My new GT28R nightmare (and a question at the end)

[JNM240]

Alright, so if anyone here remembers, i dropped my CA in my 1990 coupe last october, went through all kinds of running problems. Had to replace the wastegate actuator and blow off valve, both were leaking vacuum. Finally fixed the running problems to about 95% perfect. Good enough, in fact, to drive from New Orleans to Houston for my dad's 60th birthday at the end of April.

Well, during that trip, the turbo began going out. The center bearing began whining its @$$ off. So i used my economic stimulas check to purchase a new GT28R turbo, even spent another $120 in new gaskets (Cometic exhaust manifold gasket, and a real nifty compressor outlet adapter that has a vacuum nipple built into it). Getting the old turbo out was difficult enough with the engine in the bay, putting this (much) larger turbo in is even harder. Just trying to line the coolant lines up with the turbo already on the manifold was a nightmare. I had to remove the brake master cylinder in order to get the turbo/manifold/elbow assembly into place. I have the SSAC tubular manifold, which sits the turbo down a little bit from stock, and now the compressor side is sitting directly on the drivers side motor mount. I still havent finished the install, so i dont know if its going to rattle on it or not yet.

My question is, what would it hurt to stack a washer or two between the top of the mount and the motor bracket to make it sit a little higher?

[stevespeed]

It probably would be fine, I honestly dont know, but it may put a bit of stress on your drive shaft, by tilting yours mission, but I drove my car with a broken transmission mount for months and it didnt seem to hurt anything.

[The_Chosen_One]

Why not just stick with the OEM manifold? Trust me with the GT28R switching from OEM to Tubular wasnt that great, with the tubular my boosting went from 2200rpms to 2700rpms, and with a turbo that small you wont benefit from the tubular design.

I had more headaches and modifications that needed to be done to make the SSAC manifold work. With the OEM I just had to modify the downpipe so that it wouldnt rub the frame rail.

My setup used to be GT28R with OEM or Tubular. I likec OEM better. Now Im with a GT-R T28 and its a little more fun.

[float_6969]

IMHO, the ONLY advantage the SSAC mani has over the stock mani is that it makes taking the turbo on and off much easier. Other than that, I don't think it has any real advantages. The stocker would be much better at reducing reversion and AFAIK, the SSAC mani has never proven to flow any more than the stock manifold in the higher RPM's, and it DEFINITELY decreases the spool time by about 500rpm.

If I were to do it again, I'd get the stocker extrude honed and swain coated and call it a day.

[r34 gtr]

I'm using the stock manifold with the gt28 too. Its a huge pain to take off and put back on, but you get used to it. I usually just get drunk with some buddies and we all take turns complaining about how impossible it is. After a few tries you remember how to do it, and it doesn't take all that long. I'm using the stock oil and coolant lines, which I'm sure is making everything tougher. Four years and no problems though!

[JNM240]

I am also using stock oil and coolant lines, which i had to bend to make work (no big deal). I had to clock the turbo about 5 degrees, and now my oil drain tube points away from the oil pan (annoying, but i can fix it).

I did use 2 large flat washers between the motor mount and the mount bracket, and so far it works great. I now have 1/4" clearance between the compressor side and the motor mount. We'll see once i get her running wether or not it rattles.

[superJoy]

I have an SSAC too and I'd MUCH rather have OEM, never should have put the piece of crap on in the first place. So close to the BMC and fits so crappy, more trouble than it's worth by all means. I wanna get my OEM reinstalled sometime soon

SR turbo is laggy enough as is on a CA, losing 500rpm of spoolup is straight retarded on street car, and like float said, no one has proven ANY substantial benefits from the design of the SSAC mani other than that it fits like suck and makes it easy to get the turbo off. But it's not like I had any troubles getting the OEM off when I swapped 'em out so whatever.

End rant

[r34 gtr]

Didn't Tomei make a stainless copy of the original manifold because they said it was the best design? I'll see if I can find it.

[bentvalves]

to the thread starter I have a tubular manifold with an s15 t28 and the compressor housing also sat on the motor mount.

My solution was to remove the motor mount, and using a cutoff wheel cut away the portion of the mount that interferes with turbo.

[ca18detgabby]

you get used to it. I usually just get drunk with some buddies and we all take turns

not sure if float will approve of that