legacycentral bbs

Yes the efficiency of the turbo, I've heard, is around 14-15 psi, but I've never seen a map for either the vf8 or the vf12. Here's the thing, even if that is their effiency, the intercooler will just make things safer for you. I already lost an engine just recently after a week of running a vf8 at 15 psi intercooled, but that was probably just waiting to happen at any moment, and that is what it took to push it over the edge for whatever reason.

Now, on a side note, I only skimmed this thread, so if it's mentioned I'm sorry, but you do realize that it won't be a direct swap vf11 to vf12, right? The vf11 has the outlet going to the throttle body clocked up, where as the vf8, vf10, and vf12 have it coming out straight. Not only that, but the outlets are larger in diamter, so not only does your stock turbo to throttle body plastic piece not line up, it won't fit. If you are going to go through the trouble to make a piece to fit (which wouldn't be that hard), and also plum in the diverter valve, it is almost better to just put in an intercooler. It will only be a little more work on top of what you'd have to do anyways. For simplicity you could go with a saab one (its also cheap) after that I'd suggest a wrx top mount, and after that I'd suggest an AWIC. I only say this because the AWIC is a biatch. Not only do you have to worry about all the regular intercooler issues, but you also have water lines, water pump, and a little radiator for it to worry about as well. All in all it is just a little bit more of a complex system so it will take you more time to get everything installed and inplace. On the other hand, if efficiency is what you want, unless you are getting a better scoop, I'd say that the AWIC would be the best choice of the three (just my opinion).

you make some good points.

how did you lose an engine from running 15 PSI on a vf8 and intercooled? i thought these motors are able to handle small things like that.

No I did not know about the outlet angle and size difference. I just went to the garage and compared the vf12 with the installed vf11 and can see what you are talking about. It looks like the part of that piece that comes from the air inlet is the same size though. I am thinking that reinforced rubber hose, Samco i.e., would be what to use as a source. Or have a custom pipe fabricated. I just kind of jumped on this vf12, impulse buy, type of thing. I do have a WRX TMIC that I purchsed from Project_Legacy that will get installed. Right now I really don't have time for a prolonged project, of which it is looking like it might become. I retire next year, selling current home and moving to another property I own, and need to get both ready. So will problably get the VF12 and intercooler project done after I move. So for now I will clean up the vf12, and intercooler, seal them up and do someting else. Which will be to install the new boost gage I bought and put a MBC on. Will go with the 3Bar Racing Hybrid Boost Controller or the DIY Home Depot. I am going to take the vf11 out to get at the cam seal down there that is leaking onto the up pipe. That process will help me get more familiar with how things are oriented. Thanks for stepping up and bringing that to my attention. Sacramento--I was born in Sutter Memorial Hospital, '52. oops, noticed you are in Roseville, not all that far away though!

yea i think doing the vf12 and intercooler together would be the best thing to do. good luck on everything.

Project_Legacy wrote:ah ic. i thought the vf12 and vf8 were able to push at most like 14-15 PSI effeciently tho. thats what i thought any way.

I think the VF8 can do more than that, I have mine running at 15psi, and it seems to be pretty lazy at that pressure....

Once I get injectors I am gonna try 20psi and see what happens power, temperature and mixture wise...

Project_Legacy wrote:you make some good points.

how did you lose an engine from running 15 PSI on a vf8 and intercooled? i thought these motors are able to handle small things like that.

You know, honestly, I don't have any clue. I'm thinking it was just waiting to happen and the extra power put it over the edge. When I pull the engine apart I'll get a better idea of what happened.

Kleinkid: No problem. I'd hate to see you put on that vf12 and realize that you you couldn't finish half way through. Good luck with all the work on the car. Sutter Memorial is where you were born? My dad works there.
Here's a post I made before my engine blew. It has info on the samco hoses I used and such.
http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=24625

555BCTurbo: I think the turbo can do more, but I think the 15-16 psi is the efficiency range. You can boost our vf11 over 13 psi, but the efficiency range is around 12 or 13 I believe. I've never seen a map, so I'm only going off of what I was told from the australian board. They boost them to 15-17.5 before changing them out.

wow that really sucks man. i would definately like to see how that happened. im wondering if you had enough fuel to supply the extra boost.

Project_Legacy wrote:wow that really sucks man. i would definately like to see how that happened. im wondering if you had enough fuel to supply the extra boost.

I'm kind of wondering the same thing. Yet, if it is just a spun bearing you'd think that would be caused by oil pressure, right? We'll see.

did it sound like a spun rod bearing? well, keep us updated on that. id like to see what happened with your motor.

I've never heard a spun bearing before, but my uncle said it sounded like a spun bearing or broken rod.

The car ran fine, it just made a knocking noise from inside the engine. Obvoiusly, I didn't drive it long after it started.

yea, sounds like it could be a spun bearing. it has a very distinct sound.