Turbo sizes and power

[Homeslice]

I have a 1990 Plymouth laser rs turbo and I'm looking to start modding it here in a year or more. I plan on having an ACT 2600 clutch, apexi n1 3" exhaust, manual boost gauge, etc. but I'm honestly clueless on turbos. I want more power than the stock turbo but not like a r34 or big t28. Something with some more, pickup. I'm only 16 so I don't need a 180mph car but I want some go. I was looking at a f71 hta. Opinions?

 

[ninjadave]

Well what are your hp goals? That's a first question. And then you'll wanna worry about the fuel system also before you start slapping a bigger turbo on. But sounds like just a evolll 16g turbo will give you what you want. Just make sure its a true one, there are a lot of knock off ones. Do some nice porting on it and if you can grab an evolll o2 hosing and you'll definitely notice an upgrade.

 

[LarryJoe]

Well we need a hp goal. An evo 3 16g will do for most people.

 

[Homeslice]

My hp goal is around 270-300 and it has a 4g63 ego engine with a stock turbo that came with the rs turbo version. I think it's a 16g. The car has 146k miles on it but I don't think that matters.

Sorry it's a 14b turbo running with, I believe, 14 psi.

 

[dsmspick]

With proper supporting mods you should be able to reach that with a 14b.

 

[LandSpeed-DSM]

If ~300whp is your final goal (though it never is) - Keep the 14B, and start to save up for the following, provided you have already done maintainence/repair as needed:

1.) Wideband
2.) ECMLink V3 Lite w/ SD Bundle
3.) Fuel Pump Rewire
4.) 190lph Walbro in-tank pump
5.) 560cc Injectors
6.) Banjo bolt delete (between filter and rail)
7.) Boost controller
8.) Dumped O2 housing
9.) 3" turbo back exhaust (if emissions is not an issue where you are)

 

[Steve93Talon]

I made 321whp and ran 12.4 @ 114 with my 14b FWD setup. At 14psi, you're probably not far off from 270whp already with the aggressive 1G timing map. Focus on supporting mods first, get a wideband and engine management such as DSMlink (V3 lite is plenty for your goals). I'd also get rid of the stock 1G MAF which is known to overrun and read erratically. You can either use a 2G or EVO MAF, or convert to speed density (that's my preference). You'll also want to get a better intercooler, the stock one will heat soak even on the 14b pretty quickly, which will cause knock and kill your power. I'd get an upgraded fuel pump and injectors, that will allow you more headroom to tune (even the 14b can outflow the stock pump).

With good supporting mods and doing some research and learning to tune and maintain the car, you'll be able to push a 14b pretty far, and it'll most likely be faster than slapping a bigger turbo onto a car that doesn't have the supporting mods for it (not to mention you'd hit fuel cut and at minimum need pump/injectors and something to tune with anyway). If you do everything you need and still want more, the car will already be ready for it.

One other thing to consider, with a FWD car you'll be spinning pretty easily in 1st and 2nd, and sometimes in higher gears, once you turn the power up. You should also put some of your budget into suspension/traction mods. For the street, get some wider wheels with some sticky street tires. Something like a 245/50 16. Many FWD cars run drag radials on the street. If it's a track car, plan on a 2nd set of wheels with slicks.

 

[Homeslice]

Today at school I was talking to a guy about it and he said that with my current stock fuel system, I'm losing power and it wouldn't be able to handle a 16g upgrade. And 300hp is my goal for now, once I move out I plan on rebuilding a second 4g63 engine I have and swap them once I run out of miles and then power it up and drag it.

 

[Liveforthemoment]

A 14b will get you there, a16g will get you there alot easier with room to build. Honestly research what your future goals. I say this because I bought alot of parts back in the day and realized after rocking a 14b I went straight to a 16g and two months later of constant tuning I realized I maxed out a 16g and went to a 20g and had to get a t3 manifold and move stuff to make room..... I may be exaggerating a bit but its true... First time right way! And this way web you swap over to your new motor that your building you can swap parts and your thatuch further along and you might just have to swap turbos by that time