Why is turbocharging the NSX so difficult?

[jorligan]

As the owner of a Cartech Kit, actually the original test mule, I think that you can consider it a kit. It uses 2 Garrett t-28 turbochargers which are intercooled. Fuel management is via a Rebic IV and an additional injector. Currently, it is tuned to around 5 lbs. of boost. It is pretty expensive. Would I recommend the system, maybe. As many of you know, my car was again NOT at NSXPO this year. I was blowing smoke intermittently and was unsure of the problem. Completely reworked the turbo oiling system and it was improved but still present. After discussing the problem with others at XPO, especially Brian, I got home and tweaked my oiling system and now it works well. No further problems.

For a low boost setup, I would now probably go with a custom system using a single turbo. It shouldn't be too hard for the tubing to be fabricated. Alternatively, I would contact Cartech and see about getting the tubing, possibly with some changes. T-25 turbos would be more responsive (GT-25 preferred) than T-28 but you would be limited in regards to maximum HP if in the future you were to build up the engine. The oiling system as designed by them can be problematic and until I have more miles with my design, I am not going to go public (PM me if interested but not my fault if there are problems). For engine management, OBD I cars should definitely go with an AEM and OBD II cars can use either the boost dependent regulator or a REBIC IV until a stand alone unit is available.

Power, well, I haven't had it on the dyno since my changes but it will trigger the TCS in third gear. By the way, tripping TCS with a Rebic IV under boost will trigger a check engine on OBD II. PM for details.

I have no association with Cartech and actually paid full price for the system, got free install and tuning but no car for over 14 months.

Tim

 

[jcjcf1]

As the owner of a Cartech Kit, actually the original test mule, I think that you can consider it a kit. It is pretty expensive. Would I recommend the system, maybe. Tim

Thanks for the info on the Cartech - sounds like a real work-in-progress but probably not a solution for those of us who want something already established as a complete system. Too bad.

 

[NetViper]

Thanks for the info on the Cartech - sounds like a real work-in-progress but probably not a solution for those of us who want something already established as a complete system. Too bad.

The sad thing is that "kit" has been on the market for MANY years.

 

[KGP]

The sad thing is that "kit" has been on the market for MANY years.

I didn't know that. I thought it appeared after Corkey stopped with the Bell kit.

 

[willabeest]

honda builds 250 NSX's a year. if 20% wanted turbo's or superchargers that would be a high%. so they at best could sell 50 a year and for past years maybe 25 a year. add in the cost of after sell support, CARB certification, smog laws, lawsuits.... they might as well charge 15 or 20 thousand dollars they still would not recoup their investment. IMHO what is needed is a way to adapt a different engine for the NSX, one that modifiers already are modding. is there not ANYTHING that will fit in there?

That's exactly what I want. I think there's a market, but no NSX specialist seems interested.

 

[NetViper]

I didn't know that. I thought it appeared after Corkey stopped with the Bell kit.

What I meant was that basic setup has been around for a long time.

 

[KGP]

What I meant was that basic setup has been around for a long time.

Okay, you're referring to the Bell system as having been around for some time. But, as we can see from Tim's post, the problem he is having would not be there with the old Bell system because the Aerodyne's were self oiling. Goes back to my statement earlier of:

I use the word "evolution" meaning that it is more of a carry-on of the old Bell kit, and not necessarily that it has been improved.