Whats the current position on Water cooling turbos.
#1
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Hey Guys.
I remember we had a discussion about this back in the day regarding water cooling turbos.
Has the stance changed? I remember their being several who said it was a waste of time and effort as well as an additional point of failure while some ran water cooling.
Has the consensus leaned heavily in any direction or still down the middle?
I remember we had a discussion about this back in the day regarding water cooling turbos.
Has the stance changed? I remember their being several who said it was a waste of time and effort as well as an additional point of failure while some ran water cooling.
Has the consensus leaned heavily in any direction or still down the middle?
Last edited by Saml01; 08-27-2010 at 12:16 PM.
#4
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I think the last time we did this, it was concluded that the water lines were there as a heat-soak strictly for post-shutdown to keep oil from burning inside the CHRA, and that if you simply let the car idle for 30seconds or didn't hit 30psi of boost pulling into your driveway, you were probably all right.
Can you run a water-cooled turbo without the water?
Sure, but it probably won't have the longevity if you ran with water. What kind of oil you use, driving habits, environment, shutdown temps, track or non, etc... probably have as much to do with the lifespan of your turbo as running with or without water on an equipped turbo.
I don't remember reading anything about bb vs jb turbos being different in this regard, but I'd assume bb turbos with tighter tolerances are a bit less tolerant.
I ran off-the-shelf Kragen coolant hose for 4 years under the hood of my 100% DIY getto-rigged '93 and never had a problem. The feed/return off the engine are there, all you need are a couple of hose-barbs for the CHRA or one of the eBay adapter kits for like $20 and some hose clamps.
Bottom line... there isn't a single reason not to do it that outweighs the benefits and piece of mind of doing it.
Can you run a water-cooled turbo without the water?
Sure, but it probably won't have the longevity if you ran with water. What kind of oil you use, driving habits, environment, shutdown temps, track or non, etc... probably have as much to do with the lifespan of your turbo as running with or without water on an equipped turbo.
I don't remember reading anything about bb vs jb turbos being different in this regard, but I'd assume bb turbos with tighter tolerances are a bit less tolerant.
I ran off-the-shelf Kragen coolant hose for 4 years under the hood of my 100% DIY getto-rigged '93 and never had a problem. The feed/return off the engine are there, all you need are a couple of hose-barbs for the CHRA or one of the eBay adapter kits for like $20 and some hose clamps.
Bottom line... there isn't a single reason not to do it that outweighs the benefits and piece of mind of doing it.
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^ I am doing it, I just recently developed a small leak in one of my lines and lack of garage and will power to tinker with the car is making me want to bitch out and forget water cooling.
Where can I buy some silicone hose? Vatozone doesnt have it, and its not regularly stocked at any of the smaller stores.
Where can I buy some silicone hose? Vatozone doesnt have it, and its not regularly stocked at any of the smaller stores.
#6
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Originally Posted by TurboByGarrett.com
Water cooling is a key design feature for improved durability and we recommend that if your turbo has an allowance for watercooling, hook up the water lines. Water cooling eliminates the destructive occurrence of oil coking by utilizing the Thermal Siphon Effect to reduce the Peak Heat Soak Back Temperature on the turbine side piston after shut-down. In order to get the greatest benefit from your watercooling system, avoid undulations in the water lines to maximize the Thermal Siphon Effect.
![](http://www.turbobygarrett.com/turbobygarrett/images/tech_center/turbo_optimization/Garrett_water_cooling_instructions.jpg)
![](http://www.turbobygarrett.com/turbobygarrett/images/tech_center/turbo_optimization/Garrett_water_lines_chart.jpg)
Negative degrees: water outlet of center housing is lower than water inlet
Positive degrees: water outlet of center housing is higher than water inlet
For best results, set the orientation of the center housing to 20°.
Significant damage to the turbo can occur from improper water line setups
![](http://www.turbobygarrett.com/turbobygarrett/images/tech_center/turbo_optimization/Garrett_Damage_from_no_water_lines.jpg)
![](http://www.turbobygarrett.com/turbobygarrett/images/tech_center/turbo_optimization/Garrett_water_cooling_instructions.jpg)
![](http://www.turbobygarrett.com/turbobygarrett/images/tech_center/turbo_optimization/Garrett_water_lines_chart.jpg)
Negative degrees: water outlet of center housing is lower than water inlet
Positive degrees: water outlet of center housing is higher than water inlet
For best results, set the orientation of the center housing to 20°.
Significant damage to the turbo can occur from improper water line setups
![](http://www.turbobygarrett.com/turbobygarrett/images/tech_center/turbo_optimization/Garrett_Damage_from_no_water_lines.jpg)
#7
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^ I am doing it, I just recently developed a small leak in one of my lines and lack of garage and will power to tinker with the car is making me want to bitch out and forget water cooling.
Where can I buy some silicone hose? Vatozone doesnt have it, and its not regularly stocked at any of the smaller stores.
Where can I buy some silicone hose? Vatozone doesnt have it, and its not regularly stocked at any of the smaller stores.
#8
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It doesn't take long to set up water cooling and imo the points of failure that are added are negligible. I mean we are using/building/tuning a box with 4 cylinders that house explosions and then we are pressurizing it. I think if one can manage the task of keeping it together hooking up 4 small coolant lines should be cake.
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It doesn't take long to set up water cooling and imo the points of failure that are added are negligible. I mean we are using/building/tuning a box with 4 cylinders that house explosions and then we are pressurizing it. I think if one can manage the task of keeping it together hooking up 4 small coolant lines should be cake.
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How much did they run you?
Im guessing you called to order, they arent on their site.
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http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?...temsperpage=16
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^ Cool. Thanks.
Expensive though.
-------------
How about this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Turbo...item230970c58c
Expensive though.
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How about this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Turbo...item230970c58c
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