Anyone tryed to use a CT-26?

[Ezzo]

Ive got a spare CT-26 from my friends MR2 he updated with gt28rs. I know you can have the JGS manifold flanged for a CT-26 so im just curious if anyone has used one on there ka-t setup?

I'll only be aiming for the 250whp at most range, so I'm in mind for a smaller and faster spooling compressor. I tryed to find a compressor map for it but toyota never made one public.

[WDRacing]

We had a member awhile back use one. Its not a bad little turbo, like you said though, not for high power. But a decent no lag low boost setup would be fine.

WD

[Ezzo]

nice, thanks for the reply, I didn't know if it was a common option for low power setups. It usually is for Toyotas. And since jgs offered it as a flange type for there manifold I thought maybe I'm not the first to think of it. I can allways get it flanged for the ct-26 then get an adapter plate for about 10$ if I ever want to goto a T3 type.

[WDRacing]

Cutting a flange and having a new one put on is easy if you wanted to upgrade later. The CT26 was good for 20 PSI on the MR2...

[Ezzo]

Yeah, only worry I have is since toyota never released a compressor map for it I don't want to have a blow dryer at 20psi. I'm more curious of CFM than PSI. It comes in a few "stages" of trims that a few MR2 and Celica tuning companys offer also but there in the 600+ range, and for that I woulden't bother with the CT lol. I just found some more information on using it. Some people said you have to clock the compressor housing. So ill, see how everything works out and I'll keep everyone posted on the results.

[WDRacing]

Your avatar kills me man...

[S13FX]

Dude Im sorry to thread jack, but WD I love your sig woot woot.

[Ezzo]

hahaha everyone says that. Thanks. I try to brighten everyones days with my avatar choices

[95240mjm]

I have that exact setup! I am running a ct 26 with a straight mani. I have a custom 3 in downpipe and a frontmount. i also have an hks ssqc bov. at 6psi i ran 223 at the wheels. all i have is a safc neo. ill get some pics of my setup for you if you want. lmkmike

[Ezzo]

That would be amazing, How are you pleased with the NEO? I was reading a lot about it and thinking about it, all of the new options sound really nice. Post up as many pics or info on you'r setup that you would like.

Edit: are you using the twin entery CT-26 from the MR2 or the Single from the Celica and Supra?
Modified by Ezzo at 6:14 PM 3/9/2007

[95240mjm]

i am using the twin(mr2) turbo. i also have 370's with a walbro 255. i am very pleased with the neo(im prob gonna get an enthalpy also when i upgrade to the t03/04) i had to fab a downpipe and i have hks elbow off the turbo. i bought the mani with the turbo already custom made for the ct 26. ill get pics up 2morrow. and the neo does live up to its ratings. if you know someone with a good t03 mani for the 95 ka w/an external wastegate flange do you?

[gaehrings13]

I have a jgs one, if your interested I can let it go for 150 plus 15shipped... email me at [email protected] or call me at 786-286-1738 if i don't pick up just leave a message with your number.

[95240mjm]

heres the link to my photoshop for the pics of my setuphttp://adobe.kodakgallery.com/...&Ux=0

[Ezzo]

looks pretty good, do you have the water lines hooked up for the compressor or did you cap them off? Have you been dyno'ed any idea of how much you're making off of it? im not sure if I like the placement of the flange though. the JGS pic on the site looks like it's flanged at the number 1 exhaust port, I know bad for flow but good for clearance. Hmmm.... this is a head scratcher. im not too sure if I like the idea of having to use the elbow right out of the compressor ither.

[95240mjm]

i had to remove my a/c(sucks!!!) i dyno'ed at 223 hp at the wheels and 221 torque on 5 psi.
Modified by 95240mjm at 3:12 PM 3/11/2007

[Ezzo]

thats not bad at all for 5psi... actually really nice. Howcome you had to remove the AC?

[sicride]

I'm SOHC with a CT26 (Celica/Supra single inlet style). 12 psi and SAFCII tune I put down 18x whp... While that sounds low I trapped 104mph, so I think I'm actually putting down a little more. It had blown oil seals and boost leaks and crappy rediculous unkown distributor timing.

I think they're fine turbo's just from what I hear the oil seals blowing is quite common.

[Ezzo]

Thanks for the input, and your setup sounds pretty nice. I hear SOHC are pretty responsive compared to the DOHC ka-t's. Ive been part of the toyota community for the past few years so it's been a common turbo for all of us, always good things about it. I'm going to ask around the MR2 and Celica turbo guys if I can clock the compressor housing to fit rite, I don't want to loose my AC and I don't like putting an elbow at the compressor outlet.

How about longevity of your ka-t how long have you been running on it? daily driven?

[sicride]

As of right now, the issues with my car are unknown. I believe most of my issues are to do with the oil seals in the turbo. I have only owned the car since last April and drove it rather frequently this summer putting on probably near 6,000 miles. Issues I've had are blown fuses, broken bolts on the turbine discharge (bad motor mounts to blame), and sticking throttle cable (2% throttle shown on SAFC off-throttle).

As far as the engine goes, I see no problems though it was freshly rebuilt less than 12k miles ago and the previous owner reports head gasket issues. I believe this is due to a poor rebuild and perhaps not decking the head after a headgasket failure resulted in the previous engine failure.

I would say if you were worried about things, get new ARP head studs and head gasket and do the install right the engine should take it very well for many miles. Up to around 15psi, which although some will say 20psi is capable on the CT26 from what I've read 15psi is as far as you can push it while still being efficient.

[sicride]

Also, I've been considering upgrading to a T3 set up. I would consider letting my log manifold, (blown) turbo, and downpipe go if the price is right. Let me know if you're interested, atleast then you would have the basics of the kit and a back up turbo you could rebuild or upgrade to the 60-1 incase the seals fail on your other turbo.

Make me an offer and we can discuss.

[Ezzo]

Yeah reliability is my main concern with the KA-T build. I'm not looking to go more than 10psi on the ct-26. Since it's my first KA-T I want to take it slow that way I know where my expectations lead and I'm not jumping head first into it. My first build was a 5sfte... it's a celica/MR2 NA engine.... they are not made to do anything but 25mpg so safety in good parts and a good tune are paramount. I'm bringing those values to the KA. Planning for the worst and Expecting for the best.

[sicride]

10psi sounds good on 370cc injectors or so. I'm running 550's and they are a little tooo much. lol

Nobody will tell you that the KA-T is the most reliable setup. Though it's failure rate seems to be entirely random. They are usually quite old engines and there could be something goin on you are not aware of. It seems they either fail in the first month or so or run forever.

What most people here WILL tell you is that careful installation and proper tuning/supporting mods will assure reliability, as I'm sure you well know.

[Ezzo]

Yeah I have 2 KA24DE's one siting in my 91' and one 93' spare atm, I know the spare is a perfect engine almost with great compression numbers on all 4. but it's been siting for a wile so I may rebuild that with my spare time. I plan to do a series of tests on the cooling system, by pressure testing it, dyeing and checking for any problems with it. Compression testing the engine. Vac and electrical also. If im not happy anywhere I'll fix it before I go ahead slapping parts on. I just want to have a good kit and series of ideas ready when I go ahead.

Currently I'm looking into all of the safety systems, I don't feel the need to put in after market rods for 250hp. the 500$ it would cost to get them can buy me a few sets of OEM rods and shot peening. Maybe my mind or opinion will change somewhere down the line once I have more hands on with the KA's limits. Like you said with the complete randomness of peoples success rate on the KA-T I'll just narrow down to what's the weakest point of the system. My problem is finding the middle ground between Cost, efficiency, and reliability.

I like the CT-26 because it's internally wastgated, Water cooled and quick spooling to fit my needs. I'm also looking into cheaper Water Injection systems, some of the 3sgte guys on my celica forum have had tons of success with a basic WI system (around 200$) combined with the ct-26. Now thats my tossup for cooling my intake air, since it's an already water cooled compressor is my best option for cooling going to be WI (which also effectively up's my octane number and inhibits knock) or to use that 200$ for an intercooler setup? I'm just trying to think outside of the box a little bit.

Computer tuning is another complete topic that we can get into if you want but ill probably make a thread about it in a few weeks once I've read more on the topic and feel educated enough to seek the help I know I'll need lol.

Edit: ill get back to you on the mani soon I'm just settling into my new joband paying back my school loans but I should have some free money in the next few weeks.
Modified by Ezzo at 1:49 PM 3/13/2007

[95240mjm]

i have blown oil seals on my 26 too, it has caused smoking, idle problems, and ive had to have it tuned twice(gettin it back tomorrow from the shop) it runs strong on 5-6 psi(i also have boosting problems too) but i feel with a rebuild it will be very strong and reliable. i am too upgrading to a t3(just got it today, now all i need is a mani with a t3 flange) so i too will be selling my ct 26 setup, ill let you know when i get it all on and ill post up pics too!!! i had to disconnect my a/c because the downpipe was hitting the line so i just disconnected it till i get another downpipe!!!

[sicride]

Well 95240mjm we also have one other option which is likely cheaper. Unless you want to go with a tubular manifold, buying a T3 flange is relatively cheap and I know that JGS provides them as well. I have found them for about 30-40$. Pay someone another 20-30 to have them cut the CT26 flange off and weld the T3 on and you have your T3 manifold for less than 100$. Worth a consideration, and I may well do this if the setup doesn't sell before I decide to upgrade to T3.

[Ezzo]

Any reason your switching to a t3 from the ct? Simply for more power? or is there something wrong with the ct-26 that you don't like?

[sicride]

I don't like the idea of blowing oil seals frequently. I'm not sure how confident I am to replace the oil seals on the CT26 myself, though I have read many articles on how to do it. I also don't feel my 300whp goal is going to be an easy task for the CT26, probably can be done but again probably not easily. The T3 50 trim seems to be fair in the lag department and will easily yield 300whp and possibly more with the rest of my setup.

Those are my only reasons. I don't have enough experience with the CT26 to HONESTLY have an opinion of whether or not it is a good turbo. My lag problems could be issues of multiple things, from the oil leak being so severe it has fouled plugs, or the fact that my distributor timing remains unknown but assumebly rediculous and poorly effecting my lag.