Any point going Evo 3 16g with almost stock?

[oplix]

I have a 95 GSX 5 speed with 89k original miles. My only mods at this time are intake pipe w/ cone, joe p MBC, boost gauge, and turbo xs BOV w/ recirc.

This guy is selling a MSI evo 3 16g near me with everything needed for a 2g boltup including j pipe for around $350. No shaft play only like 500 miles on it he said.

I'm wondering if I go over there and he just bolts it up for me would it be safe running a turbo that big on my almost stock car?

My fuel system is stock with exception of spark plugs (ngk bp7es)
No FMIC
No exhaust mods

Ideas?
If it does work, what amount of boost can I run? Will there be a noticeable difference right now over my stock t25?

 

[matthewdesigns]

You can do it with as long as you keep your boost level at or below 14psi. Anything else will begin to tax your fuel system and you'll start edging towards a lean condition. I did exactly what you did, with those mods, a couple of years ago, and it's a good place to start if this is the "bigger" turbo you want to use for a while. The only real difference you'll see, if you stay at the stock boost level, is a slightly slower spoolup with a little stronger top end. Is your T25 bad, or are you just looking to go bigger?

If you want to run a higher boost pressure on the Evo3, the next thing you need to do is buy a logger so you can see what's going on. And for very little extra effort, you could rewire the stock fuel pump and gain enough fuel to run 16ish psi safely.

 

[oplix]

I run my t25 at around 14.5-15psi right now. I know that eventually the evo 3 is going to be the turbo i want and it seems like a really good deal. That's why instead of following the upgrade path I should be, i'm considering getting it.

 

[matthewdesigns]

Make sure all your regular maintenance is taken care of before you do the swap. No point putting a bigger turbo on the car if the motor is not up to it. And you don't really need to be on that cold a plug until you approach 18-20psi, BPR6ES is still ok.

The Evo3 is going to flow more air at any boost level, so don't go above what you are running now until you get a logger. You need to make sure that no timing is being pulled due to running lean. And buying a wbo2 is a great idea...I wish I had bought one earlier on. If this is the turbo you had your eye on, then that's a good deal if it is as described. Just make sure there is absolutely no in-out play in the shaft, and minimal side to side. And that it spins relatively freely, too.

 

[oplix]

picked up the turbo today for 300. i think it was a steal considering it came with manifold, o2 housing, j pipe, ss oil line, and the rest of the stuff needed for boltup. turbo looks brand new with no shaftplay, genuine mhi evo 3 (i checked the numbers). only thing is that he said i might have to do a hackjob on my stock licp to make it fit the j pipe.

 

[KPEclipse]

if you have the means to do so...just get an FMIC and throw that on @ the same time.

 

[oplix]

ya i was really thinking about just buying a fmic first ..theres a local guy selling a really nice core for $90 but i dont know how much the piping would cost..

 

[matthewdesigns]

Damn that's a steal for sure. If the o2 housing and manifold are stock castings, take the time to port them before you put them on the car. Porting the o2 housing will help reduce the boost creep you'll see once you get an exhaust on the car, and the manifold port will just help flow in general.

Spend any extra money on a logger of some sort before you buy a FMIC. Throwing parts on the car and potentially increasing performance is not a great idea unless you can monitor things. Or better yet, check to see if your ECU is an eprom (good chance since it's a '95), and buy DSMLink. Then you'll have both a great tuning tool and a logging program in one.

 

[oplix]

i wish i could afford dsmlink but i dont have any extra $500 to spend right now. Good idea on the porting though, thanks.

 

[dj_remy]

Good job man, just got the same deal you did a couple of months ago, the swap is still pretty fresh in my mind so if you have have any questions fell free to ask, but I think you'll be okay.