is this turbo acceptable?

[rustbucket]

Sounds like a heck of a lot of work! Should be a monster when it's done though.

How would you propose to circulate the water in the intercooler? That could be a problem.

Oil flow to the turbo will affect the lifespan of the turbo much more than the temperature of the charge. The intercooler is mostly used to keep the charge cooler. Cooler air=more power. Make sure you plan the lubrication system around the turbo. The intercooler can be an afterthought. A plumbing issue. ( I don't mean to minimize this issue, I just don't think its as important as lubrication).

Have you ever thought about putting in a hi-po T4? Could be built for about the same, if not less money than a turbo 1915. If you're sold on the turbo, why not a subaru conversion. Cheaper, already turbo'd.

I guess it really depends on what you're using for. What are your plans for the car?

[sheaspina]

Lot of work.........yeah, i'm bite off more than i can chew kinda guy, hate it during the work, love it when the works done. I guess i should have been a bit more specific on the turbo cooling idea. Most of the turbos have a water cooling inlet in addition to oil lubrication inlet. So here's what i meant. Up front of the car will be the oil cooler (already set up but will be relocated to front), in the same vicinity place a radiator for cooling water. cooled water would be circulated via. pump to the air/water intercooler. I understand the intercooler is just for cooling the charge temp..............but what i was thinking is using water from the same system to go to the water cooling inlet on the turbo instead of just plugging it. From what i gather this will help keep the temp down of the turbo itself, thus preventing coking and prolonging the life of the turbo. the reason i want the oil cooler & radiator up front is to get better airflow. I was wanting to make a custom hood anyway (to not have to open it everytime i get gas), so i could put some ventilation in the hood for the coolers.

However...........the WRX option sounds quite interesting, i havn't reasearched what it would take to do that. Do you know how much a wrx engine would typically cost..............i imagine theres a lot of fabrication work to make it fit? I'm guessing that the set up i've been talking about here would cost close to 5,000 total with turbo, int.clr., injection etc.

thanks,
your suggestions are appreciated
shea

[sheaspina]

well, writing a book here, just trying to give a thorough response.

Use for the car:

I will be driving the car almost daily.........basically when it's too cold to ride the R1, which in new mexico isn't all that often.
But really i want it to be a fairly reliable, powerful, highway crusier.

3-5 hundred mile road trips will be it primary use other than the occasional rubber shredding sunday drive.

So basically, as far as the engines concerend, i want the power to be able to do as i wish at highway speeds (to an extent, i'm used riding the R1 up to mid 160's on occasion.......obviously not gonna happen in vdub).

Sorry for ranting on, but there it is

Thanks
Shea

[rustbucket]

In that case, I'd probably go with the subaru. Especially if you're looking at long drives. Someone may jump up to correct me, but I think the sube's a more powerful engine, more reliable at speed/power, and more than enough hp to push a bug.

For instance, a basically stock subaru is already north of 150bhp. If I'm not mistaken, it's close to 200. Not the WRX, just the turbo'd base model. You'd be real lucky to pull that reliably out of any T1 case. The T4 might handle that better, but you're then in the same price range. Non turbo'd. And there are a plethora of bolt on goodies for the sube. (Can make it even faster!!)

As for the modifications, I think you have to modify the rear apron. Installing the engine is a matter of getting the correct adapter from Kennedy. Guys put sube's in thier busses all the time. One of the guys on this board (from Australia I think) has one in his bug. Look in the gallery for his pic. Also, check the Conversion Perversion forum on STF. Lots of info.

Sorry for the long post. Not trying to sway you one way or the other. But if you're open to other engine possibilities, there are alot of options.
Don

[sheaspina]

don't mind long posts, i seem to write books myself. well i've been looking into the subaru option.........looks like the typ. engine would be the ej20t. Sounds great in concept and would be pretty slick...........however I need to try and find some more "specific" information on installing that sucker.........have to admit the thought of it is quite intimidating. Most of what i've found is not quite the same application as mine, or just someones post talking about it to other people who know what they're talking about (unlike myself).
But I think that may be totally worth it...........to have a platform to bolt on some modern goodies.........turbo timers, boost controller,........blah blah.....airconditioning...blah.....20th century ride w/ 21st centry ammenities.

Thank you very much for your input........you've really helped me to look into different options (been reading up on T-IV's too) to make a more educated desicion on where to throw my $$$$.

Thanks,
Shea

My head is going to rupture soon, so i'm going to bed