Discussion Topic: DIY 320 Turbo (archive)

I've been thinking alot about how to turbocharge a car and would like to seed a discussion thread to get ideas from whose who've done it, those who know someone who've done it, and those who don't know anything about it but just want to leave typical internet geek posts such as (DON'T DO IT YOU'LL BLOW UP YOUR ENGINE!!!! or Turbos Suck follow this link for FEE PORN XXX). Also, lets not hear "You should give Korman or TEP a call and talk to them," b/c I'd like to get the info onto the board for achival sake.

First, can anyone contribute any good links on the practical aspects (not theory b/c there are a lot of low content articles on theory) of turbocharging? I've found - alt.autos.turbocharged, www.gntt.org, www.autospeed.com has a few good articles, www.racetep.com, www.turbocity.com, Allied signal's web page, and Turbotronic's page. I hear a good book is Hugh MacInnes' Turbochargers (mine's on order from bn.com for $15). Another book ?good/bad? is Corky Bell's Maximum Boost $30 at bn.com.

Second, I see turbocharging a 320 as a pretty simple (and maybe not too expensive) task. If you plan to run low boost
pressures (i.e. no change of CR required) it fabricating an exhaust manifold and related exhaust, for intake components you can buy mandrel bent intake tubing and silicone hose from TEP, strapping an MSD Boost computer on to account for timing issues, and adding additional manifold pressure actuated injectors to increase fuel input. Of course this is way simplified and doesn't account for the pains involved in tuining it so that you don't lean or detonate and melt a piston, but it is enough to get some discussion. Presumably a turbo could be accomplished with a blow-through system and carburator. Also, there are obvious improvements like an SDS or Tech-II programmable ignition and higher flow injectors to take the place of the add-on injectors (ensures the additional fuel is atomized). Any comments?

Third, what practical problems is one likely to run into. For example, how do you get oil pressure to the turbo? Mount a remote oil filter and tap off that? Are vacuum driven components affected by the positive intake pressures? How much does the increased cylinder pressures affect the cooling capacity of a 320? How do you accurately monitor lean/rich conditions in time to save your engine? When does a cutting ring head gasket become necessary?

Keep in mind that I studied combustion in school, and was involved in designing the spark and FI maps for our supercharged FSAE car, but it might be helpful for others to discuss the problems with detonation, etc.

Is this enough to disucss? Is this above the skill level of the board or too off-topic? Lets here some discussion.

Josh

Follow Ups:

Re: Discussion Topic: DIY 320 Turbo Paul 15:06 5/17/2000 (2)
- Paul, see the parallel discussion on 2002 board Josh 15:22 5/17/2000 (1)
  - Re: Paul, see the parallel discussion on 2002 boar Paul 16:22 5/17/2000 (0)

[ Follow Ups ] [ 3-series (E21) Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]

Questions, comments, or problems, please visit the Roadfly help desk.