<VV> Advice on a '65 Turbo?

[Frank DuVal]

I take it the 66 body is much better than the 65 body? If not, it would 
be easier to change the little things (taillamps, etc) to make the 65 
turbo body into a 66 looking turbo body. At least it would still be a Corsa.

Actually running 140 or 110 heads on a turbo require premium plus 
gasoline. Aviation  gas or racing gas would be nice.  A Safeguard should 
be a necessity to avoid engine damage from detonation at boost with pump 
gas. But it will run great! I have driven a 140 with a turbo. I only 
dropped two valve seats in one trip around one block in a city! Really 
fast and then repair time for the owner. He was not pleased.... He said, 
once he had the head work done at Moby Dick Racing ( remember them?), 
the car was faster than his V-8 Corvair.

Remember, the stock turbo has low compression heads, and still requires 
premium fuel. Add any more compression ratio and you are off the scale. 
Time for "octane cut" of pistons or heads to modify the quench area, 
Safeguard, and other things the racer types will inform you about.

The heater plenum is different on a 65. No need to change it over to the 
66 body.

Who's CC?

Frank DuVal

On 6/24/2011 7:04 PM, Bruce Johannesson wrote:
> Hello everyone!  I've been reading the list for some time now, but this is my first post.
>
> I'm about mid-way through a restoration on a '66 coupe that was originally a 110 auto.  I also have '65 Corsa Turbo that I want to use as a donor to convert the '66 over to a Turbo 4-speed.  So, I'd like some advice with respect to the conversion.... (And yes, I'm committed to putting the Turbo in.)
>
> As it is right now, the Turbo has a set of 140 heads on it.  The secondary intake ports are blocked off with (professional looking) chrome plates.  The original heads came with the car, and I also have several sets of 110 heads in my parts inventory.
>
> Does anyone have any recommendations on the combination to use with the Turbo?  Obviously, I'd like to make as much horsepower as possible.  I'd also like good drivability with the motor, but I'm not really concerned with needing to run Premium fuel if the compression is the only issue with running 140 heads on the Turbo.
>
> A second question with regards to the heater.  The '65 has a different heater assembly than the '66.   The '65 has a rectangular box that extends through the rear engine cowl.  It has a removable cover, but it doesn't really look like it does anything.  I have a '65 four door that has the same setup, so it isn't exclusive to the Turbo models.   The '66 style is flat and bolts up against the cowl, with no provision for a hole.   Does anyone have any idea why this is?
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> CC
>