P51 with Allison turbo

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Have a look at the size of the Turbo and associated piework on the P38 not forgetting the intakes under the prop for intercoolers. Its a lot to squeeze in not saying it couldnt be done but by the time it has been fitted in the growth in size is possibly going to absorb any preformance benefit.



Clickable link that zooms in http://thehuwaldtfamily.org/jtrl/vehicle_data/Fighters/Lockheed%20Martin/Lockheed%20P-38%20Lightning%20Cutaway.jpg
 
Putting the turbo close to the engine may present problems. Exhaust gas temperature going into the turbine blades was a problem and the existing turbos and engines may have been just below the critical temperature with several feet of exhaust pipe exposed to cooling air before the the hot gas hit the turbine blades. Hotter gas may mean turbine blade failure and turbine blade failure does NOT mean the turbo stops working, it means turbine blades (or pieces) leave the turbine at very high velocity (many US aircraft had steel "scatter" shields installed near the turbines), at some point the turbine becomes un-balanced and the turbine bearing/s can fail. Please remember that the turbine is operating at 1200-1300 degrees F and spinning at around 22,000 rpm at/near full throttle.
The exposure of the turbine blades to the slipstream air in "most" installations ( the P-47 being one of the few exceptions, and how much of the airflow through the ducts was was cooling purposes?) is another indication that cooling the turbine was more important than the last degree of "streamlining/drag reduction".
 
Also, if the turbo is right behind the engine you will need space to duct the air to the compressor inlet, and you also have to have the space to dump the exhaust overboard.

I am visualising the turbo's axis being parallel to the crank.

If it was positioned perpendicular, then its the diameter of the turbo that is adding to the length, and you will be dumping exhaust into the air headed for the radiator.
 
Major redesign of P-51 to accommodate a turbo - front or back. CG trade off issues and ultimate performance degradation of a drag compromised fuselage to accommodate intake inlets is probably the reason no prototype contracts were ever secured.
 

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