I think I first heard it called that back in 2002 when I had my SRT-4 and subscribed to Sport Compact Car. There was a guy with a flat black 240SX project car and he was bound and determined to get into the 12's and that was the turbo he used.
Sport Compact Car isn't around anymore although I do have all my back issues, I may have to dig those out.
Apparently it got its name from the first Nissan it was installed on. Supposedly it had funky disco styling and was potato brown. Sounds hideous.opcorn:
I wonder. Is anyone serious about turbocharging the 1.8? I am an engineer. I think it would easy to do with the right design. Help me here. What are the issues? the exhaust manifold must have room for fit in the engine compartment. Will the bottom end of the 1.8 stand up to the forces generated by the extra boost? How about the pistons? Are they cast or forged? I want to try doing the turbo thing. A 1.8 vee dub was fast. Also the intercooler, is there room? I want to try. My guess, 1 about 5 grand. Many about 2500. Rick Chester.
There is a thread about it. There are a few that are quite serious about doing it.
Timing belt, and cast pistons/rods will keep the reasonable amount of boost to 8psi. Yes there is room for an Intercooler. There should be room for a proper exhaust manifold.
Cast pistons and probably fairly "weak" forged rods will limit abilities on a stock motor. Not sure how much the timing belt will limit things though. Factory turbo cars have run them before if i recall correctly.
Engine internal upgrade market is kinda non existent for the 1.8 in this country.
A new option has appeared!!!! My recent rekindled quest to build an invincible M32 has sent me back to the Vaux forums for knowledge......
I stumbled across this. A K04 integrated mani for the Corsa 1.6L, which I strongly believe is the same family and exhaust bolt pattern as the 1.4 LUV/LUJ.
It's bigger, a Borg K03. But, I don't think our mani has the headroom to fit it.
If the bolt holes are different on the 1.6 mani, it's as simple as ******* off the turbine portion and having a fab shop weld it onto ours. The rest is plug and play.
Minus shipping from UK. We're talking ~$2,000 to have a functioning K04 on your Sonic.
Best option available for that low of a price. Should put you at 230whp easily.
I used to have a 93 mercury capri that had a vj14 borg warner turbo. I took the cold side from a vj11 and had the cold side housing machined to fit the bigger wheel. I wonder if something similar would work with these.