Olds 215 Turbo parts sources?

Richard/SIA · December 03, 2020, 02:27:30 AM

Found an original 215 Turbo Olds for sale complete but apart.
Not so common as Buick, parts for rebuild?
Expect some update to Turbo should easily get an honest 215 HP.
Looking at this for a Locost build so may want to relocate the turbo.

ex-tyke · December 03, 2020, 08:34:58 AM

The first vendor that comes to mind is D & D ...that's where I sourced engine parts for my Olds 215 (non-turbo).
Mark may have some Olds turbo stuff on the shelf.
http://www.aluminumv8.com/

joe_padavano · December 03, 2020, 08:53:12 AM

Jim Noel is the go-to guy for Jetfire parts and knowledge. Eric Jensen is a close second. Personally I would not recommend the Jetfire setup for anyone other than someone restoring one of those cars to stock. The turbo setup pushed the limits of early 1960s technology. There are about a dozen very finicky, vacuum or pressure operated circuits that are bandaids to crutch the system through very specific operating conditions. The vacuum diaphragms used in these various actuators are no longer available, so expensive rebuilding is usually necessary. I have a friend with one of these setups, and the car requires constant fiddling to keep it running successfully. I always wanted a Jetfire, but that has cured me.

Jim Stabe · December 03, 2020, 11:29:58 AM

Even back in the 1970's the parts were not very plentiful. I had one on my car in the mid 70's but I did away with most of the factory pieces (carb, water injection system etc) and just retained the factory waste gate. With a stronger spring and an adjustment device I was able to control the boost between 12 and 15 psi. I had the system installed on a low compression Olds with just under 9:1 compression. I used a 2" SU carb with a much simpler home made water/methanol injector and it ran really well. The difficult parts to find today would be the rotating pieces and the wastegate diaphragm and if you were able to find them, what you would have is a very outdated and inefficient turbo that would not hold a candle to the units available on eBay for peanuts.

BlownMGB-V8 · December 03, 2020, 12:16:47 PM

Mine had significant lag which put me sideways several times when I didn't want to be.

Jim

joe_padavano · December 04, 2020, 09:24:17 AM

If you want more Jetfire info, start here:

http://oldsjetfire.com/

peterr991 · May 31, 2021, 05:26:18 PM

Hi Richard, here's a link to some bone yards https://orbimotors.com/

roverman · June 04, 2021, 02:11:08 PM

Richard,
I suspect fun per $, will be with some conservative hot rodding ? IF you want to keep stock appearing, you "Might" sneak a T3
inside the hollowed-out , JF. coolant housing with early GM side-draft TBI ? A T5 manual will make for MUCH more fun factor. That
leaves lost-cause
rear end, no posi, no parts, no fun. Unless you drag race, an 8" Ford rear, should suffice,( parts, ratios, posi). Suggest 5 on 4.5" or
5 on 4.75 wheel pattern. Olds rally wheels would look cool ! Put good-sized disks on front. Now you'll have a conservative
resto-mod, with lots of reliable fun.
Good Luck, Art.