EXPERIENCED small engine knowledge

[Toadie's T-Type]

Just curious guys...... How many of you have ever thought of putting a small turbo on your lawn tractor?

Have any of you ever done it?
If so... was it worth doing?

Here is what I have:
A Simplicity Sunstar 20 Series Tractor, with Hydrastatic Drive.
Powered by a Kohler Magnum 20 (M20S) Twin Cylinder Engine.
Full pressure lubrication.
20 HP @ 3,600
Torque: I'll look it up later.
46.98 C.I.D.
3.12 Bore
3.06 Stroke
6.6:1 Compression

I am not by any means looking to drag race it. I was figuring that it would be cool to have. Plus. If you got into and area where the extra torque or HP would be benificial (Tall Grass or pulling something), You'd have the extra power.

I am just curious as to whether someone has Turbo'd a lawn tractor. I have seen a stock snowmobile engine with a turbo on it.
Only real difference in the 2 I'd say would be the RPMs.
My 20 Horse is governed at 3,600 RPM.

Please give me some input on this. Good or bad.
I currently am putting the engine together and with around 650 hours on it..... It looked pretty healthy as far as the sleaves go and cylinder wear was very minimal.

This is a project I would seriously consider.
That. Or get a Farm All Tractor and dump a small block in it. But being that I already have the Simplicity. And use it.... I'd prefer that.
Anyway. I'm out of here. Gonna put it back together and do me some mowing.

Thanks for all input. -Matt-

[JohnLarkin]

I've thought of it. There would need to be a driven oil pump to supply the turbo with oil. Outside of that, it's pretty much a fabrication job for exhaust and mounting the carb on the compressor and adjusting a/f mixture. I wouldn't count on running too much boost.

[Toadie's T-Type]

My brother and I spent a few hours working on the engine today.
It does have an oil pump. and there is a plug I can remove from the front cover to feed the turbo.
I figured maybe about 5 PSI for boost max. My brother showed concern with the AF mixture.
He is a liceansed John Deer Techy. So..... I might be able to procure a turbo from something small from him. We'll have to see.

-Matt-

[firebird_1252]

bah do yourself a favor.. get a briggs "blockzilla"

[Toadie's T-Type]

Originally posted by firebird_1252
bah do yourself a favor.. get a briggs "blockzilla"

I've seen many a Briggs engines with broken Rods.
Plus.... I'm looking to keep my cost for this project down to around $1,000 or less.
PLUS..... Premium fuel for it is a hell of alot cheaper to get than Alcohol.
PLUS....... I'd be using it for mowing. Be running 3,200 RPM for 2 hours straight. ............
Figure it would actually come in real handy in the winter time when using the snow blower. It bogs more with a 40" Snowblower than the 60" mowing deck.

I'll either turbo it or I'll install naaaaawwws (which I have).

[firebird_1252]

trust me i have seen many briggs with broken cranks and rods. actualy... i have .400 stroker lanati (sp) crank with amazing rods and a nasty cam that came out of my big motor..

[Toadie's T-Type]

How many HP is it running?
I had talked to my brother bout upping to a snowmobile motor or something small and liquid cooled. He said to much Hp would tear up the Hydrualics on the tractor. I'm just looking for 10 extra Hp on top of my 20 I have.

[firebird_1252]

68 hp then again there was alot more to the combo.. she ran on alky had ALOT of work done to the head the valves were worked to the balls had a walbaro fuel pump (no not what we're used to) it was bored .140 also however, if you wanna run about 40 hp (witch is fairly easy) i strongly recomend going to a local gokart racer and have him build a motor. btw, when i had my gas motor (13.50's in the 8th) we had to run 108 for gas.

[tjthorson]

I think your limitation there may be the hydrostatic pump. If you try to overspin that thing, it will probably come apart.

We used to hotrod tractors all the time when I was in the biz.

Take a 10 to 30 tooth final drive off a mechanical tranny and put a 10 to 10. Instant 30 mph.

Unbolt the 8hp and bolt on a 20 hp.

Then we were making wheelie bars because every gearshift pulled the front wheels.

Total blast.

Hydrostatic? Stick to 5mph lawn mowing.

Find a rear engine mechanical tranny rider.

Oh, one more thing, if it has a 5 speed inline techumseh tranny, be careful. We warped 2 cases and spit gears out all over doing burnouts in the parkinglot at work. Never got em smoking, but some awesome squeals....

[Toadie's T-Type]

The semi insane thing about my mower is the rear wheel bolt pattern ALMOST matches that of our Turbo Regals. When my brother owned it. I kept threatening to put my drag slicks on that damn thing. The back tires on it now are about the same height if not taller than the drag slick.
As for the Hydrastatic pump.... The engine is governed for 3,600 RPM. I think I'm safe as far as not spinning it to fast. It's the Hp increase that would worry me.
The way the tractor sits now is cool. If you go up a hill and the tire starts spinning. Down by the heal of your right foot is a locking differential lever. You push down on that and if your front wheels are cranked 1 way. It'll whip you right around.
Never locked it in while it was sitting on concrete. did on asphalt. It'll leave a 2-3 foot long posi mark. So....
I figured if anything.... That 20 horse would look good on a Adult sized Go-kart. But..... As it is... I need a mower more than a go-kart.

Maybe a Kawasaki Ninja motor on a go-kart though........ *hmmmm* Yup.. The old wheels are a creakin now.