Need help installing T3/T4 .52/.48 Turbo

[Gryphon777]

Hello,

I have a question about installing this turbo, which I just bought off of a friend (Which I believe is a T3/T4). I have been searching online for a few days now, and I can't seem to find what I am looking for. I need to get this exhaust housing to attach to my stock o2 housing. Is there an adapter that will fit this strange 3 bolt housing? Or does anyone know of a housing I can use that fits this turbo and bolts right up to my stock o2 housing? Thanks in advance.

I'm replacing my T25. It went out on me again. (First time it went, it blew out my whole exhaust and cat...)

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[BogusSVO]

Hit an exhaust shop up and have a new DP made and have a O2 bung weled in the DP

It has a ball flange built into it, so it should not be too hard to do, the outlet looks to be about 2.250, so no 3' DP for you

Also I think that is a reguler T3 not a T3/T4 Hybrid

It is very simular to my Thunderbird Turbo Coupe Turbo, the T3 was used on them from 1983-1986, but they have the 5 bolt flange .48 hot side was found on the 83/84 w/auto cars

 

[Gryphon777]

Thanks for your reply Bogus.

Is it possible for me to replace the exhaust housing with a 5 bolt housing. And then buy a Garrett o2 Housing with a matching 5 bolt, and mount it up that way? That way I may be able to keep the whole 3' down pipe. What are your thoughts?

My family and I owned a Turbo T-Bird similar to yours. Back when we lived in Colorado. It was an awesome car.

 

[BogusSVO]

From the T3 turbos I have messed with that should not be an issue, but the exhaust wheel you have will be too small, Most that I have seen are a .68, so you will need the whole center cartrage and if that is the case you may as well just get a whole turbo....

My stock turbo is a .68 hot and .60 cold side and maxes out at 20-22psi on a 2.3 SOHC, diffrent car I know, but should give you an idea.

Do you already have a T3 exhaust mani or header?

You may be better off and an easier install to find a 16g of sorts....

 

[Gryphon777]

No, I still have the stock manifold. I was going to get an adapter temporarily so I could mount it to my stock mani. I'm just trying to get this thing mounted asap. My cars been in the garage for like 3 weeks haha. I know I'm missing a lot of supporting mods still, but I dont plan on running more than 6psi for now. Just gotta get the car on the road.

This turbo was a pretty good deal. Just didn't realize mounting it would be a hassle

 

[JusMX141]

Stage 1 turbine on that unit- it's an OEM turbo from something, so nobody is going to make housings or adapters to get such a turbo to fit a DSM manifold and o2 housing.

I don't even see a wastegate on that turbo, so how are you going to control boost?

You really should have just found a nice used 14B and the installation accessories.

 

[BogusSVO]

This should be the one to look for

If you look you will see that it is a .68 , That is the common one I am used to looking at.

You may want to look up Justmx141 He is the rezident turbo guru, and may have something on the shelf for a good price to get you going.

**EDIT** I should have known Justmx would have shown up here!

 

[Gryphon777]

I was going to mount an external waste gate. The guy before me had an external waste gate, he welded the internal waste gate hole shut.

I may just have to look at selling this one and getting something else. I can make money off it as I got it for pretty a pretty low price.

Thanks Bogus, I'll have to look him up.

If anyone else has any other suggestions I'm all ears.

 

[BogusSVO]

check post #6 thats the guy

 

[jmartinez1228]

For all that work to put that small turbo on why not just get another used t25? If you got it for cheap then cut your losses and sell it and get another turbo that will bolt right in. If that turbo is bad or goes bad then you'll have to find that exact same turbo. Almost makes more sense to get another mitsu turbo and call it a day. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Gryphon777]

I get what your saying. I went through two T25's and I was hoping this one would have been better for me. More durable and all that. I will have to invest in something else.

Live and learn.

 

[jmartinez1228]

You might get lucky and the turbo is fine but it just looks like your putting more work and you seem like you need to get your car on the road asap so a stock turbo would be your quickest bet on getting that car back on the road. Also did you find out what exactly made your old turbo go bad? Low on oil or something?

 

[Gryphon777]

I honestly don't know how it went bad the first time. My oil was just under the full mark. I was heading home one day and "boom" no acceleration and tones of white smoke blowing out. Took it to the shop and they told me the housing is smashed up and the turbine blew down my exhaust

The second time I was heading to work and felt a weird stutter in my acceleration as I was passing. Couple of days later I heard a rattling noise coming from the turbo when I turned my car off. And sure enough, major shaft play....

That was the last time I wanted to get a used T25. Really wished I could have gotten this one on easily.

Oh and the second time it went out. I noticed my BOV wasn't working right. Couldn't hear the air recirculating. So I was thinking my BOV went bad and caused my turbo to surge. Maybe that caused the fail.

 

[jmartinez1228]

Definitely sounds like you might have another problem and putting any turbo on may just give you the same end result.

I dont want to jump to conclusions but I'm sure someone else on here may give you a few things to check out and find out what your problem may really be.

 

[Gryphon777]

Any additional help would be appreciated. I definitely don't want to blow another turbo.

Could anyone help give me a guide line on what steps to take in making sure the car is healthy? Thanks again everyone.

Note: When I went to get my last oil change, the guys there replaced my PCV valve because they said it was rotted out. When they did, they forgot to clamp one of the ends. And when I did a boost leak test there was a lot of air coming from my PCV valve. (Last time I go there)

Anyways I added a clamp and fixed that leak. I didn't hear any other leaks. I say this to let you guys know I have done a boost leak test. Though I can do it again if need be. Thanks.

 

[JusMX141]

I was going to mount an external waste gate. The guy before me had an external waste gate, he welded the internal waste gate hole shut.

Where were you going to mount said external wastegate if you're planning on using the stock manifold and o2 housing?

After all is said and done, the money you spent on this turbo and the external gate plus the hours spent ripping your hair out trying to get it to fit would have been better-spent on a 14B and the appropriate install parts.

I get what your saying. I went through two T25's and I was hoping this one would have been better for me. More durable and all that. I will have to invest in something else.

I'm telling you- buy one 14B. It will be your first and your last. This is a turbo that has often outlasted the engines on 1G's.

 

[Gryphon777]

I could have had someone weld a flange onto my stock manifold and mount the wastegate there. Well that was the idea anyways. I'll definitely consider trying to get a 14b.