Turborize Me

[karl]

Start looking in a place like this to start http://www.turbokits.com/#
for the Elio "someone" would have to figure out how to make a system work for the machine. Speed costs money.

 

[Autoxdriver]

Keep in mind that most turbocharged production cars have less power than their normally aspirated counterparts before the turbo kicks in. This is usually due to having a lower compression ratio to keep the engine from grenading under boost. I guess this won't be a factor with an aftermarket bolt on turbo though because the engine will still be the same one with the same compression, you just won't be able to run the boost as high.

I've always been a fan of blowers myself but I know they aren't as efficient and don't make quite as much power as a turbo. I do like the always-there power though. What I would LOVE to see is an electronically activated blower/supercharger. Have a switch on the dash that you could use to transform your mild mannered econo-commuter into something a lot more fun and costly when your fangs come out but then turn it back off. It would remap the fuel/air ratio curve as well as engage/disengage the blower mechanically with a clutch. Not suggesting this specifically for the Elio, I'd just Iove to have it in a small rear wheel drive sedan.

 

[lafrisbee]

thanks for the education. now I know. No Turbo for me.

 

[Farm Boy]

I think we are missing the point. A turbo is not just for more power, that is what it is used most for, it is to help an engine be more efficient. I have put turbos on tractors and yes, is you want more power, put it on and don't change the fuel( I'm talking diesel engines here, gas works slightly different) and you get more power. If the same HP is OK, after you install the turbo, turn back the fuel, less fuel same power. With gas engines detonation or pinging is an issue. Turbos effectively increase the compression ratio "CR". With a diesel that's fine, we are talking 20-1 plus CR to start with and we use the heat from compression to fire off the fuel. On most gas engine with to high a CR the temp in the combustion chamber gets to high and spontaneously combust the fuel in the cylinder to soon in the combustion cycle, before the spark plug fires, causing pinging. The key is direct injection. That's the way a diesel works and some of the newer gas engines as well. With that we can control the fuel and combustion more precisely and make your engine more efficient!
P.S. If you want allot more work and expense buy a horse. My wife likes horses!

 

[Brainmatter]

Keep in mind that most turbocharged production cars have less power than their normally aspirated counterparts before the turbo kicks in. This is usually due to having a lower compression ratio to keep the engine from grenading under boost. I guess this won't be a factor with an aftermarket bolt on turbo though because the engine will still be the same one with the same compression, you just won't be able to run the boost as high.

I've always been a fan of blowers myself but I know they aren't as efficient and don't make quite as much power as a turbo. I do like the always-there power though. What I would LOVE to see is an electronically activated blower/supercharger. Have a switch on the dash that you could use to transform your mild mannered econo-commuter into something a lot more fun and costly when your fangs come out but then turn it back off. It would remap the fuel/air ratio curve as well as engage/disengage the blower mechanically with a clutch. Not suggesting this specifically for the Elio, I'd just Iove to have it in a small rear wheel drive sedan.

Volkswagen and Mercedes had 'on demand' superchargers. They have what amounts to a beefed up A/C compressor clutch right at the blower pulley. The blower freewheels except when it is needed, then the clutch kicks in when called on.
I had a 1999 Merc C230 sport with that engine/blower setup. Great car. Never should have sold it.
You can find the VW (older Scirocco I think :EDIT: Corrado) units on ebay. Low boost pressure (6-7 psi) coupled with a Ken Belle boost-a-pump for fuel management and a re-tune should get you going to 75 HP easily for around $1500.
I'll seriously look into it when I get my Elio.
Hard part will be pulleys and brackets. The rest is a cake walk.

 

[Autoxdriver]

Yes you can make a smaller less powerful engine and turbo it and possibly come out a little more efficient for the rated horsepower. Drivability suffers though because before the turbo kicks in you have less power. Turbos only make power at mid to high rpms. If a turbo was the answer to fuel economy you would see lots of economy cars using them.

 

[Brainmatter]

Yes you can make a smaller less powerful engine and turbo it and possibly come out a little more efficient for the rated horsepower. Drivability suffers though because before the turbo kicks in you have less power. Turbos only make power at mid to high rpms. If a turbo was the answer to fuel economy you would see lots of economy cars using them.

Actually, the whole Ford ecoboost theory is centered around economy. Smaller, more efficient turbo engines replacing less efficient NA engines.
So yes, you are seeing lots of economy cars starting to use them.

 

[Autoxdriver]

Volkswagen and Mercedes had 'on demand' superchargers. They have what amounts to a beefed up A/C compressor clutch right at the blower pulley. The blower freewheels except when it is needed, then the clutch kicks in when called on.
I had a 1999 Merc C230 sport with that engine/blower setup. Great car. Never should have sold it.
You can find the VW (older Scirocco I think :EDIT: Corrado) units on ebay. Low boost pressure (6-7 psi) coupled with a Ken Belle boost-a-pump for fuel management and a re-tune should get you going to 75 HP easily for around $1500.
I'll seriously look into it when I get my Elio.
Hard part will be pulleys and brackets. The rest is a cake walk.

Cool I'll have to look into those, thanks.

 

[Brainmatter]

Cool I'll have to look into those, thanks.

The VW stuff is kind of expensive and hard to find. 1999 to 2000 Mercedes clutch type blowers can be had pretty cheap, easy to find too. Later Merc units did away with the clutch.

 

[Autoxdriver]

Actually, the whole Ford ecoboost theory is centered around economy. Smaller, more efficient turbo engines replacing less efficient NA engines.

So yes, you are seeing lots of economy cars starting to use them.

Cool, then they were finally able to make it pay off with the latest technology and a purpose built engine. I know it's been tried in the past but it never really worked in the economy roll.