So I decided to save some money and go cheap with my upgrades. Why? Well, I like to go fast, but I don't intend on drag/street racing my car. I like it to be fast for me. Maybe I want to give it a little juice getting on the interstate and feel myself getting sucked back into the seat. The point is, I don't feel like I need 'the best of the best' for the kind of driving I do. So I opted to go the cheap route for the same reason many of you all do...I don't have the cash to buy the top of the line parts. So here are my personal reviews on the Ebay knock-offs.
First up will be the biggest one. The knockoff of the EVO III 16g.
eBay Motors: TD05 BIG 16G Turbo Turbocharger Eclipse Talon EVO (item 290212176665 end time Mar-13-08 13:00:00 PDT)
Now I have heard many horrible things about this turbo, but so far I have had no problems with the turbo itself. Its seen 18psi a few times, and held it fine. My only complaint was getting it installed with the so-called 'accessories it came with. My advice: if you buy this turbo use all of your original bolts. The bolts they sent with it were not even the right thread. The only hardware I used was their copper washers for the oil line.
When I got the turbo it did have a little bit more side to side play than my old 14b did, but no in and out play.
Next off is the tubular exhaust manifold and o2 housing.
eBay Motors: 95-99 Eclipse 2G 4G63 DSM Stainless Turbo Manifold TD05 (item 280205793105 end time Mar-10-08 00:09:12 PDT)
eBay Motors: DSM O2 Housing Dump Outlet Elbow Eclipse 1G 2G Talon (item 330217593920 end time Mar-13-08 10:02:59 PDT)
I actually am really glad I got these. The manifold is a relief, because I don't have to worry about it cracking, and its turning a cool purple/blue color now. It also came really nicely ported. The o2 housing was ported a little as well, but not as nicely as the manifold. I have no complaint with the manifold. Only complaint with the o2 housing is the way it is designed, it is very very hard to get the downpipe bolt that is closest to the turbo very tight, you really have to find a big washer and a bolt with a small head or else you can't get a wrench around it. But thats really pretty minor and only costs a few scraped knuckles.
The J pipe really needs no explanation.
eBay Motors: Turbo Aluminum J Pipe for Eclipse Talon Laser 1G (item 200205041061 end time Mar-11-08 15:15:00 PDT)
Don't get the one that has the weld on it like the one linked above. It doesn't affect performance, just really doesn't look as good. There are several costing around $60 that don't have that weld on them, they just have a much cleaner look. But you also want to make sure you get one that has the rolled lip at the end, that will save you headaches later on.
Here's a picture of the turbo, manifold, o2 housing, and j-pipe shortly after installation.
<a href="http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c99/DSMissed/?action=view¤t=turbo.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c99/DSMissed/turbo.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Now for the FMIC.
eBay Motors: CXRacing Intercooler Front Mount Civic B18 H22 Vw Jetta (item 300203933937 end time Mar-09-08 20:11:12 PDT)
There really isn't much to say. You might get a lemon that will crack, and you might not. I opted for this smaller 'skateboard' size FMIC, because I really wanted to keep my fogs. It needs some work still, but here is a picture of it just after it was hooked up.
<a href="http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c99/DSMissed/?action=view¤t=hj.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c99/DSMissed/hj.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
(yes, I know it's crooked!!!)
It's been on for 6 months now, and I've had no problems. Just did a boost leak test about 1 month ago and so far its taking the heat.
Lastly...the intercooler piping kit. I'm not going to post a link, because they are all basically the same. My advice is to get a kit that is for your car. Don't bother with these kits unless you want to deal with fixing boost leaks FOR-EV-ER. Reason being is when you get the kit, there are those handy little lips on the end of each pipe to prevent a clamp from slipping off. But no matter how hard you try, you will have to cut a few pieces, and there will be a couple spots where there is no lip. These will always be the weakest points in your setup, because there is no 'speed bump' to hold the clamp on there. I've gotten around it by using 4 clamps and 3 couplers on those spots.
So overall, I say the manifold, o2 housing, and j-pipe are all good buys and will take a decent amount of power. But I'd say if you are trying to build a reliable and consistent drag car, I would DEFINITELY get a real Mitsu turbo, and a brand name FMIC with piping.
Hopefully this helps someone out there trying to make a decision, and if anyone has any questions, they are more than welcome to PM me.
Kerri
First up will be the biggest one. The knockoff of the EVO III 16g.
eBay Motors: TD05 BIG 16G Turbo Turbocharger Eclipse Talon EVO (item 290212176665 end time Mar-13-08 13:00:00 PDT)
Now I have heard many horrible things about this turbo, but so far I have had no problems with the turbo itself. Its seen 18psi a few times, and held it fine. My only complaint was getting it installed with the so-called 'accessories it came with. My advice: if you buy this turbo use all of your original bolts. The bolts they sent with it were not even the right thread. The only hardware I used was their copper washers for the oil line.
When I got the turbo it did have a little bit more side to side play than my old 14b did, but no in and out play.
Next off is the tubular exhaust manifold and o2 housing.
eBay Motors: 95-99 Eclipse 2G 4G63 DSM Stainless Turbo Manifold TD05 (item 280205793105 end time Mar-10-08 00:09:12 PDT)
eBay Motors: DSM O2 Housing Dump Outlet Elbow Eclipse 1G 2G Talon (item 330217593920 end time Mar-13-08 10:02:59 PDT)
I actually am really glad I got these. The manifold is a relief, because I don't have to worry about it cracking, and its turning a cool purple/blue color now. It also came really nicely ported. The o2 housing was ported a little as well, but not as nicely as the manifold. I have no complaint with the manifold. Only complaint with the o2 housing is the way it is designed, it is very very hard to get the downpipe bolt that is closest to the turbo very tight, you really have to find a big washer and a bolt with a small head or else you can't get a wrench around it. But thats really pretty minor and only costs a few scraped knuckles.
The J pipe really needs no explanation.
eBay Motors: Turbo Aluminum J Pipe for Eclipse Talon Laser 1G (item 200205041061 end time Mar-11-08 15:15:00 PDT)
Don't get the one that has the weld on it like the one linked above. It doesn't affect performance, just really doesn't look as good. There are several costing around $60 that don't have that weld on them, they just have a much cleaner look. But you also want to make sure you get one that has the rolled lip at the end, that will save you headaches later on.
Here's a picture of the turbo, manifold, o2 housing, and j-pipe shortly after installation.
<a href="http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c99/DSMissed/?action=view¤t=turbo.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c99/DSMissed/turbo.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Now for the FMIC.
eBay Motors: CXRacing Intercooler Front Mount Civic B18 H22 Vw Jetta (item 300203933937 end time Mar-09-08 20:11:12 PDT)
There really isn't much to say. You might get a lemon that will crack, and you might not. I opted for this smaller 'skateboard' size FMIC, because I really wanted to keep my fogs. It needs some work still, but here is a picture of it just after it was hooked up.
<a href="http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c99/DSMissed/?action=view¤t=hj.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c99/DSMissed/hj.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
(yes, I know it's crooked!!!)
It's been on for 6 months now, and I've had no problems. Just did a boost leak test about 1 month ago and so far its taking the heat.
Lastly...the intercooler piping kit. I'm not going to post a link, because they are all basically the same. My advice is to get a kit that is for your car. Don't bother with these kits unless you want to deal with fixing boost leaks FOR-EV-ER. Reason being is when you get the kit, there are those handy little lips on the end of each pipe to prevent a clamp from slipping off. But no matter how hard you try, you will have to cut a few pieces, and there will be a couple spots where there is no lip. These will always be the weakest points in your setup, because there is no 'speed bump' to hold the clamp on there. I've gotten around it by using 4 clamps and 3 couplers on those spots.
So overall, I say the manifold, o2 housing, and j-pipe are all good buys and will take a decent amount of power. But I'd say if you are trying to build a reliable and consistent drag car, I would DEFINITELY get a real Mitsu turbo, and a brand name FMIC with piping.
Hopefully this helps someone out there trying to make a decision, and if anyone has any questions, they are more than welcome to PM me.
Kerri
