Turbocharged 235?

I need honest opinions here. I own a 57 3100 with a 235. The project was going to be to drop a newer 5.3, but because the way it will be built, I guess it would be considered a retro mod, I would like to keep the original engine. One of the books that I loved was "Chevrolet Inline Six-Cylinder Power Manual". This truck will be mostly driven on weekends and an occassional show. Upgrades will be new front and rear suspension, power steering and brakes and that's basically it.
    I am now looking at a turbo, not sure the draw thru or forced thru, and auto trans. Looking at 270 - 350 hp. What's your guys take on this? I have mostly done modern vehicles, but now that I'm 40 plus, I would like to try, and try may be the understatement, something different that builders dont perform much any more. Any suggestions would help.  
T Sabo
57 3100 Big Window Chevy

I've a strong opinion here stemming from having very 2 very bad experiences with  5.3L spark knockin, piston slappers.    A built 235 or 261 is several times more impressive. I have the same performance manual and know of several straight sixes that run a fantastic quarter.  Again, just a personal opinion, but I feel part of  keeping a classic truck a classic starts with using a classic motor.

Good luck in what ever route you choose!  
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1950 Chevy 3600

1942 Ford Jeep

Thanks for the opinion. I have thrown out the 5.3 idea, and I agree that the six would just be the fit I am going for. Plus, I think it will be a great project for a turbo. Research goes on. Lets see if I get some more opinions in the next few days. I appreciate the honest words.  
T Sabo
57 3100 Big Window Chevy

Go to www.stovebolt.com or www.inliners.org ! Both sites are great ! You should get answers there for all your questions .  

lowrider118 have you thought of putting in a 350, popular engine, easy to swap in and makes great hp.  

I have seriously thought about a 350/350. Even considered putting the 350 in while I am rebuilding the 6 for turbo just so I can drive it. But in the end, I want something out of ordinary, and the "Sik Six" as I call it, fits the end result. My brother has a 350/350 sitting in his garage and is biting at the bit. The great thing is that when me and the wife went to look at it before we bought it, Her words, " We are going to build this one". Living the dream! The 350 may go in, but only temporarily. Thanks for the advice.  
T Sabo
57 3100 Big Window Chevy

Let me guess when you wife said " We are going to build this one" she didn't have a great expression on her face? Maybe I'm reading out of context but it sounds likes she was grim about the truck.  

Forget your chevy power manual. You want Clifford performance.
Dudes a NASA scientist.
Hook you up with anything I-6, intakes, heads, turbo, supercharger, and cutting edge stuff.  

Actually, she loves it, and made sure that I understood that "we are going to build this one". And I wasn't in a dream!  
T Sabo
57 3100 Big Window Chevy

Will check out Clifford. The power manual actually refers to Clifford quite often. Thanks for the info. Is that piece of advice from experience. Are you running a modified six?  
T Sabo
57 3100 Big Window Chevy

A good friend of mine has a 54 chevy convertible, with a Clifford-ized 235. It runs very well, and has been reliable for as long as I've known him(almost 20 years).

It's nothing exotic. 4bbl intake, Fenton headers, head work & a Clifford cam.  
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1949 Chevy 1 1/2ton, home-built hydraulic wrecker.  Rustoleum industrial black, with flames.  Flamethrowers out 5" dual stacks.
1962 Chevy C-20, 402BB, 4-speed, 3.90 positrack. Hauls my camper.... among other things.

Modified a f-100 300 six. Sold it off thou.  

lowrider118:
Actually, she loves it, and made sure that I understood that "we are going to build this one". And I wasn't in a dream!

Thats good to here.  

hi there i also like the idea of having a straight six in the truck i plan on putting a GMC 302 straight six in my 52 GMC. i 2 was looking for some way to increase power i was reading in the California Bills Chevrolet, GMC and buick speed manual that in the 50's there were superchargers available for your motor, they showed on the charts that they had they ran 5-7lbs of boost to each carburator i say each because you could have a multi carb intake and have a supercharger for each carb. Paxton McCulloch superchargers i found a few seaching google and they were reasonably priced some were rebuilt and only wanted $400-$600 a piece witch is about what a new turbo would cost, or there is a company out of Canada That remans them i dont know how much they cost cause the never replied back to me BishopSales.com. thought i would throw this out there good luck on your project.  

Thanks, 52
    I thought about a supercharger, but I want to drive when I want.I read a bit on supercharging. What they can get of these sixes, I never thought possible. Thats why I am learning here. As ebb_soul stated earlier, Clifford has the "stuff". Now I am deciding how far to go. I could actually just build a sweeter six without the turbo, or turbo it up. I just thought opening the hood would be more impressive with a turbo, but I have to consider how much to drive and how far.
    I also found an 84 monte carlo with a 305, which I could tear apart and use the running gear as I am building the six. This will be my first engine build so I will be taking my time. My brother will be instrumental as he has built many. As he says, " Learn as you go, and you can build it". Thanks for the input, I am taking it all in.  
T Sabo
57 3100 Big Window Chevy