Turbocharging a type 4 Options

[stownsen914]

I have heard the conventional wisdom that "you can't turbocharge a type 4 successfully." Is it just difficult, or can it really not be done well? I'm tossing around the crazy idea of turbo'ing a type 4 for PCA club racing, to put in the chassis in my avatar. My 6 in its current configuration is not competitive, so I can put a bunch of money in that, or do something different. I like a challenge, so why wouldn't the following work?

- 1.8 or 2.0 type 4 as a base. I would keep displacement stock or close to it.
- EFI for induction
- Properly sized intercooler and huge oil cooler
- A good aftermarket cooling fan
- Would be dry sumped
- I would work with a knowledgeable builder or shop to build the engine. I am not so familiar with type 4 race modifications, but presumably this would include reinforcing the bottom end, using Carrillo, Pauter, etc. rods
- Obviously the heads would need to be reworked for flow and possibly reliability

If I do the above, could a type 4 be built to withstand 15 psi of boost and make 350 hp reliably?

Scott

[Andyrew]

My suggestion for minimizing heat gain from the turbo is to run a larger turbo and run low boost.

I have a pretty big turbo in my audi 1.8L engine and on 10psi it will make about 275hp on good fuel and lots of timing. I run an air to water intercooler and its a pretty solid setup.

You can easily adjust your power level for the track your on by adjusting the boost. My setup is a bit extreme and its a newer motor so its always going to have more potential, but on race gas and high boost (30ish) it'll make over 500hp very easily...

You can also program in an overboost function that will increase your boost for a couple seconds. Many electronic boost controllers have this option. Great little secret weapon for a track car.

[stownsen914]

My suggestion for minimizing heat gain from the turbo is to run a larger turbo and run low boost.

I have a pretty big turbo in my audi 1.8L engine and on 10psi it will make about 275hp on good fuel and lots of timing. I run an air to water intercooler and its a pretty solid setup.

You can easily adjust your power level for the track your on by adjusting the boost. My setup is a bit extreme and its a newer motor so its always going to have more potential, but on race gas and high boost (30ish) it'll make over 500hp very easily...

You can also program in an overboost function that will increase your boost for a couple seconds. Many electronic boost controllers have this option. Great little secret weapon for a track car.

I'm thinking I'd need to run at least 15 psi for the hp I'd be looking to make (at least 350). At that boost, heat from the turbo is certainly something I'd have to deal with. I would run a large intercooler, and hang it in clean air to cool it. My 914 has very wide bodywork, so I would be able to fit it on the fender well area in front of the rear tire (even extending forward to the door if needed, which also sits much wider on my car) with a large NACA duct or similar feeding incoming air.