Which turbo?

jolotter · Post by **jolotter** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 10:11 pm

I have read many posts on this and other sites stating that the K24 turbo has to much spool up time for a vanagon and that I will not get any boost on hills as I shift gears.
Many of you have recommended using a smaller K14 or T3 turbo instead. I don't have one of those.
What I do have is a K3. It's quite a bit smaller than the K24 but I do not know if it would fit the bill.

I'm almost ready to fire up my vanagon as a diesel for the first time!

Johann

libbybapa · Post by **libbybapa** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:37 am

The T3 and K24 are virtually the same size (and laggy). Is the K03 from an AAZ? If so, then it would work great.

Andrew

jolotter · Post by **jolotter** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:05 pm

Yes. The K03 is from an AAZ. Does the smaller turbo work better at low rpms because there is less mass to get spinning? So the tradeoff would be less boost at highway speed.

At highway speed, does the size of the turbo affect fuel efficiency?

Johann

libbybapa · Post by **libbybapa** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 11:07 pm

At higher rpms the smaller turbos cannot produce as much boost as a larger turbo and when running increased boost pressures, they are less efficient and cannot produce as much boost. That being said, any of the above turbos will produce considerably more than stock boost pressures before running significantly inefficiently. The K14 will fairly easily run 15-18 psi without being overly inefficient. The other downside is that a smaller turbo can increase EGTs some when running higher boost levels. All that being said, the T-3 and K24 are just plain toooo big for a 1.6TD running stock boost pressures. Unless one is running considerably higher pressure than stock, the only thing gained from the K24 or T-3 is increased lag. I'm not quite sure what VW was thinking when they fit them. Perhaps better options were not available.

Andrew

libbybapa · Post by **libbybapa** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 11:11 pm

Sooo, the question is are you sticking with stock boost pressures of 9-11psi? If so, then the K03 will produce max boost all the way through the entire upper rpm range and will do so efficiently.

Andrew

jolotter · Post by **jolotter** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 1:23 pm

Although I may increase boost as I get to know the engine, I am not looking to create a hot rod

from my westy laden with wife, kids, dog and cast iron cookware.
I also don't want to risk blowing my head gasket. I'm interested in reliability and efficiency rather than performance.

Thanks for the advice.