remote mount turbos

[Guest]

For me, I find it easier to build an under hood set-up than a remote mount, though I have not built a remote mount, simply becuase I feel it is no easier or time saving than going with an underhood set-up that will generally perform better. Ask 89jy, he will even tell you that he prefers conventional turbo set-up to his remote mount. The conventional set-up spools quicker, has less tubing, you don't have to worry about water splashing on the hot turbine housing causing it to crack, you don't have to worry about other objects hitting the turbo, filter, etc, period.

Myself, I have a very hard time finding space under cars to install neon tubes that are about 1" in diameter, I can't imagine trying to hang a 2" to 3" tube under there, and running back up to the front beside the exhaust will only help to heat the charge more.

89jy will be your best help in this build.

BTW the turbo is not "specially designed", the hot side is just smaller than would normally be used for the same application, due to the heat loss that happens between the engine and the rear of the car.
If you read about turbine theory and application, you'll never want to run a remote mount set-up.

You don't need any special header for a conventional turbo either, but headers like in any application will only help, even in a remote mount set-up.

If you are lying to yourself saying that a remote mount requires less speciallized tools or is easier, go ahead, but the reality is, it's no easier, and still requires the same tools and know-how.

BTW I have considered a remote mount for my '98 Malibu, but when I sat down and started planning it out, the conventional seemed easier, and I know it will work better. I'll probably have one custom manifold, because of the way I want to build my set-up, if I did it a bit differently, I probably wouldn't even need a custom rear manifold.

If that's the case, then why would someone go through the trouble of designing the rear mount set up? I first saw this for the firebirds/camaros. I've seen the superchargers with the water intercoolers. I can't believe they make these turbos due to lack of space.

Fixed.

I'll answer your question with another question:

Why do people put fart cannons on thier Imports? Why do people put huge wings on the rear of a FWD car that will never get to a speed to require such downforce? Why do people build more powerful engines? Why do people install louder sound systems in thier cars in all varieties of designs? Why do people choose one securioty system over another? Why do people choose to sleep on the side of the bed they choose to?

Ok, that was a few questions, but I think it ilistrates my point....

Because they can.

So because they can, does that mean that it's easier, just because someone says it is? No, not at all.

Like I said, I sat down and started planning a remote mount for my Malibu, but in the end, the conventional looks to be easier for me, and I KNOW it will work better than a remote mount set-up.

I also really do not like the idea of water/snow/slush splashing on the hot turbine, which as anyone can tell you, will cause it to crack.

Also I have read and researched a bit about turbine theory, once that was done, I decided I will always place the turbo as close to the heat source as possible, also while taking into account a few other factors.

[FallenZ24]

89jyturbo mainly did the rmt because he wanted to put the theory to test. He wanted to see if it works.

I personally believe that if he had conventionally placed the system and used a properly matched turbo, he would have gotten similar gains. The RMT really doesnt have any horsepower benefits than a conventional turbo system.

Something that I have yet to see is a turbo mounted in the front bumper. I was actually planning this out a little while ago. Theorietically it would be the best of both worlds. You wouldnt have to worry about fitting the turbo under the hood and fabbing a crossover. Also you wouldnt have to worry about the excessive chargepiping that the rmt system has. You would have to run a sump-pump, and an intercooler would he needed if you wanted optimum performance and safety. Also the exhaust piping to spin the turbo would have quite a few sharp bends in it.

If I decide to mof this car in the future, I may just do it. I personally think it would work quite well and would like to test my theory. Originality also is what I strive for....

-Joseph

[Guest]

There have been plenty of turbo placed in the "front bumper". Just look at any NMRA turbo car.

I've contemplated the front bumper idea for my 'Bu too, but in the rain the turbine housing would still be splashed and pelted with water/rain, not nearly as bad as under the car at the rear, but it would still happen, I think I have found another area to use anyway.

[89jyturbo]

Wow, sharkey. That has got to be the best looking Cavalier I have ever seen. If you were local to me, I think I would build you a turbo kit for free! I love it. If you have more pics, feel free to send them my way.

The RMT debate will probably never die. I would not build an RMT system for a weekend cruiser, track car, or any other car that I can have down time to build a conventional turbo system. There are many cars where the RMT would be harder or even more time consuming to build than conventional turbo systems. There are a lot of cars though where underhood space is at a premium, and the RMT make sthe most sense because it requires few compromises of other underhood 'stuff'.

In otherwords, I am a firm believer that RMT has it's place, but there are many situations where it is defenitely not the best.

To answer the original question, there is nothing special about the turbos used for this application other than a slightly smaller turbine housing and/or turbine wheel to keep response very near to a conventianal system. It is this element that will limit the RMT systems max HP when compared to a conventional system that has the same response characteristics. Like Raven was saying, there are no benefits to RMT if you look strictly at theory.

My origianal system was put together in less than two days. I needed as little down-time as possible because it is my daily driver. I put the car on my hoist 8am on a Friday, and drove it home boosted by 6pm Saturday (and had a good long nights sleep in there as well ). I had already done the FMU and fuel pump install, as well as planned ahead with pipe routing and collected all the parts. I think it would be hard to build a conventional turbo system on my car in that amount of time. And my next RMT could be done far quicker than this first system.

And about the snow/rain etc on the turbine housing? Its my daily dsriver and it gets driven EVERY day, no matter rain, snow, shine. Here is a pic from this December . This ain't nothing compared to what you guys get in Canada I guess, but it is the realistic limit of a j-Body- I got stuck in my parking lot at work! Good thing the roads were somewhat clear, or I wouldn't have even made it to work in the first place (too much tire spinnage during the summer months I guess!):

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[sharkey]

wow, post from the dead.

more pics of mine at http://www.cardomain.com/id/sharkey_t69 .

as for the snow thing, id be hard pressed to dasy we have had 2" of snow this year. im pretty close to the border (ok, im 5 minutes from the border) and it realy doesnt get that cold here. now rain, yea we get a ton of rain.

[gboogie99]

well time to bring this back to light.

I'll be installing my system over the next 2 weeks with:
an 01 volvo s40 turbo - $60 on ebay ( its a low pressure version 12 psi max)
01 montana fuel rail and injectors - freebie
custom turbo flange from boys in augusta $25 shipped
welded by CUSTOMS IN MOTION - freebie
to Advance Auto 2 1/2in tail pipe at $4.94 a section
and t3 exhaust flange $20 on ebay
intake piping by APS muffler in Rock Hill,SC ~$30
connectors by Home Depot (3) at 5.94 each
shurflo pump from Home Depot ~ $70
20' 3/8in ID hose for oil line from Advance $ 20 (employee discount)
oil inlet flange $20 from ebay
RRFPR from 3000GT - freebie from cousin
Volvo turbo gasket $10 shipped from the dealer
vacuum sensor - freebie from co-worker


so far still less than $300 spent
I still need a boost guage and BOV if anybody has one to donate for a reasonable price

89jy thanks for the wonderful website... your pics have been extremely helpful