Hey guys,

I thought this may be neat to show you as it's a 98 Explorer but it's still the same engine, the 4.0 SOHC. I've had alot of naasayers before tell me that you cant supercharge or turbocharge a 4.0 SOHC engine because of the high compression ratio from the factory but I've proved them wrong personally 4 times with custom fabricated superchargers kits and this guy has now done it with an STS turbocharger....

I've got a local customer who's just completed his new STS turbo system on his Explorer. It was a completely custom kit, everything was made custom except for the turbo. He came over tonight and where as I don't have the time just yet to goto a full dyno tune with him we got it running safe and with great power. We'll be going to the dyno very soon.

After a test drive on the 2-3 lbs setting we got everything set and running right. It pulled good, more so like a mild V8 without any punchy power band. It was nice but we wanted more.

Next he went to the back and adjusted his wastegate controller and raised the boost to 6-7lbs and WOW! This thing flat out HAULS BUTT! I just kept saying " Wow, all of this in an Explorer too" hhahaa.

I kept putting the tuning to it until we finally had to stop, we were starting to get knock sensor activation of just a few degree's, 1-2 degree's. I backed it down a few and told him that'll we do the rest of the tuning on the dyno where we can ensure a proper a/f ratio. We've already been one time when he was n/a and tuned the Explorer for use with his 76mm C&L meter.

His list of mods include...

Custom STS turbo put together by www.GraceMotorsports.com in B'ham
76mm C&L meter
30lbs injectors from Explorer Express
Bamachips X-calibrator Tuner
JBA Headers

I'm not exactly sure what size the turbo is, I think he said something like 63/58 ?? I don't care what size it is, just how much airflow it makes.

He doesn't have any pics of the way it routes so for now I'll tell you. The turbo sits where the spare tire was, then the piping comes foward along with passenger's side and then up above the tire and through the wheelwell to the MAF and then the TB. He used the MAF in a blow-through design and made sure it had plenty of straight piping both in front and behind it.

Here's some photo's

STS Turbo #1

STS Turbo #2

STS Turbo #3

STS Turbo #4

STS Turbo #5

STS Turbo #6

This should get real interesting as he also has a Snow Performance boost cooler and we plan on making a 93 race tune for the track using 10psi and the water injection on the dyno.

Later Doug904.

 

that is awesome!! thanks for the pictures and post!

 

I'm not sure I'd ever get into a turbo myself, but that's really exciting! Thanks Doug!

 

i saw a segment of two-guys garage when they installed that sytem on a camaro, i think. i was amazed!! when i saw them working at the back of the car for the installation, but it makes total sense!! having lived through the two oil embargoes and now maybe a 3rd, i can tell you that back in the 1970's and into the 80's turbocharging was investigated big time by the auto makers to try and get better fuel economy and better performance...but the cost to the engine was severe: the underhood temps of a turbo motor are so intense, they will melt batterys...no joke...i saw this with my own eyes with the saab turbo 900...they were one of the first to jump on the turbo band wagon in a big way...their little two liter motors made amazing power but had horrible lag...totally ruined the low speed throttle response for a manual transmission car...the turbo design back then worked better with an automatic to soak up the turbo lag.

anyway, thankls for the info and pictures. jackg 90seville 97k

 

The air filter is under the rear of the truck? Is there any concern of water, snow, salt spray from the road. I've seen the undercar aerodynamics stink powdery snow from the road and coat the under and back of vehicles.

 

He has a outwearer for the filter for wet conditions but STS claims that it will work just fine even in the rain. They do state not to submerge it in water of course. As for snow I'm not sure, if they say that word in alabama the state shuts down and there's not a gallon of milf or loaf of bread in a store.

Thanks, Doug.

 

Aint it great, even 12 years later every remembers "Snow storm 93" here in the south... Mention a flurry of snow and grocery stores do better business than at Christmas and Thanksgiving.

 

up here they predict a blizzard with 18 inches of snow... and nobody changes their plans. Even if a Mustang is their winter car.