Turbo charger?

[RFR2212]

I'm being told by some of my gearhead friends that it is possible to turbo an explorer 4.0 v-6 with a t-bird's turbo....The reason I ask this is cause my friend is picking up a turbo coupe for a parts car and the turbo is fine...He'll give it to me for free and if anyone knows about the customizing or adapters availible I'd love to hear about them. I figure if the modifications are relitivily cheap, why not take that extra bit of horsepower. And help would be great, thanks,
Pete

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91 Sport 4x4
31x10.5-15 BFG All-Terrain's
4 inch Sky Jackerlift
Warn Manual Hubs

 

[Cameron]

If your asking is it possible to turbocharge a 4.0 letter V6? Yes. But there are some things you need to consider. Turbos work off the exhaust your vehicle produces. The exhaust spins a "turbine" that is connected to a shaft that is connected to an impeller that compresses the incoming air. The problem with the stock 4.0 is that it doesn't produce high enough RPMs to generate enough boost. So to remedy this, you need to do some modifications to your motor. Put in lighter pistons and connecting rods. You need to get you crank balanced. The goal is to get your motor to red line above 7500 RPMs. Then, you can generate enough boost to really kick some ass. It takes a bit of work but it is doable. I'm planing on doing this in the near future so I'm doing tons of homework. The problem is getting the drive train to support a huge amount of HP. We'll see. Maybe it will be too expensive to do but it would be neat to have an 11-second explorer.

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97 Sport.
Twin turbo 4.0
0-60 3.2 seconds
Quarter Mile 9.98 seconds
816 HP
Okay, maybe not yet. But I can dream cant I?

 

[Paul Gagnon]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial ">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Cameron:
The problem with the stock 4.0 is that it doesn't produce high enough RPMs to generate enough boost.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That is not true.

You can turbocharge any engine but it is not as simple as bolting it on. There are many issues that need to be addressed. Compression ratio, exhaust temperature, fuel delivery, mounting location, etc. It is possible for the back yard mechanic to do but only if you have alot of wrenching under your belt or have a very knowledgable friend. The best thing to do is go to the library and read up on how turbos work, then take a look at some turbocharged vehicles to get a few different perspectives on how to run the plumbing. Once you do some reasearch you will be able to make a more informed decision.

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Paul Gagnon
Calgary, Alberta
"No Brain, No Pain"
Dead Link Removed

Technically Velveeta isn't REALLY cheese... it's a cheese food...
The stuff that other cheeses eat... I guess.

 

[Cameron]

See, that’s what happens when you talk without knowing all the facts. Paul is absolutely correct. I don't know where I got the idea that turbos needed higher RPMs. I just talked to the owner of DPS Motorwerks and he gave me an education on turbos. I understand that you can change the "wheels" in the turbos to have it deliver boost at whatever RPM range you want. The only problem he tells me is that you would have to customize your exhaust manifold. I asked if there was an advantage to install a turbo or a supercharger and he said primarily superchargers are an easier install. You just bolt on a bracket and run the intake plumbing. Turbos require modifications to your exhaust manifold. Does anyone know whats the compression ratio of the 4.0?

Sorry for the misinformation. Usually I pretty solid with my info. I guess I'll take Paul's advice and buy a book on the subject.

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97 Sport.
Twin turbo 4.0
0-60 3.2 seconds
Quarter Mile 9.98 seconds
816 HP
Okay, maybe not yet. But I can dream cant I?

 

[SteveVB]

Im pretty sure the compression ratio on the early(91-95) 4.0s is 9:1. I think its the same on the later models although they have smaller combustion chambers and a larger dish on the pistion. Can anyone confirm this?

Turbo now theres an idea! Shouldnt be too hard with the FI engine, just some custom exhaust work, reroute the intake, and retune the computer fuel curve. LOL

I dont think that the BBK charger is out yet- anyone know first hand someone who has installed it?


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Steve VB
91 Navajo
2 1/2" Rancho,
31" Goodyear AT/S

[This message has been edited by SteveVB (edited 05-18-2000).]

 

[ntrpriz]

91 - 92 is 9.3: (I think its really 9:1, but my source says 9.3 Dead Link Removed

93 - 96 is 9:1

96 V8 is 9:1

97 - 2000 OHV 9:1
97 - 2000 SOHC is 9.7:1
97 - V8 is 8.5:1 (another one I think is 9:1)

98 - V8 is 9:1
99 - 2000 V8 is 9.05:1
2001 SOHC is 9:1

Click the link in the signature to check out my web page. Stats galore if you need them, plus I a looking for more.

Thanks

Steven

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<A HREF="http://www.users.uswest.net/~ntrpriz/main.htm" TARGET=_blank>
http://www.users.uswest.net/~ntrpriz/main.htm</A>
Stock 94 XLT
PIAA Superwhites.
Vampire Alarm.
Jensen Head w stock Premium sound.
Radio Schack CB with magnetic mount antenna.
Uniden Scanner.

 

[RFR2212]

Wow, thanks for the response...It appears to be much more involve than I first thought. I guess now is the time the research begins..The idea for me is dying for it seems like it takes alot of work but it's not dead yet
Thanks
Pete

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91 Sport 4x4
31x10.5-15 BFG All-Terrain's
4 inch Sky Jackerlift
Warn Manual Hubs

 

[Paul Gagnon]

Don't give up just yet! Anything is possible given enough research, time and money. Dead Link Removed

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Paul Gagnon
Calgary, Alberta
"No Brain, No Pain"
Dead Link Removed

Technically Velveeta isn't REALLY cheese... it's a cheese food...
The stuff that other cheeses eat... I guess.

 

[BExplorer]

If anyone of you is interested, go to this site: Dead Link Removed I don't know how much, but it is a bolt-on supercharger.

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BExplorer
94 XL 4.0 5 speed 4x4

 

[cmnavajo]

I agree with Paul about being able to turbocharge anything. I mean, think about the turbocharged diesels that redline at 3000 rpm. I think that the biggest hurdle will be the fabrication involved to mount the turbo(s). I know that on my '92, the engine bay is quite cramped already so certain things would have to come out to make room. What are you willing to sacrifice? I think the A/C would probably have to go to get enough clearance on the passenger's side. I don't know for sure, but a body lift may help. Here's something to think about-an engine-driven supercharger typically uses 60% of the power it makes to run the supercharger. For example, if the supercharged motor makes 200 horsepower, then it is really making over 300 but the rest is lost driving the supercharger. It is important to remember that all superchargers are different and some may use more or less power to turn. A turbo doesn't really use much-if any- power to turn since it is run off the exhaust gas. I think putting turbos on a 4.0 motor is definitely possible but would require significant work. Probably the best way to mount the turbo into the exhaust would be to get the header flange from a header company (many header companies sell the flanges alone or as part of a kit for custom header building) and then reproduce the flange that the turbo mounts to. This would be the flange on the donor car's exhause manifold. Then the header flange could be bolted to the cylinder head on the engine and the turbo flange bolted to the turbo. Now the turbo can be situated where it needs to be and then fab in the header tubes from the header flange to the turbo flange (or at least take many measurements so the header can be fabricated off the vehicle). I know that some companies will make custom headers off of the CAD drawings you supply. This may sound quite involved, but I think it would be worth it for power and if nothing else, it would be very unique. Another thing to consider is whether or not to run an intercooler. The intercooler cools the incoming air charge for lower temperatures which increases power. In my opinion, if an intercooler can be fitted, it would be very beneficial to use it, however fitting it and getting all the required plumbing in place would be one of the greatest challenges. I hope this info helps.
Charlie

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Charlie May
1992 Navajo LX 4x4

 

[Troll]

First of all i have all ready build a 11 sec explorer and own a 1000 hp turbo mustang and i know that it does not matter how high you rev the motor what does matter is how big the exaust housing of the turbo is. the bigger the housing the more exaust you need to make boost. the smaller the housing the less exaust you need. so dont use a turbo that was meant for a honda civic because it will spool up to it max exaust level very fast. you need a external wastgate to control you boost levals as well as a blow off valve. it does not matter what compession you motor has that is the great thing about turbos.if your compression is high like 9.5 then you only put as much boost as it can handle before it ping's or has detination wicth is bad.if you can only make 5 pounds it is still make more power then it would with no pounds. you will need new bigger injectors, a new mass air calibrated for the new injectors a chip, a good exaust shop that can bent all the tubing needed to make the system work. you dont need an intercooler but most people with turbos do. the old ford turbo deisel made like 20 pound of boost with no intercooler so dont try and tell me you need one. it is true that it cools the air and makes more Hp but it is not totally nessiary. you need as i said before a wastegate and blow off valve, and a hks turbo timer and boost controller all of this will controll and make the turbo system work correctly. if you think i am wrong about this you might want to give my good friend that own the largest import turbo warhouse in florda Dymanic turbo. he owns a 9 sec stock engine supra turbo. every one needs to have a goal. i will have soon meet my goal of going 11s in my daily driver explorer. i hope to be the first to do this.

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my 96 explorer V8 has the following mods.a 347 cubic inch motor with a vortech s-trim,custom 1 5/8 header, duel 3 inch exuast,3.55 gears, race prep AODE trans, canfeild stage 1 plus heads, A4 race block, eagle rod and crank, stock uper and lower powder coated black, 75mm T-body, Pro-m 77mm calibrated for 36 pound injectors, 36 pound injectors, vortech s-trim with 12 pound of boost, msd dis-4, custome superchip, over 500hp to the back tire. and 17x9 cobra r rims with 275-55 nitos in the front and back.

 

[Char]

RFR2212,

I know Paul Bredehof has a supercharger on his explorer. He is not completely thrilled with it. From what he has said it hasn't done much to improve performance and he's only getting about 8mpg. Don't know much else about it though and know nothing about turbos. Just thought I'd share some info. Like you said you're just going to have to do some research.

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Char
93 Modified Exploder, Co-owner (passenger)& The Better (other) Half
I may be CRAZY (she is),.... BUT I'm not insane!(well...)

Think for yourself ...... Sheep end up dead!

 

[Cameron]

Okay, after coming to the realization that I know absolutely nothing about turbos, and on the recommendation of my brother-in-law who knows everything there is to know about building race engines, I picked up two books on the subject:

Maximum Boost: Designing, Testing and Installing Turbocharger Systems by Corky Bell

Turbochargers: by Hugh MacInnes

Also, I ordered a book called Modern Engine Tuning by A. Bell. Unfortunately it's on backorder.

These books will teach you everything there is to know about turbocharging or supercharging your vehicle. I'm about a quarter way through Maximum Boost and already know a crape load more then I thought I did.


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97 Sport.
Twin turbo 4.0
0-60 3.2 seconds
Quarter Mile 9.98 seconds
816 HP
Okay, maybe not yet. But I can dream cant I?

 

[Cameron]

sorry