14b from Junkyard : Checking Shaft Play

[Nonrml4]

Basically exactly as the title states. Im looking at getting a 14b from a local junkyard. Is this a good idea? The junkyard has 5 1st generation manual dsm turbo's (Laser, Eclipse, Talon) that still have turbo's on the cars. I have read about shaft play a little bit, basically whatever is turned up from searching. There are differing opinions on whether certain types of shaft play is bad. I have come to the conclusion reading various posts that shaft play side to side is acceptable while shaft play up and down is not. Is this the general opinion? Also I understand that I will need an install kit with a J-pipe but will the stock downpipe bolt up to the turbo. Any help would be great. John

 

[turbo2g111]

While you're in the 1g pulling the turbo out, see if you can get some oil feed lines to the turbo. Your 2g lines won't fit on a 14b, and getting the used ones could save you some cash on your install.

 

[turbo2086]

You want a turbo with no, or very little shaft play. If there is very little play, you want it to play side to side, up and down. Again very little, if any at all. Now the shaft play you def do not want is in and out play. Where you can actually be able to pull the shaft in and out a little.

 

[Nonrml4]

You want a turbo with no, or very little shaft play. If there is very little play, you want it to play side to side, up and down. Again very little, if any at all. Now the shaft play you def do not want is in and out play. Where you can actually be able to pull the shaft in and out a little.

Rep for you. When checking the turbo's does it make sense to start with the car that has the least number of miles, or does it just depend on the car? Also to check the play I just take of the intake and see if the shaft moves at all when trying to move it? Just trying to make sure I dont have to do it a special way. John

 

[turbo2g111]

It all depends on how the turbo was driven. If it was driven hard or not taken care of, a lower mileage one could have more shaft play than one with more miles on it that was taken care of better and driven more conservatively. But, since there is no way to tell on cars sitting in a junkyard, starting with lower mileage cars is probably your best bet.

 

[1gcrazy]

Rep for you. When checking the turbo's does it make sense to start with the car that has the least number of miles, or does it just depend on the car? Also to check the play I just take of the intake and see if the shaft moves at all when trying to move it? Just trying to make sure I dont have to do it a special way. John

I would recommend just digging in. It's very tough to tell how the engine's been treated by the body. I bought two cars: one's a 1990 with rust allll over it. Interiors trashed. BUT the turbo has NO shaft play. I also bought a 1991 with an impecable body. The engine bay looks rediculously clean...the motors blown and the turbo's done. So just make youre best judgement.
I say look for the cleanest engine and start with that one. Or just get up early and hit all of them before anyone else has a chance.
Good luck dude

 

[Nonrml4]

Or just get up early and hit all of them before anyone else has a chance.

Yeah thats the thing I've been there 5 times just to get random things (bov, center console) and it doesnt look like anyone else has picked over them at all. The only thing that Im worried about is all of the cars are lying on the ground so there is no way to get underneath the car, is this going to be a problem when removing the turbo?

 

[turbo2g111]

I don't think it would be impossible, just very difficult, frustrating, and time-consuming because of the turbo's location. Maybe bring a small jack with you and try and get it under an axle or something. Any room underneath would make your job a whole lot easier.
Also, on trying to find a good turbo, this isnt scientific but look for one with some unpopular color, maybe some old lady drove it