help on turbo converstion

i have the mk1 golf gti 8v engine, i want to put a turbo on, even tho it may be easyer slammin a turbo engine in, i want the originality of my engine but with a turbo on,

what do i need to do???

upgraded pistons for air compession???

depends on how much work you want to do as the main headache on the 8v engine is makeing the turbo exhaust manifold

i can get a custom manifold made easy, just the rest i actulli need to know about

Might be easier to get a G60 engine, you can get them at a reasonable price without the charger and you'll have the correct compression, pistons etc.

You'll then need the manifold and management.

If you need to ask , don't attempt it .

Fit a 1.8T engine , see the sticky above here .

BE FUN IF I HAVE A GO LOL

Turbo, boost pipes, intercooler, manifold, oil feed (taken from oil pressure sensor hole), forged low comp pistons and rods. You could put a thicker headgasket on to drop the compression ration but not sure where you'd get one from.
 
You dont need this but i've got an emerald ecu and G60 injectors fitted also I've got the new K3 ecu and have stored 3 maps on it with a switch on my dash to select what ever map i want. Get rid of the kjet this way (less weight haha) and you can get the throttle body to conect to the intercooler.

Crazy fast!!!

chudd said

If you need to ask , don't attempt it .

Sorry but comments like that always annoy me, if we all thought like that we'd still be in the stone age.


Nothing wrong with doing research, thats what these forums are for.

cabby18t said

chudd said

If you need to ask , don't attempt it .

Sorry but comments like that always annoy me, if we all thought like that we'd still be in the stone age.


Nothing wrong with doing research, thats what these forums are for.

Amen!!!! I agree

machine said

cabby18t said

chudd said

If you need to ask , don't attempt it .

Sorry but comments like that always annoy me, if we all thought like that we'd still be in the stone age.


Nothing wrong with doing research, thats what these forums are for.

Amen!!!! I agree

I stick with my first comment .

Research the subject , buy a book on the subject , decide on a course of action , ask questions . It has never been cost effective to turbo a standard 8v when you can get one straight off the shelf from the VAG parts bin that will fit with little effort .  

cabby18t     

Might be easier to get a G60 engine, you can get them at a reasonable price without the charger and you'll have the correct compression, pistons etc.

You'll then need the manifold and management

How do you think the original MK1 Golf GTI Turbo Technics cars worked then ?

Interesting this.

Could do this to my T4.   8O    

Low compression engine already.  8)

Beyond my capability though  :dontknow:

Might look into it  :roll:

Give it a go it doesn't have to be expensive, and could certainly be cheaper than fitting a vag turbo,

my buggy turbo conversion has cost around ?300,

It depends what you want from your engine and what sort of power you want to be pushing,
The theory from the "turbo mania" (an old air cooled book) is that 10psi will give you around twice your original horsepower, but i've not got any proof of my own to back this up,

I used the method of finding an existing car of a similar engine size and configuration, that is turbo'd i went for a rover coupe turbo, 2.0l with a T25 garret turbo, there are loads of them about very cheap, and they have a built in waste gate so no messing with external jobs.

As already said take an oil feed -3 line from your oil pressure sender, and return the oil to the sump, with a half inch pipe, the T25 is water cooled and could be plumbed in to the cooling system, but as my buggy's air cooled i've not bothered and it's fine.

the T25 from the rover has a 90 deg exhaust elbow with a 3 bolt flange which would make the down pipe easier,

loads of intercoolers in scrapyards or ebay, merc sprinter in common on golfs and i like the vivaro van cooler as it has 2" in and out, facing the right direction to mount in front of the rad or down low, a cheap source of boost pipe is exhaust tubing or ali scaffolding, it's light ans structurally strong, and 2".

Fueling is a personal choice, k jet will have enough pressure and is used on escort turbos of the same age to good effect, aftermarket ecu's will give you more options but aren't as cost effective,

do a search for decompression plates, or forged low comp pistons if your going for some serious power,

using good petrol will help with detonation, but isn't a cure,

at the end of the day if your engines old, a turbo will show up faults, you'll want good compression so as you don't pressurize your case, your bottom end will be under more pressure so new rod bearings might be worth a look,

alternatively, search for a peugeot 205 which has a turbo where the back box used to be, the length of pipe to the inlet manifold cools the charge enough that an intercooler isn't needed, and running at 7psi, there's no need to change the compression, not sure what he did for an oil feed and return though, but it worked

either way it'll be fun!
 

chudd said

How do you think the original MK1 Golf GTI Turbo Technics cars worked then ?

Info taken from www.vwturbo.co.uk

Head Gasket?a special Turbo Technics head gasket was used to replace the original VAG item. The Turbo Technics head gasket helping lower the compression, and also prevent boost leakage between the head and the cylinder and premature head gasket failure.

Exhaust Manifold?Changed for a specially cast Turbo Technics manifold. This was needed to carry the Turbo. A special down pipe manufactured again by Turbo Technics was also used to link the Turbo to the exhaust system. The down pipe incorporating a bell mouth flexi-joint arrangement.

Turbo?A Garrett T34/35 turbo with double circlip arrangement on the Turbine shaft was used. The turbo being built to Turbo Technics specifications.

Distributor?A turbo technics modified distributor was used to replace the standard item, with a modified ignition curve and vacuum capsule to retard the ignition when on boost.

Metering Head?The metering head was machined by Turbo Technics to allow more fuel to flow when on boost. This however did make the car very uneconomical when used? expect around 17 to 20mpg average per gallon !

Intercooler?A front mounted intercooler was mounted in the place of the oil cooler, the oil cooler being relocated in front of the radiator. Pipe work to link the turbo, and inlet manifold was also provided.

Thats how.

manx1641 said

Give it a go it doesn't have to be expensive, and could certainly be cheaper than fitting a vag turbo,

my buggy turbo conversion has cost around ?300,

It depends what you want from your engine and what sort of power you want to be pushing,
The theory from the "turbo mania" (an old air cooled book) is that 10psi will give you around twice your original horsepower, but i've not got any proof of my own to back this up,

either way it'll be fun!
 

Wow I wasn't expecting any kind of reply like that!   8O  far too much for me to digest straight away but you almost make it sound feasible. Much more research required i think so any further guidance is most welcome.

For info current engine is a 1.8L petrol (code PD) with a Weber Carb fitted. Not a million miles removed from the 1.8L Golf engine tbh. Same block and stuff. It's also converted to run on LPG, so I'd be interested to hear what interface that might have. But LPG does have the advantage of highlighting any poor running issues especially with the ignition system.

Additional strain may be an issue though - while i dont drive it hard it's obviously pulling a heavy brick and I do cover more than my fair share of miles. What I would be seeking power wise isn't too stupid. Just better pull all round tbh. Top speed isn't a huge issue.

They ran a series of atricles in a magazine called practicle performance car, which took you through all the different considerations you should make when planning a turbo conversion, after about 4 weeks of advise, they turned round and said, now that we've told you all of that, the way we'd do it is to find a similar car with a turbo and rob it for all it's parts,

you could spend months planning a turbo system only to find it doesn't work, or you could wing it, but be on the safe side and be out enjoying it in no time, By "safe side" i mean ahve your engine running richer when on boost, you can always trim it down later, but this will help stop a premiture melt down, and you'll need to retard the ignition when on boost as well, plenty of people have done turbo conversions so all the info is out there, it's just a matter of jumpimg in and getting it done, mines simple and was done in a weekend, but still needs tuning,

When considering  turbo, bigger turbos tend to produce more lag, unless it's one of the newer types which would cost a fortune, so sizing is key, escort rs turbos tend to be laggy, they have a T3, rovers aren't too bad and have a T25, renault 5's have a little T2, diesel turbos will work but spool up at lower rev's due to the cut of the impeller, my neighbour has turbo'd his beetle with a diesel T15 form an astra van, it works but is producing boost almost from idle, in my opinion i'd like to have my boost come in just above cruising speed in top gear on the motor way, that way i could potter along without the turbo producing extra heat, it's a lot to think about but don't be put off,

here a quicky of mine

Apologies for the hijack Mickeyone and thanks again Manx.

More good stuff.

Yes my preferred set up would be similar to yours. Motorways and pottering around with no boost. Let youyr right foot get a bit heavy and let it cut in. Keeping any additional strain on the engine would be a priority though. I rely too much on the vehicle to have it on the ramp all the time.

I have also been considering a straight engine swap as well for more oomph.

All good fun this research and tinkering lark

machine said

Turbo, boost pipes, intercooler, manifold, oil feed (taken from oil pressure sensor hole), forged low comp pistons and rods. You could put a thicker headgasket on to drop the compression ration but not sure where you'd get one from.
 
You dont need this but i've got an emerald ecu and G60 injectors fitted also I've got the new K3 ecu and have stored 3 maps on it with a switch on my dash to select what ever map i want. Get rid of the kjet this way (less weight haha) and you can get the throttle body to conect to the intercooler.

Crazy fast!!!

thank u for advice mate

im very greatfull for advice, im goin to av a go guys

top man, go for it, an let us know how your getting on with it and which bits your using. 8)

here a quicky of mine

Your silencer has fallen off  :wink:






Very neat install, congrats, looks great.