N/A or Turbo help

[justcjnow]

Well as the title says I would like some help with my motor build. I have searched and read and searched and read but can't seem to make up my mind. Thought I'd ask the people who have spent their hard-earned money for their opinion. I'm not asking this here to blow smoke up everyone's butts. I have 2 young children who I have to base all my financial decisions around (19mo boy and 1mo girl). I have a 95 talon esi that is bone stock as far as engine mods. I have a spare 420a from a 95 talon parts car that I have since given away for scrap. I really want to know what my best route for dependabilty and longevity are for my situation. I cant afford all name brand products or 20 hours of dyno tuning but my brother is giving me his used (for 2yrs) t3/t4 turbo and I need to decide if I should use it or go N/A. My goal is to reach 225-250 N/A or 300-325 turbo. Which would be the cheaper route and be dependable for a summer car? I read the "build a turbo for under $1000" thread but have no junkyards near here to find the parts in. Basically I want a semi-fast car on a very tight budget and need to know what route to take and what parts to start with and why. I apologize for the blabbering and stupid questions but I figured better to post all my concerns at once instead of 10 posts.

 

[ivatu]

well i would go turbo(planning on doing it) because theres a guy here that went n/a and he only got around 200 to 230 hp and he did lots of things including removing his interior and he got like 14 secs in the 1/4 mile look i this forum to see if you find him and see for you self all the mods he did

 

[Locke]

bullettdsm - with the fastest and most powerful NA 2gnt. 200whp runs the car through the quarter in 13.3 seconds. By no means reliable, or daily drivable.

 

[chris712vt]

bullettdsm - with the fastest and most powerful NA 2gnt. 200whp runs the car through the quarter in 13.3 seconds. By no means reliable, or daily drivable.

Not to mention there's probably not a single thing other than maybe the crank that's stock inside or outside of the engine. It would take a lot of money, time, and knowledge to even get close going that route.

 

[wishnfor4g63T]

save the money and do build the 420a motor for boost. Buy used parts off other 420a dsm'ers I'm sure it's possible. On the other hand my major problem was either keep my 95 N/A or trade for an awd. Well If i could honestly go back i would had slapped fordged pistons and rods in the motor and boosted it. Step 2 woulda made the 95 look like a 99. Would had saved alot of money and had a better car! however, mine is ....AWD!!! haha anyhow if your going to make your dd turbo u better have yourself a loaner car somewhere. Just words of advice!

 

[rstare]

Definatley turbo route, since 220whp is practically unobtainable, definatley not as a dd, (n/a). As far as that $1000 turbo route, its extremly doubtful that you can actually do it for under $1000.
You dont really want to do everything as cheap as possible. Like Mike says, do it right or do it twice. Plan on spending closer to 2 grand peicing together your own kit. For 300+whp your going to need a sfmu at minimum. Just a heads up..

Edit: Chris you got a new picture, I didnt realize that was you at first. I did too .

 

[justcjnow]

Well turbo it is based on your responses. I knew I couldn't piece together a turbo kit for $1000 but it did help me to see what parts I will need. I plan on forged internals but am unsure of what company to get parts from. I called Ross and JE for pistons the other day and I can get a better price from JE. I think I will go with 8.6:1 or whatever they have that is around that ratio. Eagle rods were my first thought but is that the best budget choice? I plan on not much more than 300-350 since I am new to turbo. And as far as management goes I have no clue. My brother's turbo GS has fuel cutout when you get on it and then it kicks in. He has Missing Link but says he needs something to trick the MAF? I really could use help in this area as I have absolutely no clue where to start to get her running right. I dont want to end up buying 7 different parts when come to find out I could have bought 2. I want the most tunability as I have read that SAFCs can only take you so far. But for the hp I'm looking for will that do?
cj

 

[rstare]

And as far as management goes I have no clue. My brother's turbo GS has fuel cutout when you get on it and then it kicks in. He has Missing Link but says he needs something to trick the MAF? I really could use help in this area as I have absolutely no clue where to start to get her running right. I dont want to end up buying 7 different parts when come to find out I could have bought 2. I want the most tunability as I have read that SAFCs can only take you so far. But for the hp I'm looking for will that do?
cj

The 420a has no MAF....
Hes talking about the MAP sensor, and I would say use a FCD, rather then missing link. Alot of people got missing links and it just doesnt work for alot of them. Get a FCD, Ive never heard of one not working.
For managment the best bang for your buck is Msns. It allows you total control over w/e you want. Specifically spark and fuel.
Do some searching and you will find what you need. The information is all on this site you just have to find it.