My turbo idea

[StrangeLove]

I am going to turbo my KA. I am not looking for high boost at all, I doubt I'll ever go past 5psi. So far here is my plan:

Run a non-intercooled turbo at 3-4 psi. I am not looking for high hp numbers, I just want something more than stock. Oh ya, I want to do this as cheap as possible, money is a factor.

- Exhaust Manifold -

http://www.jgstools.com/turbo/stg1thk.html

My uncle is a professional welder, one of the best in my area. So I have that covered. Unless I can find a cheap used manifold, I'll be going with the jgs kit.

- Turbo -

Right now I'm open to ideas. I am considering going with a z31 turbo incase I ever decide to install an intercooler.

- Downpipe -

I'm also going to get this custom made, and it will most likely be leading to my stock exhaust.

- Intake -

Going to make this as well, should be easy enough. No problems here.

I guess thats about it. I didn't mention the little things, they are self explanitory. Any tips will be great, thanks.

[IveBeenBad]

My main tip.... get a friggin intercooler.

You can find them VERY cheap, and cheap insurance is the best insurance.

[daniel240]

so what is your fuel setup? all you will need is an fmu for that low of boost. and you can get a smic for very cheap at a junkyard or ebay. i got mine for $30.

[MikeMurphy]

FYI you probably wont be happy with the gains bro. Just an exhaust and proper IC will likely add another 30-40% on your gains.

[honda_eater]

its good to hear someone else with more modest goals similar to mine

[StrangeLove]

I MIGHT go with a smic, depending on how difficult the plumbing is. I have been searching for half an hour trying to get some info on piping for an smic. Can anyone help me out with that? Thanks

About the downpipe, I just realized that it will need a place to put the o2 sensor, is there a place where I can buy this? Also, is there a place where I can buy flanges? I am starting to think that I may need to buy a premade downpipe...

Oh ya, did I mention that my budget is around $850...

All the parts I need are starting to add up quick...

[StrangeLove]

Ok, I've made up my mind, and there is no changing it. Here is what I am going to do:

I'm going to run a non-intercooled turbo at 3 psi. Like I said before, I'm not looking for huge gains, just something modest. When I have saved up enough money, I will install a smic, new injectors, fuel pump, etc. But, for now, I'm sticking with my low boost setup.

[ftrs13]

aight, dude just throw an intercooler in.

I got mine for 30 bucks, and it wasnt too hard to install

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/~shersman/pics.html

[andrave]

for side mount intercooler piping look at a stock sr20's.

with an FMU I'd want a new fuel pump, and if you are buying a new one you might as well spend 60 bucks and get a smaller walbro that you can keep as you upgrade. for the o2 sensor you can just get a nut and weld it in.

[WDRacing]

http://www.summitracing.com has O2 bungs you can order, road race engineering has every flange in the world you can buy, Summit also has madrel bends you can buy to piece together you IC setup. All you'll need is some silicone hose, or just buy a 2 inch radiator hose from ACE hardaware and use it to connect all the piping. So with the bends from summit and the flanges from RRE you'll need to have your welder hook up the mani and downpipe and you'll need a hack saw to make your intercooler piping. Very easy to do...3-4 psi should be ok with stock injectors. I suggest backing off your timing 1-2 degree's just for safety. Atleast until the IC is done.

For someone who wants to do things wicked cheap, you might consider building your own water injection kit, you can build one for pretty cheap, the most expensive thing will be a Hobbs Switch from Napa/Autozone whatever. Its basically gonna spray a water mist into the engine via a small nozzle. But It will kill detonation real well. Shoot me an email if you need help with anything along these lines. I'm pretty good at shade tree racing.

[email protected]

WD

[StrangeLove]

Holy crap fine! I'll go with an intercooler!!

I'm compiling a list right now, get everything organized, I'll keep you guys updated.

[andrave]

if you mist water into it you need to make sure you get sprinklers that sprinkle more than your boosting... otherwise it won't work... if that makes sense.

[WDRacing]

I have no idea what you talking about bro, and I've built tons of these things...lol.

[j-z]

for $850 you can do alot more than that. im not bragging or anything but i will be running a $850 setup with a nice 20g turbo, nice sized front mount, all 2.25'' mandrel bent aluminum intercooler piping, dsm bov, tial wg, inline pump, JR fmu, all gauges, stainless jgs log kit, 3'' mandrel bent dp, all oil lines and flanges. if you search hard enough you can find all parts youll need for a nice setup. what ive gathered will allow me to put down around 250 whp safely all day. now if only i can get the mani and wg ill be set. if youre not in a rush just sit back and make it worth your while to do something so extensive to your car. my .02

[StrangeLove]

Well, thing is, I'm not sure what condition my engine is in. It doesn't burn oil, or anything like that. I bought it from a dealer, so I have no idea how it was taken care of. I do know that it only had one owner before it came to the dealer.

You are right though, the good deals are out there.

I should take it abit slower...

I think before I do anything, I should find a job, hahaha... :help

[j-z]

youre not the only one in that boat to check the condition of your motor do a cylinder leak down test.

[daniel240]

my piping for my smic was easy. it just consisted of a few 90 bends. there are pics of it on my site. for the O2 sensor, you can uscrew the bung out of you stock manifold. just drill a hole in your downpipe and weld that in.

[ftrs13]

j-z you must be getting one hell of a deal on all that. I put together my kit for 1000 and have nothing that nice. Ill be upgrading over time, and probably end up around 2000 when all is said and done.