Oldsmobile Jetfire Turbo Rocket V-8

[Texas Jim]

In 1962 and 1963 Oldsmobile built a turbocharged version of the 215. The small-diameter Garrett T5 turbocharger was manufactured by Garrett AiResearch and produced a maximum of 5 psi (34 kPa) boost at 2200 rpm. The engine had 10.25:1 compression and a single-barrel carburetor. It was rated at 215 hp (160 kW) at 4600 rpm and 300 lb·ft (410 N·m) at 3200 rpm. The high compression ratio created a serious problem with spark knock on hard throttle applications, which led Olds to use a novel water-injection system that sprayed small amounts of distilled water and methyl alcohol (dubbed "Turbo-Rocket Fluid") into the combustion chambers to cool the intake charge. If the fluid reservoir was empty, a complex double-float and valve assembly in the Turbo-Rocket Fluid path would set a second butterfly (positioned between the throttle butterfly and the turbocharger) into the closed position, limiting the amount of boost pressure. Unfortunately, many customers did not keep the reservoir filled, or had mechanical problems with the turbocharger plumbing.

The turbocharger was offered only in a special Jetfire model, which was the first turbocharged passenger car offered for public sale. Only 9,607 were sold in two model years,

Sounds like a PITA.

It was... that's why they only made then for 2 years.
The water/alcohol injection tank wasn't very big and if you got on it a few times... it was empty.

 

[Stumpuller6.5]

Cool. Be neat to find one.

 

[buRRp]

That's pretty cool

 

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

The high compression ratio created a serious problem with spark knock on hard throttle applications, which led Olds to use a novel water-injection system that sprayed small amounts of distilled water and methyl alcohol (dubbed "Turbo-Rocket Fluid") into the combustion chambers to cool the intake charge.

An intercooler would avoid this issue. But it's still a nice vehicle, and very respectable engineering job if we consider all the current downsizing trend.

 

[Sodbuster]

In 1962 and 1963 Oldsmobile built a turbocharged version of the 215. The small-diameter Garrett T5 turbocharger was manufactured by Garrett AiResearch and produced a maximum of 5 psi (34 kPa) boost at 2200 rpm. The engine had 10.25:1 compression and a single-barrel carburetor. It was rated at 215 hp (160 kW) at 4600 rpm and 300 lb·ft (410 N·m) at 3200 rpm. The high compression ratio created a serious problem with spark knock on hard throttle applications, which led Olds to use a novel water-injection system that sprayed small amounts of distilled water and methyl alcohol (dubbed "Turbo-Rocket Fluid") into the combustion chambers to cool the intake charge. If the fluid reservoir was empty, a complex double-float and valve assembly in the Turbo-Rocket Fluid path would set a second butterfly (positioned between the throttle butterfly and the turbocharger) into the closed position, limiting the amount of boost pressure. Unfortunately, many customers did not keep the reservoir filled, or had mechanical problems with the turbocharger plumbing.

The turbocharger was offered only in a special Jetfire model, which was the first turbocharged passenger car offered for public sale. Only 9,607 were sold in two model years,

Sounds like a PITA.

It was... that's why they only made then for 2 years.
The water/alcohol injection tank wasn't very big and if you got on it a few times... it was empty.

No wonder you never bought one...

 

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Alcohol is for Brazilian cars, throw an intercooler on that bitch...

 

[Tucson Z60]

the 215 was pretty good little engine that could be built to make some good power. Gm sold the rights to Rover in England.....hence the Rover 3500 V-8. Same engine and reliable but backed up by horrid english wiring...LOL!!

Triumph TR8 used this engine.

Land Rover uses this engine.

Triumph Stag used this engine

MGB V-8 Used this engine.

Rover 3500's used this Engine

The English used around the Layland brands and it has found it way into many v-8 swaps. In the early 80 to early 90's it was very popular sand rail engine.

 

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

This engine was still available for the Land Rover until early 2000s.

 

[Sodbuster]

the 215 was pretty good little engine that could be built to make some good power. Gm sold the rights to Rover in England.....hence the Rover 3500 V-8. Same engine and reliable but backed up by horrid english wiring...LOL!!

Not surprised the English found a way to muck it up.

 

[Texas Jim]

the 215 was pretty good little engine that could be built to make some good power. Gm sold the rights to Rover in England.....hence the Rover 3500 V-8. Same engine and reliable but backed up by horrid english wiring...LOL!!

Not surprised the English found a way to muck it up.

Lucas Lighting... aka "The Prince Of Darkness"....