Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2011 23:25:25 -0500
Reply-To: frankgrun@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Frank Grunthaner <frankgrun@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: Bostig Turbo update
In-Reply-To: <022101cbac8b$e4b3c790$ae1b56b0$@com>
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Daryl,
I can also vote for the sophisticated SAAB APC which I used for my home-engineered Audi 3A turbocharged motor in my Westy. I built it with the express purpose of supplementing power at high altitudes and originally planned to keep the boost below 3.5 psi. I was concerned about piston top temperatures, so I fabricated a spark plug with a sapphire fiber light pipe to use as a pyrometer. Unfortunately the light emission during combustion and the plasma afterglow just swamped the detector - it couldn't recover to background charge levels quickly enough to estimate a temperature. In the end, I used the knock sensor response from the SAAB APC/ATC control to determine the ping onset. I went to 7 psi with no problem but going higher would require getting rid of some of my overpressure safety systems. I then added water vapor injection pre-turbo and concluded that I could drop the octane level to 89 at 7 psi (with the water injection).
Frank Grunthaner
-----Original Message-----
From: Daryl Christensen <daryl@AATRANSAXLE.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Tue, Jan 4, 2011 7:51 pm
Subject: Bostig Turbo update
Cross posting the heck out of this one as I chat with lots of different
lists.
Got about 200 miles on my Turbo setup.
Frickin Awesome....I am one happy camper...
The wait was worth it definitely. Took a guy for a short test drive today.
After he punched it in 2nd, he was hooked and I could see him wondering what
to sell to get one for his van.
The kit went together very nicely and relatively easily for me. The rough
install documents were surprisingly good. Surprisingly few glitches in the
whole procedure considering this is an early kit.
Kit came with the Turbo, intercooler w/2 fans, piping, hardware, heat
shields, DashDAQ unit for data logging, Zeitronix logger, Saab APC, Wideband
O2 setup, new injectors and plugs, wiring and install destructions. All I
needed was there. It all fit. Its all good quality and nicely done.
I got almost 16 mpg on the first 120 miles with a heavy rt foot and a big
grin on my face.
Tranny is still good with stock gearing as the little motor will spin up to
7K without complaint. No problem going up hills or keeping up with the best
of them at over 80 mph even with only the 7 lbs of boost for now. I run just
shy of 27" tires and its all a good match for my 5300 lb rig.
Jim insists on regular data logs to keep an eye on how she is doing and has
been johhny on the spot for the few questions I have had so far.
They are very careful to make it all right and make it last without frying a
piston.
Do need to use 92 octane fuel to keep the ping down.
The rest is up to me to maintain it and wait till he OK's the jump to 12 lbs
boost after we are both happy with it all.
All in all, I am very pleased and glad I did this conversion.
There are several good engine options out there and I am glad I did this one
for sure. Do your research, ask questions and test drive each if you can and
take your best shot.
Daryl of AA Transaxle
425-788-4070
"On the cutting edge of Old technology"
86 Syncro Westy w/Turbo Zetec in the trunk (and loving it)
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