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Engine Specific Info and Questions => IDI Engine => Topic started by: 2mAn on March 14, 2006, 03:39:23 pm

Title: can i build a NA block to handle a turbo?
Post by: 2mAn on March 14, 2006, 03:39:23 pm
is it even worth it??

i have an extra NA block that id like to build up to handle a turbo. i was curious if there are some good pistons out there that dont need oil squirters to survive? this also means i would probably have to upgrade the rods too, is that right? also how much can i bore the block out to? the block is comin from a 79 rabbit diesel so im guessin it is a 1.5, can i go as big as 1.7 or even 1.8 (which im thinkin would be a +2mm bore at least).

again, is this even worth it????
Title: can i build a NA block to handle a turbo?
Post by: tylernt on March 14, 2006, 08:35:27 pm
http://www.vwdiesel.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=3400&sid=a46a2d9b41122371577a7d8a328b6135

You will need to install an intercooler and keep your temps way, way low. The TD cyl head is of a different alloy and the NA head won't take much heat without warping. To control heat, you might look at getting the combustion chamber, exhaust valves, and exhaust ports thermal coated -- see this thread: http://www.vwdiesel.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=2329&highlight=

If Raceware makes an 11m head stud kit, that will provide a better head-to-block seal with less risk of stripping the bolt threads in the block.
Title: can i build a NA block to handle a turbo?
Post by: Kudagra on March 14, 2006, 09:03:41 pm
Is there actual evidence that the Turbo Aluminum head is a different alloy then the N/A head? I am skeptical of this. I remember when I was messing with Ford 2.3s and there were rumors floating around that those turbo heads were of a different cast iron alloy then the N/A heads. But for somereason they had the same casting numbers :roll:  Now I do know that they used different exhaust valves (like the VWs...sodium filled) because I purchased some of the expensive buggers and Ive cut them open (ever messed with sodium and water? :twisted:  )Same went for the Blocks that rumored to have more nickle content.

 Now all that might be true but Id like to read it somewhere other then some ones post.


As far as I know the safest way to convert a N/A block for turbo use is to drill and install some oil squirters. Ive heard it can be done (what cant really??) and has been done here...but IM not sure of the post.
Title: can i build a NA block to handle a turbo?
Post by: tylernt on March 14, 2006, 09:13:51 pm
Quote from: "Kudagra"
Is there actual evidence that the Turbo Aluminum head is a different alloy then the N/A head?
The Bentley says that the turno head is made from a different, sodium-injected alloy. Dunno how authoritative that is, though.

I can tell you the N/A heads warp from overheating really easily, though.   :roll:
Title: can i build a NA block to handle a turbo?
Post by: the4ork on March 14, 2006, 09:54:16 pm
ok so if just looking at the BLOCK....

the only difference between the na and td is that the td has oil squirters?

and does anyone know the rod size on the 1.6?
Title: can i build a NA block to handle a turbo?
Post by: tylernt on March 14, 2006, 09:58:41 pm
Quote from: "the4ork"
ok so if just looking at the BLOCK....

the only difference between the na and td is that the td has oil squirters?
Yes if you are talking about a block that came on a hydraulic lifter car. The solid lifter blocks are missing an oil return but you can work around that by getting creative with the head or head gasket.

The TD pistons have a notch for the oil squirter, but I beleive there have been people that have successfully notched N/A pistons for clearance.

Dunno the rod size, sorry.
Title: can i build a NA block to handle a turbo?
Post by: the4ork on March 14, 2006, 10:06:06 pm
can we use 1.9 pistons? obviously after a bore... and they should have the notch for the squirters...

sorry for the thread jack simon, maybe these are helping you too
Title: can i build a NA block to handle a turbo?
Post by: Kudagra on March 14, 2006, 11:17:42 pm
Quote from: "tylernt"
The Bentley says that the turno head is made from a different, sodium-injected alloy. Dunno how authoritative that is, though.



What page does it say that? I looked through mine and I didnt find that. The only time I saw Sodium mentioned was talking about the sodium filled exhaust valves telling not to cut them open.
Title: can i build a NA block to handle a turbo?
Post by: tylernt on March 14, 2006, 11:21:17 pm
Quote from: "Kudagra"
What page does it say that?
Page 4 of the Engine section, under Cylinder Head. It's not describing any procedures, just giving general info.

Quote
sodium filled exhaust valves telling not to cut them open.
I'm told that can be great fun... when you cut them open and then drop 'em in a big bucket of water.  :twisted:
Title: can i build a NA block to handle a turbo?
Post by: jtanguay on March 15, 2006, 12:43:55 am
the crankshaft is different in the turbo models as well.  (although the N/A one might be capable of handling short-term extra load)
Title: can i build a NA block to handle a turbo?
Post by: Justin on March 15, 2006, 01:06:12 am
you can get away with oil squirters either in the block or rods, my machine shop charged me 40 bucks to drill them into the block. its a 10 degree angle from the main journal to the center of the piston at the top. you can see some pics at my cardomain site

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2223781/1

I have over 3000 miles on this engine with no issues thus far and absolutely love the turbo with 20 pounds of boost, govenor mod and a little more fueling.

later
Justin
Title: can i build a NA block to handle a turbo?
Post by: tylernt on March 15, 2006, 01:12:39 am
Quote from: "the4ork"
can we use 1.9 pistons? obviously after a bore... and they should have the notch for the squirters...
Well the Bentley lists a max bore diameter of 77.53mm, up from 76.51mm stock. Not a lot of difference. Of course, I imagine you could go bigger as the factory is usually pretty conservative. Check this out:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2292986

He bored out a diesel block to use on a gasser. Says he overbored .110" and used 1.7 gasser pistons. I'm not sure how much further you can push it...
Title: can i build a NA block to handle a turbo?
Post by: Justin on March 15, 2006, 06:48:13 pm
libbybapa,

you could machine a groove in the bearing if you wanted, or a groove behind the bearing would work as well, I am not sure about the what would be required on the rod, I did it off of the main journals behind the bearing shell as you can see in my photos on car domain.

on the note that you dont see how the holes in the rod would get fed, you would have to atleast drill a hole in bearing shell, and possibly a groove as described above to feed it. I am not sure if you would need the groove since the high oil pressures are sufficent in going all the way around the cearing surface. but like i said before you would at least have to drill a hole in the bearing if it was for the rods, unless you machined a groove behind the bearing which would be slick i think but may encourage the bearing to spin and then you have all sorts of problems. so I would do either a grooved bearing and or a hole in the top  part of the bearing that leads to a straight up hole that constantly sprays the underside of the piston.

sorry for the novel of an answer hope that you get it through all of the senseless ramblings.

later
Justin
Title: can i build a NA block to handle a turbo?
Post by: Kudagra on March 15, 2006, 08:11:31 pm
Quote from: "tylernt"
Page 4 of the Engine section, under Cylinder Head. It's not describing any procedures, just giving general info.



How about a page number like 15.4 or 15.32. Or even better...how about a scan. Im not saying you are wrong Id just like to read it with my own eyes.
Title: can i build a NA block to handle a turbo?
Post by: tylernt on March 15, 2006, 08:19:32 pm
Quote from: "Kudagra"
Quote from: "tylernt"
Page 4 of the Engine section, under Cylinder Head. It's not describing any procedures, just giving general info.



How about a page number like 15.4 or 15.32. Or even better...how about a scan. Im not saying you are wrong Id just like to read it with my own eyes.
No problem Kudagra. :)

Here it is: http://i2.tinypic.com/ritapi.gif

It's huge. If your browser makes it tiny and unreadable, click on it and it should come up full size.
Title: can i build a NA block to handle a turbo?
Post by: Kudagra on March 16, 2006, 08:57:56 am
Finally..thats what Ive been looking for for a long time. Thanks a bunch. Sorry for the interragtion but it seemed you knew what you were talking about.
Title: can i build a NA block to handle a turbo?
Post by: fspGTD on March 16, 2006, 11:28:11 am
FYI - http://www.vwdiesel.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=357
Title: can i build a NA block to handle a turbo?
Post by: Kudagra on March 16, 2006, 03:41:06 pm
Quote from: "fspGTD"
FYI - http://www.vwdiesel.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=357


Well I KNOW you know what you are talking about :D
Title: can i build a NA block to handle a turbo?
Post by: myke_w on March 16, 2006, 03:50:20 pm
As has been stated here and elsewhere, the dealer part number for later model (85, 86?) solid heads are the same part number, ie the na number supercedes the td one from earlier, which leads most people to conclude that the later heads are either all stronger and contain a different allow, or that they were really all the same as na anyway.
Title: can i build a NA block to handle a turbo?
Post by: RabbitJockey on March 16, 2006, 04:54:07 pm
my dad has a 12mm n/a head on his 85 turbo diesel jetta, and he's had no trouble with it, it's been dail driven for 2 years.
Title: can i build a NA block to handle a turbo?
Post by: 2mAn on March 21, 2006, 02:58:21 am
k no one has really answered my questions.....

can a NA block be built to handle a turbo? im used to gasser engines so im thinkin forged pistons and rods, and obviously an intercooler for the turbo setup.

ive heard of people turboing the NA motor and not pushing it much, but im talkin the full monty :lol:
Title: can i build a NA block to handle a turbo?
Post by: Justin on March 21, 2006, 07:48:52 am
my na bottom end has seen 23 pounds of boost and held up fine so far, egt's have not been over 900 farenheight, so i would say the answer to your question is yes, use turbo rings in the na pistons and use the oil squirters like i have. and use a 12 mm headbolt block

later
Justin
Title: can i build a NA block to handle a turbo?
Post by: myke_w on March 21, 2006, 12:24:51 pm
Forged pistons and rods are overkill. You'd be hard pressed to rip up a stock bottom end with the kind of power you'll likely make. To run it hard, which it sounds like you plan to do, and to be reliable, you need oil squirters to cool the pistons, which means you need a td block, or to tap your existing block and install oil squirters.  To use oil squirters, you need pistons clearenced (td stock or na modded.) The purpose of using an improved bottom end on a gasser is to lower compression. TD and D have the same compression, and same bottom end sans squirters, there's just more heat, which is addressed by the oil hitting the piston bottoms, carrying it away. Some have run na block turbo'd with some success, but to really flog it, spend the money, do it right, and go true TD. Your simplest solution is to go source a worn td, rebuild it stock with oversized pistons, and intercool it if you want more power. You'll have the same or less money in it, and it will be reliable.
Title: can i build a NA block to handle a turbo?
Post by: 2mAn on March 21, 2006, 03:10:46 pm
thank you, that the answer i wanted, not what i was looking for but it answered my question... but now i have a few more....

its pretty hard to find a TD motor here in CA, so lets say i wanted to mod the NA block, i could have the oil squirters drilled in, then the easiest solution from there is to just buy a set of 1.9 TD pistons and rings. id also be intercooling the turbo setup, porting the head, a new cam maybe, is there anything else i should be looking at, like TD injectors

how would i know if my motor uses the 12mm headbolt? its from a 79 so i thnk its also a 1.5L, any way to check that?

would i need a pressure release valve like gas engines use?

where can i pick up a set of new oil squirters?

ive heard about TD cams, who makes em?

and im guessin the pistons are a dealer item only?
Title: can i build a NA block to handle a turbo?
Post by: myke_w on March 21, 2006, 03:50:05 pm
Make it easy on yourself, have a tired 1.6 td block shipped out to you (seller willing), a pallet shipping companie might charge you 150 for the freight.

On, 1.9's
1.9 pistons are all notched IIRC, and really expesive new, all 1.9 blocks also already have squirters.

I seem to sense that you are thinking bigger is better with displacement, but for the money the 1.6 is cheaper to build, repair, and way easier to find parts for in the us. It also makes similar power to the 1.9. Some would argue it's more reliable and has more potential longevity.

Pressure release? You mean blow off valve, the stock intakes have them built in and most people disable them.

Diesels can handle far more boost than gassers and are much more forgiving to haphazard tuning.

oilsquireter, find a 2.0 ABA code motor that blew up, or of course a 1.6 td or 1.9 na or td

Td cams?
No clue on that one.

1.6 td pistons can be found with rings for 350 a set anyday on the aftermarket.