Turbo mock up and install

[lesingepsycho]

OK, I finally got some time to work on getting the turbo installed. After 2-3 months of trying to sell the car as "fuel injected <span style="font-style: italic">with</span> turbocharger" I realized that nobody has the desire to take on a project like this and finish it off, even at a huge cut in price. So here it is. I had to axe the heater but it make a great place for the turbo. Here's two mock up shots and the turbo installed on the car. I still have to hook up the tail pipe and compressor side plumbing, then reprogram the fuel injection to handle the boost.

JACK

 

[lesingepsycho]

Pic 2

 

[lesingepsycho]

and in the car

 

[RickB]

Jack - WOW that's looking awesome!!
So when will you be able to fire it up?

 

[lesingepsycho]

I fired it earlier today without the compressor side plumbed in to check for leaks on the turbine side. It was pretty loud without a tail pipe hooked up! :wink: Everything up until this point seems to have checked out though. I just came in for some lunch and BCF and then it's back out to get a tailpipe fabbed in. I'm going to be replacing the stock plenum (air box) with a stainless steel one that I'm going to make myself. That way I can route the plumbing the way I want and provide more room for an aftermarket blow-off-valve and the Intake Air Temp sensor that the EFI uses. But that won't happen until tomorrow when I can use the monster industrial shear and break that we have at work. Once that is completed, then I can hook up the compressor side and actually be boosted! This being a holiday weekend coming up, I don't anticipate it will be until sometime after Labor day that it will be complete. One bite at a time, I'll eventually eat this elephant!

JACK

 

[smaceng]

Are you worried about the turbo boost lag? Seem like a long way from the turbo to the carb. Good luck, I'm sure it will make a bundle of HP.
Scott in CA

 

[lesingepsycho]

I suppose lag is just an inevitability. I checked all my options and this seemed to be the best place for the turbo to go. I've seen turbos with FAAAAAR longer to go than my setup so I don't think it's too bad. I've seen cars, including on the new Challenger, where the turbos are back by the rear axle and still go back through an intercooler. You're talking 10 feet of exhaust pipe back to the turbine, 10 feet back up to the intercooler and then another 4 feet to the intake. I'm looking at maybe 1.5 feet to the turbine and then maybe 2.5 feet back to the intake plenum. Every turbo has lag but that's just a sacrifice I'm willing to make. I'm pretty sure it'll still beat the pants off no-turbo!

JACK

 

[bugedd]

thats not much piping at all for a turbo car. My Mitsu Galant VR4 has about 3' from the turbo to the intercooler, then from there to the throttle body is about 6'. There is a touch of lag, but when it turns on, its worth it. I just got back from Lowes and laid a 20' all wheel drive smoke show for fun, thanks to that turbo.

 

[DWeeB]

We need a video of this puppy running! Very cool!

 

[lesingepsycho]

OK, to end the day I got the tailpipe and muffler hooked up, set the wastegate, hooked up a pressure gauge and I was reading 4 pounds of boost off the compressor. That's what the stock MG Metro Turbo wastegate acctuator is set to run at so that seems to be functioning well. Also, it's not smoking which is good. I was a little worried about the condition of the used turbo and if the shaft seals would be bad but they seem to be fine. No oil in the turbine. Just revving it in the driveway I could here that high pitch turbo whine. MMmmm, gives me shivers!!

I will definitely get some video once it is up and running and on boost! Believe me, BCF will be the first to know!

JACK

 

[jlaird]

WE'REEEEE waiting.