Diesel Turbo Housing

[Muddywoman]

We are going to remove the 18mm turbo housing from our '89 Cummins and install a 16mm housing. My husband is confused at to how this can produce more power because the 18mm allows more air.

I think the 16mm housing is more efficient because while the 18mm housing does allow more air into the housing, that extra air is dormant instead of being sucked into the turbo. With the 16mm housing that fits more snuggly around the turbo, all the air that enters the housing is sucked into turbo. Seems logical to me but please tell me if I'm wrong!

[carsandcycles]

The 16mm housing will increase the velocity of the air movement by the venturi effect. As long as the smaller orifice is not severly limiting the amount of air coming in, the increased velocity may be more efficient. (It's a tuning thing, smaller may be bigger (so to speak), but then again maybe not).

An example might be water flowing through a 1 inch hose, the water coming out travels, say, three feet from the end. Now switch to a 1/2 inch hose and now that same water travelsten feet. Relatively the same amount of water but the water in the small hose is traveling much faster. Now about that tuning thing I mentioned, there is going to be a point when a smaller and smaller hose will begin restricting the amount of water to where performance will suffer.

[Muddywoman]

Okay, so in some odd way I wasn't totally off...I think... Thanks C&C!

[olddog]

Muddy in industrial applications of turbin type blowers, there are often several sizes of turbin wheel that can be installed into a housing. Generally the tighter the clearance between the wheel and the housing the more effecient the blower and therefore the more pressure it can push. By keeping the same turbin wheel and going to a smaller housing the turbin should be able to push a higher pressure, however the maximum volume at a low delta pressure will be decreased. Since you turbo is being limitted on the high pressure side, this will be an improvement without any downside, as far as power increase is concerned.

[Muddywoman]

Olddog,
How did you get to know so much about this stuff?! I really envy you. I wish I didn't have to go to school for a business degree. I'd much rather be wrenching away on engines.

[olddog]

Originally Posted by Muddywoman

Olddog,
How did you get to know so much about this stuff?! I really envy you. I wish I didn't have to go to school for a business degree. I'd much rather be wrenching away on engines.

Well I have worked in a factory, going on 28 years now, that uses a bunch of different types of blowers for different applications. I have been involved in the design and start up of every production line built (which includes a plant in France), since 1985. Also, I have programmed the process control computers for most of these lines. As a process expert and control technician that has stayed put, as the engineers flowed through, I have been fortunate to learn from many good people and had the time to become an expert in my field.

I also tried going back to school to get an engineering degree, but I could not balance family, work, and school. So I have all the calculus, English, and physics toward a B.S., but never finished.

Couple this with a life long interest in cars and engine technology of all types. I have often looked at industrial applications and engine technology, where there are similarities. When I was a puppy I built a fair amount of engines for hot rodding. I have also read a great deal on the topics. So, I understand engine design. However, when it comes to fuel injection and all the modern controls on today engines, I have no experience. I have a basic understanding of it, but no depth or detailed knowledge. Many others on this forum are light years ahead of me in this area.

[Muddywoman]

Wow, that's all I can say.

I've been looking at local colleges and universities and wondering if I should even bother to check into any of them for automotive tech. I have so much going on as it is with my business which I am in the process of putting together an online store, trying to put together a plan of attack for advertising for my business, two online UOP classes (a little tougher than the last four classes, Ethics - blah!), getting familiarized with work because I'm in a new section for a different arena of my career field which I will have to teach classes for the entire base, I'll be going to a class in San Antonio next week to take over another aspect of my job and I will have to teach base-wide classes for that too (doesn't work well with social phobias), spending time with my hubby and pups, finding time between all that to work out, and trying to relax and get sleep (insomnia).

I so very much want to learn how to really work on vehicles and just learn about them period but I don't know if I have time right now and I'm resentful toward my career field for forcing me into a business degree. I know that piece of paper will benefit me in the future but its driving me nuts right now.

I'm done babbling.

[olddog]

Well I respect mechanics, and I have relatives who are. I can tell you it is hard work. It can be frustrating, and people will treat you badly. There are lots of people that give this industry a bad name, and people will not trust you. The ergonomics is terrible and takes a toll on your body. When you consider retirement, benefits, and pay, it is not lucrative.

I would recommend an easy, high paying job, so you can afford to have cars and trucks as a hobby. Sometimes making a living at something you love, causes you to hate it. On the other hand, look at Carol Shelby. He spent a lifetime getting rich doing what he loved, but you have to be honest with yourself. Are you as talented as him?

[KA9MOT]

Originally Posted by Muddywoman

Olddog,
How did you get to know so much about this stuff?! I really envy you. I wish I didn't have to go to school for a business degree. I'd much rather be wrenching away on engines.

Here here!