Turbo in an Early Car?

[andrew15]

I was just wondering if anyone out there has put an early turbo engine w/o intercooler into an early car?
- What would the major obstacles be in doing so?
- Would I need to use the turbo 4-spd to replace my 901 transaxle?
- Can a later turbo engine be used w/o the intercooler? (want to keep an early decklid)
- Is this just crazy? - better off with a 3.2/3.6?
- I looked in the archives but didn't find anything about this one (probably missed it)

Thanks for the info in advance
Andrew M

[poobala]

Man what are you thinking,bastardising an old car ,your brakes wouldn't stop you,I don't usually flame a guy but kee ripes man. You young kids with too much money just looking to change something that was built a certain way,rock and roll hoodlums,that's why they call it dope.my 2 cents.you hit a sore spot with me.

[Bill Douglas]

You's a crazy man.

Sounds fun though

[Natchamp]

pooba = snobbish purist

[slammed1000]

go for it! it would be no major problem at all...no different than putting a 3.6 in the car as far as power goes.

[dd74]

Pooboo - ease up on the Canada Dry, man.

As for turboing an early; how "early" is early?

I don't think I'd risk it in a SWB car.

A used 3.0 turbo would probably be the best bet, but good luck finding one. Unless I'm looking in the wrong place, I haven't seen one for sale for a long time.

Another thought is buying a regular 3.0 and supercharging it. On an early car, that'd be fast and faster.

[slammed1000]

dart auto has a early turbo motor forsale right now!

[dd74]

1976 Carrera 3.0 Turbo, 49,000 miles, intercooler, K27, Carrera tensioners ... $7000

Is this a little pricey?

[CamB]

I'll have a crack at the anwers (not that I know)...

I was just wondering if anyone out there has put an early turbo engine w/o intercooler into an early car?

Err, not personally! A couple of guys have done is into a slightly later car though (late 70s). Ummm, can't remember the guys' names. Sorry. Oh, RarlyL8 did it to an SC (not that it looks like an SC).

- What would the major obstacles be in doing so?

The intercooler. Making sure you had all the ancilliaries from the Turbo engine (all CIS bits, etc). 65% rear weight bias (at a guess). Mating turbo to 901.

- Would I need to use the turbo 4-spd to replace my 901 transaxle?

I don't think so - the 901 can be used but you need some custom bits which aren't too hard (flywheel?) . Plenty of people (with 914s) have attached SC and Carrera engines to a 901. The 901 won't last that long if you abuse it though.

- Can a later turbo engine be used w/o the intercooler? (want to keep an early decklid)

I wouldn't do it. Instead, you might be able to put the intercooler somewhere else? I dunno. I am REALLY guessing now. By the way, this would be my main concern (the intercooler/decklid issue). I like skinny early cars.

- Is this just crazy? - better off with a 3.2/3.6?

Probably. Depends on your goals!!!!! Even "only" 210 or hp from a 3.2 is HEAPS in an early car.

- I looked in the archives but didn't find anything about this one (probably missed it)

Haha, not surprised.

[beepbeep]

Originally posted by andrew15
I was just wondering if anyone out there has put an early turbo engine w/o intercooler into an early car?
- What would the major obstacles be in doing so?

More weight. More power (you need bigger brakes). More fuel (new pumps), bigger CV's, bigger wheels.

- Would I need to use the turbo 4-spd to replace my 901 transaxle?

Unfortunately, i think so. 915 (which is 901's "bigger brother") can hardly take the torque of 930 engine. So my answer is yes. With that weight and torque, you could drive with 3-speed and still be extremply quick

- Can a later turbo engine be used w/o the intercooler? (want to keep an early decklid)

Yes...you'll need to lower boost or at least never run more than standard 0.7 and use premium gas. You can also use water/air intercooler that is very portable.

- Is this just crazy? - better off with a 3.2/3.6?

No. Why should it be? Most of us want powerful engines in light cars. And it's always fun to tear up early car, if nothing just to annoy the purists

Andrew M

[thrown_hammer]

Yeah why would anyone want to make an early car faster?? That's just craaaazy talk.

[andrew15]

Thanks guys, I'm probably going to rebuild my 2.2 to a 2.5 short stroke, keep the webers, and keep it kind of period correct - But I wanted to weigh my options.
I see a lot of 3.0/3.2/3.6 upgrades but the turbo is never really mentioned. I saw the off topic posting about the man on the street generally thinking that 'the Porsche engine is turbo charged, right?' and it just sort of got me thinking - why don't we see more conversions that invole the early turbo engine? Anyway, thanks for the comments.

Regards,
Andrew M

[john70t]

There's also the consideration that the turbos were prone to tail-sliding when the boost came on in a curve, that without an intercooler the intake air will be pretty hot, and the engineers designed a 4-speed rock for that engine.

[lendaddy]

Hmm, Should I lower the boost on my '77 930 since it never had an IC? I say go for it. Would be very unique without really going into uncharted waters. NO you dont need an IC, but it would be nice. You can always relocate the air filter housing and run a small IC under the stock lid in the space vacated by the air box(my plan). Just keep the brakes(upgrade) in mind and you'll be ok.

[beepbeep]

Originally posted by lendaddy
Hmm, Should I lower the boost on my '77 930 since it never had an IC? I say go for it. Would be very unique without really going into uncharted waters. NO you dont need an IC, but it would be nice. You can always relocate the air filter housing and run a small IC under the stock lid in the space vacated by the air box(my plan). Just keep the brakes(upgrade) in mind and you'll be ok.

Answer is YES, in case you used later intercooled engine without installed intercooler. Pre-78' 3.0 engine has 6.5:1 C/R where 3.3 engine has raised R/R to 7.0:1 to exploit the fact that charge air is intercooled.

[johncj8989]

Turbo in an early car?? This is just folly! Next thing you know somebody will try to invent a flying machine, or go to the moon. Just accept the status quo man and quit rocking the boat.................

[MMARSH]

I think John walker has a turbo motor in his early car. You might want to talk to him about it. Also there is a wrench a TRE named Tim who also had a turbo in his 72.

[dd74]

Yeah. Tim tried to get me interested in a turbo 3.0 about four or five months ago, so he may have some leads...

[slater]

"- Is this just crazy? - better off with a 3.2/3.6? "

Heck yeah it's crazy... but i think thats why it would be so cool!