t-25 to 14b upgrade question

[DSM4me44]

I was interested in replacing my turbo with a 14b. I was doing some looking around at some of the threads here as well as the kits available. I was wondering about the Slow Boy Racing kit, they have a basic kit and then for 100 dollers more you get the deluxe kit with a 6 bolt oil return line and a coolant line and extender hose. Do i really want to purchase the more deluxe kit?

 

[MrBoxx]

It's really up to how good you are at tweaking existing parts. Your stock 2g oil return pipe will work, you just have to file the bolt holes closer. The stock 2g water lines will work also, you just have to switch them and bend them a bit to fit. Even if they don't fit, you can buy rubber hose at a car parts store to lengthen the lines to fit. The basic kit will work fine for you if you think you can do those things. However, having the right parts the first time without having to mess with them will make things easier. When I installed my 14b, I used RRE's complete install kit, which includes everything. If I had to do it again, I could probably get by with their hacker/tweaker kit. So it's up to your confidence in your tweaking skills. In my opinion, if you don't need your car right away and can have it sit for a few days, try the install without the extra parts and see if you can get the water lines to work and fix the bolt holes on the return line. If you can't get it to work, you can order the parts individually and have them within a few days.

So, there are some options for you. What do you think?

 

[DSM4me44]

Awesome response. I might try to buy the complete kit because i plan on keeping the stock turbo incase the 14b goes bad or i have issues. That way all i have to do is put the stock parts back on.

 

[LA97GST]

I found my 14b for my swap in these classifieds. It came with 1g water lines and 1g oil return line. All I needed was a oil feed line that I got from DSMotorsports. The turbo also came with the 1g j-pipes. I just tossed my Greddy lower I/C pipe and put the stock hose on that fit fine. Make sure you get new j-pipe, mani-turbo, and O2 housing gaskets. This swap is great for budget modders and pulls great!

 

[MrBoxx]

I agree; the 14b is a very capable turbo, and an awesome upgrade from the T25.

The Slowboy kit looks very complete. All the major gaskets and fasteners are included. The only thing I would recommend you get from the dealership is a manifold-to-turbo bolt to replace the stud that will come off with the T25. It will make future replacement/service of the turbo a lot easier. As always, follow the VFAQs (there are two) for the 16g replacement, use lots of PB Blaster/WD40/etc to get all the bolts loosened up, and use a little anti-sieze on the new bolts.

 

[T9S1i]

I agree; the 14b is a very capable turbo, and an awesome upgrade from the T25.

The Slowboy kit looks very complete. All the major gaskets and fasteners are included. The only thing I would recommend you get from the dealership is a manifold-to-turbo bolt to replace the stud that will come off with the T25. It will make future replacement/service of the turbo a lot easier. As always, follow the VFAQs (there are two) for the 16g replacement, use lots of PB Blaster/WD40/etc to get all the bolts loosened up, and use a little anti-sieze on the new bolts.

i second this post, especially the part about the bolt/stud and using anti-seize!!!
good luck with the 14b my friend and happy boostin!!

 

[scottsee]

I just did a 14b swap last weekend. I went with the Supper cheap, budget minded approach. Road Race engineering has their metal turbo & o2 gaskets in their "Garage Sale" section for $10 a pair!! I bought 4 new turbo bolts & 3 o2 studs, and one nut off ebay for $20 shipped. Went to Mitsu parts department, got 4 new copper washers for the water lines, 2 copper washers for the oil line, and a oil return gasket for the turbo for $11. Bought a "stick" of copper antiseze for $5, good for 1800deg & had a 24in oil feed line made with 3/8in npt and Banjo fitting for $30 (just take the banjo bolt in & BTW 24in was only 1/4in long enough, make one 28-30 inches to zip tie to the fan). I used the stock 14b J-pipe, cut the nipple off and Jb-welded it. Cut the LICP to fit my FMIC piping, and bent the 2g water lines to fit (ALOT EASIER THEN YOU THINK). Filing the 2g oil return line to fit the 14b oil return holes sucked. If you can find a 1g oil return you should seriously consider buying it, it will save alot of hasle and metal shavings in your oil pan! It was by far probably the worst part of the install, other then forgetting to install the waste-gate before the turbo and all the lines & liquids went in!

Questions, don't hesitate to ask..