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adding a turbocharger to my tractor
by
VTPSD
on 12 Jul, 2013 10:19
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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.
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#1
by
VTPSD
on 12 Jul, 2013 10:21
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Googling tells me the saab turbo flow about 25lb/min max.
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#2
by
VTPSD
on 12 Jul, 2013 12:43
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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.
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#3
by
RabbitJockey
on 12 Jul, 2013 23:38
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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
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#4
by
VTPSD
on 15 Jul, 2013 09:28
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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!
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#5
by
CRSMP5
on 15 Jul, 2013 14:51
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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..
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#6
by
VTPSD
on 15 Jul, 2013 15:32
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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.
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#7
by
CRSMP5
on 15 Jul, 2013 21:46
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no i refer to the volvo turbo (gas) modded one doing donuts and such...
but the pic shows where the stack needs to be
and helps us see what your playing with..
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#8
by
8v-of-fury
on 15 Jul, 2013 22:30
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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.
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#9
by
VTPSD
on 15 Jul, 2013 22:39
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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.
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#10
by
VTPSD
on 16 Jul, 2013 08:21
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#11
by
VTPSD
on 16 Jul, 2013 09:04
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#12
by
VTPSD
on 17 Jul, 2013 09:57
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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!
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#13
by
410
on 27 Jul, 2013 18:39
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Any progress on the tractor? Can't wait to see the outcome!
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#14
by
VTPSD
on 01 Aug, 2013 11:01
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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.