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Watercooled Turbos: Pros and Cons

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Old Jan 19, 2004 | 04:41 PM
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Default Watercooled Turbos: Pros and Cons

Curious what everyones take is on watercooled turbos. Presently my car has a water/oil cooled T3, which will be replaced with this years tax return. I have always been told "don't bother with water cooled turbos", but recently I hear "it extends the life of the turbo".

So now I'm a bit confused as to which direction to take. The car is already plumbed for a water cooled turbo, so it isn't like I'd have to add anything. What are your thoughts, and why?
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Old Jan 20, 2004 | 05:34 AM
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you already know my take on them. If you have any other doubts, look at what the auto makers use.
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Old Jan 20, 2004 | 08:40 AM
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Like an old sweater, I am torn. The car already has a tendency to heat up in this weather. I just keep thinking I'm going to have some problems come summertime...so perhaps eliminating the water cooling to the turbo will help relieve some stress on the 18-year old cooling system. Or maybe if I wasn't so cheap I'd get a new flexalite fan and call it a day.

I'm guessing with a new T3 all the feed and drain lines will be the same...so no extra fabrication would be needed. That is my main turnoff since I can't have the car down for more than a day.
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Old Jan 20, 2004 | 09:28 AM
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yeah, it should have the same hookups. If you decide not to go with water-cooled, I would really suggest a turbo timer.
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Old Jan 20, 2004 | 10:00 AM
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If the water cooling is heating up your engine that much, think of what it will do to your oil if it is the sole means of cooling the turbo... Adding an oil cooler will be a necessity. I would stay dual cooled and fix or upgrade your cooling system!
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Old Jan 20, 2004 | 12:02 PM
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If I remember correctly, the SVOs have a oil cooler on them already (although it is stock, it is still better than nothing). You should look into what is making your car overheat. I never had a problem with the merk overheating, but my stock radiator took a crap on me. Damn Ford and their cheap ass parts.
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Old Jan 20, 2004 | 05:29 PM
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The shitty stock electric fan has alot to do with it. From the looks of things the radiator is pretty new.
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Old Jan 21, 2004 | 11:12 AM
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i got a nice big 20k GVW oil cooler from AE for 45 bucks...might wanna look into something liek that aswell, run it inline with the stock one, thats what im doing with my transmission.
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