turbo on a 4g54?

[fast 4g54]

I'm new to this site and i'm looking for any information on turbocharging a 4g54. i've rebuilt my engine in my 93 mj 4x4 triton - has cast hypereuretic pistons, block decked, ts magna (m6) head that has been shaved and mildly ported, new valves and springs, running a standard magna cam with the roller hyd. rockers, comp.ratio is 10:1, efi from ts magna, pacemaker extractors and of course all new bearings, gaskets, clutch blah blah blah.... i've talked to a bloke at ultra tune who reckons that the comp. ratio and standard magna ecu will be fine provided i don't run anything over 5-6 pounds of boost but i'm a little sceptical. i have all the tools and fabrication know-how to make a manifold for the turbo and two turbo chargers in my shed ( tc06 and a tc05 ) does anyone know which is the better choice for this application? don't get me wrong, i'm really happy with the performance of my new engine - it has changed the whole character of the ute and she really moves along - my mate has a vs v6 commie and the 4 pot chews it up and spits it out! i'm just a big believer in ' if some is good then more is better'. if i don't go turbo i'll look at swapping the cam to liven it up further. any thoughts?...cheers.

[57oky]

hey mate, welcome, first of all im no expert but i have own alot of turbo cars before my 4x4days, and the 10:1 comp ratio does seem a little high but like your mate said, provided you dont boost it over 5-6 psi you should be fine. Anything over that and you will pop your head gasket. I cant see the magna computer handling it at all also. An aftermarket computer would see much better results but can be expensive. There are people out there that chip standard computers to run mild setups like you want though. definatly something to think about. Is the tco5 a cordia turbo???

[fast 4g54]

hi 57oky, cheers for the welcome...i'm pretty sure i will go for an aftermarket ecu as it will unlock alot more potential as far as ignition and fuel tuning... the cost is a big factor in taking this step but i have a set of dhla 40's- complete set up- that i purchased for this engine and only done 1500 k's before i changed over to the efi set-up, so i'll try to sell them to help cover some of the cost as they are in mint condition and cost me a packet. i've also got lots of other bits and pieces that i'm sure i could get some bucks for including a complete( except for ecu ) 4g63t sohc engine out of a 1986 starion turbo ( which in answer to your question, is where the tc05 came from ).thanks for the reply...

[v6triton]

hey mate, changing over to an aftermarket, will you be required to change injectors n fuel pump? wouldnt it be pointless for an aftermarket ecu pumping out the same fuel through a factory injector? Straight gas it, turbo's love it! by the time u waste ur money on fuel pumps/regs/injectors n throttle bodies 2 match, a simple $1000 gas conversion might suit your application better? Engine bay would be cleaner, cheaper to run and easier to tune, As for your 10.1 comp, i think is way too high, might be pinging more than u think

[fast 4g54]

cheers for your input v6 triton ( go the tritons!), to be honest i hadn't even considered the gas option. the benifits of going aftermarket ecu is to do with tuning. The throttle body and manifold that i have on it already are fine. i may need to upgrade the injectors but not sure - i don't know what percentage duty cycle they run standard but should be a bit of leeway? anyone know the answer to this? as i understand it, adding a turbo ( or cam change etc ) requires different timing, fuel maps etc so being able to adjust these ( after market ecu ) is mandatory to running as efficiently as possible. a happy engine is the goal here, not trying to run on the ragged edge. all input is much appreciated...cheers

[57oky]

hi again, if your saying your goal is a happy reliable, then an aftermarket ecu is a must in my view, also as V6triton said, I would probably go a high flow pump as well (something like a BOSCH 910 or 044). your high compression would be the first hurdle, as to run some sort of good boost to be noticable, would probly require lower comp. I cant see any other problems with making some good numbers from these engines as ive owned mitsys all my life and always been good reliable engines. but thats just me.......
+++++

[v6triton]

if i was to do any mods, i'd turbo a standed motor rather than one with 10.1 comp, that thing would throw the cyl head through the bonnet b4 u know it. ud b suprised on how much it can handle, fair enough a well built motor will make more power on less boost, if built right, but IF something lets go things might get pricey. but then again, if ur gunna spend money on building a 4g54, have u considered a holdenv6 conversion? probably cost u half the amount compared to what u want to do?

[fast 4g54]

hi mate, you're probably right about things failing fairly quickly. i just thought i'd throw it out there to get some opinions. I don't want to convert to a v6 cause the 4g54 has only done about 4000 k's since full rebuild and is a really good little motor. i have a 96 clubsport as my on road toy and also a fully built 400 hp cleveland sitting on an engine stand in my shed ( i'm a bit of a horsepower junkie )...The triton is my old work ute and i'm basically just building it up to have some fun off road - take my kids camping etc...i'll probably just put a cam in and leave it n/a...i've built heaps of grunty engines over the years but this is the first 4 pot...life's a learning curve and if you don't ask you never know...the last thing i want to do is destroy a perfectly good engine...thanks again...

[Rallyant]

You could chuck in a thick copper gasket to drop the CR. I think ridgecrest make them up to 3mm, (2mm Over standard) This should enable you to run a good 10psi with that setup.
Id recommend going with the mechanical adjust slider cam setup and getting a mild regrind. You will get better bottom and top end as well as faster spool!
Get the head O ringed (to late to do the block) Mine was done by AMR with stainless lockwire rather than copper. It also works well with a std gasket.

I have a std sigma turbo exhaust manifold if your interested, But id recommend building one yourself. I got much better power and responce all around with the one I built.
Im running a P-trim rear with a 1.00 AR and the 20 psi is still all in by 3000rpm (much bigger than you will want) but i know people with a smaller AR on the same setup not spooling until 4000rpm with poorly designed manifolds
Your welcome to come have a look a mine for design ideas if you like.

Aftermarket ECUs are cheap and easy to find second hand now. I just picked up a wolf with loom to suit the 2.6 for $250 (for the NA Improved production race car Im building)

I sold Modified EFI Intake manifolds to the yanks for a while, sent about 100 to USA, They were getting very little lag with a 16g turbo, and fully spooled under 2000rpm with a big cam.

I have been playing with turbo conversion on the 2.6 for about 11 years, there a great motor! The fastest 4cyl in the world was a 4g54 for a while, 7.X 1/4 mile I think the car is back on the strip again?
I now have a 1976 Galant running 350kw at the wheels on 20psi

[fast 4g54]

hi there rallyant... you sound like the man i need to talk to...i am interested in buying your manifold but i live on the sunshine coast in queensland so i'd have to get you to post it up to me...what sort of $ are you asking? The thick copper gasket is a great idea that never crossed my mind...i'll look into it...cheers.

[constapa]

Hi, fast 4g54,
I have a Pajero with a turbo conversion for about 5 years. Standard pistons, cams etc. After market ECU. Running at 7psi most of the time but able to get 15 psi when i want it (boost controller). Full boost at 1400rpm with a high gear. Over 180hp at full boost. No damages in engine till today . Two gearboxes gone till today . The 4g54 has a lot of low torque and adding a turbo make things dramatic. I hope your gearbox is stronger. Apart from this it's pure FUN!!! Do it!
I ensure you that 10:1 comp ratio is way to high. I kept the standard wich is 8:1. So, you need a gasket. High ratios mean lower advance timing to avoid pinging and you need a VERY capable tuner.
Fuel pump: check the flow and if it is around 1.5lt/min is ok. Don't buy a new one.
You wrote for a solution with normal ECU and 5-6 psi boost. FORGET IT!!! You are a horsepower junkie (you said it!) and soon this is not going to be enough. You know that . Buy an aftermarket ecu and do the things right. Add a boost controller, get all the horsepower the TC05 can give you but use as much as you need.
Cheers and welcome...
Takis

[Rallyant]

Sorry mate, I didnt get any email notification of a reply to this thread!
Ill shoot you a PM with some details.

Glen