MK1 Turbo

[VWMAT5]

I and Aaron Roberts (owner of the black 20B Rotary Bay Window Kombi) finally finished fitting the factory MK1 turbo to my '80 diesel yesterday. The most difficult part was mounting the intercooler in front of the radiator and running the return pipe back to the turbo - not a lot of room between the radiator and battery tray! Some re-positioning of the radiator and some mods to the centre support bracket under the bonnet latch solved the issue.

The turbo is set at a mild 6 pounds of boost, but what a difference it makes to the little 1.5 diesel - the motor just wants to keep spinning. There is some lag due to the large exhaust wheel, but once it kicks in away she goes. I have some fine tuning of the fuel to do, a new exhaust to connect and I haven't plumbed the neat oil cooler box that uses water for cooling, but the car will definitely be at DOTVW this Sunday (I'm towing it down from Brisbane).

On the test run on Sunday night, I think the laughter from the two idiots in the car was louder than the turbo whine. Good fun!

[Jarred]

wow! didn't see that coming!

I'll be sure to check it out at DOVW!

[dubmc]

hey saw your kombi at valla earlier in the year, awsome ay...nice write up on the mk1 sounds like a heap of fun...a high powered diesel is something my cousin and i have talked about doing but will most likely never get around to do...like usual uni exams are preventing me to making to the melbourne, shame...anyway enjoy the golf

[hitoriko]

I and Aaron Roberts (owner of the black 20B Rotary Bay Window Kombi) finally finished fitting the factory MK1 turbo to my '80 diesel yesterday. The most difficult part was mounting the intercooler in front of the radiator and running the return pipe back to the turbo - not a lot of room between the radiator and battery tray! Some re-positioning of the radiator and some mods to the centre support bracket under the bonnet latch solved the issue.

The turbo is set at a mild 6 pounds of boost, but what a difference it makes to the little 1.5 diesel - the motor just wants to keep spinning. There is some lag due to the large exhaust wheel, but once it kicks in away she goes. I have some fine tuning of the fuel to do, a new exhaust to connect and I haven't plumbed the neat oil cooler box that uses water for cooling, but the car will definitely be at DOTVW this Sunday (I'm towing it down from Brisbane).

On the test run on Sunday night, I think the laughter from the two idiots in the car was louder than the turbo whine. Good fun!

sounds excellent - a write up to follow?

[VWMAT5]

A write-up will follow once I've sorted through the photos. Pain in the proverbial when you want to get something built, but have to continually stop and smile for the camera, and then clean the camera - old diesel engines are a right mess!

[julian_s13]

What turbo have you used ?

[hitoriko]

A write-up will follow once I've sorted through the photos. Pain in the proverbial when you want to get something built, but have to continually stop and smile for the camera, and then clean the camera - old diesel engines are a right mess!

ivw just got my first mk1 a gld and i was considering turboing it as it has only got 140,xxx odd kms on it so it could be fun to tinker with

be very interested on everything

[VWMAT5]

KKK Turbocharger

[revnit]

diesel power all the way! can't wait to see the pictures, might have to convince my mate to sell his turbo kit for mine haha

Better see it racing at Portland this year we are heading down

[VWMAT5]

Wow! Big trip! Well done. I emailed you a photo this afternoon of the turbo setup.

No Portland for the Golf as my enclosed trailer (which I need as my mobile office/tent) is only designed to carry open wheelers, which will be my choice of ride for 2011. Portland looks like attracting some quality watercooled action, as the Victorian boys are all fired up after seeing the Warwick coverage. I am close to securing a 3rd round for the VWMA series at WSID, so the turbo diesel will be well suited to the 1/4. I'm borrowing a mate's open trailer for the Melbourne trip this weekend, but I'll need to save my pennies for one of my own next year if Sydney pans out.

I had a play with the new breather setup with the turbo today, and I will need to fabricate a new inlet pipe with adaptor to feed the breather from the catch can back through the turbo. The little diesel is a bit puffy (240,000 with dubious service history after 146,000), but once it is plumbed properly that issue will be less apparent. The inlet pipe will also be designed to locate a pod filter in what is becoming a very crowded engine bay. 2.5" straight through exhaust will be bolted on tomorrow. Had another test run tonight, and the turbo is spinning a lot more freely as things get used again (had been in storage for 2 years). Great sound!