Variable Area Turbine Nozzle
 

Have any of you looked into this at all? Done this on any car you've owned, or known anyone that has?

Seems pretty slick. I read about this in a book I'm reading. The book suggests that reliability was poor when first invented but they are very reliable now. Doesn't one of the porches car use these?

Anyways found this company while browsing and finding information.

AEROCHARGER | Technology

not sure how much I trust oil mist. Although I have to admit placement of the internal oil reservoir is clever.

Thoughts on these types of turbines? And thoughts on it working on a 370Z?

EDIT: I'll add that most of their applications are military diesel engines, bikes, and other such vehicles. But they have done it on cars apparently (only a few times), maybe not enough interest?

Yes, Porsche uses variable vane turbos in their 997+ turbo models. I have also been very interested in getting this tech into other cars, like my old STi. The issue is there is not the selection of available turbos out there like there are with conventional turbos. That and you need an additional controller to control the position of the vanes. I don't see this becoming a realistic aftermarket option for a long, long time.

I think I will email them and see if there is interest if they would be willing to design a turbo.

The obvious advantage is having a completely contained oil system, and low RPM (supposedly) boost. Also the elimination of a wastegate and gradual boost, instead of a spike.

I thought you don't need a controller for these? Maybe adjust the rate at which exhaust flow is increased.

I'm learning fast, thanks to the book, and I want to do something unique to my car. Instead of just slapping on the standard GTM/Stillen stuff.

Also from a daily drivable standpoint, gradual boost is a necessity for me, but I don't want to have the leeching of a SC (can't have cake and eat it too). I wouldn't expect these to be perfect by any means, but maybe at least more gradual than traditional turbo's

Good luck. I think you will find that companies are going to be very resistant to creating one-off products like a turbo for your 370Z. They may have one that already matches well the flow characteristics of the 3.7L. I can't speak for them. The other thing to remember is that unless you have an unlimited budget, trying to go out and do something "unique" is going to be tough. There is a reason that people go for well designed kits like the GTM/Stillen kits. Just chat with some of the other members here that have tried to do unique builds and get their perspective on the process.

I think the main reason that they are more common on diesels and not gas cars is that diesels have lower EGTs and the mechanism is not as robust as a normal fixed geometry turbo. Basically it's a reliability concern, it may wear quickly under high temps. Maybe they have improved in recent years though with better materials or something. I have heard of a few turbo miatas using Garrett VNT turbos.