Pegging the turbo

I've ridden it for a 150 miles or so altogether and I'm getting my boost controller close to the 17psi I'm trying to get it set to. I "worked from home" Friday which gave me the afternoon free. I popped on my tag from my Vstrom and took it out for a ride. I can't use my H2 tag since it would probably draw too much attention for the local LEO's...the tag number is---"WDWMKR" ....LOL So, on with the story....the more I ride the turbo, the better I like it, except for the very tight space between the seat and the pegs...feels like my feet are bent under my butt. I'm going to have to figure a way to lower the pegs.

Anyway, the bike is running very well and just a touch rich which is fine, especially when it's hot because it gets rather warm. I found a nice empty section of a local highway and starting is 3rd gear, took it up over 15 psi of boost and kept it above there while going up through the gears.....holy gosh, talk about a missle! .I have no idea how many horsepower its' developing but stock is 8-12psi of boost so I'm pumping at least 50% more boost and at those pressures, it'a a very impressive 650! The bike is very, very heavy so it would never leave the line very quickly but as the boost gage swings past 12-13psi, the acceleration is very attention getting and that was the first time I took it through the gears while at full boost. Too bad the speedo gets buried so early, it would be interesting to see where I bailed and carefully eased off the throttle in case it wanted to exhibit any bad manners, it didn't, just rock steady as I slowed it down.

fwiw- I had ground my rotors and pads and now the front brakes actually do a respectable job of stopping the machine. For those that didn't see one of my earlier posts, when I had first completed this project, the front brakes were next to useless but not anymore.

Lastly, it's time I get this registered and get a legal tag as each time I take it out with a "borrowed" tag, I'm becoming more and more nervous about it. I suppose I'll suck it up and go pay my fees. I didn't want to do it before I decided whether to keep it or not but now I've decided so it's time to get legal.

jeff

 

Everytime I read your posts you keep making me want to turbo my XJ700.

 

Nice Jeff! Get those tags and then make us a youtube video! lol! Would love to hear it run and possibly see a ride along video!

 

I've been thinking about gathering the carbs, turbo, exhaust collector and other plumbing from a "parted" 650 turbo and playing with one of my other bikes too.

The biggest problems that you'd face turbo'ing a bike not built for it would be the compression being too high causing engine destruction from detonation. Then there is the whole strength issue. The 650 turbo has stronger heads, gears, rods, thicker piston crowns and modified crank bearings to handle the added loads. It certainly can be done but it's better to know ahead of time what you're getting in to!!

Glad to hear that I inspire someone though<LOL>.....

jeff

 

Yeah, been a turbo lover since Judas Priest sang it, er. since my '81 280ZX turbo, lol. Nothing like that sound and feeling of being boosted, I can't even imagine it on a bike as a newer rider, it has to be insane!

 

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=29313.html

Thanks Jeff. I already am running fuel injection. Which I'm pretty sure adding fuel injection to a turbo seca would add a whole new world of possibilities. Would be just a matter of getting a hold of a GT12 turbo and building a turbo manifold. Which I would make it a front mount turbo though.

 

Just curious...since you already know to get a Garrett turbo, and you are injected, it's really a simple matter to add the turbo and detonation sensor to your fuel injector/timing controller although you'd still have to keep the boost fairly low to keep from blowing the heads clean off. My question is why would you go to the added trouble of making the turbo a front mount? I've heard that guys have had issues fitting it between the wheel and engine where as if you utilized the stock headers, you could mod a 650 turbo collector and mount the garrett behind the engine. Yes, you lose a little exhaust energy by moving it back but it seems that it would be a lot less work. What do you think? I don't claim to be a "know it all" and am always up for learning something new so educate me if you have some ideas that you've thought through.

jeff

 

Registering it as "Historic" does cost all that much.

 

Manbot, yes, you're right, I think I paid 25 dollars for my other historic tags. Like always with the MVA, it's not necessarily the money but the time and hassle of going up to our MVA. I live only a few miles from the main headquarters building and believe it or not, it's easier there to get through the lines then at the branch offices. I'll get it legal now that I've decided to keep it. I sold a '87 GSX-R1100 yesterday (17 hrs on ebay and craigslist before the deposit hit my paypal account, then I ended the auction and deleted the ad on CL---sweet) to make a little more space in my garage.

jeff

 

Go to a tag and title place. I've used one in laurel for my last two MVA transactions. Sure it cost $15 bucks plus the MVA fees but I got tag, title and registration in 10 minutes and no line.

 

IWGO, one of the guys that works for me went to one of those "agents" and he said that it cost him almost exactly double what the MVA charges. He paid it because he lives in southern MD and didn't want the hassle of driving but he said it was expensive....and lord knows I'm a cheap sob<LOL>!

jeff

 

The one I used is in the same building as allstate insurance right on route 198 and route 1 in Laurel. Laurel Tag & Title. No complaints here.

 

Well the xj700 there is more rake on the front which allows for more room. Oiling for the turbo will be much better. More air flow for the turbo. Also the turbo weight will be shifted forward. Just a number of advantages I can think of. I could build a manifold that would keep it nice and tight up against the frame/engine.

 

Someone else here started the project, had the headers tacked up and all...then the thread died. I don't know if he tired of the project or finished it but he looked to be doing some nice work. Too bad he didn't complete it.

jeff

 

LOL....year ago...a LOT of years ago I used to run the HoJo a couple of blocks from there. Not quite as many years ago I bought a car from Fred Fredricks (I think that was the name before Fox bought him out) Chevy dealer on the opposite corner.

I pass by there on the B-W Pkwy every morning on my way to work.....small world.

jeff