Resolved How to know if my car is turbo?

[angelloksRS]

I recently bought a 1990 Laser, and the owner told me it was an RS Turbo. Since this is my first car, and I don't know anyone with a DSM for me to ask, I wouldn't know if he was tellin me the truth. So my question is, what do I look for in my car to know that it is a turbo? Where will the turbo be located at? I'd appreciate your help .

 

[DSMopar]

Uhh it's a 1g... should be a gauge in the dash for boost (at least on my 91)...

And 2 the exhaust manifold is in front of the motor, this is where you'll find the turbo (between radiator and motor)....

 

[GVR4592]

The turbo would be connected to the exhaust manifold on the front of the engine. The air intake tube would also be connected to the turbo. I borrowed these pictures from VFAQ Site - Visual Frequently Answered Questions to give you an idea of what to look for.

The first picture is of a turbo engine and the second picture is a non turbo.

 

[fastandlow94]

there is supposed to be a heat shield on top the manifold but from the 1st picture you can see the turbo is silver in color. it may be covered in oil now. but if you stand at the passanger side right in front of the tire your air cleaner piping should go towards your exhaust ( to the turbo )

 

[ksengage]

i have a 90 rs turbo laser it looks just like them pics they all look alike 90 to 94 ,and i wish my engine bay was that clean

 

[ksengage]

my 90 rs turbo laser

 

[Plaser]

heres mine..

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[angelloksRS]

So if I remove the heatshield I'll be able to see it ?

 

[TurboTsiThatFly]

You should see it without removing the heat shield. Just look at your intake hose and follow it to the turbo if you have one.

 

[GofaST4life]

youll see it no matter what...if you have a turbo

 

[angelloksRS]

Well, I checked it out, and the only hose I see is one that goes from the radiator to behind the heatshield, but no intake hose to a turbo... I guess it's not a turbo... that sucks...

 

[tqmx1]

Whats the vin # ? If the 9th diget is a U you have a turbo car If it's a T it's a 1.8 and a R is a 2.0 N/T

 

[wret]

It might be easier for you to follow the air. On the non-turbo engine pictured above, you can see the air filter box has a hose that connects directly to the intake manifold. A turbo charger is a compressor to force more air into the engine. On a turbo engine, the air box or filter connects first to the turbo, through a radiator type device called an intercooler, and then to the intake manifold.

 

[angelloksRS]

The 9th digit is a 7, but the 8th is an R...

 

[fastandlow94]

you have the N/T im sure he meant to say the 8th digit thats the digit that depicts what engine is in the vehicle basically a universal way to tell.the letter will change manufacturer to manufacturer but the 8th digiit is the engine code

for ford mustang you may have a w- for the 2.3 turbo
and for mercedes you may have a w- but it could be for an 6 liter v 12 still the 8th digit though

 

[angelloksRS]

Yeah, and I also removed some bolts off the heatshield so I can look behind it, and I didn't see the turbo, so for sure it's an RS N/T... #### it, I guess I'll have to start looking for again for a Turbo. Thanks for all your help.

 

[VPrime]

Can you take a picture of your engine bay? Much easier to be sure this way.

 

[jemsoccer]

Haha, I wonder if the previous owner really does believe it is a turbo...

 

[lowandsleekDSM]

Or maybe the previous owner took the turbo off....possibly the OP just misunderstood him by him saying the car was turbo? That might be a possibilty atleast thats what i`m thinking

 

[kittay]

Like said before, the easiest way to tell is check the gauges. In the bottom right corner of the RPM it'll have a boost gauge. The pic on it looks kinda like an eye.

 

[Mikael SS]

if you don't even know how a turbo car looks or drives, don't buy a used DSM turbo unless you have deep pockets or a free mechanic

 

[fastandlow94]

weve already figured out it was a non turbo car from the vin number so unless it had a turbo motor swapped in and the turbo removed its a non turbo !!!!!

 

[absolute_DSM]

if you don't even know how a turbo car looks or drives, don't buy a used DSM turbo unless you have deep pockets or a free mechanic

x2 No offense to the OP but that was what I was thinking while reading this entire thread.

 

[FlyByNight]

Must...resist....sarcastic.........answer!

 

[klipschaudio]

I can imagine the test drive now;

Seller "Can you feel that boost! This car hauls!"
Buyer "Yea, its a beast!"

Seriously though, sorry to hear you were swindled. Next time check for a turbo, along with all the other checks like head gasket, clutch, tranny, compression, turbo shaft play. Either learn how to do that, or get someone to come along who knows whats what. Good luck.