Turbo wd45

So, I just picked up an AC WD 45. It has a gas engine. I was wanting to put a turbo on it. I want it to have some low end power but I want it to make a good power in mid and high range rpm. What size turbo/exhaust housings should I go for, and what can I do to better prepare the tractor for the turbo set up?

I don't think adding a turbo to a stock engine will help much if any and may end up causing more trouble that any thing else

So you recommend rebuilding the engine first?

I have three questions. #1. What do you intend to use this tractor for ?? #2. How much does a turbo "kit" cost?? #3. How skilled are you at fabricating ??

A 45 has plenty of power just the way AC made them.

I plan on using the tractor for some work purposes, but I have some loads that are a little to much for the stock tractor and I also wouldn t mind bringing it to local pulls in my area. I am a decent fabricator and have a few friends who are good that are helping me.

What I am saying is a stock engine a turbo is not going to help boost the HP by much if any and upping the compression on it to much you stand a good chance of blowing head gaskets and or breaking pistons or rods. Stock a WD45 is around 45hp and will pull a good bit for it size.

For myself, I wouldn't even consider a turbo on that particular engine for a working tractor. I do know of one that has videos on U-tube pulling a 4-bottom plow and it seems plenty powerful, but he's not telling much of anything as to what had been done to the engine BEFORE the turbo was added, OR how much trouble he's had since. Here's some things I don't think you understand: #1. the use of a turbo on an old gas engine like that would require the use of expensive fuel to keep it from detonating. You absolutely cannot have any detonation or the engine will grenade !!! Do you think buying $3.00 or $4.00 fuel is affordable for a working tractor?? #2. I have seen enough broken crankshafts (reground undersize at overhaul time) and bent connecting rods over my 45 years of working on them to say it is a bad idea. #3. I'll bet you haven't run a compression test on this engine to see what may already be done to it ?? or what condition it is in. Stock it would have 120 psi of cranking compression. You say you just bought it, but you also say it isn't powerful enough to do some of your tasks?? Sounds like you bought too small of a tractor to me. Doing all the fab work yourself, you could easily spend a grand installing a turbocharger. I'd rather spend money on the engine you have or take the grand and add it to whatever you paid for the tractor and maybe buy a bigger tractor. Run a compression test and consider installing a larger carburetor for an immediate HP increase that is reasonable cost and performance wise.

Your cheapest and easiest HP is higher compression pistons, I do not know what it came out stock with.

As someone that has customized engines, do it because you want to have fun, it will NOT be cheap. Personally I would put a computer and fuel injection on any engine customized with a turbo.

(quoted from post at 09:11:34 10/23/19) So, I just picked up an AC WD 45. It has a gas engine. I was wanting to put a turbo on it. I want it to have some low end power but I want it to make a good power in mid and high range rpm. What size turbo/exhaust housings should I go for, and what can I do to better prepare the tractor for the turbo set up?

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Keystone Turbo makes kits for older gas tractors. I see they have added a kit for the WD-45: www.keystoneturbollc.com. I do not have any experience with their kits however they have been around for several years now.

One thing about turbo's is the limited selection for 45 HP engines. I have a turbo on a 750 cc motorcycle however, it makes 100 + HP.... you need a small turbo. Too large a turbo will not add power at low speed...the turbine wheel needs hot exhaust gas to spin the compressor wheel. Be sure to ask questions and request a dyno chart showing before and after HP. You do not want hi-compression pistons with the turbo. Premium fuel is probably recommended but at moderate boost levels, I would not expect race fuel would be required. Keystone could advise as to octane needs. Good Luck and report back.

Straight WD pistons in a WD45 engine will raise the compression with off the shelf parts.

There are PLENTY of very negative posts on FACEBOOK about Keystone Turbos !!!!!! Check it out before you too (may) get screwed !!!