adding a turbo to a non turbo engine

[KyleL]

I have heard that it is possible to add a turbo to a non turbo engine.
Is this true?  What does it involve?  Is it neccessary to change the entire head?  Would it be a lot more expensive to buy a non turbo and then add a turbo then to just but an engine that already has a turbo?
Thanks

[jtanguay]

check the other posts, I'm sure someone has asked this before.

But to my knowledge, the only difference is the piston coolers.  (oil squirters on the block squirt oil onto the pistons to cool them)

Oh yea... You will either need a TD pump, or modify the one that you currently own.

[vwmike]

I have heard that it is possible to add a turbo to a non turbo engine.
Is this true?  What does it involve?  Is it neccessary to change the entire head?  Would it be a lot more expensive to buy a non turbo and then add a turbo then to just but an engine that already has a turbo?
Thanks

A lot of people will tell you that you can't turbo a non-turbo diesel. Obviously you physically can, but the engine won't hold up quite as well. The TD engine has oil squirters under the pistons and the head and valves are supposed to be made of a different alloy. That said, it will work, but you would especially need to keep a close tab on exhaust gas temperatures. You'd be more likely to hurt the engine when keeping it in boost for longer periods such as going up hills.

[jtanguay]

yeah, intercooling would pretty much be a must, to keep EGT's down, and maybe a bigger downpipe, and run max 9 psi boost (or somewhere near there)

[vwmike]

Try this thread and pay attention to what deo has to say- http://www.vwdiesel.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=556&highlight=turbo