Which 2g 16g install kit? Feedback from previous buyers please!

[eclipseGSTud]

I'm looking into 2g 16g install kits and it seems that all the vendors have slightly different ones varying in prices. It would be great if previous buyers can give me a review on the quality of the kit, any fitment issues while installing, and what else they needed for each kit if any. I'm hoping this will not only help me, but future DSMers that choose to upgrade to 14b/16g and are looking for an install kit. This is my first time doing a turbo upgrade and I'm still researching on what I need.
The ones I've found are:

1. AMS Performance 16g install kit - $290
"This kit will allow you to bolt any Mitsubishi style turbo to your second generation DSM. The kit includes a complete set of 1st generation oil and coolant lines along with the required banjo bolts and washers, and a j-pipe to mate to your stock intercooler piping."
LINK: http://www.amsperformance.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=41_89&products_id=457

My friend recommended that I get the AMS kit since it includes everything I need, but the price seems a lot steeper than the other kits except for RRE's complete 16g install kit. Does the AMS kit really have everything I need and is it worth that price? The ebay non MHI 16g w/ install kit is around $335 shipped. Still waiting for ebay seller to reply with price for just his 16g install kit.

2. DSMparts 2g 16g install kit - $172.95
"The TC installation kits includes everything needed to mount a Mitsubishi 16G turbo on to your 2G DSM."
LINK: http://dsmparts.com/customer/product.php?productid=600&cat=166&page=1

3. ExtremePSI 2g 16g install kit - $159.00
"Includes J-pipe, new oil feed lines, new oil return lines, turbo to manifold gasket, O2 housing gasket, 2x oil return gaskets, bolts and washers."
LINK: http://www.extremepsi.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=17009&cat=336&page=1

4. Turbochargers.com GT 2g install kit - $169
"PARTS INCLUDED WITH THIS KIT ARE!
# Comes With J Pipe
# Copper Crush Washers and other hardware
# 4AN stainless steel oil supply line that is setup for a 16G turbo. This oil feed line comes from the oil filter location and uses a 28 inch stainless steel -4AN line.
# 7cm gasket for the turbine inlet from the manifold
# Two new oil drain gaskets
LINK: http://www.turbochargers.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=53

5. Ebay 16g install kit
These are the ones that come with the non MHI 16g turbo. Seller said he can sell it seperately, but didn't give me a price yet.
LINK: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&item=120131434695
The link above is to the 16g turbo package not just the install kit.

6. RRE Full 2g 16g install kit - $325
"kit includes: Piping that runs from the Turbo to the stock intercooler
location, 2 1/4"
New braided stainless steel oil supply line
Oil drain line to oil pan
Front and rear water cooling lines
New crush washers and gaskets for the oil and water lines
New gasket for the manifold to the head
New 7cm stainless steel gasket for the turbo to the manifold
New gasket for the turbo to the O2 sensor housing
New factory style metal 2 1/2" down pipe gasket"

LINK: http://www.roadraceengineering.com/2g16ginstallkit.htm

7. RRE 2g Hacker/Tweaker 16g install kit - $195
"Includes:
Piping that runs from the Turbo to the stock intercooler
location, 2 1/4"
New braided stainless steel oil supply line
New 7cm gasket for the turbo to the manifold
New 2 1/2" down pipe gasket
One new oil drain gasket"

LINK: http://www.roadraceengineering.com/2g16ginstallkit.htm

8. SBR 2g 16g install kit - $199 or add $100 upgrade to get 1g parts. Too long to list the included items. Please check link.
LINK: http://www.slowboyracing.com/more.php?id=93&

Any other kits I didn't mention you recommend?

Some people have installed the 16g w/o a install kit and just piece together their own but I think its safer with new stuff to prevent from issues down the line such as leaks. Is my reasoning right or should I piece together a kit? My car has around 58,000 miles and i think the gaskets and lines need replacing to prevent issues. Trying to get the most out of my money. Thanks for the advice guys!

 

[Apeximprt2nr]

I personally went with the SBR Install kit without the $100 upgrade ( I didn't feel it was necessary). It came with everything I needed for the install plus some extras like the LICP, the nipple section in the LICP for a boost source, and a 7cm. exhaust housing gasket. The main thing I like about it is that it all fit up perfectly and it even comes with T bolt clamps.

It really all depends on your money situation and if you want to tweak some things to fit (water lines and oil return line) both of which are easy. If I had to do it again I would have still gotten the SBR or pieced together my own.

Good luck!

 

[elfroggo]

It depends on if you are using SMIC or FMIC also. AMS kit and SBR have pieces that are to be used with the stock smic.

If you haven't bought the turbo yet I would have recommended the turbochargers.com complete kit which used to be 700 but is 850 now.

It really does seem redonkculous how expensive these install kits are. If you're buying a 16g type turbo for 4-500 dollars and adding on another 150-300 just to make it work might as well just get a 50trim+accessories for couple hundred more.

Anyway, I used the tchargers.com install kit and it works fine for me with the SSAC front mount after hacking off a couple inches from the j-pipe.

 

[TALONTRAX]

I`m running the super 16G setup, I`ve been running it for years, & it`s awesome -
http://www.hahnracecraft.com/hahn/upgrades/twogen.htm

 

[daren_p]

Only negative things I've heard about any of those kits is issues with the return line leaking on the turbochargers.com kit & some having proper fitment issues with the SBR jpipe. Personally I'd go for the RRE Hacker kit & is what I used when I installed/ran the evoIII. Its cheeper & contains all the "necessary" parts required. Only thing I added with their kit was one of their turbine housing to O2 housing gaskets to replace the thin/cheep stocker to make a nice, complete package. I also give the RRE one another advantage as it comes with all the pipes required to replace all you lower IC pipes from turbo to SMIC, which most others don't (& is tapped for a proper pressure source for a boost controller).

 

[EVOL_TURBO]

I went with the turbochargers.com kit. It is a good complete kit. I have custom route ic pipe to my FMIC (I fabricated it to their J-pipe), so I'm not sure about the fitment of their J-pipe to the stock side mount.

 

[DSMvroom]

I got the SBR kit and the j-pipe fitment was garbage. I sent it back to them to fix it and when it returned it was BARELY usable. I had to replace the passenger side fan with a slim one, and the elbow that points towards the smic is slammed against the motor mount support. I'm currently in the market for a replacement j-pipe that isn't complete trash.

Besides that, an extremely comprehensive kit. You won't need to buy anything else really.

edit : you will have to file your 2g oem return line but it is so easy if you have a dremel. Even if you only have a round file it shouldn't be bad at all, it will just take longer.

 

[daren_p]

I got the SBR kit and the j-pipe fitment was garbage. I sent it back to them to fix it and when it returned it was BARELY usable. I had to replace the passenger side fan with a slim one, and the elbow that points towards the smic is slammed against the motor mount support. I'm currently in the market for a replacement j-pipe that isn't complete trash.

Besides that, an extremely comprehensive kit. You won't need to buy anything else really.

edit : you will have to file your 2g oem return line but it is so easy if you have a dremel. Even if you only have a round file it shouldn't be bad at all, it will just take longer.

RRE jpipe & lower IC pipe were a perfect fitment on both mine & my buddies car (& I guess the new guy that is running my old setup). Stock passenger side fan fits no problem but I took a dremel & removed a small amount of material in a semi circle shape, on the raised top fan motor lip, to give abit of extra room for the jpipe to allow for some back/fourth motor torque movement.

 

[Splitpi]

I made my own kit.

I went with an ETS intercooler for a 16G (all the piping needed) (Price varies on model).
I bought an Ebay SS oil feed line (~$35).
I bought 4 turbo to manifold bolts & the 8 lock washers (~$27.40)
I bought 4 O2 to turbo bolts (cut one short to fit where the stud was) (~$24.00)
I bought 4 copper crush washers for the water feed and outlet banjo bolts ($2.34)
I bought a copper 7 cm turbo to manifold gasket from FFWD. (~$12.00)
I bought a copper exhaust manifold gasket from FFWD. (~24.00)
I bought a turbo to O2 gasket. ($6.00)
I bought the two gaskets for the oil return line (~$2.00)
I bought SS exhaust manifold Studs (~$35.00)

Total is $167.74 + IC ... you won't be saving any money... but it is mostly OEM bolts with quality gaskets. And I had no fitment issues.

I did dremel out the bolt holes on my 2G oil return line to match up with the 16G, and I just tweaked the stock 2G water lines to meet up with my hoses.

 

[Eastwood95]

I used the RRE Hacker kit as well.......perfect fit and install. I say go with that....you can add other gaskets or parts if you think you will need them as well, but you should be good. Plus they're in Cali too....

 

[SOADweskey]

I just installed my 16G with the RRE Hacker/Tweaker kit last weekend. Everything went smooth. I also used a new turbo to O2 housing gasket. The only fitment issue I have is that the big stupid counter weight on my shifter linkage rube the lower IC pipe when I put my car in reverse but I just took some of the weight off.

Also be sure to buy a new turbo to exhaust manifold bolt and washer so you don't have to re-use that stud.

 

[boostnhard]

SBR works awesooooooooooome and simple to install

 

[eclipseGSTud]

Looks like RRE kits are receiving the best reviews followed by SBR and Turbochargers.com. Anybody use the AMS 16g kit or any other kits that are on the list, but haven't been commented on yet? Thanks for the reply guys!