Turbo BP vs Low Power Engine Swaps
03-24-2018, 01:48 AM
#43
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03-24-2018, 09:29 AM
#44
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I'll chime in where I have both a FM2 2560 powered car and a J-swap with a J32A2.
Both are being run with 0 modifications to the engine itself. I can't talk about track reliability where I haven't gotten either on a track for long sessions where cooling would come into play and the FM2 car is now an Exocet so that makes it a very different animal. For street drivability in Miata form, they are both fun cars with likely similar power to wheels ~200-225 but they behave very differently.
The FM2 kit drives pretty much stock at low throttle then opens up as you get into it bringing the smiles to the face but I found that this isn't as beneficial on the street since pretty much any time you do it its for short stints or you are quickly breaking the speed limit by a lot. Highway on ramps though are a blast being able to open it up.
The J32 has tons of torque right from the start that is great for street driving since this is typically the range you are going to be in. There is something lacking from the top end though, even though its probably just as fast as a turbo motor at the same power, you don't have the explosive power once it spools and the great noises that go along with it.
This is why I have both
The cost I'd say is about the same.
I did the FM2 no electronics kit with MS, 750cc injectors and AEM Wideband. FM clutch/pressure plate and Fidanza Flywheel
J32A2 came from JDM engine distributor in NYC, kit from SuperFastMiatas and has a harness from RPM systems and AEM ecu, comes with clutch and flywheel
Both came to around 7k total, but clearly you could make a turbo system for cheaper where the J-series isn't getting much cheaper.
Both are being run with 0 modifications to the engine itself. I can't talk about track reliability where I haven't gotten either on a track for long sessions where cooling would come into play and the FM2 car is now an Exocet so that makes it a very different animal. For street drivability in Miata form, they are both fun cars with likely similar power to wheels ~200-225 but they behave very differently.
The FM2 kit drives pretty much stock at low throttle then opens up as you get into it bringing the smiles to the face but I found that this isn't as beneficial on the street since pretty much any time you do it its for short stints or you are quickly breaking the speed limit by a lot. Highway on ramps though are a blast being able to open it up.
The J32 has tons of torque right from the start that is great for street driving since this is typically the range you are going to be in. There is something lacking from the top end though, even though its probably just as fast as a turbo motor at the same power, you don't have the explosive power once it spools and the great noises that go along with it.
This is why I have both
The cost I'd say is about the same.
I did the FM2 no electronics kit with MS, 750cc injectors and AEM Wideband. FM clutch/pressure plate and Fidanza Flywheel
J32A2 came from JDM engine distributor in NYC, kit from SuperFastMiatas and has a harness from RPM systems and AEM ecu, comes with clutch and flywheel
Both came to around 7k total, but clearly you could make a turbo system for cheaper where the J-series isn't getting much cheaper.
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03-25-2018, 07:04 AM
#45
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Turbo cars with FM kits were pretty reliable at low-ish hp numbers (say 200hp) or when not being driven all that hard, but when you turned the wick up they had problems with turbo nuts loosening as well as in the cooling and brake systems. Savington has been at the front of driving solutions to these problems with the inconel studs, the big, fat, multi-pass TSE radiator, and pushing big brake kits beyond the basic 11" rotor + Wilwood dynalite caliper.
--Ian
--Ian
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