Turbo Oil Return (2320)

PCABE5 · Feb 21, 2011

Guys,

I got my turbo and I am in the process of getting the adapters made and assembling oil lines. I'll take some pictures as I get started and post them.

My question is does anyone see a problem with returning the turbo oil return line to the valve cover. The turbo will sit high enough for the line to be sloped down. This seems the most direct and easiest way to do the return line. Let me hear your thoughts on this.

scrappy isb67 · Feb 21, 2011

PCABE5 said:
Guys,

I got my turbo and I am in the process of getting the adapters made and assembling oil lines. I'll take some pictures as I get started and post them.

My question is does anyone see a problem with returning the turbo oil return line to the valve cover. The turbo will sit high enough for the line to be sloped down. This seems the most direct and easiest way to do the return line. Let me hear your thoughts on this.

Are you turbo'ing your 2320? if so I am interested in seeng the pics! Are you going to turn up the fuel?
What turbo are you using? How much boost are you going to run?

As to the return line going back to the VC, it should not be a problem as long as the engine has the return capacity(internally) from the head to the oilpan. You are going to be adding alot of oil to the valvecover area and you want to make sure it can get back to the oilpan quickly or you could end up with the VC full of oil and nothing in the pan.

PCABE5 · Feb 21, 2011

Scrappy??? As in AK TDR Scrappy? If so small world.

Yes, I am going to put a turbo on my 2320. I was going to make the manifold adaptors today but I had to put the exhaust back on due to 12" of snow. Winter doesn't want to let go so I might be awhile in completing the project.

I bought a small GT12 turbo. Looks to be a knock off and not an actual garrett turbo. My mistake as someone local was selling a "GT12" pretty cheap and I didn't do due diligence before I bought it. If this one does have issues or fails I will get the real garrett as it will be a direct bolt on. I figure the turbo on this will not work very hard at all even under load so I should be ok.

I will limit boost to no more than 5 psi. I will play the fueling by ear, these already run alittle rich and I should see a small boost just from the turbo. I will know that question when summer hits and I get to work it. If I want or need more I will turn the pump a turn or get new injectors that flow more. These injectors are fairly cheap, plus you only need 3 verses 6 on the CTD.

I figured since there is an oil fill port in the cover it can drain oil quickly enough for the turbo. This turbo does have a restrictor in the oil inlet so volume should be less than one without. I figured as long as I kept the turbo higher than where the return goes in I would be ok. There is not much room in the front gear cover for a fitting unless I can put one in where the injector gear is as that seems the easiest access. The last option would be to drop the pan and put a fitting up high on the pan above the oil line. Since the engine uses a spacer between the block and the pan, the crank should not be an issue but I would have to verify that before I drill there.

scrappy isb67 · Feb 21, 2011

PCABE5 said:
Scrappy??? As in AK TDR Scrappy? If so small world.

Yes, I am going to put a turbo on my 2320. I was going to make the manifold adaptors today but I had to put the exhaust back on due to 12" of snow. Winter doesn't want to let go so I might be awhile in completing the project.

I bought a small GT12 turbo. Looks to be a knock off and not an actual garrett turbo. My mistake as someone local was selling a "GT12" pretty cheap and I didn't do due diligence before I bought it. If this one does have issues or fails I will get the real garrett as it will be a direct bolt on. I figure the turbo on this will not work very hard at all even under load so I should be ok.

I will limit boost to no more than 5 psi. I will play the fueling by ear, these already run alittle rich and I should see a small boost just from the turbo. I will know that question when summer hits and I get to work it. If I want or need more I will turn the pump a turn or get new injectors that flow more. These injectors are fairly cheap, plus you only need 3 verses 6 on the CTD.

I figured since there is an oil fill port in the cover it can drain oil quickly enough for the turbo. This turbo does have a restrictor in the oil inlet so volume should be less than one without. I figured as long as I kept the turbo higher than where the return goes in I would be ok. There is not much room in the front gear cover for a fitting unless I can put one in where the injector gear is as that seems the easiest access. The last option would be to drop the pan and put a fitting up high on the pan above the oil line. Since the engine uses a spacer between the block and the pan, the crank should not be an issue but I would have to verify that before I drill there.

Yup, that's me!
Like I said before, I can't wait to see pics of how you do it, I am interested in doing the same to mine(once I get a few more hrs on it!) I cant leave nothin' alone!

SpudHauler · Feb 22, 2011

I put a turbo from SPF on my RTV1100 and the oil returns to the spare dipstick hole on the exhaust side of the engine. Originally they used a fitting into the top of the oil pan, like you said, above the oil level.
That much oil in the valve cover will probably lead to problems eventually. Like you are running all that extra oil over the hottest part of your engine just to get it back to the oil pan and with the extra oil in the valve cover, leakage by the valves can be an issue.
Mine runs 5-7lbs boost and depending on the pump adjustment, can be very hard on fuel. Backed down to minimal adjustment it gives just the level of power I was looking for and good fuel economy as well.
Very easy to have excessive power, low fuel economy and no great benefit to productivity. Probably just break more stuff.
Good luck. I would do it again and will probably take the kit to my next purchase if that should occur.

Nick359 · Feb 22, 2011

I am in the process of putting a turbo on my 755. After finding the turbo was too big to fit where the muffler was, I will be making a header and putting it above the engine. I am also thinking about putting the drainback in the valve cover. I have to pull it off to fix a leak, so I will take a look then.

I had to put the exhaust back on today to plow snow too. I blew up my truck last week, so I spent my days off buying a new one. I gave my pipe bender away when I moved a few years ago. I thought I wouldn't need it anymore. I bought a new one today. I will be tearing into mine next week.

I have a TD02 twin scroll. I will see how a twin scroll works on a three cylinder.

PCABE5 · Feb 25, 2011

Should have the exhaust made up today and pick up some miscellaneous supplies. I am sure I will forget some. I'll get some pictures together this weekend and get them posted.

Done so far:

Turbo (I posted the wrong turbo earlier, it is a GT15 not a 12)
Exhaust (should be done today)
Oil supply line and fittings
Return hose

Need input and output air hoses and to decide where I am going to place the oil return.

jonyyuma · Feb 25, 2011

I have a Turbo from a MB it is a garrett, fits the 300 td 5 cylinder. I have wanted to fit it to another engine.Turbo power is so sweet and strong.

PCABE5 · Feb 27, 2011

Hit some snags at the moment. I made that exhaust mounting an exact duplicate of the muffler. This puts my oil return wedged inbetween the valve cover and exhaust (still is not a problem as it will hookup). So I will have to raise that up.

Also I am trying to use the existing air filter and this is a problem as the compressor intake hose interferes with the turbo outlet. They block one another at the valve cover. I will have to see if I can flip the small top intake cover where the air intake is at. If I cannot flip it then I will have to see about another filter option that can filter the dust well enough.

scrappy isb67 · Feb 27, 2011

PCABE5 said:
Hit some snags at the moment. I made that exhaust mounting an exact duplicate of the muffler. This puts my oil return wedged inbetween the valve cover and exhaust (still is not a problem as it will hookup). So I will have to raise that up.

Also I am trying to use the existing air filter and this is a problem as the compressor intake hose interferes with the turbo outlet. They block one another at the valve cover. I will have to see if I can flip the small top intake cover where the air intake is at. If I cannot flip it then I will have to see about another filter option that can filter the dust well enough.

why not put the air filter just ahead of the rad above the battery?