Hybrid factory turbo collector to Banks turbo, ideas please.

[Kevin 007]

I'm messing with a project with a Banks 1st gen turbo and I am trying to eliminate the ridiculously long and inefficient Banks up pipes (which needed to get redone anyways). I am wanting to use an exhaust Y collector from a factory turbo kit, and fabricate a nice short up-pipe to the Banks turbo inlet (as seen in the attached pic). I will install a bellows or flex joint in the pipe but need a way/ideas to connect to the factory collector slip joint fitting. I'm not opposed to welding something to it, taking into account the risks welding to cast, of course. Are there any particular fittings out there that would be the "go to" for mating to that slip joint? I'm out of the loop in regards to specialty exhaust couplings and such.

I'm trying to replicate this setup below:

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Thanks folks.

 

[The_Josh_Bear]

Sounds like you have the Banks up-pipes? That's a good start.
@IDIoit makes a sweet up-pipe for the 093. Maybe he could sell you just the lower 2/3'rds of one and you weld the top adapter to it yourself?

No matter what you do you're welding something, be it upper or upper and lower + bellows, etc. But if you have the banks side I'd just order good quality flex or bellows or get the angle *perfect* and buy the thickest v-band rings you can find. Then cut the banks top side down, weld that to the bellows and for the cast iron weld in short sections 180 degrees apart. You can pre-heat to 500* and then find a way to insulate it so the cast cools down slowly. I'm sure the general welding community can help out here, too. That's what I did when I made my 093 outlet 3", has worked great with no issues. I'm also gonna do something about the garbage slip joint some day, too. High temp RTV works for a while but that's it.

 

[Kevin 007]

Sounds like you have the Banks up-pipes? That's a good start.
@IDIoit makes a sweet up-pipe for the 093. Maybe he could sell you just the lower 2/3'rds of one and you weld the top adapter to it yourself?

No matter what you do you're welding something, be it upper or upper and lower + bellows, etc. But if you have the banks side I'd just order good quality flex or bellows or get the angle *perfect* and buy the thickest v-band rings you can find. Then cut the banks top side down, weld that to the bellows and for the cast iron weld in short sections 180 degrees apart. You can pre-heat to 500* and then find a way to insulate it so the cast cools down slowly. I'm sure the general welding community can help out here, too. That's what I did when I made my 093 outlet 3", has worked great with no issues. I'm also gonna do something about the garbage slip joint some day, too. High temp RTV works for a while but that's it.

Yup I do have the Banks up pipes still, so I can use whatever from them. I'd like to use the flange joint for the turbo inlet coupling as i've never had any leak problems there, it's a conventional flange and that can be my disconnect point if necessary. Then i'd like to weld to the slip joint and completely eliminate that leak prone area. Then a flex or bellows in the middle OR directly to one end or the other.

 

[typ4]

BTW Your package is in customs in Los angeles. So at least it is moving.

 

[Kevin 007]

BTW Your package is in customs in Los angeles. So at least it is moving.

Haha! Great! I keep my expectations low with the shipping processes, that way i'm less likely to be disappointed by it!

 

[typ4]

Me too.
I gave it to my carrier tuesday, then it vanished.

 

[Kevin 007]

Me too.
I gave it to my carrier tuesday, then it vanished.

They probably opened it up and had to call all their friends over to admire the quality work.

 

[typ4]

Thats funny. But it went thru customs in LA so is on the way.

 

[Kevin 007]

Well I got something put together here. Not the prettiest, totally custom with what I had, but it's leak free so far. Should have this thing installed later this week and I will report back with results.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

I like it. It looks like the turbo is pretty centered which would give more room to work on the passenger's side of the engine.

 

[Kevin 007]

I like it. It looks like the turbo is pretty centered which would give more room to work on the passenger's side of the engine.

Indeed. I've always like that and the simplicity about the 1st gen, non gated Banks turbos. Which was the main reason I decided to use it.

 

[Kevin 007]

Well it's installed and in service.
I honestly cannot tell the difference in performance going from the factory convoluted up pipes to this short, custom 093 style up pipe.

It's making 9lbs max at high 2000's rpm's, 1.5-2lbs cruising at 1600rpms and doesn't really start building anything more till 1800+ rpm. pretty smokey until about that rpm also. EGT's are manageable so far. The IP is freshly built buy a local pump shop who have done a few DB2 pumps for me with only good, long lasting results. Fueled to factory turbo spec and timed by me, to 8.5 degrees. Russ cam and injectors. studded, comp 910's, straight pipe. custom cold air intake with a triton V10 air box and using the factory air inlet in the rad support next to the rad.

It's still good, always an upgrade from n/a, no complaints, and it should all be trouble free for a long time. Just for anyone wanting to make a custom up pipe setup for a 1st gen banks, it may not be worth the time if your factory pipes are still in good repair. But it certainly isn't a downgrade by any means.

 

[The_Josh_Bear]

If you haven't tried setting the timing to 6* you might give that a whirl. I'm sure you have but thought I'd mention it. Lots of turbo peeps say thier setup is happier there. Glad it's in service and working well now!

 

[Kevin 007]

If you haven't tried setting the timing to 6* you might give that a whirl. I'm sure you have but thought I'd mention it. Lots of turbo peeps say thier setup is happier there. Glad it's in service and working well now!

I'll give that a shot and will report back

 

[Kevin 007]

Gave it a shot. It helped a bit. It's at approx 6.5 degrees now. Boost begins to build a bit sooner, but no drastic change. no change in max boost. Knocked the smoke back a bit of course. No complaints. I think I will leave it here. I don't really care to see big boost numbers, 9-10 is plenty for me on the high side. Would be nice to see the boost come on a bit sooner and have a couple more psi during cruising. But hey, one of the downfalls to the non gated turbochargers. Although, I think it should still do a little better with building boost sooner.