Adding a turbo?

[attackdog]

Hi all:
What is all involved in adding a turbo to a non-turbo vehicle? I might be getting ahold og a pretty nice 300Z non-turbo. Would it be easier and/or cheaper to just get the twin turbo engine and do an engine swap? Thanks.

 

[MikeRenz]

Re: Adding a turbo?

depends on how much boost/power you wanna make. stock high compression motors (well dunno about those quirky rotaries) don't like much more than 8-10psi typically before blowing out head gaskets.

 

[attackdog]

Re: Adding a turbo?

I didn't know that the 300Z was a rotary motor. I thought that the RX-7 / RX-8 were the only ones. What is the benefit?

 

[MrNurse]

Re: Adding a turbo?

I am thinking he was refering to the higher compression developed in the rotary motors compared to piston engines. but then again I have been known to be wrong

 

[DynaGlide]

Re: Adding a turbo?

It basically depends on the compression ratio stock... higher compression engines, like NA engines don't like a lot of boost.

 

[MikeRenz]

Re: Adding a turbo?

no the 300z isn't a rotary. I was merely pointing out a NA rotary - i dunno what they like as far as boost. Just every NA motor i've seen that is semi quick to begin with is usually at least 10:1 compression or more. Boost + 10or more compression is not friendly to gaskets mostly

 

[LandryPoole]

Re: Adding a turbo?

you might be better off with a centrifigal S/C. Alot cheaper to set up, with great results. however, I say ditch the 300 and buy a Sy or Ty. You don't want to get beat do you?

 

[live1053rulz]

Re: Adding a turbo?

Ahaha, true that. I've seen a couple Z's around here with turbo setups, some are pretty cool. I know turbo rotaries are awesome, no boost lag like at all. My Dads racing buddy has a Lotus racecar with a 3 rotor motor that's turboed. It's making over 500 horsepower, that's one damn fast 1200lb car. He says the power is instantaneous.

 

[attackdog]

Re: Adding a turbo?

The guy backed out on the deal. Thanks to everyone for the input. Still trying to get rid of the sportbike so I can get a SY. Thanks.

 

[RSpengler]

Re: Adding a turbo?

Good thing you didn't do it anyways. I used to have a NT 300ZX, and read all about it. It would be a major pain to convert to Turbo, unless you did an entire engine swap.
-Rob

 

[QUICK STORM]

Re: Adding a turbo?

you might want to keep your bike so you have something to ride when the ty breaks down

 

[93TyphoonPacetruck]

Re: Adding a turbo?

Check online and see if anyone does builds on these motors, IDK how many miles the one you have has stock, but it could be easier just to plop a crate engine in. :2cents:

 

[sleepy]

Re: Adding a turbo?

FYI If anyone decides to do one of those - by the time you rebuild that motor, buy turbos, and make everything work, you are better off buying one of those jdm take out engines and putting that in. My buddy got very buried on a tt 300z, and lost his a$$.

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Adding a turbo?

If you going to Turbocharge a motor, you should understand the operation of a Turbo very well. You will need to physically install it (oil line, manifold, piping, usually Turbo have vacuum check valves and different PCV systems than NA motor), boost control and how your are going to fuel it.

I know someone who was a mechanic who had a taken some welding classes, he bolt up a turbo but didn't have a thorough idea how it really worked. He couldn't make boost, weld the wastegate shut, thought the BOV would control boost. Once it made boost he tried using the stock ECM except it was using a 1 bar map. Over 2 year period he blew 2 stock motors (first motor last a day with boost) and his expensive stroker motor. Last thing I thing he was tring to tell me his turbo was creating too much back pressure and it blew his piston rings. (his 76mm turbo is more than adequate for a SBC) I told its called detonation :roll: