Hi all.

Eyeballing a remote low pressure turbo install on my c class Chevy G30 rv.
The spot I have in mind is right next to the th400 trans.
Has anyone utilized a auto trans for turbo lubrication? Im thinking teeing off the cooler return line with a pressure reducer orofice.
I don't see why ATF fluid as lube would be any issue, but looking for input.
I believe the trans cooler has fluid pumping through constantly?

Thanks!

 

I've never heard of it being done before. I would think it would depend on the particular turbo more than anything. Is to ball bearing or journal bearing? Water cooled or not?
Other thoughts, how will you drain the turbo? How will you return it to the trans? Seems you'd be just as well off to run engine oil.

 

The turbo system isn't considered 100% closed. Exhaust gasses and such can leak by the seals and contaminate the fluid. Engine oils are made to deal with this... ATF is not. Assuming you could keep the fluid clean and it was never in contact with any sort of exhaust contaminants ATF could be used I'd think.

Another option I was considering was to have the turbo gravity drain into it's own sump. Then pump the oil from the sump back up into the turbo. Id' use turbine oil in the system since it's rated for big temps. I'd be curious how small of a sump you could get away with. And what the fluid operating temps would be. I'd guess you could drive for hours with a 1 liter sump before heat was an issue.

 

Thanks for the replies.
I wasn't too concerned about whether or not the bearings are plain or ball, as the trans has both, and the atf lubricates them np. Draining the turbo, there is I think enough of a drop to gravity drain to the pan. That was/is the main concern. there is not an angle like if it was manifold mounted.
Was looking at non water cooled, but perhaps a closed system with 2380 turbine oil and water cooling might be a solution.

thanks guys, appreciate the comments.

 

Why not teeing off the engine oil and pumping the drain oil from the turbo up to the valve cover or to the fuel pump block off plate or to the oil pan. You were
Planning to run a seperate oil system you'd need a pump why not simplify things by using the engine oil pump to send it and a seperate pump to return it?

 

It seems like running trans fluid from a trans through a turbo is a bad idea. The trans filter does not filter out small particulate, friction material in turbo bearings is not likely to end well.

 

But, nothing in the trans (at least that I am aware of) turns at anywhere close to the shaft speed a turbo does.

 

Can't forget the flashpoint of atf could be an issue if the temps aren't kept down.

 

Thanks again for the inputs. ATF is about 100 F less with its flash point than motor oil. Even though Im planning 5-6 psi for boost that's probably a margin I shouldn't risk.
My main reason for considering this was eliminating an additional electrical component that could fail. Also considering a motive flow ejector pump to scavenge using engine oil.
whats the reliability like with the electric scavenge pumps?

 

That's something I had not considered. My first turbo setup had a turbo manifold on the passenger side of a SBC. Making some hits on the road and the trans ralphed fluid out of the dip stick tube all over the turbine housing. It caught on fire. If I had not had a fire extinguisher in the car, it might have burned to the ground that day. That was the FIRST time I caught it on fire. Yes, its been on fire another time or 2 since that time.

 

if the pump fails youll know it, turbo will smoke like a freight train. Finding a replacement may be tough if youre on the road though.

 

So, U didn't try it..?

I read all the what-if's, but say I was much less concerned about longevity, risk, etc..? Could it work..?

I only ask since I have a rusty Forester which I cut most of the unnecessary bits off of and am building a cage with the radiator mounted in the back.. I was considering adding a turbo and more weight out back will help offset the motor, so seeing as I'll already have coolant and ATF running back there and the exhaust naturally heads that way a remote mount fed w/ATF would be perfect.. It's only purpose from this point on is to get jumped off sand dunes until it truly dies so..

Thoughts..?

 

Hey dune, did you ever go through with this?