Yes I know this has been discussed many times on this forum... Do not turbo the iron duke, swap in a better engine, turbo duke will explode, etc. etc. etc.

But there was a turbo developed for the 2.5L Iron Duke by Pfaff and HiTech. Does anyone on this forum actually have the turbo? Are you using it? Do you want to sell it? Do you know anyone who has one?

Let me know....

Thanks!

[This message has been edited by FirstDrCar (edited 12-17-2011).]

quote Originally posted by FirstDrCar: But there was a turbo developed for the 2.5L Iron Duke by Pfaff and HiTech. Does anyone on this forum actually have the turbo? Are you using it? Do you want to sell it? Do you know anyone who has one?

I can tell you right now you're likely not going to find ANYONE that still has the setup. And if they do, it's not going to be in any sort of running or run-able condition. It's been around a decade since I've even heard anyone that actually has one running.

The system you're talking about was indeed built by Pfaff back in 1984, whom to this day still designs turbo systems (primarily for Porsches). It was even tested by some automotive mags of the time. You either had to go to Pfaff directly to get the system installed or some select Pontiac dealers in Cali would sell cars with the system installed. The problem is - as has been elluded to and I know you said you didn't want the criticism mentioned but I will for the sake of the WTB topic on hand - the duke simply wasn't designed for such a turbo setup. Even if you do find someone with the Pfaff system, many of the setups were heavily abused, as the system only put out power levels just under what the L44 2.8L could and obviously when the owners wanted more power they up'ed the boost and... boom goes the duke. Thus, what would be breaking would obviously be the turbos themselves and the supporting mods when they exceeded their mechanical limits.

IRM picked up the Pfaff system quickly after it was designed and then sold it for some time, although I don't think they sold it on such massive levels to many customers.

The key thing to find if you were SUPER serious about such an endeavor would be the actual exhaust manifold the system uses and accompanying exhaust components, whether it be the one supplied by Pfaff or the later IRM (HiTech) duke turbo setup. That would allow you to run whatever turbo you would want on the flange as long as it fits. I say this because whatever else came with the kit would likely be junk by now and of no value. By the time you spent the amount of money it would cost to replace such components - new hoses and lines for the turbo, etc - you would essentially be building your own turbo setup.

Good luck.

I'd say the chances of finding someone with that are slim to none.

Having said that, if you really want a turbo duke, pick up a newer S10 engine (they are much stouter), have a manifold made, pick a turbo, and fab everything else up.

It's really not that hard to make your own turbo set-up. Fuel management with be the hardest part. Maybe look into a megasquirt?

Its safe to say that very few of these Duke turbo systems remain. They were expensive and produced only about what a 2.8L 's stock power levels are. Forum member Steven Vincent owned one, later sold to Ed Parks and last I heard its still in the hands of a collector in the South. If you were to find one chances are that the turbo would need a rebuild. It is theorized that most of these systems ended up in the junkyards as you seldom come across them.
If you want to turbocharge your Duke it can be done but the gain for the cost is usually not worth it. Most Duke turbo owners wanted more horsepower, turned the boost levels up from the recommended 5-6 psi and many engines perished as a result.
Having said that:
You will need a suitably matched (sized) turbo.
An engine with less than 50,000 miles
A custom made manifold to mount the turbo/ exhaust modification
A larger throttle body (stock one doesn't flow air or gasoline well enough)
An oil feed line to the turbo
A fitting on the oil pan to return turbo oil
Some tuning to the ECM
Then set the wastegate to 5 psi, keep it there, use the power sparingly and hope for the best.
But....... first figure what it will cost and then decide if the horsepower gain per dollar spent is a good buy. Bolting in a good used 2.8L engine that you can buy for a couple of hundred will get you the same result.


.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

I figured this would be the case... these turbos not existing. I appreciate all of the ideas and help, but I do not want to build my own turbo. I only wanted a piece of history for my 84 fiero, what I believe the turbo was created for. So if no one has one or know where I can get it, then I will accept it at that.

Is Ed Parks still a member on this forum? Maybe he knows who he sold it to in the south....

How would I go about contacting Ed Parks.

Again, I appreciate all of the help, and no I will not be blowing up my duke by making a turbo for it. I guess I was looking to possibly be a collector too.... but I would have tried it on the engine for a week or two just to use it

BV Motorsports had one for sale, sold it to Oslo, who blew up TWO engines. Oslo sold it to frankt2012, who said it only ran for a few months.

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...030819-1-028163.html

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...031110-1-031408.html

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...050119-1-040658.html

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...090219-1-067247.html

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...090219-1-066105.html

RWDPLZ, thanks for all of that info!

So maybe I should try to contact Ed Parks... anyone know his contact info?

I will see what frankt2012 has too.

Thanks!

That blue setup is the one I remember. I forgot it was Oslo's.

I think RWDPLZ's post is pretty much summing it up that is is an endeavor that you shouldn't pursue. It's going to cause too many headaches and in the end you're ultimately going to throw money away to something that's not going to work.

Are the first two pictures... the yellow setup... the IRM turbo kit?

Looks like it. I also missed one, FieroScott has the IRM fastback with the IRM turbo kit. Apparently IRM and Pontiac couldn't get it to run right, and the project was cancelled.

http://imageevent.com/mmm_mag/1984irmpontiacfiero

I also have a magazine article on a Pfaff, from Motortrend magazine March 1984, in the 'Pontiac Fiero Performance Portfolio'

ALL THAT SAID, turboing the duke is really pointless and dangerous unless you're using SD4 parts, in which case just build a proper SD4, and you REALLY know what you're doing. The stock head, block, crank, and connecting rods simply will not hold.

quote Originally posted by RWDPLZ: ALL THAT SAID, turboing the duke is really pointless and dangerous unless you're using SD4 parts, in which case just build a proper SD4, and you REALLY know what you're doing. The stock head, block, crank, and connecting rods simply will not hold.

And super duper scoops, spoilers and air intakes won't help keep it together either. It's an economy car, my friend

I had the 84 t-top turbo car. I bought it in the last 90's from a guy for $500. It was a cracking great car. IRM had a few bits, and if I am not mistaken, had enough parts to supply another kit. But remember this was over 10yrs ago. I sold the car to a guy in Williamsburg Va. Jim(?) was in the local Fiero club called FOCOSEVA. I am sure those guys know of him and the car. Maybe he still has it but if he does I'd buy it right now, sight unseen. It was 1 of 8 according to Ed Parks (who had it on display for a few yrs at his shop).

It was a very simple setup. I didnt know alot about turbos back then but man, I'd love to have another go at it! Power was rated exactly even with a stock Fiero GT. Honestly, dukes are terrible motors but thats not the point. Its different, cool and well AWESOME! The kit I built and sold to OSLO all those years ago needed PROPER engine management. Something that was not all that easy back then. Megasquirt or pretty much any other EM could do the job and make it liveable these days.

I wish I could offer more info and pics but alot of those pics have been lost long ago. Hopefully someone from FOCOSEVA can help track Jim down. But if they do, I got DIBS!

As purchased:

I am going to pm FieroScott to see what he is doing with the turbo. What a nice 84 he bought! Huge history and uniqueness to the 84 IRM Fiero! I wish I would have known it was for sale as I would have def considered picked it up for the price it was selling for.

Here are some pic's of the IRM Turbo from the 84 IRM Turbo Fastback.

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88 Red GT 5sp T-Top CJB #1139
88 Yellow Formula 5sp
87 Black GT 5sp
87 Med. Red SE Auto T-Top
86 Black GT 4sp T-Top (Black Knight)
84 IRM (Prototype) Turbo Fastback T-Top
Dr Pepper Go Kart

Scott, that turbo looks really familiar. It is the same as what is on the Red turbo PPG Pace Car. It is a Mitsubishi model TD-05. The internal waste gate is set to deliver 11 psi.



To the OP, this turbo was used on the 80's era production Chrysler products. I would not recommend this turbo if it is for daily driver usage. Even though this turbo is full oil pressure fed and has coolant passages, the materials used for the bearing and rotor was old technology that was unreliable. Bearing failures were common on these. Back in the day, it was also common to have the internal waste gate coke up from what was considered "normal" oil seapage through the oil sealing rings.

Fred

^things I want

quote Originally posted by FieroScott: Here are some pic's of the IRM Turbo from the 84 IRM Turbo Fastback.

Cool! I've always wondered though, what's under those covers? I'm guessing the two-screw cover has the air filter?

The Plenum contains two chambers. The cold air comes in the left side rear inlet, flows through the filter and comes out the bottom which feeds into the turbo. The turbo then pushes the pressurized air through the aluminum pipe back into the right chamber and into the throttle.

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88 Red GT 5sp T-Top CJB #1139
88 Yellow Formula 5sp
87 Black GT 5sp
87 Med. Red SE Auto T-Top
86 Black GT 4sp T-Top (Black Knight)
84 IRM (Prototype) Turbo Fastback T-Top
Dr Pepper Go Kart

I feel like this thread is making progress. I think I will contact the new owner of fiero factory and ask about the turbo ed parks sold a while ago.

Investigating... investigating... investigating