Should I Turbo?
Discussion
Now the Speeduino install is working well I can't help thinking it would great to have some more budget DIY fun getting a bit more oomph..
Not looking for anything spectacular, nice and safe low pressure turbo install, something like a clone GT35 with 5psi of boost. 300bhp would be more than enough. I've already uprated the brakes to Fiesta ST calipers and bigger discs on the front. Will I need to sort the rears?
I'm pretty spanner handy, so would do everything myself. Half the fun for me is doing it on the cheap. Are the Chinese copy turbos good enough these days?
Searching old threads it seems there used to be a great kit from Eann Whalley but sadly not much detailed info available on what's needed. Looks like there would be a great deal of stainless fabrication though to take care of the Y piece plumbing.
Ideas welcome.
Not looking for anything spectacular, nice and safe low pressure turbo install, something like a clone GT35 with 5psi of boost. 300bhp would be more than enough. I've already uprated the brakes to Fiesta ST calipers and bigger discs on the front. Will I need to sort the rears?
I'm pretty spanner handy, so would do everything myself. Half the fun for me is doing it on the cheap. Are the Chinese copy turbos good enough these days?
Searching old threads it seems there used to be a great kit from Eann Whalley but sadly not much detailed info available on what's needed. Looks like there would be a great deal of stainless fabrication though to take care of the Y piece plumbing.
Ideas welcome.
Belle427 said:
Some videos here to wet your appetite.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5hKTebFT8s
Ha, seen all these now. Great viewing. Seems an uprated clutch will probably be a requirement too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5hKTebFT8s
Fenderer said:
Now the Speeduino install is working well I can't help thinking it would great to have some more budget DIY fun getting a bit more oomph..
Not looking for anything spectacular, nice and safe low pressure turbo install, something like a clone GT35 with 5psi of boost. 300bhp would be more than enough. I've already uprated the brakes to Fiesta ST calipers and bigger discs on the front. Will I need to sort the rears?
I'm pretty spanner handy, so would do everything myself. Half the fun for me is doing it on the cheap. Are the Chinese copy turbos good enough these days?
Searching old threads it seems there used to be a great kit from Eann Whalley but sadly not much detailed info available on what's needed. Looks like there would be a great deal of stainless fabrication though to take care of the Y piece plumbing.
Ideas welcome.
Speak to Macdeb or Qbee… Not looking for anything spectacular, nice and safe low pressure turbo install, something like a clone GT35 with 5psi of boost. 300bhp would be more than enough. I've already uprated the brakes to Fiesta ST calipers and bigger discs on the front. Will I need to sort the rears?
I'm pretty spanner handy, so would do everything myself. Half the fun for me is doing it on the cheap. Are the Chinese copy turbos good enough these days?
Searching old threads it seems there used to be a great kit from Eann Whalley but sadly not much detailed info available on what's needed. Looks like there would be a great deal of stainless fabrication though to take care of the Y piece plumbing.
Ideas welcome.
Caddyshack said:
Turbo power is orrible dirty power, super charger would be much better for throttle response but ultimately lower peak power.
Have you driven a turbo TVR ? they are epic. Off boost you still have a large V8 so no losses there, once on boost it's win win win. Supercharger install much more expensive too, but each to their own. 
Exactly! The engine is perfect for it. I'd be amazed if there was any lag at all to be honest. It literally needs nominal boost no more than 5psi, don't even need a controller.
Question. Can I get away with a half decent china charger with an internal wastegate? The hardest part by far would be fabricating a new turbo friendly Y piece.
Would be even better if the whole thing could be made reversible, so no intercooler. No new holes in the body.
Question. Can I get away with a half decent china charger with an internal wastegate? The hardest part by far would be fabricating a new turbo friendly Y piece.
Would be even better if the whole thing could be made reversible, so no intercooler. No new holes in the body.
Edited by Fenderer on Friday 13th January 10:19
spitfire4v8 said:
Caddyshack said:
Turbo power is orrible dirty power, super charger would be much better for throttle response but ultimately lower peak power.
Have you driven a turbo TVR ? they are epic. Off boost you still have a large V8 so no losses there, once on boost it's win win win. Supercharger install much more expensive too, but each to their own. Unweder said:
bobfather said:
The UJs on the prop and the halfshaft CVs are made of chocolate. You will go through them quickly. Also, engine mounts need upgrading
Stock d/shafts are a weakness sure but nothing wrong with prop UJ,'s and shaft CV's 
t) and the present owner been to Portugal in it with NO u/j problems to report. In fact, no problems at all other than a failed turbo seal. Build it right, build it once.Edited by macdeb on Friday 13th January 18:20
Edited by macdeb on Friday 13th January 18:21
Edited by macdeb on Friday 13th January 18:23
Fenderer said:
macdeb said:
Build it right, build it once.
Can't disagree with that...Do you think I'll be OK with the original driveshafts given I'm not really planning to go much further than 300bhp?
Fully expect to have to uprate the clutch but would be nice to wear out the original first.
macdeb said:
Myself, imho, yes. Original driveshafts, gearbox, even clutch will be fine at that level and low boost though a new upgrade when it fails is always good. Oh, and the U/J's won't bother you either. Obviously all above dependant on miles done. Good luck, keep us posted.
Cool, thanks! Any advice on wastegate spec and setup?, given I just want it really low boost and not too noisy... Coffee time, I believe the chap is around here too so hopefully will comment.
https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/185126/tvr-ch...
https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/185126/tvr-ch...
In my experience of regular drag strip abuse of my own Chimaera and others that came along to the meet ups we had quite regularly at Shakey (rip) and Santa Pod i saw a number of standard driveshafts snap and in 1 instance a stub. These were usually due to hard launches on a sticky drag strip with decent tyres.
I would be shocked to see any TVR on the road with circa 300bhp break a driveshaft.
Most TVRs on road tyres would at best be in the 1.8's to 60 foot on a drag strip.
Its when you fit proper drag radial tyres and dump the clutch with over 300bhp minimum for 60 foot launches in the 1.6's that you may risk breaking a shaft. Other failures outside these times or power levels are probably due to age related fatigue etc. Put a new standard shaft in will be fine.
For those getting serious then uprated shafts are available. I have Dave Mac ones and the claim was they are unbreakable! I am trying my best tho.
I would be shocked to see any TVR on the road with circa 300bhp break a driveshaft.
Most TVRs on road tyres would at best be in the 1.8's to 60 foot on a drag strip.
Its when you fit proper drag radial tyres and dump the clutch with over 300bhp minimum for 60 foot launches in the 1.6's that you may risk breaking a shaft. Other failures outside these times or power levels are probably due to age related fatigue etc. Put a new standard shaft in will be fine.
For those getting serious then uprated shafts are available. I have Dave Mac ones and the claim was they are unbreakable! I am trying my best tho.
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