Turbo Idea

[bandunga64]

Hi everyone. After extensive research I am going to start collecting the parts for my turbo kit. I am looking for low psi to start. Probably around 5 p.s.i. I have only like 1500-2000 dollars. Here is what is on my list:

T3 turbo out of a z31(good or bad idea?)realnissan manifoldvortech 8:1 fmuwalbro fuel pumpstock injectorsno intercooler for nowboost gaugecustom downpipeand all oil fittings

Does this seem like all I will need for now. Once again I'm only getting started. I will add more as I have the funds.A few questions though:

1. I heard the internal wastegate on the Z31 is set to 9.5 p.s.iIs this true? If so I will need an external wastegate to keep the boost pressure down correct?2. Are my fuel upgrades enough for the amount of boost I want?3. Do I really need the intercooler? If so I will have to use a used one, any suggestions?

[encasemyheart]

Hi everyone. After extensive research I am going to start collecting the parts for my turbo kit. I am looking for low psi to start. Probably around 5 p.s.i. I have only like 1500-2000 dollars. Here is what is on my list:

T3 turbo out of a z31(good or bad idea?)realnissan manifoldvortech 8:1 fmuwalbro fuel pumpstock injectorsno intercooler for nowboost gaugecustom downpipeand all oil fittings

Does this seem like all I will need for now. Once again I'm only getting started. I will add more as I have the funds.A few questions though:

1. I heard the internal wastegate on the Z31 is set to 9.5 p.s.iIs this true? If so I will need an external wastegate to keep the boost pressure down correct?2. Are my fuel upgrades enough for the amount of boost I want?3. Do I really need the intercooler? If so I will have to use a used one, any suggestions?

Alot of people have used the z31 turbo for starting off with success, it's a solid turbo, just make sure to rebuild if necessary before putting it onto your car.

1.) I don't know the psi of the z31 turbo, but you won't need an external, it alreday has an internal gate to control boost, you just need to buy/make a boost controller to change the boost, but keep in mind, you CANNOT make the boost lower than stock, only higher.

2.) The fuel upgrades look alright, but kinda risky. With that setup you probably shouldn't run more than 7psi.

3.) With no intercooler I wouldn't run more than 5-6 psi, max. It gets risky after that, plus the fuel mods I don't think will be enough for more than 7 or so psi. There isn't really a reason to not run an intercooler, even if it's not a FMIC you are starting with, you could pick up a very cheap DSM SMIC to get you started and as a little insurance. Also, see #2.

My recommendation is to not run more than 5-6psi with that setup until you get new injectors and fuel management and an intercooler. After that you can probably pull 12psi or less.

[AceInhole]

One thing about the z31 turbo is that I think the wastegate valve is built into the turndown/ O2 pipe. Might want to make sure you can accomodate that turndown when mounting the turbine housing.

1.) I don't know the psi of the z31 turbo, but you won't need an external, it alreday has an internal gate to control boost, you just need to buy/make a boost controller to change the boost, but keep in mind, you CANNOT make the boost lower than stock, only higher.

Actually, you CAN make the boost lower than stock. A little creativity spawned this up: http://www.denverspeed.com/wastegates.html

Quote »3.) With no intercooler I wouldn't run more than 6-7 psi, max. It gets risky after that, plus the fuel mods I don't think will be enough for more than 7 or so psi. There isn't really a reason to not run an intercooler, even if it's not a FMIC you are starting with, you could pick up a very cheap DSM SMIC to get you started and as a little insurance. [/quote] Yeah... I wouldn't even go over 4 psi (even THAT's a stretch) without an IC. It doesn't matter how efficient your turbo is: you're heating up the air in the intake A LOT. The DSM 1G intercooler is a good recommendation, although it takes some cutting to fit.Here's how it fits in my car:http://www.engr.uconn.edu/~cor...p.jpgh ... or...r.jpg

Anyways, good luck with the setup!! You say you want 5psi.... but knowing you can get 6, then 7... is VERY dangerous!

[SloS13]

you can get cheap SMIC's off ebay for dirt cheap. i think the z31 turbo runs like 6 or 7psi stock. not sure though.

im gathering together parts for a kit too

[encasemyheart]

hehe...I learn something new every day, I didn't know about a wastegate mod like that short of just replacing the entire wastegate actuator.

So will the z31 turbo (a t3) bolt up to any garrett manifold designed for a t3/t4 hybrid?

[bandunga64]

Thanks for the help guys. I'm guessin it would be a good idea to get the intercooler. I'm thinking either a starion intercooler or the DSM one. Which one would be easier to install?Also, I'm on a budget though so what would you say some good prices for the things on my list would be?

[bandunga64]

Do you think that 1500 dollars would be enough to create this setup?

[encasemyheart]

The starion would be easier, less piping you have to connect etc. You just go from turbo out a little to one side of the intercooler, and then the other side is positioned close to the throttle body so just another small lenght of pipe. It's not that simple but alot easier than a SMIC.

I think you can do it for under $1500, assuming you don't spend too much on the turbo.

T3 turbo out of a z31(good or bad idea?) $150 (?)realnissan manifold $450, if not you can find a mani for $450vortech 8:1 fmu $150walbro fuel pump $100stock injectors $0starion intercooler $125boost gauge $50 with mounting pillarcustom downpipe $150 (?)and all oil fittings + misc parts $300Bosch/1G DSM blow off valve $25

= $1500.00

It can be cheaper if you get a turbo boss ebay manifold which usually run $400 and get a deal on the turbo and intercooler. Look around and you should be able to get it for under $1500 total. But you also need intercooler piping keep in mind.

[AceInhole]

The starion would be easier, less piping you have to connect etc. You just go from turbo out a little to one side of the intercooler, and then the other side is positioned close to the throttle body so just another small lenght of pipe. It's not that simple but alot easier than a SMIC.

Maybe it's just me.... but have you looked at a starion IC recently?? The outlets are on top, and for that matter, even when cut, one will be facing the wrong way.

I stole a quick pic off an ebay auction:http://ebay2.ipixmedia.com/abc...1.JPG (sorry to whoever's auction it is)

The only application I've seen a starion in a 240sx was in an S13, and the endtanks had to be modified to place the inlet/ outlet on the side of the endtank instead of the top. I'm actually waiting to hear from a guy I met last sunday at the autoX about a Starion FMIC for $50... which I actually plan on having the endtanks modified, so trust me when I say it won't be any easier than the SMIC.

Also, I posted pics of the SMIC, the exact SMIC suggested, and how it could be fit into the fender well. The piping for it pretty much follows the stock route, with a couple extra bends to the IC, then the IC to the turbo, everything stays in the engine bay. All you need are some metal sheers and willingness to do some cutting.

A couple pics of the way the SMIC piping goes can be found here, I hope it helps a bit:http://www.engr.uconn.edu/~cor...smic/

Also, here's a link to the budget for my turbo project, including pretty much every small detail: http://www.engr.uconn.edu/~cor...t.txt

One thing that I forgot to mention is that you WILL be needing a new clutch. At about 4psi even a slightly "tougher" 240z clutch starts to slip (this happened on my friend's '97 turbo KA which can be found at http://www.jmcn.com)

[encasemyheart]

Good lord, is that how much you spent or how much you are budgeting to spend??!?! case in point, the 370cc injectors, usually those don't go for a penney under $150+shipping, a $200 manifold? WHERE!!?! Please let me in on these and I will save ALOT on my setup.

And what welding did you need to do for that budget? Downpipe I assume, it looks like you have the connectors for the intercooler piping. And did you just weld the oil pan for the oil return line?

And about the intercooler, I'm used to having something custom built or as a kit so it fits perfectly, so the FMIC has slightly easier piping, but in that case, the SMIC would be just as easy, but why not spend the extra $20 on a FMIC from the start? Why did you go with the DSM intercooler? Oh and BTW, if you want a really good SMIC for that sleeper look or whatever, take a look at the MKIV intercooler, that thing is huge!! It was a very good upgrade for the 2g DSM SMIC.

[AceInhole]

Good lord, is that how much you spent or how much you are budgeting to spend??!?! case in point, the 370cc injectors, usually those don't go for a penney under $150+shipping, a $200 manifold? WHERE!!?! Please let me in on these and I will save ALOT on my setup.

That's how much I spent. All it takes is patience. I spent about a year or so obtaining all the parts, so I didn't need to rush to find anything above what I wanted to spend.I sort of got lucky on the injectors. Got them from Escaflowne on Freshalloy.com when he upgraded. They were actually on the 2nd or 3rd page when I saw the thread advertising them, and shot him an e-mail just in case they were still for sale. He sold them for $65 + $10 shipping. I had a friend weld up the manifold using a manifold flange made by Hotshot. We did a group buy and got 5 at $50 each. It's made out of weld els from http://www.mcmaster.com. My oil lines are also from there.I actually met a cool guy that parts out Nissans a lot and has some 300zx's and 240sx's. Might be able to get a set of injectors if he's willing to part the engine out on the TT z32 also. I'll PM you tomorrow if I find anything out on that.

Quote »And what welding did you need to do for that budget? Downpipe I assume, it looks like you have the connectors for the intercooler piping. And did you just weld the oil pan for the oil return line?[/quote] The welding was just the manifold and the downpipe. Real easy stuff. I had the downpipe made at a Monroe shop, and had them do it "off the books". Cheaper for me, more money to pocket for them.

Quote »And about the intercooler, I'm used to having something custom built or as a kit so it fits perfectly, so the FMIC has slightly easier piping, but in that case, the SMIC would be just as easy, but why not spend the extra $20 on a FMIC from the start? [/quote]At the time I bought the IC (a year ago) I couldn't really find an FMIC that cheap. Didn't get a good deal untill now.

Quote »Why did you go with the DSM intercooler? Oh and BTW, if you want a really good SMIC for that sleeper look or whatever, take a look at the MKIV intercooler, that thing is huge!! It was a very good upgrade for the 2g DSM SMIC. [/quote] I went with the DSM because they're extremely cheap. Go onto dsmtrader.com and you can find all sorts of stuff cheap from people upgrading or returning to stock. I had the chance to get the MKIV intercooler for $80, but I didn't like it. The DSM 1g intercooler barely fits into the fender as it is.