Thread: Just got a turbo kit, couple quick questions

First, let me say that I'm really glad I found this forum, there is tons of information here.

I bought a used turbo kit for my L36 recently, getting ready to begin putting it all together. Right now my main focus is to get everything installed and street worthy. Eventually, I would like to upgrade the front and rear manifolds to PLOGS (including relocating the wastegate), as well as rockers or a mild cam such as an ST1 and 105# springs.

The kit is an older cartuning kit that came with the Garrett T04-B, but the turbo needs to be rebuilt, so I am wondering if I should change/upgrade turbos or if this turbo would be good for my needs. I want a turbo that will have very little turbo lag. If not, what turbo would you recommend?

For injectors, I will probably install 60# injectors right away so I know I have plenty of room to grow.

I plan to get everything tuned by Overkill as I don't want to take the time to learn to tune myself.

The turbo kit included the crossover, 2.5 downpipe, bov, wastegate, intercooler, and charge piping, and oil lines is there anything else I'll need that I might be forgetting?

Finally, how much boost would be safe on 92 octane with this setup and what kind of horsepower should I expect?

I shouldn't say I don't want to learn to tune, just that finding time can be hard. Eight years ago, I had the time but not the cash for a tuner. I'm in central MN and would be happy to pay someone local that's reputable to do.

I will definitely rebuild the Garrett turbo then, much cheaper that way.

If I wanted to upgrade the maf what's my best option?

I'll think about tuning it myself, but if my memory serves me correctly I still need a base turbo tune to get started or my tuning adventure will be very short lived.

Is there anything else I'm missing to get this kit put together? I have a 255lph pump. What kind of boost/power should I expect to run with those mods?

Originally Posted by Fivefingerdeathpunch

I don't tune people cars but if people have there own tuners I could help but I am down in the cities.

I own HPT but I'm sure I could figure out DHP, it sounds dumber than HPT haha.

I admit that part of it is not trusting myself to not royally screw it up, rebuilds are expensive.

if it was me, and I was in your situation 6 months ago, I would just install the turbo and get the car running. I know a few people that installed turbo's with stock tunes. was it a good idea, probably not, but last I heard, both were still running and driving. the wastegate has a spring in it, and depending on the spring and washer combination, will dictate how much boost the wastegate will allow. typically they are set to 9 lbs or so. I would leave it there until you get the car running like you think it should, knowing the injectors and pump will be fine. the L36 maf is about the same as the L67, and you can get a thingy to change the range of the maf so it has a higher reading range, I forgot what it is called. also, I would recommend going the Hp Tuners route if you have an extra 700 bucks, or just get the basic for 500. the DHP can be bought for 250, but tuning with it is a slower process, and you will be limited on what vehicles it will work on, while Hp Tuner will work on many vehicles.

on a different topic, more boost does not mean more power. like I said earlier, the cartuning kit is typically set to about 9 lbs. the eaton M90 makes about 6-8 lbs of boost, but because it takes power to make power, it will not make as much power as the turbo. so the m90 makes about 40 hp at 8 lbs of boost, then the turbo will make more than that at the same boost level.

these are just rough estimates from off the top of my head.

Thanks for the wastegate info, i wondered what their standard setting was. I don't really like the idea of running the L36 programming, so I'm thinking I would still need a base turbo tune to get started, is there someplace to get one or is starting with the "canned" tune from overkill my best bet?

Also, I would like to hit the 375 - 400 whp range, what other mods should I consider in order to get there?

Originally Posted by Fivefingerdeathpunch

A built transmission.

Lol, yes I did plan on that

if you bought a tuner, you could load the cartuning turbo tune. I don't know anyone that uses it, but I imagine it would be a good place to start. you will need a 2 bar map sensor as well.

Originally Posted by ItHurtz

your drunk the turbo makes more power than m90 not because its not belt driven, because it flows a **** ton of air AND cooler.

there are lots of reasons why a turbo is better than the m90, the belt drive is just one of them. and as far as cooler goes, I would defy you to prove a turbo runs cooler than a supercharger.