Turbo Slant Six! Building The Manifold, Hacking In An Intercooler, And Much More On My 1963 Valiant

It might seem like my turbo slant six build is moving at a glacial pace. Actually, compared to some projects around here, it's all coming together very quickly. On today's episode, I tackle the most daunting part of this project - building a custom turbo exhaust manifold to mount the finest, cheapest turbo eBay had to offer. I'm sure that will go perfectly, given my propensity to eschew precise and careful measurement in favor of just kinda eyeballing things and plowing ahead.

[@That_AMC_Guy]

Woo hoo! I'm internet famous!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Friggin nailed it

[@danmcintyre9961]

I'm in awe of your skills. Keep in mind that for everyone of those asking about this project, there are several more of us just as anxious for the next vid - we're just not humping your leg about it.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I know it! It has been consistently popular for me, so I know there are a lot of people out there keeping up with the build. I’m definitely trying to make this one actually happen in a reasonable amount of time.

[@musclecarmitch908]

I'm loving this build! I can't wait to see more!👍

[@1datsunlover]

I'm actually pumped to see this happen. I don't get pumped easy, so thank you.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Me toooo. Haha. Happy to help!

[@cheessedoodle]

Thats what she said!

[@ProjectFairmont]

Your pain is our gain in one video. Appreciate the tech and honesty.

[@joshjesch6000]

I anxiously waited all weekend for this!! Always worth the wait too. Thanks Jamie. Thanks AMC guy for the turbo for this.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Hopefully that turbo finds its way into a Rampage some day… need to fix all of the rusty hardware first.

[@That_AMC_Guy]

@@DeadDodgeGarage Turbo Rampage??? Please.... just stop. I can only become *so* erect.

[@shawnpersico305]

Keep up the awesome videos Jamie, we always look forward to and enjoy your videos and whatever it may be you are working on, you are also quite good at making us laugh 😃 thanks again.

[@pcbullets8726]

Sweet! This should be pretty cool when it's done. Thanks Jamie!

[@kencooper2059]

I have a soft spot for the Leaning Tower of Power, had several of them when I was younger. I look forward to seeing the completion of this build.

[@ChristopherJohnston-t5z]

I love it when a plan comes together. It’s looking awesome!

[@peterdollery629]

What a valve cover!!! 😂 Work of art indeed. Oh, everything else was great too!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Awesome. Haha.

[@harrywalker968]

@@DeadDodgeGarage should have the ins out of cooler at top. as they collect oil..parts, explosions..

[@harrywalker968]

@@DeadDodgeGarage make, buy, a t 4 flange, metal, braze it to the ex, then bolt the spacer to it..

[@ericwilson2585]

Yeah baby! That sure is gonna be cool! Can't weight to see her burning some rubber!

[@JDawghasaTruck]

Considering that my first “rebuild” experience was a 1960 Dodge Dart slant six (at 13 years old😉), this is golden!

[@raimoe4512]

A thing of beauty. Keep her rolling.

[@beljames1563]

Great build. Looking forward to swoosh zinnnnnnng without the puquschchchkkkkchcjch!!!

[@bigwrenchtech]

I’m here because I heard there was cake? Epic! A turbo.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Omg I want cake

[@jazman1966]

Oh cake, I knew this was gonna be great!

[@JonStein-mu5eb]

I'm here for the free hat.

[@michaelatkins9780]

Thanks DDG, you just made my Sunday afternoon with good old-fashioned entertainment. Mopar zen thing ala UTG.

[@davidhutcherson9748]

This project is awesome, I like the way you go about making things work out. I always wanted to do something like this when I was a younger. I look forward to more on this car .You are always working on something that I find interesting, old cars rule .Thanks for sharing your time and videos, best regards from Tennessee.

[@LaLaLand.Germany]

WootWoot! About ready to eat dinner and some good entertainment is up, good times! I guess I like them sixes because so many don´t. I like the sound, they seem torqy. Kind Regards

[@GY6455]

Thanks Jamie. It’s looking awesome!

[@PaulSteinberg-il4tw]

All things are looking very good Jamie. Can't wait till you get her rolling under her own power. NICE JOB!!!!!

[@americanrambler4972]

Turbo 170 six? Yep. Powerful? Nah. But just plain cool? OH YEAH! I am loving it. Can’t wait for the first road test. Then wait a while longer for the first successful road test. I so want to see a 170 turbo slant six buzzing down the road complete with whizzing huffing and puffing sounds. Making every bit of about 170 hp. Living and loving the dream. And it still looks like a scruffy old stock valiant on the outside.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

You *completely* nailed my expectations for the project with this comment. I love it. Haha. Thanks!

[@Anthony-nw5zv]

Awesome job! It's coming together nicely.

[@jimbo5728]

"Awesome" does not adequately quantify this project's awesomeness. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Mega awesome? Bad-nascar? Award winning awesome sauce?

[@linwoodlane5721]

Coming tother nicely

[@minnesotatomcat]

I was going to suggest a Spectre intake plenum off EBay but I see the price has really gone up since the last time I bought one, you’re right $119.00 for the cheapest one! I wanna say I’ve bought them for like $70 before but apparently that was before the world went stupid.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yep… that’s what I had in mind initially. But that kinda hurts.

[@VC.valiant]

I'm thinking of doing turbo on my VC Valiant slant 6 , so cheer for your videos

[@darrylskerman6808]

Outstanding, Jamie! Great work. 🙂

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Thank you!

[@dantupper1784]

Close, oooooh soooo close! This phase of a project - where firing it off is just around the corner- most stressful!!!

[@jenseninterceptors]

Sweet!! Im glad to watch while you do all the work my man!! ))

[@Huffy_Turns_a_Wrench]

So stinking cool..... Im excited to see this run!

[@jfv65]

The T3/T04e turbo has been used on LOTS of Volvo's with B230 inline4 engine with great succes. So this turbo will be great on this engine.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Hell yeah! I think so too. They recommend it for smaller engines in the 1.5-3 liter range, and being toward the north side of that at 2.8, I’m hoping it will spool some time this century and make some ponies.

[@stewarth8390]

Slant 6 Achoo (gesundheit) noises are getting closer, awesome! The little 170 is going from wheezy to sneezy 😂

[@jackedup3191]

I am here for Turbo stuff. 👍🏼

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Outstanding! More coming right up.

[@cbobmonster]

Hell, yeah kick ass Jaime. It’s gonna be awesome when she’s done great video.

[@benjaminkadron]

"It's not a pretty weld" Proceeds to show us the nicest weld I've seen on the channel. Haha. Seriously though, turbo slant is awesome. Also, I'm impressed you fit that intercooler in there.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Well, I’ll take that 😅 in between starting the channel and now, I stitched an entire Jeep frame back together, and then built a ramp truck. So I’m kinda sorta getting the hang of the welder. Kinda. Me too… that was quite a job. Looking forward to getting it up and running.

[@James-r8y4o]

Nice work. Man

[@boilerroomed3682]

I was thinking WHEELIES right before you said it. Yikes, that's scary if I'm thinking the same as you are!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I’m not sure which of us should be more worried… probably you, I think.

[@clembob8004]

That looks almost like how Mopar would have done it if it was a factory option. Can't wait to hear it run and do all sorts of cool turbo stuff.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That’s the idea! It’s the Signet Turbo…

[@Hot-Shoe]

I would suggest adding a brace from the block to the turbo flange or turbo itself. that exhaust manifold will last much longer without cracking.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Don’t worry, I’m way ahead of you on that one…

[@PaulDilorenzo-c7c]

Looking good brother

[@benjaminmorgan6]

It was cool to see you at the racetrack the other day

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh yeah! Very cool.

[@dirtyoldfarmhand3]

Awesome. Thanks for the video.

[@allanperryman388]

Looks great!

[@jonathanfreedom1st]

The bar was set high with the end of this video. I expect it to really sound like that now 😂😂😂

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Me too 😅

[@olmo-r8n]

excellent progress, at least compared to what I would do :)

[@jeffhutchins7048]

Like you said, new motor mounts should lift the turbo off of the steering box.👍

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I hope so…

[@daltonsparks1293]

I was starting to wonder if you were gonna make any turbo noises. I'm so excited to see/ hear that beast go down the road

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Me tooo!

[@SeanJoseph-s2s]

It's getting interesting...thanks...🔧🔧👍

[@dinadaughtry8993]

Really like this build, different than just putting a small block in the place of the ole slanty but my week,month, don't know is pretty much ruined because my best bud, my bearded dragon Skittles got out and I have not been able to find him in 6 days,had him for 2 years, gift from my daughter when I got home from the hospital after I was in a very bad accident, flipped a jeep down the highway, sure hope everything works out with this build and I am looking forward to seeing, hearing it running, have a good one

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Saw you mention Skittles in the live stream comments, that’s very unfortunate. Best of luck, and thank you.

[@samuelgoodman2825]

HISTORIC!Well at least more interesting than the other guys turbo slant,you know who I mean.

[@bartorlans5390]

Oh, the turbo awesomeness!

[@ricksaint2000]

Thank you Jamie

[@johnolszowy8663]

❤ the slant six

[@burthenry7740]

This is gonna be great!! (was that Flounder from 'Animal House' who said that?). Anyway, I found an old turbo article on the slant 6 in 'Car Craft' magazine, June, 1972 issue. It was a collaboration between Chrysler and Schwitzer. They used a truck block and a blow through carb set-up, in a Duster Twister. Not at all helpful to you, but kind of neat that Chrysler was thinking about it, too!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

“Your new name is… Flounder.” “Why Flounder?” “Why not?!” At least I think that’s how that went. Very cool! I haven’t seen that one but I’ll have to go find it.

[@samhicks97]

Excited to see how the Turbo slant turns out, it's the reincarnation of the slant-6 project from Uncle Tony! If I may voice my concerns regarding a solid mount for the engine, the engine mount casting ears may break if mounted solidly, with the engine torque flexing. Maybe polyurethane mounts as a compromise? Bring on the Leaning tower of slant-6 Turbo Power!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

You think this thing is going to make torque? 😅 I disagree… and slants don’t have ears like small blocks, they are flat bolted brackets. My Demon is running solids and it (almost) does wheelies. It’s not going to be a problem. I wish Tony had been able to go further with that one. Hopefully mine works a little better. But we’ll see… Thanks!

[@MichaelBrewster-x7n]

Hope all your famly stuff worked out famly first ❤

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

All good! Thanks!

[@p38kris]

Turbo slant. Neat!

[@swissredneck8000]

Awesome bro, thank you for charging me. 😂

[@karensavarese5684]

Dubs always prefers OEM parts. In this case, however, the Ebay special turbo is probably yer best bet. Keep goin', great series.,,Luv D

[@MoparJimmy]

This car is going to be a very fun car when it's done and it has CENTERLINES

[@davidbrown4180]

She is looking Awesome

[@trickyricky12147]

Jamie @14:32 looks like the Valiant has a happy face. 😊 Yeah, I think the chief designer of the Plymouth division knew what he was doing designing the front end of the early A body cars. The windshield wipers position is what gave it away for me. Looks like eyebrows.

[@havegrinderwilltravel5]

Awsome dude iv been hanging 👌 for this o daily drive 350 chevy with t76 turbo I built 8 years ago so much fun always wanted to do slant I turno chevy bolt 6 also 😅 oh yeah and slap turbo on my 79 shovelhead sorry going on what mean is just love random turbo builds 😃

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Hell yeah! Turbo shovel head sounds like a real party.

[@joshjesch6000]

I bet the charger was like "hey...I need a radiator...with? 😆 🤣

[@joshjesch6000]

Not with...wth? 🤦‍♂️

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yeahhhhh it would’ve been cheaper than a turbo kit…

[@MetallicAH2O]

​@@DeadDodgeGarage That's the best kind of A.D.D, A.D. LOOK A TURBO! 😂

[@glenbo2464]

Slap a turbo on that Gold Lebaron ! lol

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh… I thought about it 😅

[@marcusHANS1]

Tip is to add bracket or ekstra mount to the turbo because of weight and vibration. With that flange angle and distance its under much stress.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Way ahead of you on that one.

[@ThePaulv12]

I have welded many Slant exhaust manifolds - perhaps 40 or more. I've put 1/4" thick piece of flat bar in the heat stove and just used a MIG with it properly prepped of course and it seems to work fine. Unfortunately the exhaust manifolds aren't the most durable casting ever made. I have an idea for a turbo exhaust that shouldn't cost too much money. Time might be another matter LOL. Get some well used Slant headers and claim the mounting flange as the basis for the manifold. At steel supply shops they sell these weldable heavy wall bends (with full cross section throughout) in varying diameters for just a few dollars each. They're really beautifully cut on the ends with an angle made to fill with weld. Join them with heavy wall pipe. I'm thinking long term. I know what Slant cast is like LOL. I imagine a a situation with the current set up where after the testing phase you nail it and then on overrun it taps the steering box and breaks into 3 pieces. Remember weight X arm = moment. So the apparent weight increase of the turbo hanging off the side of the crappy cast like that is not going to take much. The new exhaust manifold and turbo could be supported using the existing heat stove bolts too. Yes I know it's easy to sit back and solve you're future problems for you but just some ideas. Would make an awesome vid building that.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I fully considered building a turbo header, or doing what everybody is doing these days and using Dutra Duals and a Y pipe. I’m going to thoroughly test this solution. There will be multiple support brackets and solid engine mounts. But you are right, its days are numbered.

[@Slant666]

It's all coming together! I'm super curious to know how that distributor hold-down works out for ya. I saw it on Matt's Ebay store a while back and thought it was a nifty looking piece of kit.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Looking forward to testing it out. Seems very fancy.

[@brianbrundage1598]

Remind me to get motor mounts and possibly salad ones

[@TheNismo777]

If having a turbo isnt enough, next step after 2 turbos would be blower and turbo.. twin charged.. complex and rather challenging to make work.. but epic results since there would be power at any revs. :D

[@Ripsaw17]

Can't wait to see this project done very interested to see what a slant six with a turbo does crimping those battery wires come on you're better than that just do some silver solder and solder together properly it'll save you a lot of headaches in the long run

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I’ve never soldered battery terminals, ever. I like the bolt type to make connections for other power feeds and the ability to quickly change them.

[@abruptlyblunt]

there was one shot in this video where the view was out the shop doors at the valiant and just the way it was parked on the grass with all the greenery behind it positioned so you saw the front and passenger side of the car with the opening of the shop door framing the car like a picture frame flashed me back to a memory which i swear would have fit seamlessly as a scene in your video of me looking out my late great uncles shop doors at the white-ish 340, 4sp, 456 valiant we built that had a cam which hit so hard at idled that you felt like you should tie up the car like you would a horse so car didn't start bouncing down of the driveway on it own, that scene in your video really got me had to stop the video for a while and now can't get the image out of my head, so thanks a lot buddy, wink wink nod nod.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Wow. That’s awesome… and I apologize profusely. Haha.

[@klapaucius77]

I'd say I can't wait for the next video, but do I have a choice? It's not like I'm going to go to your place and do the work for you, nor would you want me too! LOL

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

😅 it’s kind of a nice thought actually.

[@davidbrown4180]

She does look nice 😍

[@MF-ju9xd]

Before grinding for turbo steering box clearance, fix the engine mounts and then if necessary add spacers or oval the holes (whichever applies) to raise the engine a bit.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh don’t worry, I’m on it.

[@LSSindustries]

Right on man

[@ronaldrey8474]

Man every time I see this I'm Reminded of Roadkill Garages Steve saying "don't hit the Dart" also a i6 turbo .

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yeah! Did he ever get that running?

[@ronaldrey8474]

@@DeadDodgeGarage I think 90 % but then he stops... Lol so answer is nope . I procrastinate too .

[@joshjesch6000]

Hope you're feeling better too. Felling like butt sucks. My teeth are making me do that. 11 days yet...I can't wait.

[@joshjesch6000]

Feeling...good lord I can't spell today. 😆

[@Grandadsjunk]

This is going to be real cool lot of work trial and error but it's worth every minute giving it a go yee ha

[@tonyb3864]

Whew... I'm exhausted. Keep up the good work. Where are the donuts?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Somewhere in the future I hope.

[@NecromancerGarage]

I'd recommend getting an AeroFlow carb hat. Last I checked they were $90 USD, apparently made in Australia, but suspiciously looks like the exact same casting as the $250+ Holley hat.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Saw those. They are currently selling for about $150 USD, plus another $50 for the ride up here…

[@wintonwright4244]

Hey Jamie you need to grind all those casting for ridges off of that exhaust manifold but it's stress crack time

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I was thinking I might go after that. Just not sure if I was better off doing that or leaving well enough alone.

[@travisbeavers-ti4ki]

For your bead roller situation checked boosted lifestyle youtube channel, channel lock makes a crazy plier that's perfect for making a bead on charge pipes I just don't remember the part number

[@KrisGreenhill]

(hits the Big Van Vader theme music) Its time, it's time, it's turbo time time time....

[@minnesotatomcat]

Ha! I’ve got that same crappy little belt sander, so I know that just the weight of that exhaust manifold on the belt was nearly enough to stop the grinder 🤣 I’ve been there trying to hog off way too much metal off with that poor underpowered sander, it takes awhile.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh, it was enough to stop it like a dozen times. Haha.

[@CamelGarage]

What if. Red accent on the aluminum valve cover? Specifically in the square it'll help make the letters pop and tie in with the intake runners. Thoughts?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I don’t dislike the vision! But I feel like painting accents on the most beautiful piece of hot rod equipment ever cast might be a lot like kicking a puppy in the face. Alright, I’m still going to think about it.

[@michaelatkins9780]

I got a little dizzy when you said Kcar turbo on a slant. I have had that very thought. I don't know which of us should be worried.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh yeah. It’s been done, at least once. So I can’t claim that as an original idea. Anyway I’m using a bigger, more choochy unit.

[@brianbarry6909]

Oh Boy 😮

[@daverupert9337]

I kinda remember ER309L for dissimilar welds.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That’s the stuff! I was just reading up on it.

[@LaLaLand.Germany]

Well, fed and baked I like the yellow grin of the car. It looks like a heavy smoker- wouldn´t that be a name? This thing looks kinda alien, let´s run with it?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That’s a good one. Haha.

[@cheessedoodle]

I am thinking that a brace off of those empty flange holes down to the hard motor mount might help keep that weld alive. Not that I doubt your welding.... just sayin.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That’s why I left them there! And I am going to add one to the turbo as well - because I *also* doubt my welding.

[@alcyr5655]

Curious about this build. Mainly because 20 plus years ago had a 84 D150 on propane. For some unknown reason that motors has been on my engine stand for over 10 years.

[@PlymouthOnPlywood]

I might have a radio delete plate. It came with the parts haul for my 66’ but the lower radius is too radiusy. It looks like it might fit an earlier Valiant from here.

[@paulkoski8759]

Ill take all the free snails 😂

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Me too 😅

[@fifthlomat717]

Cool that your putting a power adder on a slant but good chance your going to blow a head gasket, unless you got a custom gasket or o ringed the block

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

There is almost a 100% chance I’m going to blow a head gasket, and I for one can’t wait

[@The_Painter31]

@Jamie it might have been easier just to do Water to Air instead, they have some coolers that would have been inline with the hat.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Very true, but this was cheeeeap. And straightforward, and makes sense to me.

[@MoparMan-ff8fb]

Hope you did the oiling system mods like I did to my slants

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Haven’t done a damn thing with the engine itself… yet

[@MoparMan-ff8fb]

check out my older ( slant6 mods ) titled videos . your slant 6 main bearings will thank you

[@rustyirongarage4465]

I have a bunch of early hemi engine parts. 1954 desoto. I would gladly give you if you or your brother wanna pick them up on your next trip through northern ut. Heads . power steering pump generator. Auto Transmission. Internal engine parts. All used and unknown . Just hate to scrap them

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh, that would be neat. I don’t know when I’ll be down there next, but shoot me your info in an email at [e-mail] and I’ll keep that in mind

[@jimringo2569]

Way over my head but liked.

[@MrTonyPiscatelle]

Just look at it !

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I knoooooooow!