Turbo or not?

[Matysiak]

I have a ROW 1982 targa (9.8 compression ratio). The car has had an EFI conversion using a 3.2 inlet manifold, branched exhaust and runs an aftermarket fully programable ECU. On the Dyno it recently made 207 HP.

The problem is my daily drive is an E60 M5 and although this targa is fast, it's just not fast enough. Now before everyone says sell it and buy a 930, that's really not an option here in South Africa ( Johannesburg - 4500 ft altitude) as right hand drive 911's are few and far between.

So, to my question, is it possible to put a new set of headers on (Seen on Flea bay for 400 USD), a small turbo (400 USD) to keep the boost levels acceptable and possibly an intercooler, only looking for around 300 hp. I know i would need to fabricate an oil feed for the turbo, but have seen it done from the pressure switch on the forum.

What am i missing? Seems like i could turbocharge the car for +- 1500 usd.....

[race911turbo]

Header $1000.
Muffler $500.
Tial GT-30 R Turbocharger $1400.
Tial Wastegate $500.
Intercooler for Carrera intake manifold with blow off valve $800.
Air filter with inlet pipe $100.
Oil lines $100.

What size is your fuel injectors?

[full quack]

How are you planning for adjusting the timing curve for the introduction of boost?

How are you planning to enrich the fuel/air ratio for the introduction of boost?

There is always more to the picture than first meets the eye. I have basically never been able to do anything on my 930 for just $1500....

Mark

[Matysiak]

The programable ecu I have is fully programable. The car already is running a map and tps sensor. I can still add a lambda probe as well. I can programme any timing in for any boost levels, works with the map sensor.

I think my injectors are standard Carreras items.

[The Radium King]

no experience but read many threads here and elsewhere about turbocharging the 3.2. they mention a thicker head gasket to drop compression a bit on the euro models. there also seems to be consensus that the stock injectors are good to 375 hp or so. you have to decide whether you want your mass airflow sensor before or after the turbo; i think with the filament sensors you want to avoid excessive heat so before seems the best bet. there is a typical pickup point for oil which i think is the drain plug. you'll have to decide on intercooling; the top mount with whale tail is the standard, but the 959 put them in the wheel wells and air/water is also an option. muffler? who needs a muffler; the turbo will muffle it!!! you will need a j-pipe, however. also, in a low compression application you'll have to decide if you even want a bov or diverter; surge will be pretty low at 6 or so psi (the low pressure applications for the boxster/cayman don't use them).

otherwise, i've been eyeballing the aerocharger turbos - no wastegate, no oil lines. small though, you'd have to go to a twin turbo application - hang one off each header, straight into an air/air intercooler in each wheel well then up to the intake.

[jsveb]

I don't know, if you know, but there is a seemingly really competent guy in SA. His name is Brian White. As far as i remember.

Don't know him, but I have read quite a bit about him. Done awesome work. Maybe he could give you some tips on how to get it done.

Good luck

[philip j]

There are lots of parts laying around that have been taken off for replacement with aftermarket upgrades. I have all which is needed to do your job collecting dust in my basement. I am sure you could find these even closer to your home if you looked hard enough. Just a thought. Philip

[sjf911]

Very doable. It really helps at altitude (I'm at 3000'). I have 9.5:1 compression running 0.6 bar without a problem. I do, however, have twin-plug ignition, 964 cams, an intercooler, and meth injection.
I started my conversion initially purchasing a set of OBX headers ($369) and a $400 turbo off ebay but decided I needed heat and wanted a more efficient turbo. The OBX headers worked fine for the minimal use I put on them but I never used the $400 turbo. When you go to compare compressor map efficiencies of the various turbo options, you will find that the most efficient turbos for our application at the low boost pressures/moderate flow rates appear to be the KKK (at least the available map). Most of the other turbos have sweet spots above 1.0 bar boost which is why I ultimately went with a new K27. More expensive but probably better at boost pressures of 0.5 bar or so, yielding a lower air temperature and less detonation risk (at least that's the hypothesis).

[911TT33]

No reason why you can't run 0.5 bar non intercooled with the appropriate fuel & ignition changes. Lots of 3.2 turbo guys running this configuration and achieving 340-360hp. It's achievable!

[Matysiak]

I am getting more excited about this, there doesn't really seem to be a reason why I should run into any unseen issues. Have already fired a few e mails off about some parts.....

[JohnJL]

You might buy jpearson's rayjay turbo setup he's removing from his car.

[Matysiak]

I thought i would give everyone an update. I went ahead and did the turbo conversion. I left the engine with the standard 9.8 compression ratio. I am using a T3/T4 hybrid with a .63 ar. I have also added an intercooler and BOV. The car is using TPS, MAP sensor and Lambda sensor to monitor things through an aftermarket ECU.

I am currently running 0.5 bar boost (Boost is good....) with one small issue, the injectors (250cc) are now running at 100% at the top end, will be replacing these with 440cc injectors shortly.

I haven't set up dyno tuning as yet, but am running a max of 22 degrees advance under boost, max of 35 degrees off boost, so the engine pulls nicely off boost

Lessons learnt.. The small things add up, total cost has been around 1800 USD and i still have a bit more to spend to tydy things up. Take your time, took me three months and still playing.

[JohnJL]

nicely done.

[icemann427]

Wow! Great conversion! My son in law's family lives in Pretoria. I love SA

[Tt surgeon]

Agree w above, but a good IC is going to run closer to 2k.

[sjf911]

Well done! Welcome to the world of boost addiction.

[Ronnie's.930]

Nice work on your project - one thing that would clean up the appearance of your engine bay considerably is if you replace the flat metal supports you are using on the intercooler with rods and heim joints - looks much better!

[KoenigsTiger]

I am considering turbo charging a 3.2SS with 9.8CR, I am afraid that the CR is too high...

[1986 930]

A buddy of mine has a Super Charger on his 86 coupe. It is pretty dang quick and no intercooler. Might be an option. It is about as quick as a stock 930.

[Matysiak]

Finally got the car on the dyno. The boost had to be turned down to .4 bar as we were seeing light detonation, but the car still made 283 rwhp and 280 lb of torque. Well pleased with the cars new found performance. Importantly, boost comes in well before 3000 rpm.