Turbo setup for reliability and low maintenance
#1
Turbo setup for reliability and low maintenance
Hello all, I searched the DIY Turbo Discussion forum for “Low Maintenance Reliable” and didn’t find what I was looking for, so I decided to go directly to the source of All Things Miata Turbo, you guys. First of all the car/engine:
2002 in good condition
6 speed trans
3.636 Torsen Diff
Frame rail braces
Cowl braces
Engine
VVT
Cylinders bored to 84mm
8.5/1 Compression
Forged pistons
Manley connecting rods
Boundary oil pump
Supertech valves and double springs
LS coil packs
ATI damper
TDR clutch
MS3 ECU
Stock exhaust
Coolant re-rout
Oil cooler
Flat top intake
Rev limiter set at 7000 rpm
TDR Rotrex kit making 14.5 psi at 7000 rpm
Only 93 pump gas available no E85
This is a weekend cruiser no track time just spirited driving. I’m currently making 230RWHP with the Rotrex but I would like a little more power under the curve, i.e. more low end torque. My goals are 275 – 300 RWHP, with a quick spool turbo, but what is very important to me is low maintenance and good reliability. I’ve done some reading and think a cast iron manifold is the way to go but I’m not sure if there is any real difference in reliability between the major turbo manufactures. So, my questions to you are 1) does one of the turbo manufactures stand out as being more reliable than the rest, and 2) what steps can I take up front to improve reliability and minimize routine maintenance?
Thanks
2002 in good condition
6 speed trans
3.636 Torsen Diff
Frame rail braces
Cowl braces
Engine
VVT
Cylinders bored to 84mm
8.5/1 Compression
Forged pistons
Manley connecting rods
Boundary oil pump
Supertech valves and double springs
LS coil packs
ATI damper
TDR clutch
MS3 ECU
Stock exhaust
Coolant re-rout
Oil cooler
Flat top intake
Rev limiter set at 7000 rpm
TDR Rotrex kit making 14.5 psi at 7000 rpm
Only 93 pump gas available no E85
This is a weekend cruiser no track time just spirited driving. I’m currently making 230RWHP with the Rotrex but I would like a little more power under the curve, i.e. more low end torque. My goals are 275 – 300 RWHP, with a quick spool turbo, but what is very important to me is low maintenance and good reliability. I’ve done some reading and think a cast iron manifold is the way to go but I’m not sure if there is any real difference in reliability between the major turbo manufactures. So, my questions to you are 1) does one of the turbo manufactures stand out as being more reliable than the rest, and 2) what steps can I take up front to improve reliability and minimize routine maintenance?
Thanks
#2
From what I have read, your best bet is to look into the BorgWarner EFR series turbos. They are the best on the market for very good reasons: https://www.full-race.com/articles/b...ner-efr-turbos will explain what i cant
#8
Jerry - that rwhp number is from 1-2 years ago; you got responses the tune is ultra-conservative and you agreed. There’s a dude on here with a 1.6, lower octane, making more power. TDR piggybacks are making similar power on stock engines.
if you really want a turbo, go for it. But it really sounds like you’re trying all this bolt-on stuff and avoiding the elephant in the room. if you don’t trust your tuner to find your power, FIND A NEW ONE. If you can’t trust this person with a simple, very predictable power delivery, what do you expect from a turbo kit with more even more factors to tune and +70rwhp? Otherwise you’ll be back here asking the same question, an overbuilt $12k turbo setup for Uber reliability, and 231rwhp.
Don’t be that sad *** Hallmark movie Jerry… don’t be the socially awkward hot girl with glasses that’s scared to go to prom. Find your Jonathan Van Ness of tuning first and send it.
if you really want a turbo, go for it. But it really sounds like you’re trying all this bolt-on stuff and avoiding the elephant in the room. if you don’t trust your tuner to find your power, FIND A NEW ONE. If you can’t trust this person with a simple, very predictable power delivery, what do you expect from a turbo kit with more even more factors to tune and +70rwhp? Otherwise you’ll be back here asking the same question, an overbuilt $12k turbo setup for Uber reliability, and 231rwhp.
Don’t be that sad *** Hallmark movie Jerry… don’t be the socially awkward hot girl with glasses that’s scared to go to prom. Find your Jonathan Van Ness of tuning first and send it.
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