49mpg possible from full size mechanical diesel?

[bondvagabond]

I know jack all about turbos, if I find a used one, what kind of measurements am I looking for Oilpan, to make sure it is optimized for fuel economy? You gave me one model recommendation, but if I know measurements then I would be more able to find something that would fit the bill. I have heard that waste gate ones spool up faster than non, so are better for fe?

[oil pan 4]

I don't use a waste gate.

The only other one that might be worth looking at would be a big holset HX40 with the largest exhaust housing you can find.
The T76 comes with a smaller exhaust housing, it will spool up faster and the T76 has a larger compressor than the HX40.

If I was going to run a simple single turbo setup I would go with the T76.
The T76 and HX40 uses what they call a T4 flange. Most exhaust manifolds on these older trucks use a T3 or T4 turbine inlet flange.
Connecting the turbocharger to the manifold is the most technically difficult part of the process, reclocking the housing and bearing cavity, connecting oil lines, turbine exhaust and intake piping is the easy part.

I built my twin turbo setup from the ground up my self, I didn't just go out an buy a kit.
I read compressor maps narrowed the turbo down to a few candidates and went with the HE351VE which is a variable geometry turbo. You don't want one of those, they are a PITA.

[ToddT58]

Regarding adding a turbo to a naturally aspirated diesel, do you need to freshen up the crank bearings first? I'd always heard that was suggested on a gasoline engine but unsure about diesel.

Also, I understand the VW 1.6NA has a different piston. Something about an oiler passage or something. Not sure, but I love mine in my '82 Rabbit 5-speed.

My first vehicle, bought in '74, was a Ford van. When gas prices went up in the late '70s during the second OPEC crisis, I started looking into fuel efficiency mods. Everything was (and still is) based on a 36 month return of investment.

One thing my father suggested was a streamlined belly pan. There's lots of open space under a van. My thought was to use Dacron like on an airplane. Light weight, pretty durable.

[bondvagabond]

Made some good progress today:
Got manual brake mc mounted
Auto trans neutral switch bypassed
Brake pedal mocked up and tack welded with correct pedal ratio to make up for loss of booster
Pilot holes drilled at 4 corners of square hole for clutch mc
Trans output flange nut torqued to 247 lb ft
Slip yoke splines greased
Fabbed new brake mc push rod

Just 7 more things on my to do list, and my shimmed out auto starter worked great. Was worried I'd have to spend $140 for a manual one.

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by ToddT58

Also, I understand the VW 1.6NA has a different piston. Something about an oiler passage or something. Not sure, but I love mine in my '82 Rabbit 5-speed.

It may have oil squirters on the top of the mains webbing. It shoots extra oil up under the pistons to cool them.
You don't have to have them.

[ToddT58]

That's it... a bit over my head but sounds familiar. Can the bottom end on an older engine handle the turbo?

[deejaaa]

as long as boost is not excessive.

[Mustang Dave]

Definition of "older engine"? :shrug:
I installed a turbo kit on my F-250 at approximately 158,000 miles; 9.5 years old. At 295,000 miles and 26 years old, it's running as strong as ever and getting the best fuel economy ever. Original engine and clutch. Had to replace release bearing at around 240K miles. Five sets of tires since I bought it.

[bryn]

i had a 7.3 with the banks aftermarket turbo, at most it produced 7-8 pounds of boost but at a pretty low rpm. my understanding was that it would run cooler with a more complete burn, better millage and more power. the intake/exhaust was the only thing changed on that motor. never had a problem with it

[bondvagabond]

Originally Posted by Mustang Dave

Definition of "older engine"? :shrug:
I installed a turbo kit on my F-250 at approximately 158,000 miles; 9.5 years old. At 295,000 miles and 26 years old, it's running as strong as ever and getting the best fuel economy ever. Original engine and clutch. Had to replace release bearing at around 240K miles. Five sets of tires since I bought it.

I think my van has the same motor as yours and I got better than your fe with a slipping torque converter on my auto trans and over 300k on the na motor. I'm hoping to break 30mpg tank averages with the 6 speed manual swap. Still not convinced the turbo is more efficient than na when not towing big loads.

Definition of older Diesel engine to me would be a non electronic controlled one.