Re: humbucker's 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier Turbo 4x4 (Turbo #2)
Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2016 7:10 pm
I should probably start posting some of the 'good news' stories associated with my project. As you can probably guess from my previous post, the headache of filtering through security system wiring isn't what I consider to be a 'plus point'!
In contrast, my decision to take a punt on an unidentified turbocharger may well turn out to be a shrewd move!
It's a Garrett T3 Cosworth .48 A/R unit that wears a Turbo Technics identity plaque and was described as having passed through the Turbo Technics workshop at some point in the not-too-distant past, whereupon it was treated to staggered seals, a 360° thrust bearing and a bigger compressor wheel. "The power of the T34, but spools a lot faster."
It is claimed that the turbocharger had been collecting dust since the work had been carried out, but with no real way of knowing what the spec of the unit was (and no obvious serial number to check against), it was impossible to say for sure what it was that I was considering buying. Ah, to hell with it! It was cheap enough, and I thought that it was worth taking a punt. I'd bought a custom tubular exhaust manifold (details to follow) with a T3 fitment, and there was always the option of replacing parts if the turbo wasn't up to scratch.
The Turbo Technics plaque did have a serial number stamped into it ("RTN19"), but there was no mention of the same/similar reference anywhere online. I jumped onto the Passionford forum (think MIGweb for Blue Ovals) and asked around, but nobody had an answer for me. Of course, I asked Turbo Technics, but even they didn't know what I was talking about! Then, a week or so later, I received this email from the company:
"Hi Dan. We have identified the turbo. It was made for Racing Technologies Norfolk approx 2000 - 2001ish. This company is now known as Palmer Sport, and this is one of their Cosworth race units from back in the day. These turbos had T35 compressor wheels with 360° thrust bearings and .48 A/R turbine housings for a faster response. Quite a punchy little turbo to be fair. Good for between 340-380bhp at 1.6 bar boost."
Result! Well, kinda. I mean, we know what the turbo is/was, but there is still no real way of knowing its post-Turbo Technics history. With that in mind, it is now sitting in the workshop of what is arguably the UK's leading turbocharger service, repair, upgrade and manufacturing outfit, Turbo Dynamics, where it is being completely disassembled, assessed, cleaned and rebuilt to an even higher specification than that quoted to me by Turbo Technics. Neat!
In contrast, my decision to take a punt on an unidentified turbocharger may well turn out to be a shrewd move!
It's a Garrett T3 Cosworth .48 A/R unit that wears a Turbo Technics identity plaque and was described as having passed through the Turbo Technics workshop at some point in the not-too-distant past, whereupon it was treated to staggered seals, a 360° thrust bearing and a bigger compressor wheel. "The power of the T34, but spools a lot faster."
It is claimed that the turbocharger had been collecting dust since the work had been carried out, but with no real way of knowing what the spec of the unit was (and no obvious serial number to check against), it was impossible to say for sure what it was that I was considering buying. Ah, to hell with it! It was cheap enough, and I thought that it was worth taking a punt. I'd bought a custom tubular exhaust manifold (details to follow) with a T3 fitment, and there was always the option of replacing parts if the turbo wasn't up to scratch.
The Turbo Technics plaque did have a serial number stamped into it ("RTN19"), but there was no mention of the same/similar reference anywhere online. I jumped onto the Passionford forum (think MIGweb for Blue Ovals) and asked around, but nobody had an answer for me. Of course, I asked Turbo Technics, but even they didn't know what I was talking about! Then, a week or so later, I received this email from the company:
"Hi Dan. We have identified the turbo. It was made for Racing Technologies Norfolk approx 2000 - 2001ish. This company is now known as Palmer Sport, and this is one of their Cosworth race units from back in the day. These turbos had T35 compressor wheels with 360° thrust bearings and .48 A/R turbine housings for a faster response. Quite a punchy little turbo to be fair. Good for between 340-380bhp at 1.6 bar boost."
Result! Well, kinda. I mean, we know what the turbo is/was, but there is still no real way of knowing its post-Turbo Technics history. With that in mind, it is now sitting in the workshop of what is arguably the UK's leading turbocharger service, repair, upgrade and manufacturing outfit, Turbo Dynamics, where it is being completely disassembled, assessed, cleaned and rebuilt to an even higher specification than that quoted to me by Turbo Technics. Neat!