[Vwdiesel] Turbo in series or parallel

[Val Christian]

>     A few years ago, Midwest Aero Restorations here in town rebuilt a P-47.
> I don't know the folks there, but the exhaust note of the big radial during
> flight tests was distinct enough to inspire curiosity.  Apparently the stock
> engine had both a supercharger and a turbocharger, one for low rpm, the
> other kicking in higher.  One compressor apparently was mounted towards the
> rear of the fuselage and connected by  hoses.  I didn't get to look it over
> up close, but apparently the owner decided against connecting both
> compressors for reasons of economy or reliability.
>     Maybe Val could clarify the set-up, but it made me wonder whether it
> would be at all practical to mount a supercharger from a G60 Corrado to a
> turbodiesel.
>     Scott Kair

I haven't the faintest idea!  I'd probably avoid a supercharger, for 
fear of overboost, and for the additional workload in managing it
in normal driving.

My guess is that in the installation you mention above, the turbo charger
is the baseline system, and handles normal power settings.  The supercharger
is probably used for maximum power situations.  I'd probably drop the 
supercharger, unless I expected to be in battle.  

Gee, I'm just looking for someone to help tell me if my 91 VW NA  could
readily have a turbo adapted to it, and what the benefits would be.
Noise, power, etc.

It's taken me 20 years to get used to the concept of a turbocharger in
a car (or anything else).  In my warped little ways, I've always thought
of them as just one more thing that could break.  The reality is that
they are another subsystem in a powerplant, and that there are many
benefits, and in general turbocharging systems are relatively 
simple and can be very reliable.  Prejudice takes time to overcome.

Val