Motorcycle Turbo Kits - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

RemyLebeau97 · 10-12-2003, 02:36 PM

Ok so I doubt I'll ever really do this to my bike but I was just wondering how hard it is to install a turbo kit on my bike and how big a dent it'll put in my wallet. If anyone knows anything about bike turbos or knows of good web sites about them please share your thoughts and suggestions, thanks. My bike is a 01 Suzuki GSXR750 by the way.

Moonduck · 10-12-2003, 03:35 PM

I know a coupla guys what put turbos on Honda CB750's back in the 70's. They were always either for show or drag. Almost always had magnetos on their bikes too. For the show bikes, it was because they looked cool. For the drag bikes, well, if ya don't know why I ain't the man to tell you.

Personally, I wouldn't do it. Then again, I don't operate under the incorrect assumption that I ride worth a crap, so there is no way I'd slap a turbo on one of my scoots.

ziadel · 10-12-2003, 04:01 PM

a turbo is not really a good thing for a road going bike...

think about it, your going through a turn, you cross 5k rpm and all the sudden the turbo kicks in...

turbos just arent a good idea for a bike unless its a drag bike... now supercharging....

Tickford · 10-13-2003, 03:40 AM

Mate, I have seen nothing but problems with turbos on bikes. With a bike like you have, you could squeeze heaps more power out it with just a few small mods. A GSXR has many many paths that you can upgrade to get more power. Start with the exhaust and then intake. If you really want more, then start looking at head work and bigger cams. Im sure there are many bike shops that will help you out.

brandon11983 · 10-13-2003, 07:00 AM

check out http://www.superkaos.com/phpbb/

They have a whole forum dedicated to turboing bikes. There are also plenty of videos of turbo'd bikes.

Both turboing and engine work have their advantages. Engine work has a more "controllable" power feel to it, whereas turbo's have an instant "balls to the wall" feel. I'm sure its quite a feeling when 17 lbs. of boost kick in under your ass....

ducati999 · 10-13-2003, 09:48 PM

$$$$$$$

JusticeForPhat · 10-15-2003, 03:45 PM

I have some experience in this department, though the turbo Honda F3 I helped build ended up in a small car not a bike.

First thing first, your stock compression ratio is way too high to run any significant boost. On the F3 we had Arias make us some custom pistons to lower the ratio to 9:1. This is the ideal way to do it but its pricey as hell. With my orginization's discount it was still like 600 bucks. You could go the route of a thicker head gasket but it is no where near as consistant as the pistons.

Next thing: the stock head doesnt like 15 PSI pushing on the valves. You need to respring and reshim all the valves. This is a pain in the ass, since you need to surface grind all the shims to spec. Overall not too bad but time consuming as hell. You also might want to consider a better cam at this point.

Next: engine management. An F3 is carbed with computer controlled spark. This all got ripped out and got replaced with a Haltech E6A engine computer to control spark and fuel. We designed our own intake and fuel delivery system to take advantage to this. This requires that you get the bike on a dyno though to tune it, as there are no existing maps for this configuration. With your GSX-R you might be able to get away with a piggyback computer though to do the tuning, and a good 02 sensor.

Next: Exhaust. You need to make an exhaust header with the appropriate mounting flanges for the turbo, and that will fit in your bike.

Next: Turbo. We used an Aerodyne variable geometry turbo that was mapped for our application. Garret hybrids are very popular for bikes though.

We used a small intercooler with custom endtanks, however I see very few bikes with intercoolers. Some use water injection though to various degrees of sucess. You also will want to beef up the clutch. We went with a carbon kevlar unit that held up pretty well.

Overall the turbo bike is kind of a neat project. Due to regulation of our sanctioning body we need to use a 20 mm restrictor so we made only 115 horsepower and I think 75 ft-lbs of torque. Unrestricted I have seen numbers as high as 200 horses on 104 octane. Some Hayabusa's have broken 400 horses with the correct setups. Goes from 0- greasy spot on the pavement in about 2 seconds.

Your a little far away but there is a shop in South Philly where I get my parts from whose sole business is turbo-ing drag bikes. I'll see if his webpage is up.

10-12-2003, 02:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
RemyLebeau97 I stole my boyfriends TFP, hehe !! Location: Galveston, TX	Motorcycle Turbo Kits Ok so I doubt I'll ever really do this to my bike but I was just wondering how hard it is to install a turbo kit on my bike and how big a dent it'll put in my wallet. If anyone knows anything about bike turbos or knows of good web sites about them please share your thoughts and suggestions, thanks. My bike is a 01 Suzuki GSXR750 by the way.

10-12-2003, 04:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
ziadel Myrmidon Location: In the twilight and mist.	a turbo is not really a good thing for a road going bike... think about it, your going through a turn, you cross 5k rpm and all the sudden the turbo kicks in... turbos just arent a good idea for a bike unless its a drag bike... now supercharging.... __________________ Ron Paul '08 Vote for Freedom Go ahead and google Dr. Ron Paul. You'll like what you read.

10-13-2003, 03:40 AM	#4 (permalink)
Tickford Insane Location: Australia	Mate, I have seen nothing but problems with turbos on bikes. With a bike like you have, you could squeeze heaps more power out it with just a few small mods. A GSXR has many many paths that you can upgrade to get more power. Start with the exhaust and then intake. If you really want more, then start looking at head work and bigger cams. Im sure there are many bike shops that will help you out. __________________ Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist ought to have his head examined. Samuel Goldwyn

10-13-2003, 07:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
brandon11983 Stereophonic Location: Chitown!!	check out http://www.superkaos.com/phpbb/ They have a whole forum dedicated to turboing bikes. There are also plenty of videos of turbo'd bikes. Both turboing and engine work have their advantages. Engine work has a more "controllable" power feel to it, whereas turbo's have an instant "balls to the wall" feel. I'm sure its quite a feeling when 17 lbs. of boost kick in under your ass.... __________________ Well behaved women rarely make history.

10-13-2003, 09:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
ducati999 Crazy Location: USA	$$$$$$$ __________________ Twist of the wrist

10-12-2003, 03:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
Moonduck Junkie Location: SE USA	I know a coupla guys what put turbos on Honda CB750's back in the 70's. They were always either for show or drag. Almost always had magnetos on their bikes too. For the show bikes, it was because they looked cool. For the drag bikes, well, if ya don't know why I ain't the man to tell you. Personally, I wouldn't do it. Then again, I don't operate under the incorrect assumption that I ride worth a crap, so there is no way I'd slap a turbo on one of my scoots.

10-15-2003, 03:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
JusticeForPhat Crazy Location: Philly	I have some experience in this department, though the turbo Honda F3 I helped build ended up in a small car not a bike. First thing first, your stock compression ratio is way too high to run any significant boost. On the F3 we had Arias make us some custom pistons to lower the ratio to 9:1. This is the ideal way to do it but its pricey as hell. With my orginization's discount it was still like 600 bucks. You could go the route of a thicker head gasket but it is no where near as consistant as the pistons. Next thing: the stock head doesnt like 15 PSI pushing on the valves. You need to respring and reshim all the valves. This is a pain in the ass, since you need to surface grind all the shims to spec. Overall not too bad but time consuming as hell. You also might want to consider a better cam at this point. Next: engine management. An F3 is carbed with computer controlled spark. This all got ripped out and got replaced with a Haltech E6A engine computer to control spark and fuel. We designed our own intake and fuel delivery system to take advantage to this. This requires that you get the bike on a dyno though to tune it, as there are no existing maps for this configuration. With your GSX-R you might be able to get away with a piggyback computer though to do the tuning, and a good 02 sensor. Next: Exhaust. You need to make an exhaust header with the appropriate mounting flanges for the turbo, and that will fit in your bike. Next: Turbo. We used an Aerodyne variable geometry turbo that was mapped for our application. Garret hybrids are very popular for bikes though. We used a small intercooler with custom endtanks, however I see very few bikes with intercoolers. Some use water injection though to various degrees of sucess. You also will want to beef up the clutch. We went with a carbon kevlar unit that held up pretty well. Overall the turbo bike is kind of a neat project. Due to regulation of our sanctioning body we need to use a 20 mm restrictor so we made only 115 horsepower and I think 75 ft-lbs of torque. Unrestricted I have seen numbers as high as 200 horses on 104 octane. Some Hayabusa's have broken 400 horses with the correct setups. Goes from 0- greasy spot on the pavement in about 2 seconds. Your a little far away but there is a shop in South Philly where I get my parts from whose sole business is turbo-ing drag bikes. I'll see if his webpage is up.