I've been driving my 81' dodge 4x4 with the 318 turbo motor this last week. It's been in the single digits to below zero in the mornings here. The motor really likes the cold air and really hauls once it gets up on the turbo.
Through the full exhaust it will only go to about 12lbs of boost so last fall I installed an electric cutout on the exhaust pipe. Through the cutout it will easily go past 20lbs. At 20lbs the 318 thinks it a big block on steroids, with the cold temps I sometimes have trouble spinning the tires at 50mph at full boost.
the only fuel available close by is 87 octane. I've had to try and limit the boost to 18lbs. or less while running that swill. Well yesterday my craving for brutal acceleration overcame my common sense. I glanced at the boost gauge as I shifted and it was about 24lbs. When I pulled up to the shop it wasn't idling smoothly. Opened the hood and brought the rpm up a bit and I see some excessive blowby. I'm guessing I collapsed a couple ring lands again. O well... the motor already has a zipper in it. Dave

Bummer, but that's probably what happened. I've smashed a few at a lot less boost than you run. Maybe water / alcohol injection is in your future? I don't leave home without it.

That sounds like fun. At least you made it home, it would be no good to walk home when the temperature is 0.

Atleast you're out having fun w/ it!

20 psi on 87 octane? That's braver than I would ever run! Your tune must be perfect.

And nothing but 87 available? Glad I don't live where you do!

Sorry for the damage but you've lost your mind man to even think it would live and I don't even run that crap in my Ranger and is barely good enuff for a lawn mower............

If you don't drive it, you can't break it

I would have 2 barrels and be taking a road trip for some 93 octane

Even my bone stock 93 Dakota 3.9 pings like crazy on hills with 87.

Fix your blown plenum gasket. I bet it burns through oil like crazy too.

No reason for a 3.9 to ping unless it's sucking oil from that gasket

Please post some pics and video of this thing

No smoke, no oil consumption(maybe a quart in 2000 miles)........ And I'm the original owner.
It's pinged on 87 since day one........ 143,000 on it now.

Owners manual says it should run on 87, but it's never been happy with it.

One time when changing the oil on my 3100 GM V6 i broke the wire for the knock sensor. Without it it would rain detonation uphills over half throttle on 87.

It can happen on 93 also.

The compression is 7.8-1, the cam is a summit house cam with 218/228@.050. 4spd. The A/F ratio at WOT is 10.8-10.9-1, 20 degrees timing. Stock 318 heads, 360 CI manifolds. The heads are the cork in the system. I ve never hurt it on 91 octane. It's never had a problem on 87 octane as long as I kept it under 18lbs. of boost. At 18lbs. With the stock cam it made 460hp. Dave

I have had good results adding 10 gallons of 110 leaded Torco to the 87 unleaded tank in our equipment yard. The 361 2 barrel would ping on hot days with a full load in the D600. Even blackie the W100 shop truck with a 318 (summit cam) would also run poorly on the un-spiked 87. That surprised me. The 110 cured all of my problems including percolation in a hot shut down condition. 87 unleaded is irritating!

Cold dry air with a high barometric readings spell death for you that day Those conditions with 24 lbs. of boost probably made well over 600 HP

Dave, after reading this, if you reload for that hogleg of yours I bet you have had to ream what is left of the cartridge cases out of the cylinders a couple of times

Greg there are some things I don't test the limits on the BFR is one of them.
I'd post some pictures but I've had nothing but trouble with photobucket lately.
This whole project has been a LOW BUDGET 'what if' deal to help teach myself about the wonderful world of forced induction. One of my MAIN conclusions is I CAN'T be trusted around boost. I'm like an old Alky sitting next an unopened bottle. I know the possible consequences but I do it anyway.
Anyone have an old set of 3.95 bore low compression forged pistons laying around?.....I can't help myself.Dave

Just kiding about the BFR loading Great info on the turbo deal! It would be interesting to know what a forged piston E85 deal like yours would do. Especiely if the motor needed no rebalance.