Turbocharged F-Head Update.

Another winter ticks by with the old girl snug in the barn waiting for summer. 2 years on the conversion now, about 4,000 miles "under pressure". This year I had the opportunity to drive it above 9000 feet, basically what I built it to do. Other than sluggish starting at altitude (a reoccurring issue with the conversion) it ran great. No noticeable loss in power. Naturally aspirated it was a real dog. A better muffler let more of the whistle out and the little yellow jeep turns heads, mostly in confusion. It isn't a power beast. It doesn't have the power of the v6, not even close. It is however better all around and much better in the mountains. In early testing I got close to what I remember from my 65 v6 but I backed it down fearing a 134 melt-down. Having the properly sized T25 helps a bunch with the turbo lag. For the most part it isn't there at all. On the other hand I suspect the small turbo is limiting the upper end. The Saab motor I got it from was essentially the same size but then it was also built for the turbo too. I think a bigger exhaust manifold port and piping into the turbo would help a bunch but... I one point I seriously thought I had burned the exhaust valves out of it but after thought inspection and a 120psi dry compression check I noticed the loose carb linkage. Oops. Snugged it up and presto power was restored.

I thought seriously about taking it off this winter and swapping in the TDI from a rabbit, but then the motor fell through so another year on the T-F 134 is in order. My ignition is starting to fail and I keep eyeballing some electronic replacements. I plan to add a small (as in chainsaw gas line small) port to where my piping enters the intake. Starting from winter cold is essentially imposable without a prime. I will see if a pump on the weed-eater squeeze bulb smooths things along. None, let me repeat that, none of the doomsday predictions came true. None. Nada. Nope. That said it isn't a success either. Unless you like to do things to see if you can don't bother. It isn't worth it. Complicated, twitchy, difficult to start and difficult to adjust in return for moderate power gains. High altitude is the only place it really shines. Gas mileage sucks more than average too. Would I do it again, yep.

Earlier during our massive snow storm I put temporary insurance on it and drug her out for some winter fun. Here is the link--> Jeep In The Snow

Or C&P the url below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHjTJHSsMVI


Ken

Turbocharged 1962 CJ5 134 F 62,000 miles and a bunch of great bolt on memories.

 

I don't remember is it still carbed? I wonder if a TBI setup would get rid of the hard cold start.

Thanks for the update, your the only person I can think of who has done this and actually stayed around afterwords to say how well it works.

 

Oh absolutely. My hard start is certainly from my draw-through set up. That said home made TBI seems daunting.

Ken

 

Says the guy who put a turbo onto an F-head

 

i have yet to find a factory tbi turbo application, they are always mpi which won't be easy with our intake manifold
best option is likely megasquirt http://www.megamanual.com/mtabcon.htm
mega would be simplest on this platform due to its experimental nature you can tune it to suit the f-134's unique physique
mega also is capable of supporting one or two large injectors at the carb flange
the part I'm still working out is electronic ignition timing, I've got a plan for that just no time or engine to test on,
acme66 pm me if you need electronic dizzy help for Megasquirt. it was the route i had planned to take.




BTW: I'M STILL HERE!!! :evil: i just got too greedy with a tired hurricane, and decided to cut losses and opt for a more practical v6 alternative.
LIG might not have finished,
M38a1 (ran propane for drivability) sold for faster toys,
but this guy is still here and darn proud of it!
give me some time so i can rebuild in a flatty.

 

I keep going back to that one but I don't understand how it all works and I can't seem to force myself to pull the trigger. I would be interested in what you have.

acme66@yahoo.com

Ken

 

Holley makes a TBI.

Volkswagen had a really decent one on the Rabbits, Scirrocos and Dashers from the '70's.

Lot of the earlier turbochargers were mechanical TBI instead of the EFI stuff.

 

great video & thanks for the update--

Props to you for taking the family out topless-- what was the temp?