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Author Topic: adding a turbocharger to my tractor  (Read 18879 times)

July 12, 2013, 10:19:59 am

VTPSD

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adding a turbocharger to my tractor
« on: July 12, 2013, 10:19:59 am »
I have an older (early 70s) ford 4400 industrial diesel tractor. I want to add a turbo mostly just for the fun of it. It doesnt see hard field use, just some log skidding and driveway work. The engine is a very heavy duty 3.3 liter 3 cylinder NA diesel rated at 62hp. The fuel pump settings are stock.
This is really a just for fun project, a little whistle and maybe a tad more power. The manifold is very easily set up to mount a turbo, and there is plenty of room under the hood for plumbing. I was thinking about using a t3 turbo from an 85 saab 900. They can be had cheap, flanges are easy to come by etc. It is oil cooled only, and internally wastegated. I think I could run this setup at 5psi on my stock engine and be fine. Just looking for an opinion on sizing. I *think* this turbo is close to the correct size for this engine. Its a 3.3 liter and turns at a max of 2200 rpm. As I said, the engines in these things are extremely heavy build in every way. Am I on the right track, or do you think I need to find something a bit bigger? The tractor does most of its work in the 1200-2000 rpm range.


-1991 audi 90 quattro with AHU tdi, r520's holset he211
-1990 audi 90 quattro, holset turbo, 11 second quarter mile demon

Reply #1July 12, 2013, 10:21:20 am

VTPSD

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Re: adding a turbocharger to my tractor
« Reply #1 on: July 12, 2013, 10:21:20 am »
Googling tells me the saab turbo flow about 25lb/min max.
-1991 audi 90 quattro with AHU tdi, r520's holset he211
-1990 audi 90 quattro, holset turbo, 11 second quarter mile demon

Reply #2July 12, 2013, 12:43:36 pm

VTPSD

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Re: adding a turbocharger to my tractor
« Reply #2 on: July 12, 2013, 12:43:36 pm »
my other option is an audi k24 that I have. Only issue with that is there is no internal wastegate. I might just be able to run it as is, or add a gate into my turbo feed pipe later.
-1991 audi 90 quattro with AHU tdi, r520's holset he211
-1990 audi 90 quattro, holset turbo, 11 second quarter mile demon

Reply #3July 12, 2013, 11:38:20 pm

RabbitJockey

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Re: adding a turbocharger to my tractor
« Reply #3 on: July 12, 2013, 11:38:20 pm »
my other option is an audi k24 that I have. Only issue with that is there is no internal wastegate. I might just be able to run it as is, or add a gate into my turbo feed pipe later.

saab t3 should do the trick, u can see on this plotted compressor map here at 5 psi you'll be in the 70% efficiency range from 1300 rpms all the way to 2200.  the exhaust housing might be a little big but probably not.   also at 5 psi u could possibly make 100 hp at 2000rpm



01 Jetta TDI 100% stock daily
81 Rabbit:TDI-M ported head, Frank06 cam, PD intake, hybrid T3 turbo, Renault intercooler, Syl20 11mm pump, light weight fw, and yellow California Clutch clutch kit

Reply #4July 15, 2013, 09:28:52 am

VTPSD

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Re: adding a turbocharger to my tractor
« Reply #4 on: July 15, 2013, 09:28:52 am »
excellent, i am bidding on a nice t3 from an early 900 complete with internal wastegate. I think the wastegate on those is 5psi, so that could work nicely. I am going to have to get a bit creative with piping, but there should be ample room under the hood to make it fit. Trying to have the stack come out of the original hole is the only real trick. Otherwise the install would be really easy. It even has an oil feed port currently plugged on the right side of the block and everything!
-1991 audi 90 quattro with AHU tdi, r520's holset he211
-1990 audi 90 quattro, holset turbo, 11 second quarter mile demon

Reply #5July 15, 2013, 02:51:57 pm

CRSMP5

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Re: adding a turbocharger to my tractor
« Reply #5 on: July 15, 2013, 02:51:57 pm »
pics... i like the idea.. wastegate.. you can add in say a air compressor regulator to make it manual control.. just rember egt when doing this all..

you tube has vids of tractors with turbos added.. crazy stuff..

Reply #6July 15, 2013, 03:32:20 pm

VTPSD

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Re: adding a turbocharger to my tractor
« Reply #6 on: July 15, 2013, 03:32:20 pm »
Ill get some pics when I get started. Probably wont be for a month or so. Just picked up the tractor and I am sorting out some other little details first. (fuel pump leak, non charging alternator, power steering weak etc).
I am not planning on anything crazy like those pulling tractors. Just a very small amount of boost for entertainment sake really. I don't want to make anywhere near 100 hp, i am not planning on touching the pump settings at first and seeing how it reacts. Will try one of those cheap ebay digital pyro gauges to make sure it doesn't get too hot.

There shouldn't be anything too challenging about the install except maybe the turbo drain line. There is a nice tube that could easily be tapped into (it is used as an oil fill). The problem is that it is on the opposite side of the engine from the exhaust manifold and area where the turbo will live. The drain line would have to run around the front of the engine and drop in. I am not really sure if that is ok or not. Turbo drain lines are usually close to vertical and short. This would be running at maybe 30 degrees and be 24-30 inches long with a continuous slope. I don't really know if this is ok. I could tap into the cast oil pan for a drain, but would rather not. Want to be able to return completely to stock if I don't like it.
I would like opinions on the drain line quandary.
Here is the old beast in question, its short and stocky but weighs over 9000 lbs and is 62hp! I love it, I just picked up a set of studded log skidder chains for it. Cant wait to get those on and do some work. This tractor is very strong, but has terrible tires on it.

-1991 audi 90 quattro with AHU tdi, r520's holset he211
-1990 audi 90 quattro, holset turbo, 11 second quarter mile demon

Reply #7July 15, 2013, 09:46:27 pm

CRSMP5

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Re: adding a turbocharger to my tractor
« Reply #7 on: July 15, 2013, 09:46:27 pm »
no i refer to the volvo turbo (gas) modded one doing donuts and such...

but the pic shows where the stack needs to be :D and helps us see what your playing with..

Reply #8July 15, 2013, 10:30:30 pm

8v-of-fury

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Re: adding a turbocharger to my tractor
« Reply #8 on: July 15, 2013, 10:30:30 pm »
If it doesn't work out to be concealable, you could easily do a remote turbo setup with the turbo up above that "hood" with no issue or power loss. A little lag, but with set RPM like a tractor.. who cares.

Reply #9July 15, 2013, 10:39:19 pm

VTPSD

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Re: adding a turbocharger to my tractor
« Reply #9 on: July 15, 2013, 10:39:19 pm »
ahh yes the volvo "terror" tractor. That thing is scary!

I think there is enough room under the hood. Ill get some pics of the cavity that I think it will fit. Hoping to win an ebay auction for the saab t3 and start thinking up ways to fit it in there.
-1991 audi 90 quattro with AHU tdi, r520's holset he211
-1990 audi 90 quattro, holset turbo, 11 second quarter mile demon

Reply #10July 16, 2013, 08:21:33 am

VTPSD

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Re: adding a turbocharger to my tractor
« Reply #10 on: July 16, 2013, 08:21:33 am »
I am also considering this one, not sure about size though. The only k24 turbos that I am familiar with are the externally gated ones from the 5 cylinder gasser audi cars. Are these a similar size? If so I think it could work with the internal WG.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AUDI-VW-K24-Turbocharger-KKK-Germany-/360683586700?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item53fa6ac48c&vxp=mtr
-1991 audi 90 quattro with AHU tdi, r520's holset he211
-1990 audi 90 quattro, holset turbo, 11 second quarter mile demon

Reply #11July 16, 2013, 09:04:35 am

VTPSD

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Re: adding a turbocharger to my tractor
« Reply #11 on: July 16, 2013, 09:04:35 am »
I am actually liking this option a lot. From an om603 mercedes, should be plenty big enough. Internal WG, has a flex pipe on it already that I could use to attach exhaust to. Only thing that might be a no-go is the inlet flange. Looks a lot like a standard t3 to me. but im not sure.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Benz-Turbo-Diesel-turbocharger-OM603-002-096-9899-/111046924176?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item19dae99790&vxp=mtr
-1991 audi 90 quattro with AHU tdi, r520's holset he211
-1990 audi 90 quattro, holset turbo, 11 second quarter mile demon

Reply #12July 17, 2013, 09:57:53 am

VTPSD

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Re: adding a turbocharger to my tractor
« Reply #12 on: July 17, 2013, 09:57:53 am »
well I won the saab t3 on ebay, so i guess that is the direction I am heading. I think it is the most compact option which is good. I ordered up some piping to start playing with and a new metal chopsaw that I have been dieing to get anyways. No more cutting tube with an angle grinder!  ;D
-1991 audi 90 quattro with AHU tdi, r520's holset he211
-1990 audi 90 quattro, holset turbo, 11 second quarter mile demon

Reply #13July 27, 2013, 06:39:43 pm

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Re: adding a turbocharger to my tractor
« Reply #13 on: July 27, 2013, 06:39:43 pm »
Any progress on the tractor?  Can't wait to see the outcome!
Toyota truck 4x4 with Mtdi, M-vnt gt1749va, 11mm pump, fmic, smog .216 nozzles.  Sold!
Working on 1993 4runner mtdi, gtb1756vk, 11mm pump, smog .216 nozzles, custom 1" thick adaptor plate, pd150 intake manifold.

Reply #14August 01, 2013, 11:01:54 am

VTPSD

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Re: adding a turbocharger to my tractor
« Reply #14 on: August 01, 2013, 11:01:54 am »
Any progress on the tractor?  Can't wait to see the outcome!
Nothing interesting yet, I have been going through the tractor and sorting out all the little issues. The low pressure transfer pump on the end of the IP broke its rotor randomly. I had a hell of a time finding another one. I ended up buying a parts pump from ebay and salvaging parts out of that one. Tractor is running great now, got all the dash working except the coolant gauge. I would like to get that going and run it a bit to get an idea of how hot it runs before I add the turbo. Fixing leaks, replacing all fluids and filters and getting gauges working on something like this is expensive!! I have put 15 gallons of hytran oil in its various sumps so far!
I do have most of the parts on hand now, just need to place an order for the oil line stuff and then pick a weekend and bang it out. Looks like I can fit the turbo under the stock sheet metal with a bit of creative piping. Its going to be a fun little project. I will post some pictures once I actually do something worth showing.
-1991 audi 90 quattro with AHU tdi, r520's holset he211
-1990 audi 90 quattro, holset turbo, 11 second quarter mile demon