DIY junkyard turbo kit

[undercnstrction]

have any of you guys done this or know anyone that has done it? i was reading through another forum that referred to it. it didn't get very specific other than mainly listing a TON of cars that came with factory turbos and stating that it's not a project for the timid. any ideas on the total costs involved in putting one of these together?

 

[faststang90]

a lot

i did a single and its not cheap and i was a carb. i did a single t-76 turbo.


BUICK GNX 87 3.8L GAR TB0348
BUICK Monte Carlo/Regal 78-83 3.8L carbed GAR TB0348
BUICK Riviera 80-85 3.8L GAR TB0308
BUICK Grand National/T-Type 86-87 3.8L (Intercooled) GAR TB0348 (TA48)
BUICK Trans Am 89 3.8L GAR TB0348 (water)
BUICK Century 78 3.8L GAR TB0301
BUICK Century 79 3.8L GAR TB0304
BUICK Century 80 3.8L GAR TB0308
GMC Syclone/Typhoon 4.3L Mitsu TDO6 17C/10cm2

CHRYSLER Conquest, Intercooled 87 2.6L MHI TD05
CHRYSLER Laser (Auto) 90-94 2.2L MHI TD04 13g
CHRYSLER Laser (Manual) 90-94 2.2L MHI TD05H 14b
CHRYSLER LeBaron 89-92 2.5L MHI TE04H
CHRYSLER LeBaron 88 2.5L MHI TE04H
CHRYSLER New Yorker 88 2.5L MHI TE04H
CHRYSLER New Yorker 84-87 2.2L GAR TB0335
CHRYSLER Town & Country 88 2.2L MHI TE04H
CHRYSLER Town & Country 84-87 2.2L GAR TB0335
CHRYSLER Charger/Shelby 87-90 2.2L GAR TB03 (water)
CHRYSLER Shelby CSX-Daytona/Baron GTC/Shadow ES 89-90 2.2L GAR TB03 VNT (variable nozzle)

DODGE 600 88 2.5L MHI TE04H
DODGE 600 85-87 2.2L GAR TB0335
DODGE Aries 88 2.2L MHI TE04H
DODGE Caravan 89-90 2.5L MHI TE04H
DODGE Conquest (Intercooled) 87 2.6L MHI TD05
DODGE Daytona 89-92 2.5L MHI TE04H
DODGE Daytona Shelby 88 2.2L MHI TE04H
DODGE Daytona Shelby 84-87 2.2L GAR TB0335
DODGE Lancer 89 2.5L MHI TE04H
DODGE Lancer 88 2.5L MHI TE04H
DODGE Lancer 85-87 2.2L GAR TB0335
DODGE Omni 85-87 2.2L GAR TB0335
DODGE Shadow 89-92 2.5L MHI TE04H
DODGE Shadow 88 2.5L MHI TE04H
DODGE Shadow 87 2.2L GAR TB0335
DODGE Spirit 89-92 2.5L MHI TE04H

EAGLE Talon (Manual) 90-94 2.0L MHI TD05H 14b
EAGLE Talon (Auto) 90-95 2.0L MHI TD04 13g
EAGLE Talon (Manual) 95-98 2.0L MHI T25 (45 trim)

FORD Mustang GT 85-86 2.3L GAR TB0344
FORD Mustang GT/T-bird 83-84 GAR (AiR) TB0344
FORD Probe GT 88-92 2.2L IHI RHB52W
FORD T-Bird 85-86 2.3L (auto) GAR (AiR) TB0344 (45 trim oil only)
FORD T-Bird 85-86 2.3L (Manual) GAR (AiR) TB03 60 trim (watercooled)
FORD T-Bird 87-88 (water) IHI RHB52
FORD Fiesta 90+ 1.6L GAR T2
FORD Escort 84-86 IHI RHB5

MAZDA 626, MX6 88-92 2.2L IHI RHB52W
MAZDA 323 GTX turbo 88-89 1.6L IHI RHB52W (water)

MERCEDES 300D, SDT, TD 78-84 3.0L GAR TA0301
MERCEDES 300SDL 78-83 3.0L GAR TA0301
MERCEDES 300SDL (Calif.) 86-87 3.0L GAR TB0359

MERCURY Capri 85-86 2.3L GAR TB0344
MERCURY Cougar 85-86 2.3L GAR TB0344
MERKUR XR4Ti 85-88 2.3L GAR TB0344

MITSUBISHI Eclipse (Auto) 90-94 2.2L MHI TD04 13g
MITSUBISHI Eclipse (Manual) 90-94 2.2L MHI TD05H 14b
MITSUBISHI Eclipse (Manual) 95-98 2.0L MHI T25 (45 trim)
MITSUBISHI Galant (Manual) 88-94 2.2L MHI TD05H
MITSUBISHI Starion (Intercooled) 85-87 2.6L MHI TD05

PLYMOUTH Acclaim 89-92 2.5L MHI TE04H
PLYMOUTH Caravelle 88 2.5L MHI TE04H
PLYMOUTH Caravelle 85-87 2.2L GAR TB0335
PLYMOUTH Conquest, Intercooled 85-89 2.6L MHI TD05
PLYMOUTH Laser (Auto) 89-94 2.0L MHI TD04
PLYMOUTH Laser (Manual) 89-94 2.0L MHI TD05H
PLYMOUTH Sundance 89-92 2.5L MHI TE04H
PLYMOUTH Sundance 88 2.5L MHI TE04H
PLYMOUTH Sundance 87 2.2L GAR TB0335
PLYMOUTH Voyager 89-90 2.5L MHI TE04H

PONTIAC Sunbird GT 88-90 2.0L GAR T2
PONTIAC Sunbird GT 84-86 1.8L GAR T2
PONTIAC Grand Prix 89-90 3.1L GAR T25 (water)

SAAB 9000 (16V Intercooled) 87-88 2.0L GAR TB0356
SAAB 900 (16V Intercooled) 87 2.0L GAR TB0339 (Oilcld)
SAAB 900 (16V Intercooled) 84-86 2.0L GAR TB0339 (Oilcld)
SAAB 9000 (16V Intercooled) 85-86 2.0L GAR TB0343
SAAB 900 (8V, APC) 82-84 2.0L GAR TB0321

VOLVO 200 82-84 2.3L GAR TB0313
VOLVO 740 89-93 2.3L MIT TD04H
VOLVO 740 87-89 2.3L MIT TD05
VOLVO 760 89-93 2.3L MIT TD04H
VOLVO 760 87-89 2.3L MIT TD05
VOLVO 780 85-87 2.3L GAR TB0363
VOLVO 780 90 2.3L MIT TD04H
VOLVO 780 87-89 2.3L MIT TD05
VOLVO 940 91-93 2.3L MIT TD04H
VOLVO 200 Watercooled Upgrade 82-84 2.3L GAR TB0368
VOLVO 740 (Oil Cooled) 83-85 2.3L GAR TB0326
VOLVO 740 (Watercooled) 85-87 2.3L GAR TB0363
VOLVO 760 (Oil Cooled) 83-86 2.3L GAR TB0326
VOLVO 760 (Watercooled) 85-87 2.3L GAR TB0363

VW Passat, 97+ (oil) 1.8L GAR GT15

 

[undercnstrction]

i just read through a 4 or 5 page thread on here where a guy took an explorer motor and fabbed up his own twin turbo set up using t-bird turbo coupe parts and supposedly kept the project right around the $2000 mark. the thread was started back in '05 i believe. it was putting down something like 489rwhp or something along those lines.

what made your project so spendy?

i'm still searching around in here for more threads on this type of project to see just how feasible/affordable it may be (or from the sounds of it...may NOT be)

thanx

 

[faststang90]

when i said not cheap i was thinking a few hundred dollars.
i had to have my carb made for bt, carb hat,fuel reg. i did not go with a ebay waste gate or blow off. i think they was around 500.00 for both. i think if u have 2000.00 -2500.00 u will be good.

go to turbomustang.com that is where i got all my info from.

 

[undercnstrction]

got it.

i'm currently reading through a bunch of different threads regarding doing this so i don't have a game plan yet or if i'll even go this route. just trying to look at all of the different avenues i can come up with before i start buying parts to put my ride back together. i don't want to re-build a motor back to completely stock specs. but i'm not too enthused about spending big $$ to get some healthy street car. this DIY turbo setup has got my attention.

i've got 4 or 5 more websites to start going through to look into the do's and don'ts of this approach. it seems most guys seem to be happy, but there are a few posts that really don't seem to fond of the turbo approach. i've read where they can be a bit tempermental. have you had that issue with your setup? what made you go with a single vs twins?

 

[phutch11]

Several sponsors of the turbo forum you mentioned earlier have single setups that go for as little as $1500 for cheap chinese turbos. Master Power turbos cost a little more but are worth it.

IMHO that's just about as cheap as you'll get into block splitting power.

 

[undercnstrction]

is there a noticeable difference in a chinese turbo kit? i've read a few posts about different kits but i haven't noticed any specific problems mentioned. is a reliability issue over a long period of time or do they make less power?

also, something else i haven't seen is the mention of smog equipment and A/C. will a turbo have any effect on the motor passing a sniffer? i wouldn't think so but that is just a guess. also, does a turbo system require the removal of the A/C system? i wouldn't be able to justify upgrading to a turbo then having to park the car all summer. it get's DAMN hot in vegas!

 

[2000xp8]

If you are going to spend 2 grand for boost, it damn sure should be the vortech SC kit for 1900. As you grow into it, you can pulley it and upgrades parts and make more boost.

DIY turbo kits sound quick and easy, they are not. Most i have seen turn out to be a mess or never get completed. Not to say it can't be done well, but most weekend mechanics don't possess the skills to do it properly, and they must rely on others to get it done, and we all know how that is.
The cheap kits are no walk in the park either, and most don't include the supporting parts you need to make an real boost anyway.

Besides, not sure how i would feel about stuffing a non intercooled turbo under my hood in the vegas heat.
It's the difference between starting the work on your car on a friday and driving it that monday, or driving it months later.

 

[jrichker]

Unless you are a Absolute Whiz with a tube bender and welder, don't even think about it. That doesn't even begin to take into consideration the smarts needed to properly size the turbo and the tune.

Save your nickels and dimes and buy a quality kit from some company with a reputation for quality products and support after the sale.

 

[f8tlfiveo]

I am gathering parts for this same Tt project with the tb0344 turbos from a turbo coupe.. Already got rid of the ac and smog so there should be plenty of room under the hood..also I'm pretty good with a welder and tube bender.. If you don't have access to these kinds of tools I wouldn't attempt it.. Especially if you dont know how to use them properly..

 

[undercnstrction]

i spoke with a friend of mine yesterday that is pretty knowledgeable with turbos and he said turbos will not effect smog. which is a good thing. what i still have not seen yet is would i still be able to run the A/C. still reading and researching and researching...

i have access to welders, so i don't think that should be an issue. the pipe bender might be an issue though. i'm checking with a couple of friends about that. i believe summit has pre-bent pipe though? could go that route possibly?

 

[2000xp8]

There is certainly ways to keep the ac and run turbos. You are making it custom, you are in charge of what stays and goes.
Some aspects just dial up the difficulty level a bit.

Access to a welder IMO isn't enough, Most of the project is welding.
Someone capable of doing all this welding should either work at a shop that welds daily, or have their own personal welder.
I've seen what rookies do to that pre bent pipe, and it's not always pretty.

 

[rbonella]

i agree with 2000xp8. DIY turbos can be very rewarding and can make great power. But it can also nickel and dime you to frustration, possibly aborting the project all together. You can learn ALOT about your car doing it DIY and save some money if you're resourceful, patient, and handy. It could be a great winter project, not a weekend one. Chinese turbos work, but alot of guys are leary because most do not offer good warranties. I think some are 3 mos. The turbo is the heart of the system so I would NOT chimp out on that part of the build...the HOT side being a very close second, and your fuel system being a VERY CLOSE 3RD. If you do it DIY....take your time, learn from your mistakes, don't cut too many corners, and have fun!

 

[faststang90]

when i did mine i got a set of headers from them at a swap meet. i had a friend that worked at a exhaust shop so i got off cheaper when his boss was not there. mine 1 header was just a stock header turned around and flipped sides.
this is the place that made my headers for a single t-4 turbo
Exhaust Parts & Materials

 

[t76stang1Day]

turbomustangs.com all the info u will ever need is there.

 

[Rick 91GT]

I've been tossing around the same thing recently since I finished a customers turbo 93 Cobra, full acessories including A/C and 700hp with low boost, what more could you ask for. Well I can tell you even the kit I installed on his needed some attention to have it fit properly, and you hear that about most kits.

Although I have my own shop, am very proficent with a TIG and MIG, plasma cutter, mill and bender it will still take many hours to custom fab a kit, and have it fit and function properly. You need to think about the future with your car as well, the tiny T3/T4 turbo will not support large power (although as mentioned above enough to break a stock block) The proper tubing can be bought from RacePartSolutions - Fast Parts At Discount Prices and if your going to try to make our own manifolds most header compnaies offer box of bends and flanges, mine will come from Stahl Headers - Manufacturing racing exhaust headers and camshafts. The header/manifold portion is very important and most guys can't build one that functions properly, they is a lot into the headers...do your research. The entire system with it's bends is truly thought out or you slow down the air or create so much back pressure at the turbo which causes other issues.

I suggest you do more reading over at Turbomustangs and maybe look at the B&G or Pony Down hot and cold side kits....

Hey XP, my project may involve a mod motor not sure why I have this jones to put a mod motor in my car with a turbo. I've already figured out some motor plates..lol

 

[2000xp8]

Hey XP, my project may involve a mod motor not sure why I have this jones to put a mod motor in my car with a turbo. I've already figured out some motor plates..lol

I dunno, every once in a while i starting thinking of the coolness factor of a mod turbo in a fox, but the low end of the eaton sure is addicting. Not having to downshift to get in the power is quite the treat.

 

[Rick James]

I think you should go for it,if anything at least you get some more experience turning wrenches on your own car.Any body that tries to sway you from trying it,especially guys that pay to get there oil changed, i wouldnt classify as a true gearhead.You cant beat boost from a well running turbo car.Alot of guys have done it sucessfully,true the kits arent blinged out show pieces but will usually clown the guy running the newest billet door handles and chrome 20s.Good luck

 

[2000xp8]

I think you should go for it,if anything at least you get some more experience turning wrenches on your own car.Any body that tries to sway you from trying it,especially guys that pay to get there oil changed, i wouldnt classify as a true gearhead.You cant beat boost from a well running turbo car.Alot of guys have done it sucessfully,true the kits arent blinged out show pieces but will usually clown the guy running the newest billet door handles and chrome 20s.Good luck

For 2 grand he'd better get more than some experience out of the project, more like hp.
Turbo's aren't the place to "start" wrenching. Short of building an entire yourself, making your own turbo kit is close to the top of the difficulty heap.

Not quite sure anyone in this entire post, pays to get their oil changed.

I find it ironic, you use a term like "clown" to insult guys with billet handles and 20 inch wheels.

Before giving advice on a project such as a turbo, you may want to have some actual insight on the subject.

 

[Rick James]

For 2 grand he'd better get more than some experience out of the project, more like hp.
Turbo's aren't the place to "start" wrenching. Short of building an entire yourself, making your own turbo kit is close to the top of the difficulty heap.

Not quite sure anyone in this entire post, pays to get their oil changed.

I find it ironic, you use a term like "clown" to insult guys with billet handles and 20 inch wheels.

Before giving advice on a project such as a turbo, you may want to have some actual insight on the subject.

Dont worry,i have plenty of insight on the subject,i guess you have the billet kit with 20s?didnt mean to offend you.