Date: Fri, 13 Dec 2002 09:51:57 -0500
Reply-To: Kenneth Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Kenneth Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Friday Thoughts about Turboing a Vanagon
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OK I know it sounds crazy but I have been thinking lately of turboing a
Vanagon. Either a waterboxer or a Tiico conversion. Here is how I think I
would do it:
Waterboxer
I would install a S&S header system which collects all of the exhaust
headers into one extractor pipe with a triangular three bolt flange. I
would mount the turbo to this flange (located on the driver's side of the
engine) and then rework the pipe going from the turbo to the catalytic
convertor (shouldn't be hard as we have mig welding equipment and my Dad is
a great welder.) The only two hold ups I can think of is routing the intake
air (the turbo would be on the side opposite the throttle body) and the oil
pickup and return for the turbo. Any thoughts or ideas? Any reason why
this wouldn't work? I have heard that the fuel injection (Digifant) should
automatically compensate for the increased fueling a turbo would require.
Is this true or would I need a performance chip to make this work? Since I
would probably we routing the intake air over the top of the transmission
bellhousing there would be plenty of room for an intercooler. Do you think
if I went this route I would need a knock sensor?
Tiico:
Use the turbo and exhaust manifold from a 1.6l TD jetta on the Tiico engine
to turbo this engine. This would be easier than the waterboxer as the oil
pan for the tiico already has the oil return hole in it and tapping the
block would be easy. The blocks are almost identical between the diesel and
this engine so everything should bolt right up. Making up a slightly
modified exhaust would be the hardest part (pretty easy) and the intake
would be easier as it is on the same side as the turbo. This engine is
already at 10:1 compression and has a knock sensor. I am pretty sure that
the Motronic ECU would easily compensate for the turbo without much
adjustments. Do you think it would work as is, or should I lower the
compression ratio a little to avoid detonation? Any ideas on why this
wouldn't work?
A turbo should increase horsepower 30-40%. This would mean on a waterboxer
2.1l engine we would be looking at 120 hp and the Tiico 150 hp at the 30%
mark.
Just throwing this stuff out there. Any comments are welcome.
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
http://www.vanagain.com
Phone: (856)-327-4936
Fax: (856)-327-2242