there, or do I have to hunt down a 1960-64 Corvair with stock turbo? Any input on this manner would be helpful. Also, all of the glass is intact, and there are some nice odds and ends, so if anyone is interested, I will be parting those items and many others out.

[Skrain]

It would be MUCH easier to find a Turbo Engine. The Compression ratio is different, the heads are different, fuel lines, exhaust, and more must be changed from a non -turbo to a turbo engine.
There is a comment on here of a Spyder in a junkyard in Cartersville, Ga.(?) that might have a complete turbo engine, if that might help.

[Skrain]

By the way...WELCOME to the forum. You will find LOTS of friendly , helpful folks here! (Plus an old grump or two...)
Have you considered restoring the 60 Sedan? Clark's Corvair has everything you could need, including the floor pans and the interior kit to bring it back to stock condition.

[Phil Dally]

Where are you?

Don't use the 60 motor.

Upgrade to 65/66 turbo engine.

More is always better in this case.

[miniman82]

Ditto on starting with a turbo engine to begin with, better parts and a larger engine.

[1966-Corsa-GT-180]

Agree with the others about the Later model Turbo engines - 1964, 1965 & 1966 are much improved designs and can easily be upgraded to produce more power.
Let's see some pics and have some more info on that 1960 model you've got.
They are affectionately known in the Corvair World as the CaveMan Corvair - because they are the oldest models and they have a concave front end design.
Many folks like 'em, but you seldom see them on the road. They are a real chick magnet!!
The very oldest have three slots below the bumper and are quite sought after because few were made.

[vdubrailer]

Thanks for all of the input. Since I have already purchased the car, and it really is beyond my skills for restoration, I am still going to use the motor, but not attempt to Turbo charge it. This is my first build, so keeping it simple, and keep my eye out for a turbo to switch out to in a few years. For those interested, there are several parts believed to be in good working order up for sale.

[bbodie52]

Keep in mind that there are significant differences in the 1960 engine that makes it different than all other Corvair model years. For example, it has unique cylinder barrels that give it a displacement of 140 cubic inches. 1961-1963 engines had a larger bore with a displacement of 145 CID. 1964-1969 engines had a longer stroke crankshaft that increased displacement to 164 CID. The carburetors and choke system used in 1960 were also unique to that model year. 1961 received a manual cable-actuated choke, and 1962-1969 had an automatic choke. The starter motor in the 1960 Corvair was unique to that year only. The distributor in the 1960-1961 Corvair was dropped in 1962, and replaced with a new design that had a screw-on cap, smaller rotor, and the centrifugal advance below the ignition points breaker plate. (The new distributor design will fit the 1960 engine). The mechanical fuel pump found on 1960-1961 engines was redesigned in 1962, and uses a different push rod length. The later fuel pump design will fit properly, but if your 1960 engine still has the original fuel pump, replacing it also means that the push rod must be replaced with the newer design. This part is available in the Clark's Corvair Parts catalog.

[vdubrailer]

Thank You for the information, Brad. The plan is to use the one I have stock, getting the buggy set up and running, while keeping my eye out for a reasonably priced later model one that already has turbo. I have limited knowledge on the inner workings of engines, and it is going to be a learning experience just reversing the rotation to work with my VW transaxle!

[Duane in Bakersfield]

Thank You for the information, Brad. The plan is to use the one I have stock, getting the buggy set up and running, while keeping my eye out for a reasonably priced later model one that already has turbo. I have limited knowledge on the inner workings of engines, and it is going to be a learning experience just reversing the rotation to work with my VW transaxle!

You might investigate the possibility of taking the transaxle to a VW specialist and have them flip the ring and pinion gears. That will reverse the rotation of the transaxle instead of the engine. And cheaper, too, since you said you have limited knowledge of the engine. I think reversing the rotation of the engine would require replacing the camshaft and timing components, unless I'm missing something.