So it has been a while since I have posted anything on here. I recently have went back to school to finally get a degree in something I enjoy, Auto Technology. However, in doing so I released an urge that for about a year now I had held down. I WANT TO MOD MY CAR AGAIN. Currently I sit with a 2.8, dual pass, CAI, stage 3 clutch, fully 3" no cat exhaust, badmab, 60's, blah blah blah. Its stage 3 to get to the point. I am now, as we all do, starting to get bored...sigh. I should have taken everyone's advice when I first began to mod and just saved for a turbo swap but I think the time has come to really consider it.

However, I have a few questions. This one is more of opinion, should I get hp tuners before I turbo swap this thing? I have been tuned by James and this would make retunes much easier, but I know I am not ready to tune myself. Or...do I just save the 450 and put it towards a turbo swap kit? Secondly, approaching 87k is it still safe to consider doing a turbo swap? I understand the best option would be to replace valve springs and the like but is it absolutely needed? Especially if I just want to run around 15 pounds of boost.

Honestly, I'm looking to get above 325 whp because currently I sit right around 300, but without either e85, meth, or a tvs I am pretty much maxed. Oh I could just drop another pulley size but lets get real, its not really going to improve a whole lot.

 

You can do it right or do it cheap. Get all the supporting mods and you will be happy,

 

What supporting mods are you talking about? I'm saying if I do a zzp Co pmete turbo swap kit. The only mods outside of that are engine mods correct?

 

Well you're no where near 300whp with your current set up.... You could make right around 325, give or take a few, with a decent pulley, pump gas, and tvs.... or you could buy a zzp turbo kit for 4k or so and EAAASSSIILLLYYY make 325... it'd be kinda pointless to turbo swap if you only want 325..

 

Well I want more than 325 but I understand that turbo is my best option. What I really want to know is, is it safe to do a turbo swap with having 86k miles on the engine. If my engine will likely blow shortly after then I might as well rebuild first, if it's safe then I'll just not go all out on the turbo tune.


Just out of curiosity Tstone, where would you estimate my power?

 

your making around 250 hp boost pressure dosent dictate valve springs cam lift and duration dose

 

I had the same mods and was making 225 at the wheels. Mustang dyno, tuned rich to keep cylinder temps down. Car was slower than a stg 1 turbo by a good amount

 

As for your question, tvs or turbo. For the engine, redo your timing chain, guides, tensioners to be safe and pistons. Rods are up to you.

Your cams are obviously meant for a s/c so turbo cams are a good idea, but you can work without them. Valve springs are good if you plan on going higher up the rpm range over stock

 

Thanks for all the responses. I guess this swap kit is more or less a product for after engine work. It's crazy how it's advertised as a direct swap with no other mods.

 

I mean you can run it without mods, just not at it's full potential

 

again springs aren't worth it if you keep the stock cams as they fall off around 7200 so no need to spin it past that

sounds like you need to grow a pair and get a man tune

 

See this is where the turbo kit gets hairy for me. I understand it can be ran without engine mods, but is it worth it and what does it actually put down? Would it be a significant increase over what I have now? I know I can build the engine and get way more out of the turbo swap but what about on a stock lsj engine? With that being said, does it became dangerous after a certain point or is it dangerous to start with? I can live with doing my engine little by little but if the turbo swap would kill the engine even at a basic tune then it's not worth it until I do the engine.

I don't plan on pushing the turbo to its full potential to start because I understand those risks, but if I can get to at or above 325whp with it safely without worry then it's something I am considering.

 

The car is a GT2 car, so it is run all out for 30-40 minutes at a time. With that kind of driving, internal engine temps are an issue compared to drag racing where is is short bursts. We over fuel slightly to keep temps in check and keep things more reliable.

As for the turbo swap, it is hard to determine how much HP a car will handle over another. Differences in location, dyno, engine health will all affect things. I would say a stock engine should be able to hold around 300 but with cars, there is no guarantee with anything as I am sure you know.

 

Understandable. So basically the majority of people who have picked up the zzp complete turbo swap kit have done engine work prior? I'm sure there are plenty of people that haven't. I wonder what they made and how the stock lsj engine handled it.