As you may or may not know, the turbo in the new Mini S is a VGT (Variable Geometry Turbocharger), it has vanes around the fans to keep the turbo spinning quickly during idle engine rpm's when there is no load on the turbo. This means almost non-exsistant turbo lag.
-I have a few questions about this new setup for the purpose of modifications.

1. Does this turbo in the new mini come with a wastegate?
2. What size and make is the turbo?
3. How much boost can it hold within the mini motor?
4. How much boost can the mini motor handle w/o ECU tuning or internals? (will the car adapt to increased boost?)
5. FPM?
6. It appears there is a stock component within the design of the new engine management that allows the turbo to "overboost" ~ 15ft/lbs tq for a few moments if you floor the gas quickly. Is this true? Do you have to hit the sport button for this to activate?

 

Not to rain on your parade, but the R56 turbo most definitely does NOT have VGT. The Borg Warner K03 that the R56 has uses a twin-scroll turbine housing, but there are no variable vanes. If you have proof otherwise, please show it.

To answer your questions:
#1. Yes
#2. Borg Warner K03, rated for 0.17kg/s max flow rate. How are you asking this if you claim to know the turbo has VGT? Did you read that somewhere?
#3. Hold within, like blowing up a balloon? You'd have to see the compressor chart to answer that, but it's not going to operate there in reality.
#4. About 16psig before the ECU goes into boost-cut mode. The ECU does NOT adapt to increased boost favorably
#5. FPM? Good question indeed, what is an FPM?
#6. Yes there is an overboost function. I can't confirm the latter part.

Please go read the existing threads about the R56's Turbo, there's some useful and valid information there.

 

Thanks ryephile for your detailed response. I feel kinda stupid now you telling me that its not a VGT . HERE is the link to wikipedia, under the 2007 & on section 3rd paragraph says its a VGT. FPM (feet per min), I was just wondering what the airflow was from the turbo so I could compare its size with others. Is twin-scroll the same as ball bearing?

I am looking around on BorgWarner site, they have much to say about the VGT tech they use. HERE is a link, there is a chart at the bottom of the page with the K03 on it.

 

I wonder if the K04 would be a possible upgrade?

 

k04 from a pontiac solstice gxp/ saturn sky redline is twin scroll also. Hmmmmmmmm. (im keeping an eye on ebay)

 

Sorry to bring up an old thread... but do we have VGT or not?

 

To sum up Ryephile's #2 post. No.

And isn't the airflow measured in SCFM (standard cubic feet per minute) vice FPM?

 

Ok, Thanks dude.

 

Yeah, it definitely does not have variable turbine geometry...this isn't a 911 turbo here....it is a twin scroll turbo though.

 

I bet the k04 is gonna be the turbo used in the factory JCW car.

 

Someone with a Wikipedia account needs to correct the Wiki page!

 

If I remember correctly Saab uses VGTs in their cars, so you don't exactly need a supercar to have a VGT.

 

How much is this in lbs/min ?

 

No. "Twin scroll" means that the header, or manifold connecting the turbo to the exhaust outlets of the engine, has two separate tracks feeding two separate intakes into the turbo housing. Pistons 1&4 feed one while 2&3 feed the other.



(Please note, this is NOT a MIN R56 S turbo... it's the Pug 207. It's VERY close, though and illustrates the twin scroll design very well IMO)

The twin scroll design reduces turbo lag by directing the maximum amount of exhaust gasses towards the turbine blabes while reducing the interference of the natural power pulses coming from the engine. Basiclly makes the turbo spin up earlier and smaoother than having an all-into-one design.

 

Looks like 22.44 lbs/min.

 

no vgt's in the SAAB's, they're standard units, not even twin scroll like the mini's ..
programming & tuning for a vgt is very tricky, aside from the obvious tuning challenges of a variable flow you need to program in frequent wipe cycles to keep the vanes from binding.
vgt's are WAY too expensive to be showing up on an inexpensive car like the Mini anytime soon and you wouldn't want to be paying to replace one once the cars out of warranty either :P

 

Dose the 207 use a diffrent turbo (bigger or smaller??)?? they are very popular over here (uk) and is they use a bigger turbo it might help the uk guys out a bit.

Chris.

 

VNT turbos are not that rare. I own one, its on the wife's Jetta TDI. It cost less than the Mini by about 500$. The Shelby Shadow CSX had one too. It's rare, but not a supercar. I got stomped by one at the drag strip recently (he was good! 12.18 1/4 with a .157 r/t).

VNT/VGTs are more expensive, but not outrageously so, about the same price as a replacement for the one on the last diesel truck I owned. Certainly not more expensive than any custom turbo.

That said, I would rather use a dual scroll, esp. on a gasser. Less moving parts to accomplish similar ends makes me happier. Turbos are delicate enough for what they are asked to do. Why make them even more prone to failure? Why isn't every turbo offered with a dual scroll housing?

 

Twin scroll is a packaging NIGHTMARE for aftermarket applications. You need to have a specific twin scroll manifold, and it helps to be equal length. If you go over to the evo forums AMS performance (who has an 8 second evo among other things) did a spool comparison between twin scroll and regular GT40R (slightly different ARs) and the curves are near equal. Twin scroll is not that big of a deal, and I would never put a KKK turbo on any car aftermarket. If you want to put a turbo on that maxima a GT35r is more in the range you want. Also the Jetta TDI turbos, I'm not so certain they're VGT and if so theres no point, its a GT15, tiny turbo. OEMs should start giving customers an option of a big turbo. I'd take lag with a $1500 GT28RS option and deal with it.

My $.02,
Josh

 

Not to poo poo, but the Test shown on the AMS thread, is not the best test. And people call them out on it later on because of the time from from one to the other. Because of the time involved, doing a test to prove twinscroll is important is not very feasible. The manufactures say its sooo much better, but on bigger laggier turbo setups, i have not seen proof that its worth the difference. I see it more as a selling feature. Twin scroll has a cool sound to it!

For sure the TDI's are VGT turbos. And its very common on diesel setups. But they use the VGT to control boost, and to get them to spool up. Basically they open and close the vanes to control boost. Cool stuff, too bad they are on dinky turbos!

But i am all about the OEM giving us bigger turbos though!! Where is that check box on my custom order form?

 

I'm pretty sure they're the same size... but due to differences in the mounting location, the intake and exhaust are positioned a little differently on the unit itself.

 

maybee you turbo gurus can answer my question.
what is that gold colored device that looks so out of place on the turbo? I saw one in person for the first time today as a matter of fact. I saw it on a HUGE semi truck turbo. It seems to me to be a solid linkage from the hot side of the turbo housing connected to a vacuum diaphram of some type. Is that related to the dynamic abilities of that turbo?

Also another question:
what is the very high pitched whistling I hear on the newer turbo deisel pickup trucks as they drive away?

Also another question:
This could be a long shot on these forums but it's turbo related. While driving a newer semi truck, If I am accelerating up to 1800-2000 rpm (redline/shift point) and then I suddenly let of the accelerator without shifing the engine gives a very loud sucking noise that I think is coming from the exaust stack. Does anyone know what the deal with this is? I guess it could be like the blow off valve, but why is it coming thru the exhaust?
Also, jake brakes are awesome, I want one on my MINI

[/newbie inquiry]

 

1. It's the waste gate. It is vacuum actuated to control boost. It opens a valve, which diverts exhaust gas away from the turbo.
2. They're just freak'n big, and they whistle.
3. No clue. Never driven a big ole Diesel.

 

last time i checked (just know cos i new id be wrong if i didn't lol) AMS dont sell a twin scroll kit. now im no marketing man but i wouldn't start saying 'twin scroll kits where the best thing ever' unless i could supply these new wonder things to the people. AMS cant do this so it would be stupid of them to say they are better.

now if you have a word with full race, ETS or even Norris Design in the UK im sure they could tell you the advantages to running Twin scroll kits on BIG turbo applictations.

just my opinions.

Chris.

 

Yeah it is just a bigger turbo. I own a modded 05 wrx and it has a whistle that you can hear down the street. Also putting on a cat-less uppipe and allowing more of a free flowing inlet/intake really help the turbo breathe.