Sooner or later I want to build something with at least 1, maybe 2 turbos on it. The problem is, I dont know how they work. I know they are more efficient than blowers, and I would like to do a blow-thru carb setup. I know the basic parts, like the blowoff valve, wastegate, well i dunno what the difference is between those 2, but if anyone could explain a basic turbo system to me or give me a link which explains it, I would really appreciate it.

------------------
1983 Firebird
TH700R4 Auto
Small Block 400
LG4 ECM, Intake, Carb, Distributor, etc.
Soon to be non-computer.
Clarion Head Unit 45X4
2 Pioneer 400W 12" Subs
Third Gen Performance
"A four cylinder is half an engine."
"Ponies can run, but birds can fly..."

 

I don't know anything about turbos, except that they work off of exhaust, but you'd probably get better info on the power adder board.

------------------
'86 IROC 5-speed
305 LG4
edelbrock performer rpm intake
edelbrock 600 cfm carb
msd pro billet hei distributer
'95 3.23 rearend
hotchkis rear suspension
PST front polygraphite suspension

 

This website doesn't have much information about turbos specifically, but it is entertaining nonetheless.

http://www.asciimation.co.nz/beer/

Actually, if you dig far enough into this site it will teach you stuff about turbos. If you can stop laughing long enough to follow all of the links.

 

why wouldnt you just get a super charger?

 

A turbo uses exhaust pressure yes. More effiecient, well, sort of...Basically you can see it as using the exhaust stroke of the piston, to force air in, so you could call that effiecency. (sp) They have 3 major downsides. 1: Infamous Turbo Lag. Since these things need pressure to spin up, they need high RPM's to make this pressure. Really really strong turbo motors (rice motors) will have a very narrow power band usualy around 5-6000 RPM until maybe 8000 rpm, the turbo moves all the motors power to these few rpms. 2: these things sping at around 100,000 RPM, causes heat, oil consumption (in very high power turbos generating lots of heat), and can wear faster than other components. 3: HEAT EHAT HEAT! They are being powered by your nice hot exhaust gasses, how hot do you think these things get, what does that do to your incoming air charge? Heat it up=less air making it to the motor. You can add I believe it's called an aftercooler to cool the air after it goes through the turbo, but like the intercooler (cools the air before the turbo) it is going to add to the turbo lag.
The other option is the supercharger, it uses all the power it needs to act as a giant air compressor. It has a belt coming off the motor to power it. Yes it uses power, but the gains are phenomenal! (sp?)

As for a turbo carb? I have never heard of this, normally you suck through a carb, not blow through a carb. All forced air induction carb motors I have seen use a "blower" (all forced air induction systems sometimes get called blower by various people). A blower sits on top of the intake manifold, between the carbs yes multiple carbs, since usually a blower is big and strong enough to warrent multi carbs, although I am sure there are single carbs avail. In this case, the air comes in the top of the car, and is forced through the carb and blower into the intake. Since a blower is belt driven, it usually gets considered a "supercharger".

Another thing to consider on this, is if you really want a performance machine, you gotta make the motor to take advantage of the extra air. Although you can, you shouldn't just go get a 13+ psi Vortec and throw it on a stock L98! You realy need a new cam, new crank, new pistons, higer flowing heads, and intake, higher flowing injectors/carbs, computer mods, pushrods, rockers, etc. You really have to buiild it from the ground up to take forced air induction to make the most of it. The crank you want to be stronger, you will want to also reduce compression ratio so you can run higher boost. You need a better cam so that you have enough time to get all that air into the motor, same with the pushrods/rockers, better heads/intake so you can supply the mount of air to the motor. Normally turbos use dished pistons to help lower compression ratio. Then you can start doing things like water/alchohol injection to make the motor capable of running even higer boost.
Theres a lot that can be done, but building a motor to be a forced air induction motor, that was a stock N/A motor will take a lot of work, and of course $$$$$
good luck!
Corry

Edit: I think I got a term wrong...I think forced air induction refers to Cowl induction/ram air...The term for generically compressing the air into the motor escapes me now...

[This message has been edited by Corry (edited August 26, 2001).]

Edit: I forgot, how they work, the same as a supercharger, impellers compress the air, and force it into the motor. Sorry for all the edits

[This message has been edited by Corry (edited August 26, 2001).]

 

D_Amlee, thanx for the link, thats is freaking hilarious! That has got to be the worlds most inefficient way to cool beer! I cant even imagine 125 decibels in my garage, either... :P lmao...

------------------
1983 Firebird
TH700R4 Auto
Small Block 400
LG4 ECM, Intake, Carb, Distributor, etc.
Soon to be non-computer.
Clarion Head Unit 45X4
2 Pioneer 400W 12" Subs
Third Gen Performance
"A four cylinder is half an engine."
"Ponies can run, but birds can fly..."

 

If you're serious, at least pick up Corky Bell's book "Maximum Boost" and read it a couple of times.

Steve

------------------
Steve's Trans Am Temple