2G Turbo upgrade?

[scuba1x]

BACKSTORY:
I had plans for a build a few years back and then got side tracked. The car had some issues and it turned out to be the ECU had some leaking capacitors.
Replaced the ECM which solved most of the issues and finally got thru smog check last month and I am now enjoying driving the car again.
When the smog tech opened the hood he immediately starting shining his flashlight over the turbo and really trying to see if anything is not OEM stock.
He asked if the UIC piping was stock and I said yes. He seemed OK with that.

NOW:
Trying to decide which upgrade route to go next.

So far I have installed:
I have removed the boost control solenoid restrictor
I made a bigger vent in the wheel well behind the SMIC
Removed the BOV dump tube
3" Megan Racing Turbo back exhaust system (bought this years ago and installed a new cat to pass smog)
Upgraded metal UIC piping
1G BOV
Forced Performance cast aluminum turbo intake pipe (had the stock on to pass smog)
Manual Boost Controller (hidden in engine bay)
A Pillar with 2 POD's ( this A Pillar is disconnected and sitting in storage bin with the following installed: Boost Gauge , A/F Raito Gauge)
I will reinstall the A Pillar now that smog test is over...

Have been running 15PSI with this set up.

What I have sitting in storage bins:
AFPR
Walbro 255
1200CC FIC injectors
DSM Link V3
Punishment Racing FMIC
Evo 3 16g (purchased rebuilt fromJusMX141 a few years ago)
Evo 3 exhaust manifold
O2 housing (ebay)

My goals are <400AWDHP for mostly street application.

Now I am considering whether I should just go for a stock appearance with the following (due to smog inspections):
T28
DSM Link 3
Injectors (what size?) (not sure I need the 1200CC FIC's with a small turbo)
Walbro 190LPH
APFR (maybe locate this somewhere outside the engine bay to keep hidden)
No FMIC.

What are your thoughts?

Are there any alternatives to the T28 that would appear stock and fit under the heatshield?

Would clocking the EVO 3 eliminate the need for a J Pipe? (maybe just use an adapter)
Would the EVO 3 fit under the stock heat shield?

Thanks for any advise or recommendations!

 

[randman2011]

Removed the BOV dump tube? Do you mean you're VTA or that you cut the pipe inside the factory intake? Definitely get that EVO 3 exhaust manifold on there. That ALSO fits under the stock heatshield.

I had a T28. It was very meh and only lasted 18 months before the bearings decided they didn't want to exist anymore. According to @JusMX141 that's the standard failure mode. I wouldn't recommend this turbo to anyone unless you got it for free and plan on upgrading again soon.

There are plenty of turbine-side stock-appearing turbos (I run an HTA68, for example) but only the T28 has the same compressor housing setup as the stock T25. It's your only choice if you need to pass a 2g visual inspection. Still wouldn't recommend.

Yes, the 1200cc injectors you have would be more than enough. If they're good enough there's not really any harm in running them. I've seen injectors much bigger than that give decent idle. No need to waste money getting smaller ones.

You can go sidemount with an EVO 3. I did for a bit. There aren't any upgraded sidemount options anymore and the used stuff is impossible to find, but as long as you don't go crazy with the boost and tune intelligently it'll be fine.

Yes, the EVO 3 turbo fits under the stock heatshield. That is my current setup. I've thought about rotating the compressor housing to eliminate the J pipe and reduce the charge volume, but I already had the J pipe and associated other piping so I didn't feel like doing anything custom. Most compressor housings are located with a dowel pin that you can remove to enable free rotation, but beware that the wastegate actuator only mounts in one position so if you rotate the compressor housing you're either going to be fabricating a wastegate mount or going external wastegate.

Obviously there's a lot more going on here and stock-appearing hasn't ever been a priority for me, but I LOVE having shiny new factory heatshields again!

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I'm reminded that I need to get that red silicone shit out of my engine bay ASAP.

 

[scuba1x]

Thanks for the response!
I had those same strut tower bars on, but took them off for the smog.

Yes, I cut the dump tube inside the factory intake.

So, other than the waste gate mounting I guess I have all the items for the EVO 3 install (I did purchase the RRE 2G install kit a few years ago)...

Glad to hear I can clock the turbo...That might make it look stock enough to get through the visual smog inspection...maybe..
Any off the shelf Turbo/lower IC piping adapter available? or will I have to fab something?

I guess I have to decide if I'm going keep to the original plan with the EVO 3 and risk the failed visual smog inspection or go with the mediocre T28 and play it safe....

I guess I will also need to send that EPROM ECM with the leaking capacitors to DSM link for repair soon....

 

[JusMX141]

I'm currently working on putting together a one-off turbo using some spare parts I have here that may be right up your alley for factory appearance...I definitely don't plan on building another, but it'll be an Evo X 152G6 compressor in a T25 cover on a MHI bearing housing. Basically an Evo III 16G but 1.3mm smaller on the compressor inducer (47mm) behind a T25 cover. Will use a T25 wastegate actuator and compressor housing, the rest will be all MHI for durability.

Tons of machining to the compressor housing and the bearing housing so it won't be as affordable as a typical 16G or T28, but it'll be unique for sure. It's a side project so I'm not sure exactly when it'll be done, but I'll post some photos once it's complete.

 

[scuba1x]

Definately very interested! Please let me know when this project is completed!
This would be a perfect solution for my appplication!

 

[randman2011]

Re:E316G, a J pipe could possibly raise some eyebrows but there is definitely no way you'd hide an external wastegate. Best case you're designing a custom bracket to hold the factory actuator to a different spot on the compressor housing. Worst case you're trying to hide this thing from inspectors:

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And you'd also lose the ability to have the factory heatshield over the O2 housing as well. I'd choose making a factory-looking J pipe over that any day.