CHEAP TURBO PROJECT CARS-1985 DODGE OMNI GLH TURBO (MY NEW LOW BUCK (OTHER GUYS) PROJECT)

CHEAP TURBO MODS, MORE BOOST, TURBO & INTERCOOLER UPGRADES, 3-INCH EXHAUST, DOWN PIPES, ECU. WHAT POWER MODS WORK WELL ON THE 2.2L DODGE TURBO GLH? CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO AS I INTRODUCE THE LATEST PROJECT CAR-THE DODGE OMNI GLH TURBO. FIND OUT WHAT THE LITTLE TURBO HOT HATCH HAS GOING FOR IT ALREADY, AND WHAT MODS I HAVE IN STORE. FIND OUT IF THIS CAME CAM WITH A 2.2L OR THE BIGGER 2.5L. WHAT OTHER MODS DID THIS LITTLE GLH HAVE WHEN I BOUGHT IT, AND HOW WILL THEY COME IN HANDY WHEN IT COMES TIME TO DYNO TEST.

[@1987glhs]

Working door handles and a good headliner... by Omni standards that makes it MINT!!!

[@Welcometofacsistube]

By 30 year old car standards

[@nickpollay1681]

Omg yes!!! I’ve had a few of them and EVERY SINGLE ONE WAS ALWAYS BROKEN!!!

[@b.c4066]

Having owned a 1984 Omni my mother bought brand new, I can attest to this. Stuff didn't work when I had the car in 1989. Hahaha

[@b.c4066]

But, it would party 4 comfortably, and take a corn field at 40 mph like a champ, exhaust didn't survive it, interesting it ran better with the catcon removed anyway hahaha.

[@douglascooper1987]

😆🤣😆🤣👍👍

[@jameshall4385]

Put the factory wheels on it. Polish them up, they look so much more 80’s than those ugly generic wheels

[@madmod]

Good way to add back 40lbs of unsprung weight

[@Welcometofacsistube]

But heavy and very poor cooling for the breaks

[@crowandraven2133]

The pizza pans weren't that good looking mate.

[@onehourgarage]

Gotta love an old turbo dodge! These are 100% the cars that enlightened me to the way of the turbo!

[@douglascooper1987]

They wer Huge Turbos for the Size Motor Too.👍

[@2hacksinashack]

I bought a whole 2.2 turbo 2 out of a Shelby Daytona many years back. Been holding onto it for the right project.

[@tskraj3190]

Put it in a go kart.

[@robwwhit3453]

I can vividly remember pulling up to a stop light with my GLH-T ($145 MP 11psi computer), and low and behold a shiny new Notch 5.0 with the two pipes dripping condensation, as I slowly rolled even with him, he gave my the biggest shit eating grin I'd seen in a while, I couldn't contain my self as I new this was going to be fun, ran the rpm's up to about 2700 and we both waited for the the cross light to turn from yellow to are green we both left together hazing our tires across the intersection, we both ran our 5 speeds up to 4th gear with me out in front by a solid 3 cars, as I slowed waiting for him to give me the nod, he turned quickly off on a side street. I had many other encounter's with the much heralded Mustang 5.0, some good others bad, but this was my number one!

[@richardholdener1727]

intercooled?

[@robwwhit3453]

@@richardholdener1727 Non Intercooled 1986 GLH-T, MP 11psi computer. the car ran a best of 14.89 @ 93.4mph on the factory 195-50-15 Goodyear tires. I had removed the rear seat and belts, about 60lbs.

[@Rampant_Colt]

I wouldn't mind standing around with a cold beer in-hand watching you guys work on this

[@stevelacker358]

You are going to get hooked on that little bugger. There’s no way they should be as much fun as they are. STOCK WHEELS!

[@notsigningupforshit]

Very cool. This looks to be very solid underneath. I too have an 85 GLH that's been converted over to a Turbo II with the A-555. Mine has the heart of a 87 Shelby Z...so it's the non-common block 2.2. Mine is a little more stock with just some light intake and exhaust work, with a Stg 3 FWD Perf. SMEC. The prior owner took the 85 and 87 wiring overlaid rat's nest and put in a setup from a 88 Shelby Z. So my logic module and power module have been combined into the SMEC. Just updated the brakes to the SLH1/2 brake setup. The stock GLH NA 2.2 is long gone. I'm getting close to pulling the engine and massaging it to the tune of 320+ HP. Looking forward to watching more video's on this project. Funny thing is I have too many projects as well. My 85 GLH, 87 Shelby Z, 87 Shelby Charger that's getting the engine and trans out of a '04 SRT4...and throw some Jeep XJ, BMW M3 and Dakota projects on top of that!! So understand the "not another project" statement...but it's hard to turn them away...especially as cool as this one is. Good luck...looking forward to your progress!

[@vr6swp]

In the 80's a friend's dad was the parts manager at the local DCP dealership. The first Omni GLH turbo that came off the truck, a couple sales guys took it out for a "test drive" and totaled it. Hit a pole or something pretty solid going way fast. Car had like 5 miles on the clock and looked like it went thru a metal shredder, just torn apart. What was left of the car sat under a tarp behind the dealership until it closed in the early 2000's.

[@turbogodstoys]

VERY IMPORTANT! the main fuel line has to say fuel injection hose! They make a high pressure and low pressure FUEL INJECTION rubber line MAKE SURE ITS HIGH PRESSURE.. i have done well over 300 of the turbo dodges and 2 guys that did the line change said it said fuel injection on hose both beautiful cars burned.. early fuel injection ran under 20psi.. these under boost get to 80psi

[@douglascooper1987]

Barricade Fuel Line.👍👍

[@redram5150]

I've always loved these cars. I wish i saw more of them around

[@thman6453]

The stock wheels look great and you would keep the sleeper look just please buff it out and maybe ceramic top coat 👍

[@amelnik]

At 7:12, the bronze valve is the Grainger valve, the one behind the intake elbow. It's called Grainger because we used and still do buy them at Grainger supply, super cheap and is great for super quick spool with minimum boost spike. It's basically a ball and spring valve. If you had a few of them, we used to set them to different stiffness and hook them up to 2 or 3 port solenoid for on th fly boost level switch.

[@slicedbread9003]

I love Omni's. It is a great low cost performance car. I know they don't get the attention then or now that they deserve. I had a GLH, a plane Jane 5 speed and my wife had a Turismo Duster. The engine is dead simple. I swapped in a roller cam and rockers on the plain Jane. The GLH got Mopar performance anti-sway bars and springs. It handled great. Stock seats are comfortable. The GLH got a roll cage and poly buckets for club road racing. It was normally aspirated, but being a GLH, it had higher compression, 10 more HP stock and most importantly a close ratio gear box. This allow me to use 3 gears on New Hampshire International Speedway's road course as opposed to the plain Jane only being able to use 2 gears.

[@douglascooper1987]

As an owner of Dodge Turbo cars (85 Daytona TurboZ, 87 ShelbyZ currently) they are Underrated and Underappreciated. I had an 87 GLHS Charger many years ago, TurboII and it was SCARY FAST with just a few mods( exhaust, wastegate bleed, LogicModule etc.)but the Headgasket was an issue.I sold that car and a parts car for about 1200$, I kept the Centurion Wheels Though. I'll be following this as I'm still wanting to get the 87 Z going. They're so much FUN TO DRIVE!! 🇺🇸👍👍

[@pancudowny]

Oooo... it has the Infinity-II stereo head unit. My dad's Grand Voyager had that, until I swapped it with the AM/FM-only unit in my '88 Ramcharger, easy-peasy. (Bolt-in/plug-in!) He didn't mind it... much. ;)

[@TheMailmanOfSteel]

Aw man, you got one that somebody already intercooled! That little beast will make 300+ hp no problem. Getting one of these with NO rust is the biggest obstacle, they've all practically returned to the dirt in the midwest. :( Edit: Found the original owner, you got a great car, Richard!

[@watsisbuttndo829]

The real dodge issue that needs answering is "does installing the pistons 180 out improve power". Inquiring minds need to know!.

[@guyderagisch4964]

Depends on the offset

[@markwise9868]

This isn't Drunkle Tony's (hack) Garage.

[@watsisbuttndo829]

@@markwise9868 im pretty sure the Guinea pig is already in Richards posession. Frieburger and dulcich pretty much called UTG out on it but either side have yet to lay their cards on the table.

[@douglascooper1987]

@Daniel G NOS and Alcohol into the Intake.😁👍👍 works Wonders on a Turbo 2 at 15lbs.🤞

[@bobbymiller2955]

No.. only on squish head.. not 782 head i87 head

[@jeremykastrup6907]

Thank you Richard H , I dragged a horizon .. 2.5 hybrid setup . I love the Omni

[@pikecollisionllc9868]

Nice project. I love cars you can buy cheap, fix cheap, have fun and sell to break even or make a few bucks. Then buy another.

[@marklucas3140]

All ribbing aside @Richard Holdener. Glad to see you getting excited about our quirky little FWD Chrysler missiles. I wish you the best for this build.

[@dumbestoyster]

Yes! Missed out on too many of these. The hot hatch that no one knew about...

[@jimlesperance9051]

don't listen to any haters. A man always needs another project car.

[@ralphsmallblock4367]

Congratulations you have Shelby 😎👍

[@RENEGADEX800]

Definatly needs the factory wheels on it!

[@toddgirard391]

That’s awesome car......my buddy had one and that’s fast and what a sleeper. No one ever thought it was that fast.

[@jeremymurtorff9888]

Absolutely great. Welcome to the L body club. I have a set of standard bore oem original 2.5 pistons if you're interested in just replacing the stock with nos stock ones.

[@richardholdener1727]

YES-HOW QUICK CAN i GET THEM

[@ZEPRATGERNODT]

This is the kind of stuff we need to see. Pacers, Gremlins...etc.😂 How many times can you do a 93 Ford Mustang, 68 Fastback Mustang, 67 Chevelle, 69 Camaro, 89 S-10 before you just yawn from repetitiveness.

[@guyderagisch4964]

They say VW made the first hot hatch. I beg to differ with the gremlin X

[@ZEPRATGERNODT]

@@guyderagisch4964 There is a young guy driving around over here near Rancho Cucamonga Ca with an orange Gremlin with a white stripe. That car gets thumbs up on the road as it totally stands out from everything else. He also has that early 70’s bohemian/hippy look with the rose colored John Lennon’s and the Jesus pullover v-neck lace up collar shirt. His girl looks like one of those hip girls walking around Long Beach in original Gone In 60 seconds.

[@douglascooper1987]

Got 2 Gremmies and a Hornet AMX all projects, but Your Right They are WayCool and Rare these Days.👍👍😁

[@codyramos3200]

Well its due to mustangs , camaros, chevelles , s10s , etc etc being more relatable with viewers and them being readily available.. .. like honestly I've never seen a gremlin in person... since I was a kid I've gone to many a carshow and car meets with my dad .

[@isaace8090]

@@codyramos3200 yep, you are right. Unfortunately the weird stuff doesn't bring in the eyeballs like a Camaro, Mustang, Chevelle or other more well known vehicle. I didn't even know cars like the Turbo dodges existed until the early 2000's. My home town didn't have a lot of the go fast cars, unless it was the older muscle cars growing up. If I did see something newer, it was most likely going to be a newer Corvette, Camaro, or Firebird.

[@dilsher12]

Love it , what a score Richard . The stock wheels suit the car better .

[@timothyhays1817]

85 glh-t omni was a turbo 1. Man this has tons of up grades. I had lots of fun with my GLH Turbo. F-bodys learned to fear my omni. 5.0 Mustangs were another story.

[@invujerry]

I used to see these all the time but they don’t exist anymore in the North East. Too much salt ate them up. I have such a soft spot for these cars.

[@agenericaccount3935]

Ahhhh. Magnificent. Find a no rust Lancer Shelby (not a Shelby Lancer) next. In red. With leather.

[@bunter6]

A - mazing! Love that you guys got such a thing. Called the Talbot Horizon over here in the uk but we never got anything more than a 1.5 engine. My 1st Car was its predecessor a Chrysler Sunbeam Ti that came from the factory with Twin 40 Delorto's

[@eflanagan1921]

You got the Hot GM cars that we didn't .

[@jackreacher1963]

nice I love these cars. back in the day 175 horse power was a lot and these things ripped.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Nice!! I love 80s cars!

[@lukestrasser]

That car is awesome!!! I 100% approve of this project! I’m just as excited as you are Richard! Stock wheels FTW though!

[@chaze1385]

Gus Mahon. The turbo dodge OG. Rest in peace.

[@marklucas3140]

Race in peace Gus!! Ed Peters passed in 2019 or 2020 as well. :(

[@littlebearish]

Always liked the Omni in general. Cool boxy little malaise econo-box.

[@TurboJohn74]

Chef's kiss.... perfect project platform!

[@Christdeliverme]

can't wait to see all these tests (on parts)

[@tonymickens8803]

Ahhh, Memories of my 84 Dodge Daytona Turbo Z, I had SOOOOO MUCH FUN Back in the mid 80's to late 90's with that car, and was So Easy to Modify! @Richard Holdener

[@russwrage6789]

Love this had five to mess with 5.0,s back in the day alot of fun!

[@bmasontv]

AHH HELL YES!!!! Always wanted one of those. Congrats!

[@butcherbaker4258]

Lol the injector o rings fail on the common block mine has caught on fire twice i put an intercooler, MBC, 255, +40 injectors FM stage 4, cometic with arp on a stock 3 speed lol good lord I need a 5 speed but don't want to do the swap parts get expensive with rims constant welding and I love these cars I have around 3 of these 2 run and 1 and a half part cars. All hail the common block 🙌 🤣🇺🇲

[@robertbaker837]

Stock wheels. Not even a question. Those are some sweet stockers for a 80s Omni

[@sanfordrhudy774]

You can't have TOO many project cars. Especially a *time capsule* like you have there!

[@rocketsurgeon11]

The Grainger valve was staring you in the face! LOL The brass thing next to the brake booster. The transmission is either an A523 or an A568. Both will be fine. Nice that it already has the Koni's, 5-lug conversion, 2-piece, etc.

[@marklucas3140]

GLH Turbo is five lug right out of the Belvidere assembly plant.:)

[@douglascooper1987]

TurboII's should be an A568 trans, 87 and up had optional LSD Available.

[@marklucas3140]

1990+ would be A-568. SRT4s are the only turbo Dodges that were ever factory equipped with limited slip differentials.

[@richardholdener1727]

ITS A568-MY BAD

[@rocketsurgeon11]

@@marklucas3140 Been a minute since I've messed with an L-body.

[@seanhayes1965]

I tried to buy one of those, but I was 19 and my credit sucked. Goes like HELL!! Can’t wait to see how it goes with you.

[@bigtsperspective5831]

Lol that’s high school all over . Good stuff!

[@andyharman3022]

This really takes me back to my first turbo car: 1985 Pontiac Sunbird SE. I learned track driving in that car and autocrossed it almost every weekend 9 months a year. Omnirizons were in a different class for SCCA autocross, so I never competed head to head with them. But the originals with 146 HP didn't scare me because I had 150 HP! I had the Sunbird for 14 years and traded it in on my first Z28. It made a deep impression on me, though. A few months ago, I had a dream I was driving it again. Your Omni has had a lot of mechanical upgrades, but looks ratty. Go with it. Faded paint and all. Maybe even put steel wheels on it. Get the mechanicals working so you can track it reliably, then take it to track days, and make drivers of late-model sports cars feel bad.

[@dwej9080]

There were only 500-- GLHS made. -but that looks like a TII engine in there (same as GLHS) so you are on your way to a fun car. de-badge the car and leave the paint alone. The look on the other drivers faces when you are passing them is priceless -definitely a Kodak moment.

[@AppalatchieRaised]

Awesome score man

[@oldschoolmotorsickle]

Bro, it’s a nice straight survivor. Bon Ami the paint, you’re done!

[@craiga9492]

Nice score!

[@YukonNate867]

Definitely have to run the factory pizza wheels!! Classic! My favorite cars! I my first car was a base 86 omni loved it! Always wanted a glh turbo!!!!

[@jimf5160]

in the late 80s I had a Omni GLH non turbo...fun to drive...but those low profle tires were fragile. mine had 205/50 x 15

[@rocketsurgeon11]

The factory wheels are kinds heavy, but they look SO good when polished up.

[@supermarine67]

Definitely use the stock alloys. Nice as the ‘market wheels are, the factory hoops are so much more in line with the character of the car.

[@Cycle9568]

Turbo II motor swap! Stock polished wheels! I had those on my Shelby Charger.

[@sbf_fox2434]

I like the factory wheels. I had an 83 Shelby Charger with a NA 2.2. Handled fantastic with its factory P195/50R15 sized tires.

[@bassettraceengines]

Cool ride. Put slicks or drag radials on the factory wheels. Run the other wheels everyday.

[@adamtrombino106]

They did a nice job on that exhaust! It's a tight but clean fit. That trans looks like a 525, which are not strong at all. Upgrading to the Getrag A555 with 90-93 Daytona engine and trans mounts, is the way to go. The best factory intake for 2.2/2.5 turbo 1 cars was the '92 version. Coupled with the Mitsubishi VNT turbo, that combo made more torque than the 2.2 intercooled T2, w/o being intercooled. That 85 should still have the dual engine module controllers, the logic and power. Upgrading the power module w/o upgrading the logic module doesn't do much, so I'm curious what the previous owner did. Maybe some Mopar Performance parts? I still have an old catalog from 2002 and man could 1 get the parts to make an honest 300hp 2.2/2.5 turbo! Keep us posted!

[@richardholdener1727]

I'LL TAKE A LOOK TODAY-IT'S AND 85 WITH SEPARATE LOGIC AND POWER MODULES

[@patrickoleary6379]

Holy crap Richard!! There was one in the Scrap yard I worked at as a kid. Was hammered but was cool.

[@kolejohnson73]

My first turbo car was an 85 sunbird but the 1992 spirit rt made me a real believer. Breaking the tires loose in 3rd gear every time the boost kicked in, I'd love to find one of those again!

[@Welcometofacsistube]

That's a rare car

[@marklucas3140]

Seems like one pops up for sale every other week....

[@jeffboyer8214]

Wow not rotten (: I live in my so these cars were bad in the Salt 🧂 belt areas. turbo with a 5 speed. Comon issue with 2.5 na motor as well. Still a really neat ride from the past.

[@DrFiero]

Used to have an '84 Laser turbo (in about '88) - swear thats the same power plant. If you loose ignition, the wires going to the module inside the distro were notorious for breaking.

[@DrFiero]

Oh, and I vote clean up the stock rims and use them.

[@TJay074]

LOVE IT!!

[@roughboygarage1475]

Great score!

[@stlchevy95]

dang. this is sick

[@dgrcgrl]

Oh the glh heck yes.

[@pisstoffcat5136]

I had one of these come in the shop back in the 90's, for a head gasket, pulled the head and it had a 2 inch hole in one of the pistons, went to the junk yard and found a motor and pulled one piston , turned out it had bad gas with water in tank.

[@rockroll9513]

Factory wheels look awesome.

[@isaace8090]

Wow! That thing looks pretty good. The interior was really nice. You have gearhead disease. You have too many projects but you always find room for one more. I'm probably doing that this week myself.

[@BDauto86]

Super cool stuff. I never had one of those, I have had the eagle talons, eclipses, lasers and even a Mitsubishi starion 2.6T. Should be some interesting stuff.

[@douglascooper1987]

Starion is one of the Most Beautiful Body Styles Ever!!👍👍

[@richardholdener1727]

I DO LIKE THE WIDE BODY-I HAD AN EARLY SLAB SIDE

[@eflanagan1921]

@@richardholdener1727 Lighter by 200 +lbs iirc.

[@guyforlogos]

Use the factory wheels, Omni’s look great with them.

[@AmericanDefender]

One of my dream builds

[@scottmiller3025]

I absolutely love the dodge Shelby turbos

[@Jcegeland]

Congrats richard :)

[@crowandraven2133]

Even has the optional right side mirror as well damn.

[@79tazman]

The stock rims look so much better then what's on it now in my opinion

[@shadowred1980]

Looking forward to the updates on this.

[@GLHS60]

Early 2.2's had a 6 bolt crank flange and 10mm head bolts. During 1985 they upgraded to an 8 bolt crank and 11 mm head bolts. The 84 Engine in the Omni would need a 6 bolt flywheel. All early Engines had a fuel pump provision with a cover on EFI/Turbo Engines. 1989 2.2/2.5 Engines were common block, easy to ID as they no longer had a fuel pump block off plate. Early/common block cranks don't interchange due to the crank snout and timing belt. Common blocks were functionally the same, 2.5 got a 4.09" stroke with shorter pistons. Beware!! There was an unusual tall deck 2.5, 1986-88, all were TBI, no Turbo versions.

[@marklucas3140]

Hi Randy! I wouldn't call them unusual. They made an awful lot of 2.5 TBI cars from '86 to '88. I found out recently that the tall decks actually run the old style turbo pistons and LW forged rods but use NA ring gaps. :\

[@GLHS60]

@@marklucas3140 I just meant unusual as far as parts like timing belts for Richards info. I have a 1988 LeBron tall deck,it's a fine Engine!!

[@marklucas3140]

Absolutely! I have had much better experiences with the tall deck 2.5 vs. the common block 2.5. They seem to provide me with greater longevity when beaten mercilessly.

[@richardrohr5106]

Sweet project car! I prefer 4 cylinders over most v6 and v8s because of simplicity. If i could make a suggestion can you do a video on the old school cavalier and s10 ln2 2.2? Thank you

[@davidwright3390]

I love it

[@ProjectCarTV]

Carrol Shelby gave it the moniker GLH which he meant Goes Like Hell.

[@sebastianpanek3699]

my father got me into these a few years back; this exact car was my first ever project car. same year and paint color! We have 3 of the glhs's including one signed by Carroll Shelby himself. GET SOME SWISS CHEESE RIMS ON THAT MFR haha

[@baderalbuloushi8369]

The rims on the car is good ... if you are going for a more sleeper look when it is finished the stockers look good also .. if it was me i would put the stockers as the last step when everything is complete and it is fast

[@oscaroscar5336]

Back in the day, a guy set it up so when it got to say 10 lbs of boost it was set up to activate vw cold start injectors(2) to fog fuel as the boost builds. So car would drive as normal under low boost less expensive than bigger injectors and a different controller

[@richardholdener1727]

additional injectors were run very often way back-distribution in the intake is often a problem with this method

[@hayaboosta]

Congrats on the car Richard! Stock wheels for sure

[@madmod]

Heck yeah dude!

[@paulkoski8759]

SWEET

[@cz-bundy6896]

I found a four door lancer that has been garage kept and the paint and interior is mint. Dude is wanting over 5k lol. I was thinking about offering 1500 lol

[@douglascooper1987]

A SHELBY LANCER IS RARE& FAST!

[@russelljackson7034]

Right on

[@gordythecreator]

SCORE!... I'm jealous Richard

[@madmod]

The Shrek Cotton Candy Method gives a tasty visual 🍭

[@chandannel]

Factory wheels FTW!

[@AtomicFacePunch]

I vote for the factory wheels. Those are neat little cars.

[@GIGABACHI]

Slap on the factory wheels. Brake pads on this application probably have the little metal tab that make that loud screeching noise when it's time for new ones. However, nothing beats big airy wheels that let you check at a glance how much meat its left in your pads. Surface rust on rotors: I had my beater stopped for a while(2 months or more) while doing a head/valve job. Rotors looked like frisbee sized reef rocks. I paid no mind to it. A few days of driving(while hearing some scrubbing nasty noises) and the pads polished them back to normal.

[@kbros65]

Sweet!!!!

[@Sikulz]

Very cool car!!!!! G.oes L.ike H.oldener lol