How much work for a non-DIYer to maintain a high-mileage RS-T?

[Fryguy]

I want to turbo my RS, but I won't be DIY, I'll be paying to have labor done for me. I currently have almost 100k, and won't be getting around to installing the kit until 110-115k (gotta save up 3500). Since I won't be DIY, I'm going to have to run around to get this thing fixed every time something goes wrong, because I'm not a very hands on type of person. Also I need the car 100% reliable. I'm just looking for more speed/fun in my car, especially after my friend made me jealous by "getting up" on his WRX. That car throws you back pretty hard

Is turboing worth it for me, or should I just maybe save up some more money and sell my eclipse and get a real turbo car, like supra/300zx?

My engine is in good/great condition. Regular maintenance, just did clutch headgasket, belts etc very recently. I'm just not sure how long it will last past 115k, and I don't want to be spending an assload of money, only to have to spend an assload more to engine-swap a couple months later, when those 2 assloads of money can be a nice downpayment on a supra/300zx/other fun sports car.

 

[jimwross]

I have a few friends with 300zx's... and the trouble there is that when stuff breaks its hella expensive (and stuff seems to break all the time on thiers anyway).

Get your compression checked... as long as everything is good there, your ok even with the 115k.

In the long run, if your not going to do any of the work yourself and you dont want to maintain it (and you want it to be 100% reliable), check in to purchasing a factory turbo car (GST, GSX, TSI, TSI AWD). As these cars get older, they keep getting cheaper and cheaper, I've seen MANY more then decent factory turbo DSM's under 5k.

After you consider you could sell your 97 RS for a fair chunk of change, invest that money you've saved for the turbo kit, I'm almost postive you could buy a factory turbo car.

BUT, if your looking to just have a little fun here and there, take a serious look at nitrous. Its not as crazy / dangerous as most people percieve it to be. $500 bucks will get you a large kick in the ass, and you'll atleast be able to stay fairly close to that wrx ;-)


Hope this helps,

Jim

 

[Defiant]

Originally posted by Fryguy
I want to turbo my RS, but I won't be DIY, I'll be paying to have labor done for me.

Same thing, then. Whatever your mechanic charges.
How much are you going to be USING the power? Many things depend on you.

But I'm with Jim. I just don't see an equation in spending the money on a conversion.

And for the thin-skinned, overly self-conscious NT conversion crowd, that's not supposed to be any kind of criticism.

 

[Fryguy]

The thing with nitrous is that it's mostly just for straight line, when you know in advance that you want to run, and it only lasts for 10-20 seconds tops, and then you are basically done for the day. And I have to be prepared to use it, I can't just decide to downshift, spool my turbo, and fly. I won't be tracking the car, though i like to drive fast down back roads etc.

I'm just not sure if I want to turbo this car, or drop some money on a "real" car (sorry to offend anyone). I get out of college in 2-3 years (depends on masters), and if I can make this car last that long, I should have a hefty chunk of change to throw down on a brand new STI or the like.

Also, I live in MA, where emissions is ridiculous, so I'm not sure if I want to screw around with a turbo and then worry about having to make friends just to pass inspections.

 

[ABK]

yeah it's pretty high milage work some more get some more money and go for a turbo car with a good milage. You can find deals all over the place

 

[jimwross]

10 or 20 pound bottle can last upwards of 1:30. If your worried about emissions, DEF DONT turbo your car... you wont meet them.

Heres the thing, A turbo DSM is cheap. A new STI is expensive. For a realitvly low amount of mone the turbo dsm can be as fast if not faster then the sti... I dont know what your exactly looking for... you seem to want a fast car that will meet emissions, be reliable, and no matience...

Thats pretty hard to please becuase alot of those things just dont match up.

Originally posted by Fryguy
The thing with nitrous is that it's mostly just for straight line, when you know in advance that you want to run, and it only lasts for 10-20 seconds tops, and then you are basically done for the day. And I have to be prepared to use it, I can't just decide to downshift, spool my turbo, and fly. I won't be tracking the car, though i like to drive fast down back roads etc.

I'm just not sure if I want to turbo this car, or drop some money on a "real" car (sorry to offend anyone). I get out of college in 2-3 years (depends on masters), and if I can make this car last that long, I should have a hefty chunk of change to throw down on a brand new STI or the like.

Also, I live in MA, where emissions is ridiculous, so I'm not sure if I want to screw around with a turbo and then worry about having to make friends just to pass inspections.

 

[Fryguy]

jim, buying a turbo eclipse is tuff cuz I NEVER see them around here. That and I've already sunk a lot of money into this NT, so I have a feeling I'll hold onto this for a while, then maybe buy a turbo outright.

And yes I want a reliable, fast daily car that is turbo.I don't want a "no-maintenance" car, I just don't want a car that I'll be bringing to the shop 2x a month to have crap fixed, and all the repair bills be crazy high

besides a turbo dsm, what are some other cheap, fast cars (preferably turbo).

I originally planned on holding onto this eclipse unitl I could afford a sti, but now things seem to be changing, and I want to go faster sooner.


also, about your nitrous comment, if you sprayed for 1:30 straight, your engine would be toast, whereas you can boost all you want (within reason) and be fine. Yes I understand you wouldn't be constantly under nitrous, blah blah blah, but you get my point.

 

[jimwross]

When you spray nitrous, it has an effect on the engine much like boost from a turbo... With a ZEX Nitrous kit, if you are racing at WOT and use nitrous the whole time, it wouldn't kill your engine at all... Nitrous has a bad rep... Its not as dangerous to the engine as long as you dont run lean as you think.

You may want to consider a VW turbo car, they are quite fast stock; Audi has some pretty fast cars... On a more reasonable note, check out an Integra GS-R, It's got quite a bit of power and there are many prebuilt turbo kits that are cheap. I think you would be hard pressed to find a car that has as much power, looks nice for the price of a turbo dsm. If you dont have many in your area try cars.com, ebay etc... You can hire a service for 35.00 to check the car out for you (they offer guarentees) and then flyout to pick it up. Or find a large city by you and there will be 100x turbo dsm's for sale. Keep an eye out for a TT 300zx (or even NA), Celica GTS's have alot of power.

If I were willing to drop a lot of money on an STI, I would much rather consider a low milage Supra TT or RX7 for the price... but thats just me.

Jim

 

[Fryguy]

well yah, getting a mid-90s "supercar" (supra, 300zx, rx7, etc) would be a great thing. But every year it gets harder and harder to find them in good condition, whereas I can go to a showroom lot, pick out a sti, pay $30,000 and drive away a 0 mileage car with 300hp and AWD, AWD being something none of the mid-90s "supercars" can offer.

I guess I'll just save and wait, I've pretty much made up my mind that I don't want headaches with this car. I've got a nice suspension and rims on it, it handles quite nice, I'll enjoy it for another like 2 years, and just keep setting aside money, at that time used stis will start popping up, and we'll see what the market is like for them.

Edit: I should probably start a new post for this, but in the case of a turbo dsm, how much "free horsepower" is available by just getting like a catback and a Boost controller and turning up the boost? can I turn up the boost like 4-5 psi and get 50+hp for free for example?