Upgrade 1982 3208 to turbo.

[gcyeaw]

Is it possable to add a turbo to an existing 1981 3208 engine?
I am looking at 80's vintage units and would like the added power, but
don't kinow if there are other considerations like transmission etc.
Gardner

[davidkerryedwards]

I've got an 82 with an aftermarket turbo. Wouldn't recommend it.
Unless you change out the injection pump you're not going to get much
more horsepower. The only advantage is a little better airflow and
overcoming the effects of altitude up to about 8000' Mine cost $5k
when the PO installed it. Not worth it in my opinion. Better to
swtich out to a purpose made turbo engine. There are substantial
differences between many of the NA and turbo models including piston
oil coolers on the turbo models. The turbo engine is governed at a
lower rpm so you may also have to make gearing changes. I'm not even
sure the horsepower increase from 210 to 250 is worth the effort and
expense unless you have to change the engine for other reasons.

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "gcyeaw" wrote:
>
> Is it possable to add a turbo to an existing 1981 3208 engine?
> I am looking at 80's vintage units and would like the added power, but
> don't kinow if there are other considerations like transmission etc.
> Gardner
>

[David Heibult]

Kerry; I have a question for you about turbo a N/A did you put the plugs in
the heads. A n/a engine breathes thru the heads and turbo engine does not.
If you did not put the plugs in you will notice very little power with the
turbo.Dave 91 WLPT 40


>From: "davidkerryedwards"
>Reply-To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Upgrade 1982 3208 to turbo.
>Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2006 19:52:42 -0000
>
>I've got an 82 with an aftermarket turbo. Wouldn't recommend it.
>Unless you change out the injection pump you're not going to get much
>more horsepower. The only advantage is a little better airflow and
>overcoming the effects of altitude up to about 8000' Mine cost $5k
>when the PO installed it. Not worth it in my opinion. Better to
>swtich out to a purpose made turbo engine. There are substantial
>differences between many of the NA and turbo models including piston
>oil coolers on the turbo models. The turbo engine is governed at a
>lower rpm so you may also have to make gearing changes. I'm not even
>sure the horsepower increase from 210 to 250 is worth the effort and
>expense unless you have to change the engine for other reasons.
>
>Kerry
>82 FC 35
>Denver
>
>--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "gcyeaw" wrote:
> >
> > Is it possable to add a turbo to an existing 1981 3208 engine?
> > I am looking at 80's vintage units and would like the added power, but
> > don't kinow if there are other considerations like transmission etc.
> > Gardner
> >
>
>
>
>

[davidkerryedwards]

It was installed before I bought the bird so I'm not sure what was
done when the turbo was originally added. It had a factory reman'd
engine installed about 25k ago and the turbo was again added to it.
I'm not sure what you mean by plugs in the head or breathing thru the
head. It's my understanding that the main differences between the NA
and turbo is that the turbo has oil cooled pistons, a larger oil
cooler, roller lifters and a different injection pump to deliver more
fuel.

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver
-- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "David Heibult"
wrote:
>
> Kerry; I have a question for you about turbo a N/A did you put the
plugs in
> the heads. A n/a engine breathes thru the heads and turbo engine
does not.
> If you did not put the plugs in you will notice very little power
with the
> turbo.Dave 91 WLPT 40
>
>
> >From: "davidkerryedwards"
> >Reply-To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> >To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> >Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Upgrade 1982 3208 to turbo.
> >Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2006 19:52:42 -0000
> >
> >I've got an 82 with an aftermarket turbo. Wouldn't recommend it.
> >Unless you change out the injection pump you're not going to get much
> >more horsepower. The only advantage is a little better airflow and
> >overcoming the effects of altitude up to about 8000' Mine cost $5k
> >when the PO installed it. Not worth it in my opinion. Better to
> >swtich out to a purpose made turbo engine. There are substantial
> >differences between many of the NA and turbo models including piston
> >oil coolers on the turbo models. The turbo engine is governed at a
> >lower rpm so you may also have to make gearing changes. I'm not even
> >sure the horsepower increase from 210 to 250 is worth the effort and
> >expense unless you have to change the engine for other reasons.
> >
> >Kerry
> >82 FC 35
> >Denver
> >
> >--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "gcyeaw" wrote:
> > >
> > > Is it possable to add a turbo to an existing 1981 3208 engine?
> > > I am looking at 80's vintage units and would like the added
power, but
> > > don't kinow if there are other considerations like transmission etc.
> > > Gardner
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

[roncan1842@...]

been there done that, best bet is to- install a remanufactured 250 turbo
done by cat, there is a bit of modifications, the crossmember just behind the
engine must be moved, the shifting must be adjusted in the transmission, as the
engine runs at lower rpm's, I added additional cooling capacity but it wasn't
neccessary, you will need to reroute exhaust. My 35 fc had high mileage
and would have soon needed replacement. I routed the intake in the steet side
storage compartement is the air filter. If I had to do it allover I would
install a inline 6 you could get 300hp the tansmission would handle it. when u
make modifications make it worth while,good luck ron95pt40


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[gcyeaw]

Ron,
Thanks for the details. With all the modifications it would be a
pretty expensive job. I am handy, but modifying the cross member and
other things is more than I want to tackle. Since I am still
researching BlueBird FC's, I should probably concintrate on '84 and
above to get the turbo, or at least not have to make modifications
if it needs a rebuild.

I have seen a wide range of prices, which I would expect at the
age of the coaches, but I am still trying to determine what is
reasonable and what is not. Some have been kept outsied and need to
be painted, which I expect can run upwards 10k for a good job. Some
look good but have never had an engine rebuild and may be due.

I guess it boils down to a lot of research to determine the right
price to pay with a solid understanding of what needs to be done to
bring the coach up to snuff.

Gardner

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, roncan1842@... wrote:
>
> been there done that, best bet is to- install a remanufactured 250
turbo
> done by cat, there is a bit of modifications, the crossmember just
behind the
> engine must be moved, the shifting must be adjusted in the
transmission, as the
> engine runs at lower rpm's, I added additional cooling capacity
but it wasn't
> neccessary, you will need to reroute exhaust. My 35 fc had high
mileage
> and would have soon needed replacement. I routed the intake in the
steet side
> storage compartement is the air filter. If I had to do it allover
I would
> install a inline 6 you could get 300hp the tansmission would
handle it. when u
> make modifications make it worth while,good luck ron95pt40
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>