BUICK'S Turbocharged V-6 Powertrain For 1978

A new turbocharged 3.8 litre V-6 engine and powertrain has been developed for production application in the Buick model line-up.

This design offers, as a replacement for larger displacement engines, a turbocharged powertrain with improved fuel economy and equal performance. Significant technological advances include engine-turbo matching for improved low end and mid-range performance, minimizing turbo vehicle “lag”, and an all new electronic spark control closed loop system that controls detonation through the use of spark retard. Revisions of basic engine components to ensure durability and pleaseability equivalent to that of a conventional engine are discussed.

Further development of this powertrain concept may provide the flexibility to meet legislated fuel economy levels of the future without severe compromises in vehicle size or performance.