Water cooled turbos OK?

[toki]

I am going to be running a small boost (4-7psi) project on my KA (yes i know, there is a KAT forum, but there arn't as many people there to answer), and I want to know if the turbo being only water cooled will be ok? What if some day I decide to get the fuel all done up and put it up to 10 or 12 psi? Will it be ok then? Thanks in advance.

[S13240]

Your turbo will need oil. Oil is a must for the turbo. Coolant is the one you don't need. Hope this was the answer you were looking for.

[toki]

not really. I thought the 300zx turbos were water cooled? they seemed to work just fine?

[GraySilvia]

No, the oil not only provides cooling, but LUBRICATION. You CAN'T have just a water cooled turbo unless it has some kinda sealed lubrication system. And then you'd have to change the oil in your turbo, i bet that wouldn't be fun.

[Movingviolation240]

The oil cools and lubricates the CHRA, the water cools the whole center section. You don't need water but all turbo's have oil. The water just drops the turbo's operating temp by like 200-300 degree's (which as you can imagine will make things last a LOT longer).

But to answer your question, oil is required, water isn't (a Porsche 911 dosn't even have water to cool the motor.... just lots of oil)

Paul