To turbo or not to turbo, that is the question

[1995eternal]

Well if you been reading in this section for the last couple weeks I have shown interest in putting a turbo kit on my car. Because Im the type of person whose always wanting more, like POWER! My dilemma... I'm not what you would call that mechanically inclined. I can do minor things like oil changes, simple bolt on's and stuff like that. But installing a turbo kit is a bit above me, with that being said I would probably have to have a shop install it. The second part of my problem is the cash flow situation. I really want the Hahn stage 1 turbo kit but I dont have $2500 in my bank account right now. I know the turbo is the best way to get more power, a lot more power. But I feel I dont have the time, money and resources to complete a turbo conversion, even though I really want to.
This leaves me with the other option of leaving my car a N/A and build it from there. Which is a lot cheaper and easier. Basically my question is if I build my N/A up will I be disappointed in the end result. If I do go N/A my mods would include, CIA, hi-flow cat, cat back exhaust, DC headers, AF/X underdrive pully, AF/X ECU, new cams (crower stage 2)57mm bored throttle body with ported IM to match. If you can suggest anything else that would be great.
Im not going to the track with this car, its my DD. I just want to create a nice high torque, quick car for around town.
Im just worried im going to drop some coin into doing this and in the end im going to regret it.
I know this is a strange question and its all a matter of opinion but what do you all think. Does a built up N/A put out enough juice to put you back in your seat....

 

[BLINKY619]

it all depends on the tune... if you got a good tune you ll be fine and not disappointed...! in the other hand if you don't have the proper tune then you'll have a crappy running motor...!

 

[1995eternal]

as for tuning goes, if I got the MS system and the AEM cam gears, will that allow me to "tune" everything? I thought the AF/X ECU tunes itself?

 

[Boosted_talon98]

as for tuning goes, if I got the MS system and the AEM cam gears, will that allow me to "tune" everything? I thought the AF/X ECU tunes itself?

Sell the AF/X and get a MS... BTW no you should not tune cam gears without a dyno


P.S. TURBO!!!!!!!!!! R u high.. 2nd gear is amazing

 

[1kwik4g]

I love all motor. I used to ride a 93 gs 4g63. And i did the turbo cams swap u can notice the differences...And i think with a few more mods and a nice spiced up tune. U will get a car that will put u in ## seat pretty good.

Not to mention how nice an N/A sounds. And how u can rev them is nice

 

[1995eternal]

yea just the price tag of going turbo is freaking me out. I want a quality system, thats why I was going with the Hahn kit. Plus it comes with everything you need. But its like $2500!!! and thats just for the stage one kit, add another grand and you get the stage two kit.....

What about the nitrious oxide option. Its a lot cheaper but you have to refill the bottle. Can someone tell me how much it costs to refill a bottle....?

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

If you want REAL power put a turbo on it. In N/A form it just ain't got enough.

 

[1995eternal]

If you want REAL power put a turbo on it. In N/A form it just ain't got enough.

argh, I kinda know that but dont want to accept it.... I really liked the Hahn turbo kit but for $2500 I just can't do it. I've seen all the turbo kits on ebay for around $900 like this for example,

95 96 97 98 99 ECLIPSE 2G DSM 420A 2.0L T3/T4 TURBO KIT : eBay Motors (item 290431429949 end time Jun-01-10 14:14:33 PDT)

This is more in my price range but I've heard bad things about getting big parts like this of ebay. Any suggestion? I noticed in that ebay page it doesnt include the down pipe or a fuel pump, it just says it has a fuel pressure regulator. I know I can get those parts seperatly but would this kit get the job done. I only want to run between 5-8 psi boost...

 

[tec_41]

argh, I kinda know that but dont want to accept it.... I really liked the Hahn turbo kit but for $2500 I just can't do it. I've seen all the turbo kits on ebay for around $900 like this for example,

95 96 97 98 99 ECLIPSE 2G DSM 420A 2.0L T3/T4 TURBO KIT : eBay Motors (item 290431429949 end time Jun-01-10 14:14:33 PDT)

This is more in my price range but I've heard bad things about getting big parts like this of ebay. Any suggestion? I noticed in that ebay page it doesnt include the down pipe or a fuel pump, it just says it has a fuel pressure regulator. I know I can get those parts seperatly but would this kit get the job done. I only want to run between 5-8 psi boost...

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/art...uild-420a-stage-2-turbo-kit-under-1000-a.html

This is the best place to start, my friend. I can speak from experience- I built my turbo kit for under $900 when all was said and done. There were a few things I went back and changed, but if you're on a budget you can still build a reliable kit for "cheap"!

The only thing is with this route, you don't have much for tuning options. If you can afford it down the road, megasquirt is the best option

 

[Boosted_talon98]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/art...uild-420a-stage-2-turbo-kit-under-1000-a.html

This is the best place to start, my friend. I can speak from experience- I built my turbo kit for under $900 when all was said and done. There were a few things I went back and changed, but if you're on a budget you can still build a reliable kit for "cheap"!

The only thing is with this route, you don't have much for tuning options. If you can afford it down the road, megasquirt is the best option

x2 I ran the hahn kit for my first turbo and it isa helpful ### it gives youy everything you need. But now mad people are boostin these lil turds and the search feature answers EVERYTHING YOU need its magic ohhhhh ohhhhhh. Oh and foreal man the 420a has a very unique sound and man when the open dump opens Omg never gets old

 

[92AWDHX40]

Accept it, ebay turbo, hit or miss dont personally know, just do a 6 bolt swap.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

Accept it, ebay turbo, hit or miss dont personally know, just do a 6 bolt swap.

The OP doesn't have a 4G63! This is the 420A section, pay attention before posting!

Rule #3: Don't try to help if you don't know the answer - bad advice is often worse than no advice!

 

[tec_41]

The OP doesn't have a 4G63! This is the 420A section, pay attention before posting!

Rule #3: Don't try to help if you don't know the answer - bad advice is often worse than no advice!

Ha ha, are these guys getting lost or what?


I can't say anything bad about an ebay turbo...honestly for the $150 or less that some of them cost I'm willing to swap every so often as long as it doesn't grenade into my intake. But you'll usually hear it hitting before that happens

Just make sure you stick to quality fuel components. That's something I don't think anyone would suggest to skimp on.

 

[AK Maniak]

In the end the turbo kit would be your best bet. N/A can only get you so much power. Plus if you look at the hp gain/dollar turbo is the winner by far

 

[1995eternal]

With the Hahn kit out of the picture I've looked at the ebay turbo kits and the build it yourself turbo kits. And honestly the ebay kits sound a bit better. Theres one on ebay for $594, link:

Mitsubishi Eclipse 2g 95-99 420A 2.0L Turbo Kit : eBay Motors (item 260559638347 end time May-26-10 18:46:34 PDT)

It even comes with the down pipe. I'll I need is the fuel pump, which would be the Walbro 255lph HP fuel pump, correct? And I can re-use me current cat back exhaust system? I only want to run between 5 and 8 psi boost becuase I havent built up the block yet. Do I have to get the Mega Squirt system to run a turbo? Or is it just a nice thing to have....

 

[nothingfiction]

the best part (to me) and many other's from what i have read, about the Hahn kit is the intercooler piping is all just a one solid pipe instead of a multi-pipe setup like the ebay kits using multiple cupplers which can leak and such. the less cupplers used easier to find any boost leaks. -Food for thought.

go ahead and get the ebay kit but be on the lookout to get the hahn intercooler setup (that's what i would do if i was you)

 

[pgarland]

I'll I need is the fuel pump, which would be the Walbro 255lph HP fuel pump, correct?

Correct.

And I can re-use me current cat back exhaust system? I only want to run between 5 and 8 psi boost becuase I havent built up the block yet. Do I have to get the Mega Squirt system to run a turbo? Or is it just a nice thing to have....

Your current exhaust system should be fine. And no, you will not need Megasquirt to run 5-8 pounds of boost. Megasquirt is a standalone system that gives you full control of your tuning, you will want to consider it if down the road you decide to increase the boost and want better control of your motor's settings, but for now it is not a necessity.

 

[Boosted_talon98]

the best part (to me) and many other's from what i have read, about the Hahn kit is the intercooler piping is all just a one solid pipe instead of a multi-pipe setup like the ebay kits using multiple cupplers which can leak and such. the less cupplers used easier to find any boost leaks. -Food for thought.

go ahead and get the ebay kit but be on the lookout to get the hahn intercooler setup (that's what i would do if i was you)

Well he will have to mount his compressor discharge facing the valve cover to use the hahn FMIC piping but with the cheap ebay log manifold is this possible

 

[96_killer]

With the Hahn kit out of the picture I've looked at the ebay turbo kits and the build it yourself turbo kits. And honestly the ebay kits sound a bit better. Theres one on ebay for $594, link:

Mitsubishi Eclipse 2g 95-99 420A 2.0L Turbo Kit : eBay Motors (item 260559638347 end time May-26-10 18:46:34 PDT)

this is the first kit i seen that comes with a down pipe well half a down pipe.
man and it cost me a bout $75 more to make my own kit! but all my parts are quality used parts well some are new.. but man if i would have seen this kit before i would have got-in it! but will still need, fmu,fuel pump and oil supply & drain lines. you will still need to fab up the rest of the down pipe..

Good thing you have a 95 you don't need a fcd....