Turbocharging a ford i6 170

Its a fun conversation to discuss the "What Ifs" and the "Is this possible".

Then reality sets in.

The Vintage Inline aluminum head is $2250 + shipping for the head, valves, springs and intake manifold. Rockers, push rods and headers are not included. These heads are made in batches, most who want one wait 9-12 months to get one.

Add a carb, rockers and push rods and you are looking at $3000 just for the top end.

Raise your hand if you are willing to spend 3k for a 170 or 200 top end.

There are machine shops that will do a 2V conversion on a log head for $1000-ish, you supply the head. The desirable 69+ heads are getting hard to come by. None of the rebuilders have them in stock anymore. they are prone to cracking, so when you find a good one, snag it and save it.

Summit sells a Blueprint 302 rated at 235hp complete from carb to pan for $3300 with a 30 month 50,000 mile warranty and free shipping. Bolt on a set of motor mounts and accessories and its ready to run.

Then theres the Explorer 5.0 that a lot of guys are getting for under $500.

Theres also a steady supply of good running 289s and 302s that come out of cars that guys are upgrading, those usually sell for under $1000.

Only a hardcore inline fanatic with money to burn would go forced induction on a 170 or 200.

The U.S. six was always a low cost economy engine.

Ive owned 200s and a couple 250s.

My advice is to mill the head to bump compression, get rid of the SCV and LOM, double roller timing chain, degree the cam, have the distributor recurved, headers and exhaust. If you want more power than what that will do, go with a V8. Its just not cost effective. Most sixes came with 2.80 or 3.00 gears. A bump to 3.20s will do more for you than anything. I just hauled a 4 lug 7.5 rear end to scrap with 3.20s. I couldnt give it away, it even had new brakes.

A well tuned six with a 3 speed and 3.20s is pretty zippy and fun to drive. the key with the six is keep the weight down. Dont add a bunch of weight: fog lights, dual exhaust, insanely big wheels and tires, AC, PS, console ect. People load up these cars with weight, then complain they are dogs.

A 5 speed and a Fox rear end with 3.55s would be more fun.