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Boosting Performance: Tony Angelo Enhances a 1980 Dodge D150 with a Turbocharged Slant-Six
If you’re a fan of classic trucks with straight-six engines, you’re certainly not alone. Today, we delve into a unique project by Tony Angelo featured on the Stay Tuned YouTube channel, focusing on turbocharging a Chrysler slant-six engine for the first time.
The vehicle in question is a 1980 Dodge D150 equipped with a 225-cubic-inch slant-six engine. For those unfamiliar, the slant-six engine is an inline engine tilted 30 degrees to the passenger side, designed for better packaging. Chrysler utilized this versatile engine across various models, including the Plymouth Valiant and Dodge Dart, as well as many practical work trucks. While these engines are known for their reliability, they don’t exactly deliver thrilling power, with factory ratings of 145 horsepower and 215 lb-ft of torque.
In its nearly stock condition, Angelo’s D150 took a sluggish 18.4 seconds to reach 60 mph, which highlighted the need for a performance boost. After establishing this baseline, the team set out to build a turbo kit to enhance the truck’s performance significantly.
The project team managed to acquire the necessary parts at a remarkably low cost, spending only $123 for a turbo sourced from Amazon, specifically a Maxpeedingrods model previously used in another project. Additional expenses included a $100 wastegate and a $69 blow-off valve from Summit, while the most expensive component, a 500-cfm Holley two-barrel carburetor, cost $589. Overall, they successfully completed the project for under $1,000, and with used parts, the cost could be as low as $500.
During the initial test run, a clutch issue arose, but after replacing the throwout bearing, it was time for a performance check. The truck now produces a constant whistle while under throttle. The first test showed a remarkable improvement, with the truck accelerating to 60 mph in just 10.7 seconds—an impressive eight-second reduction in time due to the turbo kit. Further attempts with better launch technique allowed Angelo to achieve a Dragy-verified time of 9.7 seconds, effectively halving the original performance.
All performance tests were conducted on the same stretch of road, with Angelo and the truck’s owner, Barb, on board. A key factor in improving the final time was Angelo’s modification in gear shifting, allowing him to hit 60 mph just before shifting into third gear. This adjustment minimized time lost during gear changes. While the D150’s new speed is comparable to that of a last-generation Toyota Prius, the driving experience is considerably more enjoyable.
With this turbocharged slant-six, vintage truck enthusiasts have a reason to celebrate and explore similar modifications.
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