Remote Turbo Install on 2L-ii engine in Cabover truck (1 Viewer)

[fenderfour]

I've been watching this thread on installing a turbo in an old Hiace truck. Unfortunately, it ended in failure with what sounds like some piston ring blowby. I own one of these trucks and it sure would be nice to have just a little more power, but as you can see in the OP's posts, the big issue is packaging in the engine bay. As a cabover truck, there isn't much room in there, and when you add the shift linkages running through the exhaust area, there is even less room. A lot of compromises have to be made, part modified, etc... At it's root, engineering is balancing compromises, right?

I've been considering a remote turbo installation. The turbo isn't on the exhaust manifold, it's plumbed into the exhaust down the line a bit. These are pretty common in racing and other areas of motorsport and motor-enthusiast. I'm thinking there is space just aft of the engine or just behind the passenger cabin. I don't need to mount it all the way back like the sports car guys.

Pros:

• Eliminates engine bay packaging problems
• Reduces heat in engine bay
• reduces EGTs
• Use stock manifold (need to add EGT bung)
• Reduces heat in passenger cabin (driver sits above exhaust manifold)

Cons:

• Increased oil routing
• Requires scavenger pump to return oil
• Requires oil sump to ensure proper pump operation
• slower spool-up
• colder exhaust = less power
• More exposed oil path
• Possible pump failure

Looks like there are some well proven scavenger pumps designed for the purpose, so parts are off-the-shelf: Turbowerx Pump and a range of ready-made oil tanks. Main issue is going to be exhaust which had to be replaced with a traditional turbo as well.

It seems the spooling issue is real, but with my slow-af truck, I don't care at all, especially since the turbo gets to pressure and stays there. I'm also not worried about losing a little performance in reduced exhaust temps at the turbo. My modest 7-11 psi system will be just fine.

Has anyone here added a remote turbo? What was your experience? It's looking like a really good option.

 

[Eurasiaoverland]

I don't think the lack of space in the engine bay had much, or probably anything to do with the engine's very premature demise. The fact is that these engines are just not suited to forced induction. This puts them at their limit in terms of heat flow with very little margin for error. Each to their own, but I'd rather have an underpowered reliable vehicle than a slightly less underpowered vehicle that is running on the edge of failure.