Discussion Overview
The discussion centers around the feasibility and mechanics of turbocharging carbureted two-stroke petrol engines, particularly in the context of motorcycle and snowmobile applications. Participants explore various technical challenges, potential modifications, and the implications of such turbocharging on performance and efficiency.
Discussion Character
- Technical explanation
- Debate/contested
- Exploratory
Main Points Raised
- Some participants question how to supply oil to the turbo bearings, noting that two-stroke engines lack the oil systems found in four-stroke engines.
- Concerns are raised about the crankcase needing to handle higher pressures and the potential need for mechanical spark advance management without EFI.
- One participant suggests that while a draw-through carbureted setup may work, it could require extensive trial and error to achieve a functional configuration.
- Another participant proposes starting with a four-stroke engine and converting it to a two-stroke, highlighting the potential for improved power-to-weight ratio but also increased emissions.
- There is discussion about the limitations of compression ratios in turbocharged engines and the possibility of switching to ethanol for higher compression ratios.
- Some participants express skepticism about the reliability of boosted carburetion compared to EFI, particularly in high-performance applications.
- Technical details regarding the design of piping and exhaust systems are debated, with suggestions that the configuration may need to be tailored for specific RPM ranges.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants do not reach a consensus on the feasibility of turbocharging carbureted two-stroke engines, with multiple competing views and technical challenges remaining unresolved.
Contextual Notes
Limitations include the lack of established methods for managing oil supply to the turbo, the complexities of tuning carburetors for boosted applications, and the potential need for extensive testing to achieve desired performance outcomes.