How does one properly launch an auto by utilizing the torque converter?

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SuperSix

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
9,872
2
0
<sigh>

you popped a hose because it was loose, and/or your wastegate wasn't operating correctly. (or.. you didn't complete the most basic maintenance that should be done on on turbo car)

I have NEVER popped an intercooler/turbo hose on any of my cars, and I run ~20PSI on a daily, regular basis.

The purpose in power-braking a turbo car is to put load on the engine so you can build boost at the line. No load = no boost.
 

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: spidey07
I understand. But i popped many a hose with my 850 turbo when I tried.

Like I said, its first hand experience and maybe something was wrong. From what I 'heard' (meaning heard from the turbo/motor), it didn't waste or bleed. There were many complaints on the 850 from what I remember but I still loved that car.

There was no damage to the motor/turbo. Just blown hoses.
Either overboosting or loose hoses then. I've done the same with the 951. Blew the intake boot off the AFM at 15PSI above atmospheric. I use a bigger clamp now. :p

ZV


And hence why the OP should give it a shot and post back! He can limp along if it happens, just won't have a turbo. Or he could learn more about his car and how she reacts.

Prove me wrong or pop a hose. I can't for the life of me remember the one that kept popping. That was quite a while ago. Super fun car though.

:)

I could get it OK as long as I wasn't too hard on the throttle/boost. But you know how that dang adrenaline works.
 

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
Originally posted by: SuperSix
<sigh>

you popped a hose because it was loose, and/or your wastegate wasn't operating correctly. (or.. you didn't complete the most basic maintenance that should be done on on turbo car)

I have NEVER popped an intercooler/turbo hose on any of my cars, and I run ~20PSI on a daily, regular basis.

The purpose in power-braking a turbo car is to put load on the engine so you can build boost at the line. No load = no boost.

Of course, you are indeed correct.

I just found that I popped them more in my 850 than an other turbo I've owned. I just wanted to give fair warning.

Sorry for being so harsh previously. I was recounting a night running against some civic and moving about 50 feet before realizing I lost my turbo. Then as I limped along to the "make out spot" with my girls some 12 year ago we got caught in a thunderstorm with the power lines dropped over the bridge that was our only way out and a crazy redneck telling us to get off his property firing a shotgun. Had to chose between crazy redneck and crossing a steel bridge that just had a large powerline laid across it.

I chose the bridge at full limp throttle and told everybody not to touch the car.

Long story, short. Sorry for being so harsh.
 

thomsbrain

Lifer
Dec 4, 2001
18,148
1
0
interesting thread, as i'd probably consider an 850 R wagon as my next car. 240 HP, 26 MPG, tons of room. :)
 

Koenigsegg

Banned
Jun 29, 2005
2,267
1
0
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: SuperSix
<sigh>

you popped a hose because it was loose, and/or your wastegate wasn't operating correctly. (or.. you didn't complete the most basic maintenance that should be done on on turbo car)

I have NEVER popped an intercooler/turbo hose on any of my cars, and I run ~20PSI on a daily, regular basis.

The purpose in power-braking a turbo car is to put load on the engine so you can build boost at the line. No load = no boost.

Of course, you are indeed correct.

I just found that I popped them more in my 850 than an other turbo I've owned. I just wanted to give fair warning.

Sorry for being so harsh previously. I was recounting a night running against some civic and moving about 50 feet before realizing I lost my turbo. Then as I limped along to the "make out spot" with my girls some 12 year ago we got caught in a thunderstorm with the power lines dropped over the bridge that was our only way out and a crazy redneck telling us to get off his property firing a shotgun. Had to chose between crazy redneck and crossing a steel bridge that just had a large powerline laid across it.

I chose the bridge at full limp throttle and told everybody not to touch the car.

Long story, short. Sorry for being so harsh.

:beer:
 

SuperSix

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
9,872
2
0
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: SuperSix
<sigh>

you popped a hose because it was loose, and/or your wastegate wasn't operating correctly. (or.. you didn't complete the most basic maintenance that should be done on on turbo car)

I have NEVER popped an intercooler/turbo hose on any of my cars, and I run ~20PSI on a daily, regular basis.

The purpose in power-braking a turbo car is to put load on the engine so you can build boost at the line. No load = no boost.

Of course, you are indeed correct.

I just found that I popped them more in my 850 than an other turbo I've owned. I just wanted to give fair warning.

Sorry for being so harsh previously. I was recounting a night running against some civic and moving about 50 feet before realizing I lost my turbo. Then as I limped along to the "make out spot" with my girls some 12 year ago we got caught in a thunderstorm with the power lines dropped over the bridge that was our only way out and a crazy redneck telling us to get off his property firing a shotgun. Had to chose between crazy redneck and crossing a steel bridge that just had a large powerline laid across it.

I chose the bridge at full limp throttle and told everybody not to touch the car.

Long story, short. Sorry for being so harsh.

:beer: to you for being a gentleman! I, too, apologize for my previous tone. I mean, hey, Volvo or Buick - us boost heads need to stick together. :D

"I'd rather be blown than stroked" :)
 

InlineFive

Diamond Member
Sep 20, 2003
9,599
2
0
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
You won't hurt the turbo at all by holding the brake.

What you _will_ do is generate a _LOT_ of heat in the torque converter (it's not a 2900 RPM stall converter, a 2900 RPM stall converter won't begin pushing the car until 2900 RPM, meaning there would be no creep at idle) and potentially blow out some seals in the transmission. Unless you have messed with the transmission for racing, you should not "power brake" past maybe 1,500 RPM, and even then you should not do it regularly.

ZV

EDIT: The above answer assumes that you want your transmission to last 100,000 miles or more. If you don't mind a 10,000 mile (or less) transmission life, by all means hold the brake on for as long as you like.

Good info! I'm going to try this a few times to see what it's like. But I don't plan on doing it regularly without an S70 tranny cooler.

Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: SuperSix
<sigh>

you popped a hose because it was loose, and/or your wastegate wasn't operating correctly. (or.. you didn't complete the most basic maintenance that should be done on on turbo car)

I have NEVER popped an intercooler/turbo hose on any of my cars, and I run ~20PSI on a daily, regular basis.

The purpose in power-braking a turbo car is to put load on the engine so you can build boost at the line. No load = no boost.

Of course, you are indeed correct.

I just found that I popped them more in my 850 than an other turbo I've owned. I just wanted to give fair warning.

Sorry for being so harsh previously. I was recounting a night running against some civic and moving about 50 feet before realizing I lost my turbo. Then as I limped along to the "make out spot" with my girls some 12 year ago we got caught in a thunderstorm with the power lines dropped over the bridge that was our only way out and a crazy redneck telling us to get off his property firing a shotgun. Had to chose between crazy redneck and crossing a steel bridge that just had a large powerline laid across it.

I chose the bridge at full limp throttle and told everybody not to touch the car.

Long story, short. Sorry for being so harsh.

I've read a lot about the infamous boost and vacuum lines on the 850s when under stress. Unfortunately I haven't had the time or money to upgrade to silicon yet. :)

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
interesting thread, as i'd probably consider an 850 R wagon as my next car. 240 HP, 26 MPG, tons of room. :)

If you can't find an R for a decent price get a Turbo. The only engine difference is that the R will gain an additional 1-2Psi over 5100RPM. Otherwise it will handle the same as a Turbo.
 

sswingle

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2000
7,183
45
91
You launch cars? I thought you just did that with ships and space shuttles (which I guess technically is a ship)