Is this MSM kit a good deal?
 

Found this in my local craigslist section. Im looking to get get me 2000 turbo's. Nothing crazy just a daily driver putting out no more than 200 hp. Does this kit look like it has enough reliable potential? Thanks for input in advance.

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/pts/2996912936.html

No

That's a lot of money for a small turbo and an undersized intercooler with none of the electronics or fuel management that you'll need to make it run on your car.

It may seem cheap, but in the long run, you will probably spend less buying a complete turnkey kit from either Bell or FM, particularly if this is your first venture into forced-induction.

Agree with the previous two. That'd be $400 at best and I wouldn't even give that.

I'm an MSM guy and even I will tell you to skip this. Almost everything pictured in the listing is stuff many of us remove anyway (crappy intake nest, choked downpipe, tiny intercooler, etc.). You can make 250 to 300whp on that turbo if you have the compressor wheel upgraded but that barely makes sense in an existing MSM. For a fresh build, just get a tater and make more power with less hot air.

You'll get 200hp out of it. MSM turbo's are bit over priced for some reason. You still have more money to put into that setup before you get the 200hp (injectors, ECU, Downpipe, etc). I would suggest putting on a different setup. The MSM setup is fun out of the box, but not a lot of head room to turn up the power and there are lots or stories about the failure of MSM turbos after awhile.

Thx @ JoePerez, elesjuan, mr-Hyde, IloveOffRamps.

Agh what was I thinking with such a cheap setup. However, I have run into a fellow who is selling a begi s-3 kit w/o fuel injectors and fuel management as . It is advertised as <8k miles and fits 94-97 miatas. However I have a 2000 and was wondering what modifications to the down pipe would need to be done? He is selling for $2000 and is local and said he would cut a deal because he doesn't want to ship it out. Here are some pics he provided via email.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...72793009_n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...26320236_n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...81230701_n.jpg

I plan to meet up with him to inspect the parts this week. I know I should check the turbos shaft play and what not. But what other details should I be looking for in the inspection? Thanks for taking a look.

Much better deal assuming the parts are all in working order.

Downpipe mods should be really minimal, if any. The local Muff Man should be able to take care of any issues for you.

Yeah, you'll need to have the flange at the catalytic converter re-worked, as the design of the midpipe is completely different in the NB vs the NA. I believe that the EGR fitting on the manifold itself also differs- I assume that being in California, this is something which is of concern to you.

There are several >100k MSM turbos out there in daily driver use. Mine has over 30 track days at 15psi and still felt great when I swapped it into the new track car this winter. I also change my oil and stay out of boost until the oil is up to temperature so I haven't been able to induce any failures to add to the multitude... :jerkit:

My NB has the remnants of a NA BEGI S3 on it. I seem to remember the downpipe flange issue being very minimal, I believe I just had to cut/drill the NA DP flange to get it to mate up to the NB exhaust. The hotside charge pipe that attaches to the turbo had to be changed just a little bit to get around my AC lines (but the old kit was for no ac/ps). I deleted the EGR so that wasn't ever an issue for me. Other than those small issues it swapped straight over.

that does not look like the bell i/c on the first picture.

alright sounds good. All modifications look like they will be minimal. I plan to meet up sometime this week. Ill let you all know how it goes =]