My Turbo Proton Project

[Leon R]

I knew something bad would happen as a result taking my VX to the drag strip:

http://vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=24264

I didn't blow my 165k engine or transmission, but after much consideration, I decided to turbocharge my VX! Please do not go into superchargers vs. turbochargers debait... I am a mechanical engineer with concentration in internal combustion engines, the odds are you are not going to tell me anything I haven't heard before ;)

I love turbos, I know turbos, turbos are cheap and they are more efficient than superchargers. I am not an off-roader, therefore low RPM boost lag is a non-issue. So I am using a turbo :). Besides, 90% of people who say "I pefer a blower", do not truly know what they are talking about :bgwb:

JDM monkey has tried this before:

http://vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=13021

But I am going to take a different approach to it:

1. I am going to START by getting my engine management ready for the turbo BEFORE I actually install it!
2. I am going to get rid of the of pre-turbo cats! Those are known for creating LOTS of turbo lag and should be avoided!
3. I am going to try to use as small turbo as I can qet away with.

For engine management, I have already purchased an AEM FIC. I will install it, along with a wideband 02 sensor and get everything working together. Then, I will upgrade the fuel system with larger fuel injectors and possibly a larger fuel pump.

Once it is all running, without CE's lights, I will work on the turbo (the easy part ;))

I am shooting for around 100hp boost over the current 170hp (calculated at the wheels)! I know my tranny might be an issue, so I will build an upgraded unit, for when the stock tranny finally fails.

[clipper 03 rodeo]

Awesome, can't wait to see it!

Do you have any idea what upgraded injectors we can use that will fit directly into our engines? Also what fuel pump?

[SilverBullet75]

Subscribing to this thread for sure!
Good luck!

[Leon R]

Awesome, can't wait to see it!

Do you have any idea what upgraded injectors we can use that will fit directly into our engines? Also what fuel pump?

kickerfox identified stock injectors as EV14 style, which have numerous upgrades every possible size. I will probably shoot for something in the 500-600cc range.

[clipper 03 rodeo]

I must have missed that, I've been watching his RX-8 thread on the Planet.

Thanks!

[EVO]

Oh this is going to be GOOOOD!!!! Going with lo boost I hope, as I don't know how strong those stock rods are. I know this isn't your first rodeo, but could you help out on all those supporting mods your going to need ie.(arp rodbolts,headstuds,cams,etc,etc.) in a stockish block. You are the MAN!!!!!

[boocher13]

Are you going to use an intercooler? How much boost do you plan on putting to it? I'm not familiar with the engine's stock compression but you know that's a factor. Also does the stock engine use a map sensor ? If so your going to need a new one , at least a 2 bar.

[Leon R]

EVERY proper turbo system should have an intercooler! I tend to stick to proper solutions ;). I want to start with 7psi and eventually going up, I think that 10psi is not out of the question on a stock engine.

Stock engine is using a GM hotwire MAF, it actually works fine under boost, but I am going to use AEM FIC which uses a 3 bar MAP sensor, so it is more than enough.

[boocher13]

I like the way your thinking. According to my calculations 7psi should be doable on the stock engine using 93 octane. Should be good for right around 50hp at the crank.I can't wait to see the dyno results .

[Leon R]

Unfortunately, I can only reference Alpine Supercharger as a prior example of forced induction on these engines and it made 60-70 HP on 5-6 psi of boost. That is about 12hp/psi of boost.

Turbos are more efficient (especially when combined with intercoolers) and I will have much better engine management. So it isn't unreasonable to expect 15hp/psi from a well designed and tuned turbo system.

But... I hate "bench racing", so I will not put too much weight on this until it goes onto rollers :)

For the record I want to add this dyno thread, so that I can compare to it later, after I get my own numbers:

http://vehicross.info/forums/showpost.php?p=57659&postcount=11

[EVO]

And then its off to the track to see how she handle's the boooooost!! Dyno's are great tools for Tuners as it gives them benchmarks on how the mods translates into real numbers.

[ABDragonVX]

Hey Leon R, goodluck with the project. I can't recall but I was curious how you did in the 1/4 mile. My friends are bugging me to hit the track next weekend. Are you worried about the transfer case or any other drivetrain components breaking?

[Etfren]

Awesome idea! I have been toying with turbo'ing my VX someday, but I have a lot of other projects planned for it before that. I am curious to see what kind of upgrades you do find for our motors that the rest of us can use too even without boost. Good luck!

[Leon R]

Hey Leon R, goodluck with the project. I can't recall but I was curious how you did in the 1/4 mile. My friends are bugging me to hit the track next weekend. Are you worried about the transfer case or any other drivetrain components breaking?

The video is in the first link I posted, but I ran 17.0's at 80. I could really feel the big tires slowing me down :). I would love to compare it to someone else.

I was concerned about blowing the tranny or causing some engine damage mainly because my VX has 164k miles, but it performed flawlessly.

The rest of the drivetrain (diffs, axles and transfer case) should not be in danger from this stock engine.

[Mile High VX]

Sounds like a fun project.

There are some photos on here someplace of a JDM with mid-mount turbos but I'm not sure where to start looking.

Perhaps someone can post them up in this thread...:bwgy::smilewink:bgwo::bgwb:

[Espritmike]

I turboed my 1987 Suzuki Samurai w/ a 16v Sidekick motor. Ran great, only problem I had was it kept cracking exhaust manifolds.