Newbie Looking to Add A Turbo

[Inertia]

Hey All. I'm both new to the Site, and new to the DSM scene. I bought a 1990 Laser rs FWD n/a for $300 and am looking to mod the hell out of it. I started playing around by fixing this and that on it (Rear main seal, Transmission, and the Gaskets). I then went and installed an Intake and an exhaust to it. Now i want to go all out and spend some real money on it. People are telling me to buy a new engine, but id rather mod the one i have.
To the point, im looking for a strong turbo that i can build onto it to start. Any ideas? What are the best choices for my car?

 

[Matrixhunter]

Honestly i don't think it is even worth trying to add a turbo on a non-turbo model. You can't just add a turbo. Turbo models have stronger transmissions high compression pistons you will need an intercooler all the piping etc not to mention all the small parts that are required for a full turbo setup. It would cost you around $2000-3000 for a decent setup not to mention the amount of work and time it would take to mod. The best thing to do is just drive the car put a performance k/n filter and so on. Then sell it and buy a stock turbo dsm and then mod that if you want real performance.

Hope this helps sorry to let you down just not worth the time and money

 

[TooFastTooG]

Only thing I have to say is, please tell me your not trying to mod the 1.8

 

[speedy13]

Honestly i don't think it is even worth trying to add a turbo on a non-turbo model. You can't just add a turbo. Turbo models have stronger transmissions high compression pistons you will need an intercooler all the piping etc not to mention all the small parts that are required for a full turbo setup. It would cost you around $2000-3000 for a decent setup not to mention the amount of work and time it would take to mod. The best thing to do is just drive the car put a performance k/n filter and so on. Then sell it and buy a stock turbo dsm and then mod that if you want real performance.

Hope this helps sorry to let you down just not worth the time and money

you mean low compresion pistons right?don't confuse the guy.
http://dsmtuners.com/model-guide/
http://dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5986
http://dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48231
http://dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37967
http://www.vfaq.com/

read these till your eyes bleed,read them over and over till you comprehend what is being said.If you still have questions after that,we will be happy to help you out.welcome to the board.

 

[Mist3r Spool]

I know that you stated that you want to add a turbo to the engine you have but, IMO, I think it'll be a lot more cost effective to just swap the motor entirely. My buddy was in the same boat and ended up just swapping motors due to the cost/time factor of upgrading. Don't mean to be unhelpful, just sharing an experience that pertains to the subject.

 

[GTR-33]

You would be much better off just finding a turbo motor. I suppose you COULD go ahead and boost the NA motor with aftermarket pistons and the whole nine, only afterwards you would have basically converted everything to a turbo motor except the head. I think you would be much better off starting from a turbo motor unless you plan on going pretty big right away.

Also the NA DSM transmission IS NOT the same as the turbo unit. You will destroy an NA unit quite easily on boost. You will also have to get a turbo clutch and flywheel to even use the NA transmission.

 

[Inertia]

I was reading about upgrading my header, and chipping the car. I think that will add about 40hp or so. But you all think it would be smart to do a tranny job, ecu, and engine swap?
I have already done a bunch of body work to the car, and have spent about 6000 in total on the paint, seats, underglow, and carbon fibre for the interior. The car looks wicked... Now I want it to go fast.... If so, do you guys know where to get a good dsm or non dsm engine (and ecu of course!) Thanks.

 

[timloomis]

the turbo clucth and flywheel will not fit on a n/a tranny,the bellhousing is too small.as for cost-effectiveness,i have less than a grand in my total rebuild.thats engine rebuild,turbo,ecu,intercooler,injectors,maft,etc...

 

[95blackGsTurbo]

A chip and headers won't net you anywhere remotely near 40hp. If you put every N/T mod on the market on your car then MAYBE you could net 40hp out of it. Honestly if you have put that much money into your car you could sell it and get an awd turbo one for 2500. That's all I paid for mine and it was mint with 88k miles. Turbo motor's don't have stronger transmission, they have lower compression pistons also. instead of 8.5:1 it's 7.8:1. You can get a DSM motor off of the classifieds here and ECU and whatever you need. Honestly if you had 6k to spendy why didn't you just by turbo in the first place if you wanted to go fast?

 

[Inertia]

I bought the car off of my uncle for 300 bucks with only 50k miles on it, so I thought i could make it into something nice. Ive sort of grown attached to the car, and it does look nice...just....slow..
I mean, thats all id really need right? Tranny, engine, ecu, mass airflow sensor, and bigger oil pump?

 

[speedy13]

bro,did you even look at the links i posted?Are you even interested in boosting your dsm?people have done so already and have taken the time to document it and posted it on tuners to make your life that much easier.people like maviski and such are riding proof that you can do it.we still don't even now if you got a 1.8 or a 2.0,either way i posted answers and documentation to both.If i was you,i would keep the NA,if its a 2.0 i would just do some basic bolt ons and keep it reliable as a daily driver,if its a 1.8 i would just get a I/E,leave it at that.Then i would just save up for a turbo 1g and then when you have modded downtime on your turbo dsm,you can still get to work and such.thats my .02 cents

 

[Inertia]

Yeah, i am reluctant on saying that my engine is a 1.8 litre. (Still a newbie at the tech lingo, what is i/e?)
Thanks guys

 

[GPLaserRS]

The I/E is reference to your Intake and Exhaust (I/E). It's short for change your intake system and replace your exhaust.

 

[jasoncitrano]

Oh god...somebody please direct him in the right direction. There is no hope what so ever of modding that 1.8. You need a 4g63T longblock, trans and ecu. Without it you won't make any power. Stop wasting your money on chips and headers...becuase you won't use any of that with a turbo setup. Sell everything you have now...sell the 1.8, the underglows, all your carbon fiber sell it all and search online for a jdm 4g63 or check the classifieds for one on here. Honestly don't waste your money at all with that 1.8 and EEK your FWD too!!

 

[blueman803]

Also the NA DSM transmission IS NOT the same as the turbo unit. You will destroy an NA unit quite easily on boost. You will also have to get a turbo clutch and flywheel to even use the NA transmission.

If you have a N/A 2.0, then you have the same head as the turbos. Show me proof that the NA transmission is weaker. Clutch is slightly smaller, but internals are pretty much the same. I don't have a clue what you are trying to say with the last sentence. The turbo clutch and flywheel will not work with a NA transmission.

 

[Inertia]

Oh god...somebody please direct him in the right direction. There is no hope what so ever of modding that 1.8. You need a 4g63T longblock, trans and ecu. Without it you won't make any power. Stop wasting your money on chips and headers...becuase you won't use any of that with a turbo setup. Sell everything you have now...sell the 1.8, the underglows, all your carbon fiber sell it all and search online for a jdm 4g63 or check the classifieds for one on here. Honestly don't waste your money at all with that 1.8 and EEK your FWD too!!

Well, Someone is a little pessimistic about the whole ordeal. This is what makes modding a car worthwhile! Take a junker slow POS and make it unique and powerful. I really like the look of mine, and if i go and buy another dsm im going to have to spend the same amount of money on bs that i have already done to this one. so i might as well just do the major engine upgrade and all of the components with it... just looking for some moral support now ..

 

[napkinthief]

Well, Someone is a little pessimistic about the whole ordeal. This is what makes modding a car worthwhile! Take a junker slow POS and make it unique and powerful. I really like the look of mine, and if i go and buy another dsm im going to have to spend the same amount of money on bs that i have already done to this one. so i might as well just do the major engine upgrade and all of the components with it... just looking for some moral support now ..

The catch is your 1.8 will never change.It will never be powerful. You'll turbo it, put another 6000 into it, and it'll still be slower than a stock turbo 2g.

Sorry to ruin your hopes, but I am saving your wallet.

And FFS listen to the people giving you information. Read. Read. Read. I'd bet my pinkslip that you don't even know where a turbo goes, or that you need an intercooler, and a wastegate, and an exhaust manifold that bolts to the turbo, and you need to drill your oil pan, then get low comp pistons so you dont blow your head. Now that you read some, go read those links from before.

 

[MrBoxx]

Not only that, but anything you do to the 1.8 probably won't be transferrable to the 2.0. So you won't be "spending the same amount of money on bs that i have already done to this one"

 

[Inertia]

I'd bet my pinkslip that you don't even know where a turbo goes, or that you need an intercooler, and a wastegate, and an exhaust manifold that bolts to the turbo, and you need to drill your oil pan, then get low comp pistons so you dont blow your head.

Fortunately you didnt bet your pink slips, im new to the dsm scene, not to cars...

You guys have all been a big help, i think ive decided on keeping this one the way it is and making it look good and going to a 1996 eclipse GSX. Hopefully this is a good choice? anyone have feedback, im getting it with 92000miles fully safetied for $6000

 

[jasoncitrano]

Fortunately you didnt bet your pink slips, im new to the dsm scene, not to cars...

You guys have all been a big help, i think ive decided on keeping this one the way it is and making it look good and going to a 1996 eclipse GSX. Hopefully this is a good choice? anyone have feedback, im getting it with 92000miles fully safetied for $6000

You really need to read man...thats the only way your going to get anywhere with DSM's. If you go with a 2nd gen and decide to make big amounts of power your going to run into one possible problem. The dreaded crankwalk...now it's more uncommon then common to get crankwalk when you start to create more power the chances of it happening are more likley due to the added forces on the thrust bearing. You'd be better off getting a 6 bolt block and building that slowly while you leave the car still running then once the engine is finished drop it in along with a turbo tranny. We are not telling you to get rid of your car you have now but simply not to mod that engine. A 4g63T will bolt right up in your chassis and would be a great project car for half the price of the new gsx you want.

 

[jasoncitrano]

The catch is your 1.8 will never change.It will never be powerful. You'll turbo it, put another 6000 into it, and it'll still be slower than a stock turbo 2g.

Sorry to ruin your hopes, but I am saving your wallet.

And FFS listen to the people giving you information. Read. Read. Read. I'd bet my pinkslip that you don't even know where a turbo goes, or that you need an intercooler, and a wastegate, and an exhaust manifold that bolts to the turbo, and you need to drill your oil pan, then get low comp pistons so you dont blow your head. Now that you read some, go read those links from before.

You bring up a lot of good points. These guys come in thinking turbo's bolt right up. Little do they know they require a great amount of engine modifications and fabrications.

 

[97EclipseGSTer]

ok, stop trying to beat the guy up. he was obviously new and he got the car for 300 dollars. What If I told you i bought my 97 GS-T because I saw fast and the furious and I liked the green thing....hmm? And the fact I bought MINE because it had a big wing that look nasty, the turbo was a plus to me? Seriously, thats what happened to me. I didnt care what kind of eclipse it was, I just wanted the look. I just happen to find one and I took what I didnt know, and started going to forums, research, bought books, and I read read read. The 96 GSX is nice...like eveyone said crank walk. Just get the car and buy a 30 dollar manual boost controller and an intake and save for a 1G motor (FYI, just the 30 dollar MBC will make probably twice the amount of HP any NT bolt on mod on a 1.8 can.....just have to say that..... GOOD LUCK MAN.....i wish I was lucky enought to get a awd turbo....

 

[speedy13]

Fortunately you didnt bet your pink slips, im new to the dsm scene, not to cars...

You guys have all been a big help, i think ive decided on keeping this one the way it is and making it look good and going to a 1996 eclipse GSX. Hopefully this is a good choice? anyone have feedback, im getting it with 92000miles fully safetied for $6000

that's the best decision you can make.Crankwalk is overrated bro,if it walks slap a 6bolt on it,chances are it wont.I don't tell people to sell their car anymore because they get defensive,thats why i say keep it,you got a good looking,reliable, and economical car to go to work with,my buddys got a 1.8 POS just like yours,bout it for 700 bucks 3 years ago and she's still going strong,only maintenance has been done to it,and his dream car a 98 spyder.spyder for the weekend,1.8 for the weekdays.I would do this if i didn't already drive a work van,although i got my eyes on a 72' 240zx as my next DD. .good luck with your search on a turbo dsm,or as we say,on your walk to the darkside.

ps,in the future,before asking questions use the search button.read the vfaq,it's a great guide.This site also offers an upgrade path for all the models of dsms.use it,and if you still got questions we'll answer em,it's just that people get tired of answering all the same questions,over,and over, and over again and the get snappy.just some friendly advise.

 

[Inertia]

For sure, next time ill look into it a lot more But when i run out of resources, you know where ill be looking .. Thanks a lot guys