914 turbocharging

[ViolentBlue]

i've got an all stock 1.7l 914 engine that I'm putting in my beetle. rebuilt bottom end and all new top end.
My question is, I know anything's possible, but is it realistic to turbocharge my engine?
I'm planning on using a Bosch K-Jetronic CIS system for fuel delivery, will this work with the turbo?
most of the fabrication I'll do myself so thats not a big concern, but wold it just be smarter and cheaper to tear it apart and build it out to 2.0L? will this give me more power?

basic rundown of my car
'54 beetle on a '70 pan
1.7L 914 engine
911 style cooling
901 tranny
944 brakes
928 phonedials

[Jim Smolka]

As far as turbo, this subject has been discussed in previous post, just do a search.

I would start with a 2.0 instead of a 1.7, be sure to find a GA case. The heads from a 2.0 are better that a 1.7. Also, you can punch a 2.0 out to 2.4 or bigger .

Of course, any time you start radically increasing the HP, you decrease the life of the motor.

Just my $0.015 worth ...

------------------
Smoke Daddy

[cditch]

Everyone keeps on saying that if you increase the hp on a type IV it decreases its life. I understand this concept, but just how much does it decrease life? What is the average life expectancy of a 2.4L Type IV?

Chris

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Ed Villela did the turbo CIS 1.7 thing. Check his website: http://members.rennlist.com/evill .

AFAIK, there have been few enough Turbo IVs done that there isn't a good database of experience for how long they last. It is a certainty that turbos introduce heat into the intake. Sometimes quite a lot of heat. Also, anything you do that makes more power will make more heat. Heat, to a certain extent, is the enemy. (So is running too cold, but that's a different story.) So you'll have to find a way to get rid of the extra heat, or just live with the idea that the motor won't last as long as it would otherwise.

With a turbo, you can vary the amount of power you get out of a motor to a tremendous extent. If you only run 2-3 PSI boost, you're not putting that much of an extra load on the system. If you run 20-30 PSI, you're putting a huge load on the system. The effects on the engine lifespan will probably vary by even more than the power will. Though that's just a guess.

So, Chris, there is no really good hard-and-fast answer to your questions.

--DD

[campbellcj]

Chris -

My line of reasoning is that for the mileage that many/most of us drive our 'teeners', even a semi-grenade engine that can "only" go 25-50K miles is worth contemplating. I mean, I drive my Porsches 5K miles/year or less each. I do my best to enjoy every mile and leave the stupid commuting duties to other vehicles. At that rate, you are talking about 5-10 years of fun before your hi-po engine craps out. This of course disregards any "drivability" issues, which can be major. A race motor on the street is not going to be fun 90% of the time, if you're trolling from stop sign to stop sign at 30mph barely getting into 2nd gear.

Anyway, my point. Well I guess my point is that I'd gladly give up a couple years of engine life for a SERIOUS boost in power. I stay up nights thinking about my next project!

Tough choices...

Chris C.

[red-beard]

http://www.sdsefi.com/

Check this site out (No affiliation, bla bla bla).

They sell FI brain and ignition upgrades, but there is a section of information in the tech articles about turbocharging.

Another place That sells drop on turbos for VW application is http://www.cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=319. I've e-mailed these guys and they've thought about type IV turbo kit, but have not yet set anything up. Don't expect it anytime soon! If there were enough interest, maybe they'd step up to the plate.

It seems (from reading) to me that a streetable 50% power boost (well, maximum) would be easily possible with low (7-10 psi) boost while minimizing engine degredation.

[oredith]

the turbo thing is becoming more and more popular, at least the topic is.. i know of 2 that are *done* and running, Mark Litherland in Georgia has the previous Sam's 2.0 turbo, running a weber side-draft carb, and Ed V. with a CIS 1.8. Jim's stuffed a turbo chrysler motor in his car, and i'm SLOWLY building my F.I. 2.0. and then their's CB with their carb turbo setup. of all those, i *think* CB's is most expensive because it's sold as a kit, but any of the other ones, the money you save on the kit comes back as R&D time, possibly costing MUCH more if you blow a motor. I'm *hoping* to get mine to a point where it'll run 10lbs safely and consistantly, with the help of additional injectors, and the crane-hi6tr with a boost variable timing retard...

the turbo route really depends on what you want with the car... if you just want it to have more power for a decent amount of money, go with a scheme that's already been built, at least then you'll get advice. better yet, just get a 2.4, that's all over the place.

my $0.02

Jeff