Using a water-cooled turbo on an air-cooled engine
Using a water-cooled turbo on an air-cooled engine
(OP)
I recently read about someone attempting to adapt a water-cooled turbo for an air-cooled motorcycle engine. His plan was to run oil through the water jacket to provide cooling for the turbo.
Is this a realistic possibility? Would it be better to just use a normal "oil-cooled" turbo?
Is this a realistic possibility? Would it be better to just use a normal "oil-cooled" turbo?





RE: Using a water-cooled turbo on an air-cooled engine
I'd be inclined to use glycol/water, a radiator, a fan, and a circ pump, if I were to contemplate such a thing. On a motorcycle, that could be a serious packaging challenge.
On balance, at least a liquid cooled turbo housing isn't _glowing_ in normal operation, so that eases the packaging constraints a little.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Using a water-cooled turbo on an air-cooled engine
Regards
Pat
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RE: Using a water-cooled turbo on an air-cooled engine
During the development phase, if I were doing it, I would bench test the thermosiphon systen using a bare center housing and a propane torch.
I forgot what I was going to say
RE: Using a water-cooled turbo on an air-cooled engine
First, the oil doesn't have the heat capacity (Cp) that water does, so it will take a higher rate of oil flow than the normal water flow to remove the same amount of heat.
Second, the oil is more viscous than water and a so it has higher resistance to flow (friction factor) so it will have to have a higher pressure to drive it to get enough through the turbo to take away the required heat.
So now you are needing to stuff more oil flow through passages that are designed for water flow so.....
Will it work - yes. Is it doable, probably if the guy/gal knows what he/she is up against and does it right.
Me - I'd just go find an oil cooled turbo, one designed day one to do the job rather than trying to stretch the limits of a water cooled model.
rmw
RE: Using a water-cooled turbo on an air-cooled engine
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Using a water-cooled turbo on an air-cooled engine
I know your marine background and guessed you may have presumed that. That's why I asked. On a bike I would expect a water cooled bearing only.
Personally I would find a simple water cooling system with a very small electric pump and a very small heat exchanger, maybe something like a small transmission cooler and a fish or bait tank pump or even a 12 volt tap water supply pump for caravans.
Regards
Pat
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RE: Using a water-cooled turbo on an air-cooled engine
I forgot what I was going to say
RE: Using a water-cooled turbo on an air-cooled engine
RE: Using a water-cooled turbo on an air-cooled engine
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