Turbo Charger Upgrade

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 28 Oct 1997 07:27:47 -0500
From: Jason Matthews 
Subject: turbo charge!
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org

> Subject: turbo charge!
> Any ideas on cost and extra wear on the
> engine?


Right now I am working on my second turbocharged vehicle and becoming 
familiar with another which is supercharged, all of which were factory 
equipped with the forced induction. I cant speak for the bolt on kits, 
but the performance that can be obtained through the forced induction 
is easily worth the performance increase. Upgraded intakes, exhaust, 
and port work also add significant gains to these systems at relatively 
little expense.

Some things to consider when looking at the bolt on kits [from experience 
with modifying existing turbos, not sure what is included in the 
supercharger kits]:

- - Does it include all necessary hardware/plumbing?
  You will need to add additional oil and possibly coolant lines to the 
  bolt on unit. You will most likely need to reroute your air intake 
  plumbing as well.

- - Does the kit work with the existing fuel system?
  With the increased air flow, the mass air sensor may not be capable of 
  handling the increased air intake, the EPROM may not have data capable 
  of supporting the injector pulse/width if the MAS can provide the input, 
  and the fuel pump/injectors might not be capable of supplying the fuel 
  flow required. 
  

- - Does the kit come with an intercooler?
  I dont remember the exact data, but if memory serves compressing intake 
  air to ~7psi will increase intake air temp. about 150 degrees. If you
  run much more boost than this without an intercooler, and you will 
  probably run into detonation, at which time the CPU will probably take 
  some sort of action [most likely retard ignition timing like a mad dog],
  at which point all performance gain is punted for distance, and might 
  not return for quite some time depending upon the CPU. [one of my cars 
  can take up to 200 miles before it decides to come out of "save the engine 
  mode" and allow the horses to run free again] BTW: Intercoolers are not 
  cheap. The one for my car is $600 from the dealer, $550 for minimum 
  aftermarket upgrade, $1150 for a front mount kit.

Regardless, if I was adding an aftermarket kit, I would add an air/fuel 
gauge [easy, reads from 02 sensor] or exhaust gas temp. gauge to monitor 
the system at minimum, and probably a boost gauge as well.

Just some things to consider...but yeah, I'd go for it!
[If there was only one for the 3VZE....]

- -------
Jason Matthews
93 V6 X-Cab
4" Pro-Comp, 32" BFG's

------------------------------