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Auto Racing/Turbo on a carburated engine

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Expert: - 3/11/2004


Question
I'm not sure of your knowledge on turbocharging engines, but, I was wondering if you knew the basics of turbocharging a carburated engine.  I know how to supercharge a carburated engine and turbocharge a fuel-injected engine but not turbocharge a carburated one.  If you could share any insight on the subject it would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Hi Tyler:

To turbocharge a carbureted engine, the air box must be sealed to hold the pressure from the turbo. Typically, the air box is fitted over the carburetor, and the pressurized air tube from the turbo pressurizes that chamber (usually called a plenum) through the carb into the engine.

Since my racing association does not allow any form of supercharging, I am only basically familiar with it, and that's about all I can tell you. Hope this is a help

Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida  

Auto Racing

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Dan Liddy

Expertise

Anything concerning race cars, 20 years competition experience, Senior Competition Driver Instructor , car builder, mechanic, welding, fabrication, tuning , engine modifications, set up, suspension design. Specializing in Datsun/Nissan products. Please submit questions about RACE CARS ONLY. No street cars, no video game scenarios Thank you.

Experience

I have been racing for 20 years, I have been the Central Florida SCCA Regional Championship points for 5 years running, and won the championship in my class 2 times. During my first start in the 60's I won many solo awards and the State Championship Drags. I serve as a senior instructor for SCCA, and have taught in Mercedes AMG events at Daytona, and Dodge Viper Days at Sebring International. I have been in the thick of the competition for all of my career. At one time or another I have driven race cars at speeds nearing 195 MPH. It's quite a ride !

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