Considering a turbo | Max safe boost for a 170?

[John_parkeriv]

So I've got a 170 i6 and I'm looking for a bit more power. I know, I know... "Want more power from a 170? Put in an LS!" But I kinda like the old thing, never really let me down and nobody kept them.

Since there aren't many performance mods for this thing, I figured I'd try the universal turbo. Now my only concern is what kinda boost can my motor handle and how much HP can I expect to make and what size turbo should I get?

Motors bone stock and I'm not looking for a monster, just something to get slightly higher top speed and better MPG.

Any and all feedback is appreciated!

 

[EricLar80]

I'd say maybe 250-300hp and a lot of work to get there. Not much of sense in keeping the 3spd either because you need to keep the turbo spooled up for it to work correctly.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Boost won't get you fuel economy. Get that thought out of your head right now.

A bone stock falcon 6, with boost. 7 pounds?
Premium fuel is a must.

What you can't get around is the crank is long, has a bunch of heavy counterweights, and is cast. Never known as a performance piece. Gains have been made. Boost has been done before (sorry, not a new idea, even in a Bronco)

 

[AZ73]

Before you just add a Turbo, read up about the short comings of the 170. You'll need to correct those first for the Turbo to do anything. This is a good start for reading.

http://www.mustangandfords.com/how-...w-to-improve-six-cylinder-mustang-performance

And this for additional info on upgrading, including turbo charging

https://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Ford_144-250_inline_6_high_performance_building

 

[spap]

Straight sixes are probably one of the best motors to turbo, strong and easier packaging
Run 4/5 lbs of boost pick up realistically 30/50 hp and more torque, depends how you set up the turbo for low end or high end always trade offs. Would def help the 170 more street able
the stock 302 in later Broncos only had 125 horsepower, you could at least match that and the torque
If you blow it up, you get a new motor haaa

 

[John_parkeriv]

If you blow it up, you get a new motor haaa

That's one way of looking at it! Guess that's be my excuse to finally do a 302 swap...

 

[John_parkeriv]

Boost won't get you fuel economy. Get that thought out of your head right now.

A bone stock falcon 6, with boost. 7 pounds?
Premium fuel is a must.

Yeah, thinking about it... Forced induction means more fuel, not less. Would I be able to modify timing and drop compression a bit to run 87 or would it just be easier to run 93?

 

[John_parkeriv]

Before you just add a Turbo, read up about the short comings of the 170. You'll need to correct those first for the Turbo to do anything.

I figured I'd need more than just throwing en ebay spinny boi on it for it to work. Thanks for the links, I'll be sure to give them a read.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Yeah, thinking about it... Forced induction means more fuel, not less. Would I be able to modify timing and drop compression a bit to run 87 or would it just be easier to run 93?

Not going to work. The octane is needed. To get the power out of little displacement takes cylinder pressure. Cylinder pressure takes octane.

Don't confuse this with modern ecoboost engines. They will run decent compression ratio and a turbo on low octane fuel. But they are advanced engines with direct injection. There isn't fuel in the cylinder during the compression stroke to detonate. The fuel is injected almost like a diesel but still runs a spark plug. Not going to do that with an old school engine.

The better an engine makes power naturally asperated, the better it will make it with boost.

 

[RM70]

Fordsix forum has a section dedicated to boost applications. Max they usually recommend is around 7psi on a stock block. Main issue I see is the crappy log style intake the old 6s use. Carb is an easy, several write ups about converting holley carbs to blow by. Fuel is easy with an electric pump with a regulator that can adjust pressure by vacuum. Then all you'd need to figure out is the correct timing curve. Ebay T3/T4 T04E turbos are popular because they are cheap and some come with internal wastegates already set at 6-8psi.

 

[John_parkeriv]

Main issue I see is the crappy log style intake the old 6s use.

Yep, that's my main concern too. It might be worth trying to find another old head and milling of the log and try to make a new intake.

 

[John_parkeriv]

Not going to work. The octane is needed. To get the power out of little displacement takes cylinder pressure. Cylinder pressure takes octane.

Don't confuse this with modern ecoboost engines. They will run decent compression ratio and a turbo on low octane fuel. But they are advanced engines with direct injection.

Thanks for the heads up. This would be my first experience with boost, so I'm no expert. Guess that just means another dollar or so per gallon %)

 

[RM70]

Yep, that's my main concern too. It might be worth trying to find another old head and milling of the log and try to make a new intake.

I've thought about doing the same on the 250 in my dads mustang. I've seen a few posts about people doing it. Best option is probably an aussie head but for the price of those you probably are better off getting another head and making the intake.

 

[spap]

Check out systems like STS they run the turbo down stream of the engine, prob more lag but you might not have to run an inter cooler. It would be fun

 

[CraigS]

Or see if you can find one of the newer aftermarket aluminum heads that are/were being cast by someone several years ago.
Then put it on a 200 or 250. Most people can't tell a 144/170/200/250 by a quick look under the hood.

 

[RM70]

Or see if you can find one of the newer aftermarket aluminum heads that are/were being cast by someone several years ago.
Then put it on a 200 or 250. Most people can't tell a 144/170/200/250 by a quick look under the hood.

They are still produced but in very small batches it seems. After the owner of CI died another person bought the company, it is known as Vintage Inlines now.

 

[73azbronco]

I love the Ford six, but man the money you gotta throw at it to even get close to a stock 302.