First time Turbo

[Versa Breakout]

I just got my Versa last week from a salvage yard, and I absolutely love it. I have plans of getting into this car this winter so I have something to work on, on the side. I have about $3000 to throw at the car, and I'm thinking I'd like to put a turbo on it. I've always wanted a small car like this with some nuts. But, I've never messed around with turbos or anything like that, I mostly worked with carburated engines. So, I'm wonder what you guys would suggest in terms of a turbo. I don't want to blow all 3 grand, but I still want a kit that will last me.

[1_Sleek_Versa]

I would suggest building the engine before simply tossing a turbo on the stock engine. That's just my opinion.

Running our little 1.8 with 6-8 psi without building the engine will not be a set-up that will last.

[blindsnyper]

you will waste your money these engine will not handle a turbo

[2dr_sentra]

The 1.8 should be able to handle 7psi, the plastic intake manifold is the only flaw. If you havent build motors or know anything about forced induction please read and do some research.

[1_Sleek_Versa]

"""The 1.8 should be able to handle 7psi,"""""

Should you take the risk???

[Red Devil]

Ok, No. Put all the stupid wings on it you want. Spending money on a platform that doesnt have a dedicated turbo kit is expensive. Not to mention the Versa isnt a car that responds well to power adders.

If you've never done a turbo build, then you shouldnt even try it on a Versa much less any other car. You have to ease into it, not jump into it. Mess up one part of a fuel map and you have a blown engine. The Versa has only had 1 turbo kit made. It was a custom one-off. You probably will be hard pressed to find anything.

You only want to spend $3000? What you want to do with the car will put you well above your budget. I'm not trying to be mean. It's just that what you want to do with the money you are willing to spend isnt going to happen. Get something that'll be cheap if you break it. Dont get a Versa that isnt accepting to mods and will put you over-budget.

[Jemdawg]

If it is a 6 speed, then go for it. It's definitely feasible but you should take your time and expect a total bill around $7000. You'll have to upgrade the clutch for sure and possibly the entire transmission if you want it to last. The fuel system and fuel pump will probably have to be upgraded because you will need to push a lot of fuel to the engine with a turbo otherwise you'll lean out and stall a lot. You'll need gauges to monitor all of your parameters, and most of the piping will probably have to be custom bent, since there is no kit for the Versa. If this is your first custom kit, make friends with someone who works on turbo kits a lot, they will probably help out a lot. I'd say the kit alone, with the turbo and intercooler, will cost around $4500-$5000. Remember, you need a BOV, wastegate, possibly a vacuum block, and a bunch of other goodies, if you want to do it correctly. Make sure you know the extent of the work you're getting into. You'll have to tap into the oil pan if you're going with an oil cooled turbo, and you'll have to install the new exhaust manifold, which will also have to be custom to lead to the turbo. It is a lot of work, and will probably take at least a month of careful planning to ensure you have no boost leaks. You'll also need a new exhaust and a new intake.

[Versa Breakout]

I've changed my mind on the turbo situation... I mean, I could have my dad help me with it because hes retired now, but I'm guessing he'd rather just not mess with it.

I'm thinking of adding the fallowing to boost it just a bit.

Ram air kitThrottle BodyImproved HeaderNew exhaust systemImproved fuel pumpTunner kitand then tinker with the suspension a bit.

That, and I'm thinking of just turning it into a project car over the summer so I have more time to mess with it.

BTW, no, I'd rather not put a whale tail on it, or an erector set. Just sticking to a tasteful little fin that fits the car. That and probably a body kit thats not totally retarded looking.Oh, and lambo doors! lol, j/k

[biggie]

I suggest a whole lot of researching and searching on here.

Its apparent you aren't use to any of this and need to read up and learn as much as possible before starting.

[Red Devil]

Seriously? Dont do it on a Versa. Get an older car, one that you can pick up for $1000-$4000 and dont have to spend an arm and a leg on parts. As much as I hate to say it, older Honda Civics are perfect for begginners. Thats why you see so many ricers out there. They get into modifying but then stop and dont persue the next level of modification i.e. engine swaps, turbo kits, e.t.c.

[Vahagn23]

MMM if I had some money, id get an old civic to learn some mods. But i got no garage for it either, so if I take it apart and the car wont move then im ****ed.

[reyes1212]

I kinda hate coming on this thread anymore. When someone mentions turbo, everyone bashes the hell out of the Versa. There are people out there that may be able to do something cool to a Versa. Watch it happen and then all of the people who hate on the thought of a Versa having a turbo will have to eat the words you spoke before.

[Red Devil]

If someone wants to spend over $30,000 alltogether on a Versa to make it reasonably quick, they can. For that same amount of money you can go out and get a Mazdaspeed3 that comes with a turbo stock. I'm not saying it will never be done. Throw enough money at something and you can make anything fast. It's just not worth it.

Let's say you take a $13000 base Versa. Take all the mods to make it faster and handle better. Turbo kit, ECU, Tires, Coilovers, e.t.c. If you go for great parts and get someone else to do the tuning, you're looking at over $10000 or more.

Compare that to a used S2000 or a Mazdaspeed3 and it doesnt make sense to do all this to a Versa. A MS3 Sport cost $24000. I'm not telling anyone it wont happen eventually. Someone with a lot of money and too much time will attempt a full blown Versa build. It just doesnt make sense when, essentially, a similair vehicle can be had for less than the total cost of the build.

[#1Tango]

ive seen turbos in fits and yaris' along with superchargers... and it makes me think, y does everyone bash the versa for even the CONCEPT of having a turbo. i see other micro cars and i think... why not a versa? thats just my honest .2

[Skim302]

For that same amount of money you can go out and get a Mazdaspeed3 that comes with a turbo stock.

The MS3 is my dream car. As soon as I sell my V that's what I'm going to get. I was going to get a GTI but then I read into it more and realized the Speed3 eats GTIs and WRXs for breakfast.

[Red Devil]

Fits usually get swapped out with K20's

[raventare]

You CAN put a turbo on anything but you want to balance that with the rest of the car, like the brakes and suspension and as was mentioned the engine itself. If all you have is $3000, give up that idea and go with your second thought, suspension and a intake/exhaust combo. If you check online you will see a "body kit" that is "tasteful" will set you back more than $1000 (especially if you want it put on and painted) so here is a plan$1000 nismo 17" wheels w/ tires$1500 wing, front and rear valence, rocker panels...painted and installed$490 rear swaybar, front strut brace, springs$10 Go to the movies and see "The Day the Earth Stood Still" when you are finished

[Nismo V]

Save your money bro.. me and RedDevil don't agree on much but in this case it's a consensus, only having $3k to do a turbo and without any experience with adding a turbo is going to give you nothing but nightmares and issues with you car. Usually people that do this type of upgrade on their car have previous experience and basic fundamental knowledge as well.

It's not how fast you can get your car to go that counts but the quality of the work in your car that's most important, suspension, fuel pumps, manifold, ecu tuning, transmission are just a few of the things that will need to be worked on.

Here's a link to HP Performance they have proven custom turbo kits, http://www.hpperformance.com/default.htm but you'll also notice they don't sell kits for $3k though.

So think this through carefully hope you make the right call bro..

[Versa Breakout]

lol, well you'll all be glad to know I did the body work on the car and its in the front yard ready to be sold. Looking into a Toyota Matrix, or Focus. I only payed $6,500 for the car btw...

[Samyo]

The MS3 is my dream car. As soon as I sell my V that's what I'm going to get. I was going to get a GTI but then I read into it more and realized the Speed3 eats GTIs and WRXs for breakfast.

Go all the way and get an EVO VIII. Had a friend that had an 03' EVO VIII, bought used for 21,000, He put in 3,000, cams remap, bigger turbo, alcohol injection. It ran low 10's. If you just *have* to buy new, MS3 all the way baby. It handles so well, but I hate the top mount intercooler. FMIC would be my first project. I wouldn't recommend the EVO, but I know how you long to "eat" some other sports cars out there. With the Evo, it wouldn't even be a race.

And no Versa turbo... I know everyone just got the car but lets talk engine swaps already. The MR18 sucksssss.

[Jemdawg]

Engine swap, you say? What engine would you suggest? Keeping it street legal, of course.

[Red Devil]

The Versa shouldnt be swapped. The car has to have some more potential before you swap an engine. The Versa chassis wouldnt really hold up well to extra chassis flex and the like.

[Samyo]

Anything that you might feasibly swap into a Versa, an SR, CA, maybe even the MR20 from the Sentra, the SE-R version of course, won't exactly break your chassis in half from hot, nasty horsepower.. Where I live, there are *no* emissions regulations and no engine bay checks. We don't have smog tests. I could run around with an open exhaust, and at most, I might get a ticket for having an exhaust that was too loud. I would love to swap motors in mine. It will be a lot of work though, any swap will have to be a full powertrain swap, not these piecemeal swaps that can be done with 240s, i.e same driveshaft, rear end, etc... No, everything will be swapped. But the Versa really deserves a newer motor than the old S chassis'. Maybe something from Renault? I'm just crossing my fingers for an unbotched Silvia here in the states in 2010..

[Red Devil]

Once again, the cost to gain ratio wouldn't be worth it. You'll need custom fab work, tuning, e.t.c. because it really hasnt been done. Things like that cost A LOT of money. Just easier to get an older car and work with that.