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

[ThePaintedMan]

I think for the amount of engineering involved and the very real possibility that a type 4 with that much boost on it may still be a grenade, I would consider another watercooled Porsche engine, as Mike suggested. What about a turbo 944 motor, or even a 928 V8? Those things can make some pretty healthy and reliable HP numbers without nearly as much $ or time as it would take to make the TiV work. All you need is a radiator and some water lines (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Mueller]

I think for the amount of engineering involved and the very real possibility that a type 4 with that much boost on it may still be a grenade, I would consider another watercooled Porsche engine, as Mike suggested. What about a turbo 944 motor, or even a 928 V8? Those things can make some pretty healthy and reliable HP numbers without nearly as much $ or time as it would take to make the TiV work. All you need is a radiator and some water lines (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I think the Macan 90° V6 would be ideal.

It can be found with super low miles in the $4-5K range (I've been told some places would happily take $2K for one since there is no real market)

It is shorter than a straight 4 like from the 944 and the motor is more or less brand new and won't need an expensive rebuild like the old used 944 motor would need and it would still be cheaper than building a turbo Type IV and should be dead nuts reliable unless those motors have some odd issues that we haven't seen pop up yet.