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Reliable Turbo, Anyone Have One?

Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2018 4:32 pm
by Andy Somogyi
Trying to figure out what it takes to build a reliable 175-200 HP type 4.

Anyone here have a high mileage turbo'd air-cooled VW?

I'm trying to figure out if it's possible to have a 100,000 mile air-cooled VW turbo.

Do you suppose a dry-sump is mandatory?

The big issue with air-cooled engines is how do we get the heat out of the engine before it cooks itself. Couple things I'll be doing is biral cylinders to help dissipate heat more efficiently, and ceramic coated heads / piston domes to prevent a lot of heat from entering the cooling system.

Probably have to install oil-squirters in the block to try to keep the pistons cool, that I think is going to be expensive.

Thoughts folks?, thanks.

Re: Reliable Turbo, Anyone Have One?

Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2018 5:57 pm
by theKbStockpiler
Start with a case that has been verified with a bore gauge. Use a balanced counterweight crank and inspect all the parts with precise measuring tools. There is a modification that can be done to the rods (a notch) that throws oil in the back of the piston.

Re: Reliable Turbo, Anyone Have One?

Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2018 7:16 pm
by buguy
I'd wonder more if you really think you would drive an air cooled car 100,000 miles?!

Re: Reliable Turbo, Anyone Have One?

Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2018 8:18 pm
by Clonebug
I have been driving my Buggy for 13 years and possibly 60,000 miles or more of which 32,000 miles are with a turbo. 28,000 miles are on this engine and it is doing well.
I can't see why you would be worried about the heat a turbo makes unless the intake is drawing that heat into the induction system......which would be a poor design and you can't blame the engine.
A turboed street engine is boosted for only short time periods and will not be affected unless there are underlying issues that will cause them.
That is not the engine or turbo's fault.
My engine usually runs too cool and I have not seen any indicators that heat is a factor with my turbo.
Design a quality install and you can have a reliable setup.
We also did 18 pulls in a row on the dyno and never had heat issues at any time.

Re: Reliable Turbo, Anyone Have One?

Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2018 9:51 pm
by Andy Somogyi
buguy wrote: Sat Mar 17, 2018 7:16 pm I'd wonder more if you really think you would drive an air cooled car 100,000 miles?!
I had about 350,000 miles on my Type 3 before it was wrecked. I just rebuilt the engine about 30,000 before it was wrecked, and I have no idea if it was rebuilt before. Got the car with about 300,000 on it.

Re: Reliable Turbo, Anyone Have One?

Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2018 5:35 am
by buguy
Well you do put some miles on it! But I would be worried about heat soak myself. Unless I had a buggy with the engine hanging out in the open!

Re: Reliable Turbo, Anyone Have One?

Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2018 6:16 am
by madmike
Heck dude I've built and ran 200HP type 1 motors that were natural aspirated :lol: and never left me stranded :wink:
so a turboed 200hp type IV should be a piece of cake 8) :lol:

Re: Reliable Turbo, Anyone Have One?

Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2018 12:20 pm
by buguy
Piece of cake maybe but I doubt you could do 100,000 miles in a 200hp NA aircooled.

Re: Reliable Turbo, Anyone Have One?

Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2018 9:36 pm
by panel

Re: Reliable Turbo, Anyone Have One?

Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2018 2:40 pm
by petew
PD is your man here. He daily's a Type IV that's about to go turbo IIRC.