Advice on Turbocharging a 1.9 Petrol

[Campercrazy]

OK here goes...

I've not yet bought my bus, but...
I'm planning my 1st monster trip round Europe, the missis has given me the "ok" and a tighter budget than I would like but beggars can't be choosers.
I've seen a 1.9 petrol high top that I like but I have serious concerns about doing a 3000 mile round trip in a car with about 78 Bhp.
I've been into VW's since my 1st car (polo) and Mk2 golf but I remeber the golf (1.3) driving me crackers going up hills all it did was make more noise the harder you pressed the pedal (much to friends amusement).
I'm just wondering how hard it would be to turbocharge a T25 to give it a bit of a boost for lak of a better phrase; I've looked into double stacking head gaskets but need to know what else I need to do.
I've got a spare turbo in my basement (only done 200 miles) from an old project. It's from a Bmw 525D.
I also have a willing friend who's a mechanic but I want t
o know what I’m getting into before I start.

Any advice would be much appreciated

[kevtherev]

my advice is
Don't do it.... either get used to a slower pace and relax.
or fit a 2.1 DJ engine and get the extra 30 odd horses instantly.

I did the latter, junked the 2.1 injection system and slapped the carbs back on.
You see the 2.1 is a 1.9 but it's a long stroke engine with high compression.

the whole thing took a day to fit, because it's practically a straight swap

[California Dreamin]

Anything is possible but making it work effectively and reliably would take alot of doing.
You can't just bolt a turbo on, inlet and exhaust manifolds would need fabricating and you would need a whole new fuelling system.
You simply can't just put any old turbo on as too big and there isn't enough gas flow to make it spin.
A modification like this is certainly well beyond the average owners capabilities.

Technically the flat 4 wasserboxer is already close to it's design limits, so fitting a Turbo is definately not the route I would take for more power...
As Kev said a 2.1 DJ is the easiest option or if you are feeling very adventurous, a Subaru lump would give you both power and reasonable fuel consumption.

Martin

[Campercrazy]

Ok then....

What would you advise as a replacement on a limited budget, I have a mechanic at my disposal so labour is free.
I will be doing a monster trip so it needs to be reliable and if it does go wrong I kind of need to be able to fix it on the roadside, within reason, of course

Cheers.

[CovKid]

Beyond fitting twin carbs, on a budget I can't think of anything. Even then, its a lot of work and depends what your budget is. It does help keeping the weight down though. I drive a tintop and all the campers I've seen have loads of MDF or chipboard in them which can weigh a great deal. Then theres the roof, it all adds up.

[Pootle]

3000 miles isn't so far, do it at a relaxed 60mph and you will see a LOT more of all those beautiful countries!

[Plasticman]

3000 is a jolly not a monster trip, I do 2000 each time I do Ireland, what you got is more than up to it. if your in a hurry go in a car and fok out b&b or tent it, or go steady away at 60mphg , you will get up most hills , heck I do it with 1.6na, andthat can/is slow on the hills, lkearn to drive with what you have, and as you say you are on a tight budget then forget free wonder mech's and the like slow down save fuel and have a holiday
M

[California Dreamin]

Take it easy..........as it says......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd3EEKIx ... ure=relmfu" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Martin

[kevtherev]

Ok then....

What would you advise as a replacement on a limited budget, I have a mechanic at my disposal so labour is free.
I will be doing a monster trip so it needs to be reliable and if it does go wrong I kind of need to be able to fix it on the roadside, within reason, of course

Cheers.

If your current engine is suspect then change it for a 2.1

If it has, good compression, no water leaks, fairly oil tight and a good oil pressure. Then I would use it to do the trip, as that's as relaiable as you can gauge without stripping it down and checking the tolerances. If the thought of struggling with the power really bothers you then you could fit a set of Delorto drla 36's, they will significantly increase your hill climbing ability.

The engine swap is dependant on the engine cost but £550 - £650 is about right for a second hand privately bought lump
The carb will cost about £250 to £450 the latter price being new from stateside tuning

I did a 3500 mile round trip of Europe 1 week after fitting a 2.1 in my bus, I fitted a pressure gauge and an ammeter, to compliment the VW fitted warnings, to keep an eye on stuff

[Campercrazy]

I've always had quite powerful cars for "safer overtaking)

Maybe the key is for me to slow down, not speed the bus up ???

Like the idea of the carbs though and glad to hear that people have done more than 3000 miles with ease...

Makes me feel better.


Thanks all

[kevtherev]

Maybe the key is for me to slow down, not speed the bus up ???

indeed,
Knowing the limitations of the van and driving to them is half the battle.
Wanting to is the other half.

Remember as cars pass, they think you're so cool to have a camper... and a life, so smile and be smug

[billybigspud]

try driving a 1600ct and yours will feel like a bugatti veyron.

[faggie]

i went from a powerfull engine to a gutless 1.9 wbx people say you dont rush in a camper i understand that but why struggle up every hill can hardly overtake anything unless it nearly stopped, when you can fit a modern bigger engine get the same mpg or better and then every journey is enjoyable and less stressfull

[Ian Hulley]

I'm planning my 1st monster trip round Europe, the missis has given me the "ok" and a tighter budget than I would like but beggars can't be choosers.
I've seen a 1.9 petrol high top that I like but I have serious concerns about doing a 3000 mile round trip in a car with about 78 Bhp.

Kev (and family) Madwitch & Bernie Inn and me and my family did such a trip round Europe 3 years ago, we have 2.1s and Madwitch & Bernie had the 2.4D T4, we found a comfortable all-day cruising speed is 100kmh (we have done exactly this many times since too) this equates to around 62/3 something a 1.9 is perfectly capable of doing IF serviced correctly and in good condition to start with. Save your 'limited budget' and spend it on ice-cream

You may be another (of the many of late) member who thinks you can run a T25 on a 'limited budget', believe me when I say that in the long run you can't.

Ian

[Campercrazy]

You may be another (of the many of late) member who thinks you can run a T25 on a 'limited budget', believe me when I say that in the long run you can't.

Don't worry I’m under no illusion that I will spend most weekends on my back with my legs sticking out of the side of the bus and I'm well prepared for that.
I went to a show at Harewood house in Leeds about 4 years ago ad since then I've been smitten, so I’m prepared for a bottomless pit that consumes most of my money and all of my time but to be honest it's just like having a wife