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larson2032 · 23-09-2010, 07:28

I have been trying to find info or a kit turbo for my Perkins 4-108. I have looked in all the usuall places so If you know of a kit that would be great.
Would I have to get a new exaust port or could I weld the fitting for the turbo on? Can I retro fit a turbo that is rated at up to 150hp when the motor is 50hp? I need help on this because I have never worked with a turbo before but all I know is my 43 foot Columbia is to slow with just the stock Perkins 4. Im planning on a turbo and a larger prop....What say You

motion30 · 23-09-2010, 07:36

I think the answer is no

**Pete7** · 23-09-2010, 07:37

Hate to say this, but a completely barking idea and you have no hope of getting 150 hp. Thats an old engine design which if left unmolested will work fine and produce 50 tops.

Now why do you want 150 hp in a yacht

because you won't be able to use all that power, indeed 50 hp is probably about right.

Pete

larson2032 · 23-09-2010, 07:43

I am not looking to get 150hp out of the perkins. a buddy of mine has a turbo that came off a perkins that was rated for up to a 150 hp. I am only expecting a boost of about 25hp.

CSY Man · 23-09-2010, 07:54

Never heard of a turbo charging kit for the 4-108.
You probably have the wrong compression, the wrong injection pump and a bunch of other obstacles to turbo charging the Perkins.

Looks like the boat builder or previous owner put the wrong engine in your boat.
That being said, the 4-108 has been installed in a number of 40+ fot boats and several owners have complained of the engine not delivering the goods.
It is rated at 51 HP at the crank shaft at 4000 RPM.
Useful power at the prop shaft at cruising RPM is a lot less.
(I run mine at 2100 RPM, no soot, least fuel burn and happy compromise of speed, noise and vibration)

Perkins makes a 65 HP diesel that may be better suited for your application.

Sailmonkey · 23-09-2010, 08:54

When you select a turbo for an engine, very carful consideration has to be given to a variety of things.
1. will the turbo develop usefull boost at the operating speed of the engine (ie is the
turbo sized correctly for the amount of exh heat)?

2. Is the fuel delivery correct for an increased air volume?

3. Are other components of the engine able to handle an increase in horesepower and torque (shaft, transmission, head, exh valves)?

4. Is the compression already at or near the long life limit of the rings and pistons?

Stillraining · 23-09-2010, 09:06

Many challenges ahead for you with possible sad outcomes with that conversion.

Personally I would stay with normally aspirated if possible on any sail boat engine..A turbo while efficient and helpful with emissions...is also another wear component on your engine and a horrendous heat producer in an installation difficult enough to keep cool.

larson2032 · 23-09-2010, 10:22

I had heard that the 4-108s took well to turbochargeing. I guess he was wrong. Is there anything else I can do to get more speed out of her. Perhaps in the realm of gearing in the transmission? The Boat weighs 22,000

Tom Spohn · 23-09-2010, 10:29

Your hull speed is 7.66. How close are you to this?

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DeepFrz · 23-09-2010, 10:42

Have you checked everything to make sure that you are getting everything out of your engine as it stands? Have you had the injectors serviced, have you checked the exhaust mixer elbow to make sure it isn't partially plugged and causing back pressure? Likewise the rest of the exhaust system. How is the compression? Is your fuel system in top shape?

I have heard from a long time 4-108 user on this forum that the 4-108 is nowhere near a 50 hp. engine, so maybe you need a larger engine. However he has one in a boat about your size and seems quite happy with it.

**roverhi** · 23-09-2010, 12:37

Turbo charging an engine puts a much greater strain on it that has to be compensated for or engine life drops out the bottom. Whe VW turbo'd their diesel, they made over 70 changes to the engine and it still wasn't very reliable. Rover did the same for their N/A diesel and life expectancy plummeted. They had to design an engine from the ground up, as a turbo, to get reliability. I'd say give up.

From my experience, a 4-107 is a fine engine for a boat of your displacement. Are you trying to pull waterskis??

beneteau-500 · 23-09-2010, 12:56

they only turbo kits you can get are for perkins phaser engines series 1000 and 200 / 4.135 4.154 engines so either fit one of these engines or get a completely new engine up grade