turbocharged quad-4????

bill dedman · 07-08-2007, 12:10 AM

FED, Thanks a lot for that link, but that won't be necessary, now.

I just got an email from a guy who's the moderator of the Quad-4 Bulletin Board, and after polling his memebers, it was determined conclusively, that no such engine was ever available in an OEM application (to the general/buying public.)

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this discussion. I really DO appreicate all the good info and comments, from all you guys who posted possibilities and sources!!!

Bill, in Conway, AR

Bob Mulry · 07-08-2007, 03:35 AM

Now that everybody has posted I'll put in my 2 cents.

I was working at an Oldsmobile Dealership when the Quad 4 first came and was told by the Zone Rep that the Quad 4 was designed to stand up to 300HP and the plan was to take it to those power levels. The factory also had a plan to Turbo the Quad 4 but it never happened.

As for the Fiero's the 4 cylinder engine was the piece of crap Iron Duke 151ci

I remember doing PDI's with the FWD cars equipped with the Quad 4 and they would flash the converter to 6,000 RPM and torque steer like crazy. That engine liked to RPM.

Bob

bill dedman · 07-08-2007, 01:55 PM

Thanks, Bob, for that interesting and eye-opening info.

Too bad they never put a pair of those Quad-4 heads on a V8... a "Quad-8"... what a concept!!!

I'm sure it would have made the engine too wide, BUT, a 60-degeree V8 with some balance shafts, and those heads might have been feasible

Oh yeah.... NORTHSTAR....

Leave it to Cadillac, who had two four-barrels in 1955, even before Chevy, to lead the way. I hear they're adding a blower to the Northstar, 4-valve motor, for a 600+ HP entry into the current horsepower race for 2008! Going into a 4-door sedan, I hear.

They're making it harder and harder for me to hit a "moving target," with my paltry effort, Vortech-inspired, street car... LOL!!!

Don Whitmore · 07-09-2007, 03:35 PM

Bob Mulry/Bill Dedman,

I remember the 'Iron Dukes' in the Fieros, but couldn't remember if the Fieros 'morphed' to the 'Quad-4s'. The 'Iron Dukes didn't quite live up to their namesake.

I do remember GM introducing the 'Quad-4' with a lot of fanfare and also seem to remember the racing community looking favorably at that engine. The question is: 'What happened?' Why did it fall on it's face?

When that engine was introduced, a whole new generation was being introduced to the Honda juggernaut. GM has never recaptured those kids and probably never will, IMO, a HUGE miscalculation on GM's part.

D. Whitmore

larry dowty · 07-09-2007, 10:18 PM

Bill i race a quad 4 in super stock with some success, i looked for a turb car when i started and never did find one, now i know why.

bill dedman · 07-09-2007, 11:43 PM

Larry,
That's a cool engine! I'd never seen anything about them releasing a turbo version, and I figured if they DID, it would have made quite a splash (can you say "volumetric efficiency"?) LOL!!!

Too bad; it would have been a killer....

Bill, in Conway, AR

07-08-2007, 12:10 AM	#1
bill dedman VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Conway, AR Posts: 1,739 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Re: turbocharged quad-4???? FED, Thanks a lot for that link, but that won't be necessary, now. I just got an email from a guy who's the moderator of the Quad-4 Bulletin Board, and after polling his memebers, it was determined conclusively, that no such engine was ever available in an OEM application (to the general/buying public.) Thanks to everyone who contributed to this discussion. I really DO appreicate all the good info and comments, from all you guys who posted possibilities and sources!!! Bill, in Conway, AR __________________ Bill

07-08-2007, 03:35 AM	#2
Bob Mulry VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Coarsegold, CA Posts: 1,016 Likes: 57 Liked 320 Times in 102 Posts	Re: turbocharged quad-4???? Now that everybody has posted I'll put in my 2 cents. I was working at an Oldsmobile Dealership when the Quad 4 first came and was told by the Zone Rep that the Quad 4 was designed to stand up to 300HP and the plan was to take it to those power levels. The factory also had a plan to Turbo the Quad 4 but it never happened. As for the Fiero's the 4 cylinder engine was the piece of crap Iron Duke 151ci I remember doing PDI's with the FWD cars equipped with the Quad 4 and they would flash the converter to 6,000 RPM and torque steer like crazy. That engine liked to RPM. Bob __________________ Bob Mulry 7516 STK A & M Motorsports

07-08-2007, 01:55 PM	#3
bill dedman VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Conway, AR Posts: 1,739 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Re: turbocharged quad-4???? Thanks, Bob, for that interesting and eye-opening info. Too bad they never put a pair of those Quad-4 heads on a V8... a "Quad-8"... what a concept!!! I'm sure it would have made the engine too wide, BUT, a 60-degeree V8 with some balance shafts, and those heads might have been feasible Oh yeah.... NORTHSTAR.... Leave it to Cadillac, who had two four-barrels in 1955, even before Chevy, to lead the way. I hear they're adding a blower to the Northstar, 4-valve motor, for a 600+ HP entry into the current horsepower race for 2008! Going into a 4-door sedan, I hear. They're making it harder and harder for me to hit a "moving target," with my paltry effort, Vortech-inspired, street car... LOL!!! __________________ Bill

07-09-2007, 03:35 PM	#4
Don Whitmore Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 140 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: turbocharged quad-4???? Bob Mulry/Bill Dedman, I remember the 'Iron Dukes' in the Fieros, but couldn't remember if the Fieros 'morphed' to the 'Quad-4s'. The 'Iron Dukes didn't quite live up to their namesake. I do remember GM introducing the 'Quad-4' with a lot of fanfare and also seem to remember the racing community looking favorably at that engine. The question is: 'What happened?' Why did it fall on it's face? When that engine was introduced, a whole new generation was being introduced to the Honda juggernaut. GM has never recaptured those kids and probably never will, IMO, a HUGE miscalculation on GM's part. D. Whitmore

07-09-2007, 10:18 PM	#5
larry dowty Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: chewelah wa Posts: 283 Likes: 0 Liked 11 Times in 4 Posts	Re: turbocharged quad-4???? Bill i race a quad 4 in super stock with some success, i looked for a turb car when i started and never did find one, now i know why.

07-09-2007, 11:43 PM	#6
bill dedman VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Conway, AR Posts: 1,739 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Re: turbocharged quad-4???? Larry, That's a cool engine! I'd never seen anything about them releasing a turbo version, and I figured if they DID, it would have made quite a splash (can you say "volumetric efficiency"?) LOL!!! Too bad; it would have been a killer.... Bill, in Conway, AR __________________ Bill