Author Topic: Turbocharging the Digger  (Read 4200 times)

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Offline SOHC Digger

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Turbocharging the Digger
« on: August 21, 2014, 02:50:34 PM »
Hey Performance Gurus!

I recently completed my 78F Digger bike. Then I came across an ATP Turbo Kit on eBay that I couldn't pass up. So it's going on the Digger.





Cheap, Fast, and Reliable; you can only pick two. Well I don't plan on running this bike down the track, so for now I'm choosing Cheap and Reliable.

I know the 78F pistons produce too much compression, so I plan on picking up the $120 836 kit from eBay to lower compression and to increase displacement. I also plan on swapping the F cam out for a 75K cam that I have to reduce duration.  Eventually I plan on going to a Mikuni carb, but not immediately. Are there any other mods that I SHOULD do that fall under cheap and reliable?

Offline Coyote13

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #1 on: August 21, 2014, 02:54:49 PM »
Yesssssssss, I'm IN!

Would a thicker head gasket help reduce compression enough?  I know some of the Harley guys use that approach, not sure how effective it is.
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Offline SOHC Digger

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #2 on: August 21, 2014, 02:57:53 PM »
I'm not sure that it would reduce it enough. But $120 for the 836 kit plus about $200 to bore the cylinders is money I'm willing to spend. Should bring compression down to about 8:1 from what I understand.

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2014, 03:04:08 PM »
If you were going to use a spacer to lower compression it would be better to use a thicker copper base gasket, i wouldn't ever use thicker head gaskets, thats just asking for trouble IMO... ;)  I'm in Digger.. ;)
« Last Edit: August 21, 2014, 03:09:27 PM by Retro Rocket »
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Offline Coyote13

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2014, 03:04:46 PM »
Really? I thought I had read the eBay pistons were 10.25:1

Edit:  yes, I meant base gasket. Brain fart.
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Offline SOHC Digger

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2014, 03:09:59 PM »
The eBay pistons are 10.25:1 with a stock K head. I will be keeping the F head which has a larger dome. Sorry, should have mentioned that.

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #6 on: August 21, 2014, 03:11:52 PM »
Really? I thought I had read the eBay pistons were 10.25:1

Edit:  yes, I meant base gasket. Brain fart.

Weisco are 10.25 :1, cheap ebay pistons are stock comp from what i've read here...  There's some very good turbo builds on this forum, don't be shy to ask questions... ;D ;)
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Offline Coyote13

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2014, 03:13:19 PM »
I was about to mention the F head in my previous post, makes sense
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Offline TurboD

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #8 on: August 21, 2014, 03:18:32 PM »
The Feebay pistons are basically a copy of the early K pistons, they just have a bigger bore. I bought a set for my turbo build with a F3 head. I did the math at the time, but did not write the numbers down. If my memory is correct, I believe they were in the 9.5 range. 

Offline SOHC Digger

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #9 on: August 21, 2014, 03:20:40 PM »
There's some very good turbo builds on this forum, don't be shy to ask questions... ;D ;)

I won't be! I've been reading a lot of the turbo builds. A lot of guys are taking it further than I can right now, but I am definitely getting some good info.

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #10 on: August 21, 2014, 03:22:40 PM »
The Feebay pistons are basically a copy of the early K pistons, they just have a bigger bore. I bought a set for my turbo build with a F3 head. I did the math at the time, but did not write the numbers down. If my memory is correct, I believe they were in the 9.5 range.

Yes, you only have to compare the piston tops on the cruzin image pistons to the weisco to see that they are lower compression than the 10.25:1 weisco pistons.
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Offline TurboD

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #11 on: August 21, 2014, 03:26:49 PM »
Yes that is true. As a general rule with all things being equal, whenever a bore size is increased the compression ratio increases.

Offline Jim F

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #12 on: August 21, 2014, 03:32:00 PM »
I have an extra set of MTC turbo pistons
In an 836 configuration if you interested
I sent these down to MTC to get checked
Out and they are good
Compression is 7.1
Jim
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Offline SOHC Digger

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #13 on: August 21, 2014, 03:37:45 PM »
I have an extra set of MTC turbo pistons
In an 836 configuration if you interested
I sent these down to MTC to get checked
Out and they are good
Compression is 7.1
Jim

Is that with an early K head? I'm ultimately looking for something fun but still very streetable. Would 7:1 be too low for that?

Offline TurboD

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #14 on: August 21, 2014, 03:43:24 PM »
I would (and did) keep the ratio around 9 to 9.5. Current thinking is to keep a little compression and tune for it. Too low of a ratio can and will take away from throttle response, off boost power and increase lag time.

Offline KayOne

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #15 on: August 21, 2014, 04:48:49 PM »
Methanol/water injection is very effective and will cost less than engine mods. Turbo D is spot on with his reference to lowering the compression too much.
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Offline Jim F

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #16 on: August 22, 2014, 06:39:34 AM »
Now that I think about it
Those turbo pistons are 8:1
Sorry about that
It's been another Monday
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Offline 76kcafe

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #17 on: August 23, 2014, 01:47:04 PM »
You bought that turbo kit from me off ebay. You should have it shortly.
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Offline SOHC Digger

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #18 on: August 23, 2014, 01:48:37 PM »
You bought that turbo kit from me off ebay. You should have it shortly.

It's like waiting for Christmas!!!

Offline Bill/BentON Racing

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #19 on: August 23, 2014, 02:32:15 PM »
Seen 17lbs of boost racing! It will make you smile while it's stretching your arms! Hang on and have fun!  ;D Bill
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Offline PeWe

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #20 on: August 24, 2014, 12:45:35 PM »
Thicker base gasket... copper...
How much thicker can be used/ how high can the cylinder be raised without getting problem with cam chain getting too short?
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Offline SOHC Digger

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #21 on: August 24, 2014, 01:12:46 PM »
I'm not splitting the case, so the stock rods are going to be used. Keeping that I'm mind, if I use the 836 kit, what would you guys recommend for max boost?

Offline Greggo

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #22 on: August 24, 2014, 01:14:00 PM »
Can't wait to see how this one comes out! 

Offline NitroHunter

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #23 on: August 25, 2014, 07:54:37 PM »
Cool build.
Here's my .02 for what it's worth.
Use the F cam with it's 108* lobe centers, it has less overlap.
I've seen stock rods live for short periods with stupid amounts of boost - IF YOU DON'T RATTLE THE MOTOR... but they are NEVER a good idea with much any boost. However when used with decent gas (110 is good) <8:1 cc'd static compression and 15lbs boost, stock timing, I had one go for a long time with no issues, so it can be done.
Just remember that cheap gas will get REALLY expensive in an instant.  :o  It has a way of spitting your newly "S" shaped rods out through the case.
 Big bore low compression has more torque than small bore but make no mistake, low compression sucked for street riding until that little gauge points to it's happy place.
If you shim up the cylinder base much you get into oil supply issues, like having to make special O rings and support spacers. Do-able but not advised. I used 5 base gaskets and the cam chain still fit. Barely.
 Make sure you have enough fuel flow through your petcock (or better yet fuel pump) if you intend to see much boost for more than a few seconds, it's surprising how quickly the float bowl empties and black death appears on the cylinder walls.  ::)
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Offline BLUE71TURBO

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #24 on: August 25, 2014, 08:59:26 PM »
 If yer gonna run any high boost levels, you need low compression turbo pistons. All other pistons are not designed for high boost turbocharging.
 The piston domes on turbo pistons are thicker. You will need a copper head gasket along with better cylinder studs. Also heed the advice that NitroHunter gave you. Use the " SEARCH "  above for all kinds of info on turbocharging.  Good luck !  ;)    Cause yer gonna need it.    :o
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Offline PeWe

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #25 on: August 27, 2014, 09:51:51 AM »
Aha! 5 base gaskets works.
I asked here when the question belong to a turbo compression build, but also my future project using CB900 DOHC rods that fits a CB750.  They are 1.5mm longer.... 1-2 mm copper base gasket will fix that. Cheap rod upgrade.
CB750 K6-76  970cc (Earlier 1005cc JMR Billet block on the shelf waiting for a comeback)
CB750 K2-75 Parts assembled to a stock K2

Updates of the CB750 K6 -1976
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180468.msg2092136.html#msg2092136
The billet block build thread
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,49438.msg1863571.html#msg1863571
CB750 K2 -1975  build thread
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,168243.msg1948381.html#msg1948381
K2 engine build thread. For a complete CB750 -75
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180088.msg2088008.html#msg2088008
Carb jetting, a long story Mikuni TMR32
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,179479.msg2104967.html#msg2104967

Offline jaguar

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #26 on: August 29, 2014, 03:29:18 PM »
any chance of dyno runs though out the process to see gains and help with tuning?

Offline SOHC Digger

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Re: Turbocharging the Digger
« Reply #27 on: August 30, 2014, 12:53:21 PM »
any chance of dyno runs though out the process to see gains and help with tuning?

Possibly. I guess a pre-turbo dyno run to establish a baseline would be a good idea. I will see if I can find a local shop that can do this.