Towing with a Turbo Gas engine?

[marttj]

I have never seen a gas engine have good tow ratings, but turbo diesels do well.

Why can't you tow with a turbo gas engine?

If I was to build a 454 Chevy and turbo it, it would be a beast for towing, but why isn't it done or why has it never been done?

My 301 Turbo Trans AM is no recommended to tow with, the Dodge/ChryCo turbo's were limited to 1000 lbs, the Dodge minivan turbo was 1000 lbs, but the 3.0L V6 was 2000-2500 lbs. Same trans. And many other turbo gas engines towing is discouraged.

 

[evelrod]

The early Indy engines made enough torque to get them rolling given a high enough (numerically) gear ratio. It was the practice in the early years to use only two speed gearboxes with a general "get rolling and up to speed" gear and a competition gear. With a speed range of zero to roughly 190mph---you see the difficulty?
With the advent of Sir Jack Brabham, Colin Chapman, Jim Clark, Graham Hill and the rear engine Coopers and Fords, the die was not only cast for rear engine racers, but for multi speed gear boxes, and the emerging importance of rapid pit stop strategy. Clutches remain, to this day, one of the weak links in the power train. Take a 1000 hp in a 2000 lb. car and slam it from zero to 230 mph a few times while trying to make it last 500 miles and still WIN?

CART, IRL, and F-1 are state of the art open wheel racers, but even with all the expertise and money, things still break, and clutches are right up there near the top of the list.

I was told this little ditty a long time ago, but I still go by it ---"There are 1,000 parts in a racecar, kid. If you checked 99 percent of them, YOU STILL MISSED TEN. " {this is a "TRUISIM" guys, don't panic}

This has gotten WAAAAAAAAY off the original question in this thread, and I apologise. I tend to run on a bit, sorry.


Rod

 

[TheBlacksmith]

Rod, Greg,

We are way off the original thread, but now I remember, a lot of the early Indy drivers moved up from USAC sprint cars, which had no clutch and trans, just an in/out and the rear end gears, Indy wasn't a road course, so why use multiple speeds. I remember one of my early heroes, Dan Gurney came to Indy with a 302 CI Ford, double disc clutch and 4 speed trans. He would light the tires leaving the pits. I guess the point is that usually, a turbo is used on a mass production gas engine to increase all out performance, which may not be the best for towing, while the mass produced turbo diesels tend to emphasize load carrying and towing performance rather than acceleration or top end.

 

[evelrod]

Blacksmith:

One day we must meet. My old Lotus Cortina race car is owned by a gentleman in Connecticut and he has invited me to come up and go out to Lime Rock for a test drive someday.
It is my intention that when I have finished my Mini-Cooper to do just that. No date yet, may be a year or more.
Interested?


Rod

 

[TheBlacksmith]

Rod,

Again, we are on our own chat room. Maybe we should meet, but I'm in VA and don't get to CT too often. Should of had this years ago when I used to get out to Carson (LA) CA about 4 weeks a year while I was teaching EFI and outdrives for the boat company - I had nothing to do and lots of time on the weekends!

Blacksmith

 

[Chad1]

I am considering incorperating a turbo from a car to a snowmobile. I know that there are kits that can be bought but there very costly. I was wondering if you have ever heard of people trying this, If so I would appreciate any info you might have. the sled is a polaris 750 storm. also if you have a suggestion on a turbo that would be close to the right size for a 750cc two stroke engine that would be great