Turbo, F.I. Bus engine build

[loVol]

Hi,

As the title says, I'm after a bit of advice for an engine for my bus. I haven't been on here for a few years so now can't figure out my old user name and password! So starting over!
I have searched and have now read every post from the last 3 years where anyone had typed "bus".
I've narrowed down a few things, but am really open to suggestions on basically all parts of the build. So far I have a CB hideaway turbo kit with the T3/4 turbo, 48mm throttle bodies, and have the crank trigger ignition kit to go with it. I had an engine I was going to rebuild and add this lot to, but that engine went in another bus and has now been sold. So I'm going all new with the longblock, so need to make myself a shopping list seeing as I have bought nothing for it yet.

The engine is going in a split bus, it has a couple of rows of seating in the back, so not a heavy camper. It's not going to be a daily driver but will get used as much as possible. Will probably never see any strip action, but that would be quite funny to do if I got the chance!

For size I thought of doing a 2275, but then could also do a 2110 to use the 90.5 pistons to keep to heat down a bit. Or is there not much difference in the heat from a 90.5 compared to a 94 piston? I'm also going to be adding a water/air chargecooler set up and an external oil cooler as well.
So open to ideas on engine size, head and cam choice, valve sizes, basically anything that will work well in a bus to make good torque (even on off boost cruising).

I have a pair of valve covers, just need to fill the gap between them!

Cheers, Daniel.

[panel]

Curious what your budget is? Where ya from?

[loVol]

Budget: Well there's going to be the one the wife knows about, then an actual one! Might have to 'misplace' the odd receipt along the way
But really I haven't worked it out, I don't want the cheapest of everything, but then I'm not going to be racing it every weekend and need all the top of the line racing gear either. So something using decent quality parts, and don't mind if I have to spend a bit extra on the right stuff.
I'm down in New Zealand, so not many guys down here to talk about this stuff with.

[Piledriver]

92mm thickwalls?

I have a pair of valve covers, just need to fill the gap between them!

Well, you have to start somewhere !

[kubelguy13]

get a case and crank and do any case mods you may need. That's where I started 2 years ago before I had all my parts.
And I still missed some mods that could have been done.

Also consider your transmission. If you're not going to build it up you won't need too much power. My N/A 1776 with dual kadrons would push my bay up hills in 4th gear no problem.


Edit: Im using an Engle FK-41 and have tonnes of low end torque.

[loVol]

get a case and crank and do any case mods you may need. That's where I started 2 years ago before I had all my parts.
And I still missed some mods that could have been done.

Edit: Im using an Engle FK-41 and have tonnes of low end torque.

The case will be another discussion to have!

Will look at that cam too, good to hear from real world experiences, especially seeing as your using it in a bus too.

[loVol]

So been looking at parts, heads mostly, but there's a lot of options out there! So sent out a few emails to some of the people/companies I've heard mentioned on here a bit. Just to get an idea as I'm not sure if there's anything different you should do with a bus engine compared to a beetle, considering the differences in the vehicle weights.

AJ Sims came back with this - LBC 2 Cam and lifter combo with some 40x35 Turbo prep heads, Max tq is around 3200rpms and max hp is around 4200rpms.

Steve/Greg Timms - Stage 1 plus heads built on a mexico casting with our turbo style chambers. The stage 1 plus port design and valve size will provide the power you want and still build boost quickly.
A cam on a 112lc with @250 deg of duration at .050"

DRD - Like the look of their L6T heads

CB - When I search turbo heads the Super Pro heads come up, but these might be getting a bit big for my engine needs! - Emailed CB but haven't heard anything back yet.

Contacted Matt Keene as well seeing as he's built a few turbo bus engines over in the UK, and I'll be using his tutorial/design for the chargecooler. He recommended the TCS-20 cam.


So still looking round at my options, is there any others I should look at or contact?

Cheers, Daniel.

[Chip Birks]

Shag55 on here knows his stuff. Bought my cam and turbo from him. Car pulls like a freight train on boost but drives real nice on the motor too. Mine is not a bus, but I know he has done bus setups.

I have DRD L7T heads on my bug. The heads are real nice. Probably a bit overkill for what you are after though. Does he have an L5T? Those would probably be pretty nice in a mild turbo build.

Pat Downs recommended the Super Pro heads to me when I was looking at getting a new set last winter. He says that they are great turbo heads, again, they may be overkill for your application though.

[loVol]

They do have some slightly smaller L5 turbo heads
The 'expected hp' figures are quite different for each head: L5T @ 250hp vs L6T @ 400. I know this would only be a rough guide and will depend greatly on a lot of other parts of the engine.
I'm aiming for somewhere between 200-250hp, but would like to 'overbuild' the engine a bit so it's not working at it's limits. Would also be nice to have a bit more left in the engine for the day I need more boost!

Also found these kits while having a look round the DRD site.
DRD L5 Turbo top end performance kit
DRD L6 Turbo top end performance kit
Looks like a good idea to get a set of parts that have been made to work well together. Will email them back and ask them if they would suit a bus engine.

Will also PM shag55 to see what he thinks too.

And seeing as everyone like pics, here's what I'm aimimng for!

From 2332 Matt Keene engine

[Steve Arndt]

That is cute. At first I though "deezam, biggest blow off valve filter ever". Nice.

[shag55]

Hi Daniel, just read up on this post. 1st make a plan before you start buying parts. The thick wall 92mm is a good idea but you will need to get a good set of pistons and have the cylinders honed to match. I've built mostly 2276s though with good results. Spend the money and use good pistons. JE, weisco.
As for heads. When I build street turbo heads I stick with a 40 intake and a small round port. No need what so ever to go with a big port specially in a street bus. I noticed you will be using IDF TBs in this case a set of 42x37 small D ports will be fine. I make big chambers so you can run a tighter deck.I like to use a 5.325 chevy rod. If you don't have a local machine shop to cut the cylinders then stick with a 5.4 rod.

[loVol]

Ok, after a few messages to shag55 to get a bit of advice, I have made a few decisions - trying not to get too carried away!

So far, working from the valve covers inwards seeing as I already have those!
CB Mini Wedgeport heads
CB 1.4 rockers
Wiseco 94's (cylinders undecided yet)
5.4 rods (thinking CB)
Jaycee pushrod tubes
Custom cam (from shag55)
Straight cut cam gears (Magnum)

My local v-dub shop is the CB supplier and he does give me pretty good deals, but I'm trying to research other/better options along the way.
Any suggestions welcomed.


Now a question.
Does anyone know the company that does the new engine case with built in AN oil fittings by the oil pump? I found it on a night of 'research' but can't remember where. I usually save a pic or link but plain forgot.
It has two blue AN fittings to the side of the oil pump and in the description said it was to get the external full flow lines away from the turbo. Just have no idea where I saw it!

Cheers, Daniel.


Just daydreaming again.

[shag55]

Any case can be modified for side mount oil return. My mag case is like this. It's a type3 mod.
Bye the way I did the turbo set up on that bus! My buddy Rolondo

[Buggsy]

If it is a daily commuter, start the plan with what speed you drive most of the time. Translate that to what RPM you will be running at that speed and go from there. That will determine the cam, turbo size, head port size. I have found it nice to have boost come in about 500 rpm above that RPM.

[seabeebuggy]

Welcome back to the dirty dozen.