Turbo????
 

My thoughts have been turning to more power, and I am far from convinced that I should do it... but maybe I get a christmas bonus!!

Anyway I have done loads of pricing and looking at (pretty much exclusively Ozzy) 1HZ turbo kits. But then I threw it to one of our suppliers - in Holland, and got back the following after some questions about where the kit came from:

"1) The brand name is Toyota, The kits will be build with original Toyota Parts, (no Australian parts will be used) The offered turbo is a low pressure turbo, the turbo boost isn’t more than 0,55 up to 0,6 bar. It will give an extra 35 HP and additional Torque of 30 – 35%,

2) Without fitting the boost compensator the engine will not run 100% when the turbo isn’t switched on (below 1500-1800 rpm).. The turbo is providing more air/oxygen to the engine, this will gain more power but only when the engine receives more fuel as well. The fuel pump must be adjusted to the need of the turbo. A standard fuel pump is providing more fuel on total the rpm range, but you only need more fuel when the turbo is switched on. Without the boost compensator, the result is incomplete combustion (black exhaust gasses) below 1500-1800rpm.

I have translated this from Dutch, hopefully it is understandable."


Now I am well aware of the risks of turboing etc and for sure would fit a pyrometer and a boost guage. But I have never heard of a 1HZ toyota based turbo kit - can anyone shed any light?
Gil

turbo 1HZ
 

Hi Gil,

I assume it's All American Imports you are referring to! I know about several 1HZ engines they have turboed, including a few 105's for the Dakkar people. I know one guy personally and he is very happy with the result. I believe the price for the conversion is about Euro 2500,- including installation. I wouldn't doubt their knowledge about this subject. If it is not AAI, then you may refer to them for this.

Cheers
Noel
exploreafrica.web-log.nl

Gil,

I can second that. If it's about AAI, there's no risks involved as Maarten knows his stuff. If it's not, speek to AAI.

Cheers Noel,
the kit was actually offered through an agency, but funnily enough I was just thinking about getting in touch with AAI - they supplied me a longranger tank which is super... Could well be that my contact is sourcing from AAI! In which case they are at least doing me the favour of not adding anything...
Will get in touch with George if I decide to go down this route,
Gil

But I have never heard of a 1HZ toyota based turbo kit

Me neither and you'd think it would have been known about by now, esp in Au. Would not TGS know? Or ask Stefano at Grand Erg - he's been down that road and these days runs a 78 in the Sahara.
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Ch

Got a mail from All American, and sure enough the kit is from them, and comprises original toyota parts! Priced at Eur 1,600 plus up to 300 for boost compensator. Like Chris I am surprised it is not more known, but then I suppose the Euro tuning market for 1HZ motors is not exactly large! The installation looks very good - they sent some pictures of the kit installed in a 105. Anyway, it will be a project in the New Year as the 78 is no dragster and I was always thinking about it.
Gil

solid reputation
 

AAI have a solid reputation amongst LC owners as Roman has pointed out. I've been contemplating getting an intercooler for my 80 for some time and their advice on this and other things is spot on.

FWIW

No overland relevance!
 

While I wait for AAI to get the parts together I have been kicking around ideas of exhaust systems... Those that know the HZJ will know that the system has two 90 degree bends and two muffler sections - big ones!!! Now I have access to various L/C exhaust sections, so was thinking about doing some cutting and bending - in effect creating a straight through system exiting at the side in front of rear near side wheel. Like a big slow caterham!!! I know the turbo will kill quite a lot of exhaust noise, and such a system will reduce back pressure, but I was wondering if the noise will drive me mental or make me feel like an extra 100bhp is available :-) Of course if it doesn't work out I can put the standard system back, but before I get busy with an angle grinder and pipe bender it would be interesting if anyone has experience with straight through exhausts on a turbo diesel?

exhaust pipe
 

He Gil,

You can buy these pipes ready made and they do have something of a muffler on it!
Check the site of TourFactory in Germany.

::::::::::Tourfactory - Willkommen auf unserer Website:::::::::::

You can download their brochure. They have other nice stuf as well.

I think AAI might have them too. I have considered such a side pipe too but without turbo, the noise would be a bit to much. But you are right, with turbo it will be ok. If you take away the Toy muffler, then TF offers a nice 120L stainless steel (water) tank to go in that place

Cheers,

Noel

By all means go for a side exit, but as you say the noise will be a problem.

Try to get a reasonable silencer in there and have the exit pointing back and down.

Removing the big main box will enable the turbo to spin up more quickly giving better throttle response.

If you had a good christmas bonus, have you considered an intercooler as well :thumbup1:

From what I've read having a turbo reduces noise slightly but I don't have personal experience (unfortunately). Often the first 'silencer box' is actually a resonator box to kill the sound, not just to control the gases and back pressure.

Gran Tourismo 4 in a troopy
 

Thanks for the exhaust info chaps. I will of course let you know how it goes. The 'tourfactory' site is positively dangerous with some really nice looking kit! I have installed some gauges (real street racer style glowing ones like in a Nova) in preparation - EGT and Boost so as to monitor what goes on as I really don't want to rebuild a motor with less than 10K kilometers on it.
I was able to glean a little bit more feedback on the kit here (strangely in the USA): 1HZ Turbo System Supplier - IH8MUD.com Forum

Only thing I don't like the look of is drilling into the block, so may well end up removing sump pan and taping the return line into there very securely.

Regarding Julian's suggestion of the intercooler I was considering it, but increasingly started thinking more along the lines of 'chemical intercooling' a la rally cars - high pressure water injection system (aquamist for example). Cannot really see any disadvantages as I would not be running it to increase boost, but just to lower temperatures and there would appear to be some quite large advantages over an intercooler. Quite an interesting subject also with apparently some serious consumption reducing aspects or power increases depending how you use it... also relatively cheap and easy to install compared to an intercooler (will start to run out of room under the bonnet soon!)

I know it is all not really strictly overlanding, but my goal is to obtain a decent power output while maintaining low temperatures and reliability. Of course frustratingly things don't go according to plan when dealing with logistics to West Africa... so my eagerly awaited kit languishes under clearing in Accra, hopefully I can post some results post-fitting in the next week or so.

Okay back off to haunt www.streetracingminibusdrivers.com :-)
Gil

Intercooler
 

Hi,

a lot of the local guys here in SA run turbos on 1HZ motors and they work hard, I think you must seriously consider the intercooler, the drop in EGT is between 50 and 90 degrees which will lessen the strain on the motor considerably.

Well the kit arrived last Sunday so fitting commenced in the afternoon... and continued in the evenings on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The kit is really well put together and everything went together very well. I opted to drop the sump and tap into the sump for the return line which turned out to be a bit of a mission. Got it all finished up except the injection pump modifications and took it for a test run on our 800m airstrip. The turbo was boosting to 0.5 bar no problem, but there was certainly no massive power spike. Next evening tackled the fitting of the boost compensator which is actually a bit tricky - luckily I could call on the help of our best mechanic who is a bit of a whiz on pumps... Yesterday afternoon after final touches we took it to the airfield - with the boost compensator fitted but no fueling adjustments the car was a dog - slower than before turbo fitting. But then we started playing with the fuel! Well what can I say other than praise for AAI... The car is like a different vehicle. Considering there is the weight of sub tank with 180 litres of fuel, twin spare wheel carrier, second battery and fridge plus roof tent up top the car really pulls well. We compared it to a new 79 pickup with no modifications and no load in the back - the 79 didn't stand a chance!
Well satisfied. I am taking the car on a weekend jaunt so will get a chance to monitor temperatures on hills.
Gil

Well done:funmeteryes:

Thanks Chris,
all relative but the troopy is absolutely transformed. From various feedback from George at All American I learnt some interesting (well if you are into Toyotas...) things. Turns out that the Toyota 1HD-T is used by Yanmar in marine installations - with "some" changes. 315hp!!!

Intercooler would be nice, but I think the factory 1HD troopys never had intercoolers apparently because of airflow issues in what is quite a cramped engine bay... Still looking into it though, and if anyone knows of an intercooler for the HZJ78 then suggestions are welcome, in the meantime I've got some exhaust mods to do ;-)

Gil

If you can make a precise diagram of proposed intercooler, complete with inlet and outlet and mounting brackets, there are places (US and Australia) that can make them. I had one made once.
The places in Australia (which I do not know the names of) have I am sure tackled the Troopy issue already, in order to not "re-invent the wheel". You could find who does this via one of the Australian aftermarket turbo mfgs like AXT, if still in business (I purchased a turbo kit for my BJ40 from them). ARB are still in business of course and would probably know who to call.

Charlie

Thanks for the suggestions Charlie. I know that AXT are still in business, and Denco (also Oz) seem to also do pretty good air/water intercoolers. Alisport in the UK are pretty handy with aluminium welding, and I had one of their intercoolers in previous Defender, and my partner is quite handy with Autocad type stuff so I will give various options some thought.

For those who are interested in this project (and it can't be many :-) today I fitted my modified exhaust - basically as previously described. Quite a bugger of a job to get the remnants of the old system out... Needed to remove one wheel, inflate the Firestone airbag like hell and remove a shock. Even then I still had to say sod it and get the gas axe out!!! Luckily I have access to parts if I want to put it all back.

My modified exhaust seems to let the turbo spool up faster while emitting a suitably macho throaty roar which subsides as the turbo comes on song (thank God). At cruising speed it is fine. Easter weekend we are off for a weeks tour of Northern Ghana so am really looking forward to long empty highways to test it all out.

anyway it all sounds like a big increase when you boot it and to be honest that was one of the objectives...

Gil

Just an update on the 1HZ Turbo Troopy: after a while the "throaty roar" started to get way too much! With the passenger window open it was far too loud unless really just cruising. With the end result that I contacted Tourfactory and went for their side exit stainless steel exhaust. Was not cheap, but VERY nicely made and just right in terms of noise and a big weight saving over the original system. Of course that meant that now Noel's suggestion of the other tank had to be considered. The tank has not arrived yet but will be mounted with a flowjet pump and glind heat exchanger to give an on board water/shower system. Consumption has changed dramatically! From a conservative 13l/100km when I picked the car up and drove it from Accra to home. On a trip up to Bui and Mole national parks the consumption went to 17l/100km. Worth it though as the car is so different. EGT seems to be pretty low, as only on really long hills and flooring it does the gauge (immediately after turbo) creep above 400 c. As there is no visible black smoke it would seem that the fueling is about right (I hope!).
Gil

fuel consumption
 

Hi Gil,

Have you tried to choke the fuel supply screw back bit by bit until it affects the drive. If you choke it and turn it in to 'green' eco diesel maybe you could get back to 13 L/100km. In theory you should be able go below that since the efficiency of turbo engine is better than a naturally aspirated.

Cheers,
Noel
exploreafrica.web-log.nl

Noel - I think it is also "new toy" syndrome - in that 'cause the extra power is there it is so tempting to use it!!! I will play with settings a bit and also reduce the right foot pressure.
Cheers,
Gil

economics
 

Gil,

Can you keep me updated on what you manage to squeeze out of it. I have considdered to put a turbo on too for a next long trip but only for fuel economics. It would pay itself back over 50k, 60k km if it would improve economics, not if consumption increases.

Also, are you still happy with the air suspension on the back? Would you buy the same again?

cheers,

Noel

Will certainly keep you posted Noel! With the firestone airbags I am still happy - so much so that I ordered two sets for two HZJ79 pickups that we bought for company use (for mechanics so they are carrying welding sets and oxy gas, tools, people etc. It wil be interesting to see how they go as these vehicles are used HARD! Also worth noting that a spare bag is fairly small, so carrying a spare is not that big an issue.
Gil

air bags
 

Gil,

I assume you order these air bags thru the internet. Where do you buy them?

Cheers,

Noel

I actually get them from South Africa where a friend of mine who used to work here set up a small procurement company - he ships quite a lot of stuff to us so the airbags are easy to stick in one of his containers.

When I was researching the various options of supply I found these guys:
Marcle Leisure - Store for motorhome, caravan & marine equipment

Let me know if you want my mate's email as he would be able to sort you out, but the shipping and duty would add up I guess.
Gil