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1974 Volkswagen Thing Turbo
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This page will document the building of my 1974 Turbocharged and fuel injected VW thing. If there is enough interest, I may consider creating a kit and selling it.
Basic details:
Engine is a stock 1600cc with Mahle bus pistons for lowered compression.
7.0:1 compression
CB Performance intake maifold castings and fuel rails
23lb/hr fuel injectors
Megasquirt-n-EDIS Fuel Injection with Distributorless EDIS ingnition
Garrett GT15 internal wastegate Turbocharger
Garrett Air-to-Water CAC
 
Car is also fitted with Porsche 944 4-wheel disk brakes and Porsche Phone Dial rims.

Estimated completion date is June 4, 2004.

This is the turbo, a Garrett GT15
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This is a fairly small turbo, ought to boost immediately

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Turbo Thing Fotos

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Thing at the beach

1974 Turbo Thing
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36-1 toothed wheel for distributorless ignition timing with MSnEDIS

MegaSquirt Relay Board mounted on firewall.
Relay Board
Unit is mounted using rubber grommets for vibration isolation

This is the new oil manifold setup.
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Removes stress from the case threaded port

+12V, +12V switched, and Ground distribution
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The box on the left is an inertial switch that switches off the fuel pump in the event of an impact, preventing a high pressure fuel fed fire. This one came out of a Ford and is suggested for any fuel injected application.

Turbo Installed with all pipes welded.
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It spins!

Competed Engine
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Engine with Fuel Injection and distributorless ignition

Fuel Rail and plumbing on the # 3 & 4 cylinders
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FPR (gold thing on the left) is an MSD modified Bosch unit

Porsche Phone Dial Wheels
Phone Dials
These look MUCH better in person

Turbo Badge
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Here is the nearly finished engine compartment.
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Dash Board
Dash
Autometer Guages include oil press & temp (at the oil press sending port), Boost, and Head Temp

Air-to-water CAC
A-W CAC
Keepin the boost cool!

Engine in Place
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Ready to be raised

Engine IN!!
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Now to complete the wiring and piping.

Exhaust and Intake plumbing viewed from underneath
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Pipes are just duct taped to check fit

This is the caliper bracket.
Caliper Bracket
It is mounted on a modified Thing spindle.

944 hub, disc, and caliper
Disc Brakes!
hub is modified to fit the Thing spindle and caliper is mounted on the new bracket

Last updated on

TURBO!