Scratch this itch about a turbo!

ronnie

ronnie

Calm down and sail on
So I was reading an old thread on hear and someone posted a link to this turbo for a 82 Honda CX500 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/180629210396). So I got to thinking, could you modify/fabricate this turbo or a similar turbo to a 350F engine? I mean, could the engine handle the increased amount of pressure. I know how turbos work but I don't know how they act on different engines. As in, can you just slap a turbo on any engine(granted it can handle it).


So, in stock condition, could you bolt up a turbo to the 350F?


This is purely for entertaining my curiousity haha... ;)
 
Short answer is no, long answer is yes.

Turbocharger sizing is pretty complex (But I've a lot of experience in it!). The most important consideration (just in selecting the right size turbo) is the compressor map. You need to calculate the engine flow at various RPM points (and at various boost levels) to determine if the turbocharger will be efficient enough at your desired boost pressure at your redline point. Further, you do the math to determine at what RPM boost comes on full (what rpm you break past the stall limit of the compressor), and also you need to make sure the exhaust turbine A/R is properly sized...too small, and you'll have boost right off throttle (which sounds like a good thing but it will be un-ride-able and will kill you), too large and it'll only spool at high-rpm (and could be lift happy).

Once you finally decide a turbo size, there are still other considerations...fuel management, diverter, intercooler, C/R, torque output, traction, your clutch, etc. Check out my build page; I am turbocharging a KZ440.

IMHO that turbo is not worth that much money (your eBay link) unless it "bolts right up", and even then its too expensive (and probably too large). I do think an inexpensive knock-off chinese turbo (KKK KP35) would be a good fit for a 350cc...the knockoffs are not as good as the real thing (of course) and I would never run one on a car, but a bike...less complicated, less stress on the turbo, etc. Further, those can be found for like $250 new sometimes:


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Citroen-Peugeot-206-307-Ford-Mazda-1-4L-70HP-KP35-54359700001-7-9-turbocharger-/290606520187?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43a97f977b#ht_3660wt_1127
 
Wow... Thanks a bunch MC! I wasn't planning on putting that turbo on my bike or any turbo for that matter. I just was curious to know how hard it would be and you pretty much answered everything I could think of and more! Especially how the turbo works with sizing wise..Thanks again buddy!
 
it can be done, xs400 with turbo. don't know much about the bike, everytime I think I have a lead to tracking the builder/rider down I draw a blank
 

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Oh ya it can be done... There have been turbo bikes from the factory for decades. Even more to the point, folks have been building turbo drag bikes for even longer. Honestly though, why? Unless its a show piece or you really enjoy spending massive amounts of money on something that will honestly be more trouble than its worth. Dont get me wrong, I really dig wild builds, but there has to be a line drawn between crazy and functional, and crazy and look what I did. Just my opinion... Not trying to ruffle feathers.
 
Yea, I was just curious if it has been done on the smaller cc engines.. I have no intention of doing that as I don't have the money,time, insanity to pull of a procedure like that.
 
Just to add, the turbo CX500 and CX650 are amazing bikes, but they are not the same as the non turbos. Honda re-did the internals for those bikes to be able to handle the turbo and not fail. And if anyone would like to see some nice minty Turbo CX500's and CX650's the local old honda shop I get my oem parts from has 6 turbos and 2 non turbos in their parts location. All with Big NOT FOR SALE signs on them Haha. They have less than 1000Km on them and sit under dust covers. They are beautiful bikes. I asked once and the ol girl behind the counter just laughed and said he won't sell those to anybody. He has one he rides the rest just sit.
 
That ought to be against the law. If you kept your child under a blanket in the garage for a year, you'd be in jail.
 
mcge8241 said:
I do think an inexpensive knock-off chinese turbo (KKK KP35) would be a good fit for a 350cc...the knockoffs are not as good as the real thing (of course) and I would never run one on a car, but a bike...less complicated, less stress on the turbo, etc. Further, those can be found for like $250 new sometimes
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I don't mean to nitpick but KKK isnt a knock-off chinese turbo. Kuhnle, Kopp & Kausch was bought by borg-warner in 97 I think. VW 1.8t's use a KKK turbo. K03.
 
I am attempting it as we speak. Yes, it will be intended for street use. Daily rider, no... More than anything because I've never seen a turbo'd cafe'd Virago. People are either going to love or hate it. And thats the way I like it. For me, the bike will not be styled to my preference. But, I'm sure I wont mind once I can twist the throttle.
 
Good on you Louie. I will be doing this at some point as well. Maybe on the bobber project simply because I want to brass plate a turbo. Awesome.
 
If I ever start up a forced-induction component company, I am *so* calling it Black Panther.
 
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