UPDATED! - My Secret Turbo Project. Budget Performance.

[AZ3.8Camaro]

Well, I have finally decided to begin my turbo project. After turboing some other things, and learning more and more about fabrication, I am ready to try. My goal is to turbo the car and run 7-12 psi of boost while spending under $1000.

First I selected a turbo. I made this excel sheet to make it easy. You guys can feel free to use it if you want, just remember who made it.
boostflow.xls

From my boostflow sheet, I then plotted my air flow for 3 different boost levels on different turbo maps. I liked the t-04E 60 trim, so I started looking. My friend used to have a turbo TA, with a te-44 turbo on it, he replaced it with something bigger when the te-44 started leaking a bit, and then sold the car. He ended up giving me the te-44, which come to find out is the same compressor as a T-04E 60 trim.
Here is a plot.
Precision Turbo and Engine TE-44 Turbo, with a 3.8L engine at 7, 9, & 12psi plotted on it.

I then started planning on how to route it in the engine bay. I decided to make a setup using stock manifolds that are flipped. I am not 100% it will work, but I can modify them if needed. I will then make my own y pipe in front of the engine, and to the turbo. The turbo is internally wastegated, which will make things easy.

The setup will be intercooled, but I haven't gotten one cheap/free yet.

Here is my budget plan so far:
Turbo - $0.00
Rebuild for turbo - $100.00
New wastegate housing - $50.00
FMU - $160
Flanges (I will make them)- $0.00
Manifolds - $0.00
Piping (to fabricate) - $80.00
Intercooler - $150.00 Got it for $20!
Boost Gauge - $20.00 used
Silicon Connectors - $50.00
Oil Line (already have some) - $50.00
The grand total so far - $530 (Down from $660.)

Questions/comments/arguments?

UPDATE #1 - Got an SRT-4 Intercooler for a whopping $20. Brings the total down from $660 to $530 left to go. Looking into custom front sweeping headers, or GN style manifolds. We will see.

[ October 28, 2005, 01:46 PM: Message edited by: AZ3.8Camaro ]

[black34v6]

flipped manifolds will not work unless you ditch AC , Im not sure it will work period on the driver's side.

modification on cast iron exaust manifolds is not the easiest thing to do, rather scrap them and start from scratch on some custom headers.

[ October 26, 2005, 03:01 PM: Message edited by: Russell ]

[ravenp]

I agree with that... perhaps you can flip them horiztontally but on the same side? Might take new flanges and some fabricating... it will be tough.

Are you not going to run a BOV?

What about a boost controller?

Colder plugs?

Make sure you keep your o2's!! ( i have learned the hard way)

I'd factor in a bit more for silicone connectors unless you've found a deal. I paid $60CAD for one! :(

$150 for an IC sounds cheap to me, but again maybe you have found a steal.

Does the turbo still have it's wastegate actuator arm? I got 2 turbo's for my project, the rebuilt one didnt' have it, the bad one did... i was able to swap.

Vacuum lines, fittings, clamps(t clamps are not cheap), nuts and bolts add extra $$ too.

Good luck...keep us informed. YOu are doing something similar to my setup. I'm interested [img]smile.gif[/img]

[iGoRa]

Originally posted by ravenp:
YOu are doing something similar to my setup. I'm interested [img]smile.gif[/img]

where I can find yours?

[iGoRa]

Originally posted by AZ3.8Camaro:
I then started planning on how to route it in the engine bay. I decided to make a setup using stock manifolds that are flipped.

Flipped : left header with the right or upside-down?

[ravenp]

Originally posted by iGoRa:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by ravenp:
YOu are doing something similar to my setup. I'm interested [img]smile.gif[/img]

where I can find yours? </font>[/QUOTE]I dont' have pics up on the web anywhere, but i'm at the bottom of this thread.

http://www.camarov6.com/ubb/ultimate...c;f=4;t=002430

[teal99camaro]

will you sell me the piping?? Including filanges and manifolds? Make two of everything and i'll pay you for it...

LMK
Aim: Reelbigfish964

[Loochy88]

as always, be prepared for unforseen expenses, but i bet it can be done. good luck with it.

no bov though, that sounds iffy to me.

[AZ3.8Camaro]

You guys need to talk to turbo buick guys. A lot of them don't run a blow off valve, and say they even made the car run worse when they did.

I mean flipped as in right side turned over and put on the left side so it faces forward on the opposite side. If I need to make a custom manifold, then I will, no biggie.

My dad and I have a lot of vacuum lines and fittings, but I know there will be unforseen expenses, so thats why I want to do it for under $1000 and not $660.

I will get more free stuff though, just watch.
GN guys are your friends. Intercoolers are cheap on ebay, and so are silicon connectors.

If it works I will consider making more parts and selling them off. I hope to have all the peices by winter break so I can work on it then.

[ October 26, 2005, 05:10 PM: Message edited by: AZ3.8Camaro ]

[AZ3.8Camaro]

Originally posted by ravenp:

Are you not going to run a BOV?

What about a boost controller?

Colder plugs?

Make sure you keep your o2's!! ( i have learned the hard way)

I will keep the 02's, it wouldn't make sense not to. You have to.

No boost controller, just a wastegate.
I already have NGK tr6s from nitrous use.
No blow of valve for now.

The wastegate thing reminds me, does anyone have a 4 bolt wastgate housing, with the large puck style wastegate?

Post some pics of your setup if you can.

[ October 26, 2005, 05:24 PM: Message edited by: AZ3.8Camaro ]

[White95]

Want a brand new FMU for under $160?? I have a Vortec 6 or 8:1 that came in my FFF kit. email me if your interested.

[AZ3.8Camaro]

I want a 8 or 10:1, but I might go adjutable.
How much you want for it, if its an 8:1.

[Turbo V6 Camaro]

Pat has foward headers and he didn't have to remove on thing !!!

[Mr. Merk]

dont forget about fittings, those are pricy as hell, i'd reccomend water/meth injection ($300) as you can run more boost and/or timing OR lower octane

you could even ditch the front mount idea and get even faster spool

(all i drive is turbo cars)

[iGoRa]

who is Pat?
I talked to Nick(njp98) he has a very nice setup.
Look on his headers . If you decide to do those, make a second set , I will buy them off.