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Topic: 1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W (Read 224296 times) previous topic - next topic

1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W

Hey guys. I've been doing this build for a while, but thought I'd relate some progress.

The car is a real nice 88TC I bought in pieces. Dash out, engine, trans, fuel tank, most everything off the car except the rear end and trunk lid. I towed it home with MANY boxes of parts and it has sat here for a few years.

Recently I bought a 4R70W OD trans for it and an Explorer engine for a donor. The engine ended up needing too much, so I went with a rebuilt 87 'stang long block, using the accessories and intake from the Explorer.

Picked up a Holset 351VGT turbo and a set of BBK shorties and went to work.

1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W

Reply #1
Chuck's mounts and a shot of the turbo and rear of the car:

1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W

Reply #2
Prepping pan for turbo drains, checking bottom end, and bolting on transmission. I had to swap the transmission rear extension for one off an AOD to accept my driveshaft.

1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W

Reply #3
Swung in the engine and checked fit of the Explorer radiator and NPR IC.

1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W

Reply #4
I didn't have the correct trans crossmember so I modified the Tbird one to fit. The exhaust will be a single 3" coming down the passenger side.

1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W

Reply #5
Next I found a spot for the BIG honkin' turbo, and made a cut or three.

1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W

Reply #6
Then started on the hotside fab. I had a lot of problems getting any kind of decent welds, so don't give me too much grief!

1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W

Reply #7
More hotside fab.

1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W

Reply #8
More fab shots, and the turbo brace. I'm going to reinforce the brace a bit more.

1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W

Reply #9
Now the downpipe.

1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W

Reply #10
Add a 3" v-band for spark plug access and complete the pipe past the starter area.

1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W

Reply #11
Add in the wastegate piping.

1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W

Reply #12
And finish weld the pipes.

This is where I am now.  What do you guys think?

1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W

Reply #13
Make me one too? lol j/k

Looks good, and sweet  that's a big-assed turbo! lol
'84 Mustang
'98 Explorer 5.0
'03 Focus, dropped a valve seat. yay. freakin' split port engines...
'06 Explorer EB 4.6

1988 TC single Holset turbo 5.0/ 4R70W

Reply #14
Now that's a ton of engineering and fabrication!  Great project!