What other cars respond well to turbo?
 

Looking for another car that's larger than the miata, yet also responds well to turbo. Needs to be reliable and affordable too. Used < ~$10k

Any suggestions? How about Bmw 3 series?

I never liked the idea of a turbo FF either, so scratch those.

any non-tubo car

unless you want this thread to majorly fail, you need to be more specific....hmm, lets see "non turbo non fwd reliable" wow way to be specific......hey, a ferrari is non turbo, rwd.....etc etc etc

Ok added a price limit too.

240...or does it need to be 4 dr?

1974 Chevrolet Caprice. Larger than a Miata, RWD, <$10k, reasonably reliable.

As long as you get the smallblock, there's plenty of room down there to fabricate a set of turbo manifolds.

Ditch the carburetor and install a Megasquirt. Use the intake manifold and TB from an L98.

Volvo.

+1 lol thats bigger than a miata. Or a 90's ish subie

It does fit all of his guidelines does it not? Well, they're reliable if they're done right that is.

all subaru's. most mistubishi's. any mazda. couple nissans and toyota's lol

Do a Saturn... No seriously. That would be funny.


(^^owns a Saturn^^)

I'd say you could go with an escort, same bp(pretty much). But I'm suprised nobody has said Honda.

Even the cheap single cam motors take boost well and its cheap to do. I know some motors aren't very boost friendly (H22), but I'm pretty sure they are easily boosted.

noone said honda because he said no fwd

if you would consider a subaru (Ill probably get flamed for this), a buddy of mine owns a 98 impreza 2 door, went to a junkyard, got a rolled 04 wrx, and swapped everything that he could over (primarily engine/tranny/brakes/dash/etc).....the car is bone stock (aside from being swapped obviously) ran low 13's, is super fun (way lighter than wrx) and it cost him 10,600 (600 bux over your budged boo hoo)...
now he threw on turbo back exhaust and tuned it and runs high 12's (for 600 more)....
just a suggestion

Actually, I second the Volvo. or you could ponder on my screen name. :)

http://www.wheelsautomag.com/ADCARS/589.gif

am I the only one that finds them "omgwtfsoccermomugly"?
or am I just thinking of the wrong ones?

thats the point. That car with 350 whp would be sleeper as hell.

but then again, isnt it fail wheel drive?

This would be perfect


http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/garage/6570/





Or just turbo an older audi, they look similar =)

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/G...-the_75149.htm

im more attracted to these:)

http://www.subiegal.com/thecars/impr...-subaru-01.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k3...2_100_full.jpg

stock turbo wrx engine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7SnhiyW7Fo

drool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi2wL...eature=related

So I haven't heard any mention about BWMs E36. Do they turbo poorly?

Although it's out of the price range, how about Porsche Boxsters?

+1 on the 2.5rs.

E36 BMW's turbo well and do +50% easily (e.g. 300-350 whp on an M3); but more than that is not good, their head gaskets are fragile.

You wanna cheap car to turbo, get one with a factory turbo with known easy mods.

Boxsters I imagine have very tight engine space.

Take a look into Lexus SC300. The SC300 has the 2JZ engine which can handle some serious boost. The stock NA 2JZ engine can handle the standard 6-7psi which gets 300-340hp. If you replace the headgasket with a thicker one it will be able enough boost to run low 10s. Take a look in the www.clubna-t.com forums.

Off topic, but I did turbo a 2002 SL sedan previous to my Miata. And there are a bunch of turbo Saturns running around...


On topic, you could get a Peugeot 505 Turbo. RWD. :giggle: My dad had one forever ago, pretty good car actually.

My 30 second list..

The Should:
anything built on the 2JZ platform (SC300, IS300)
anything built on a 4g63 platform (talon, eclipse, mirage w/ swap)
anything built by subaru (for the most part)
anything with a B16/B18 (flooww)

The Should nots:
anything that's BMW (you seriously want to troubleshoot one of those?)
anything made by audi (see above)
anything that is manufactured by Ford

Based on your discription above, it sounds like you want a sedan type car. I'd seriously recommend an SC300/GS300/IS300. Comfy as hell, can be fast, and pretty damn reliable.

I'd love to have one of these babies, don't know if you'd need a turbo though

Attachment 210895

This thread has sucked since the first post. The OP needs to come back and be more fucking specific. Just saying 3-series as a starting point leaves about just about half the cars sold in the US as comparable candidates.

Here are some things we need to know in order to give good advice and not just a list of random cars with internal combustion engines.

4dr or 2dr or wagon, hatch, sedan, 5dr, vert??? How many seats?
Primary purpose/use of this car (second "fun car", kid-hauler, wifes, beater, project, etc)
Fuel economy, maint, avail of parts, new'ish?
Price of car= $10k... how much to spend on mods?
OEM turbo cars or NA car to turbo as project?
How fast does it need to be?
Anything you definitely wouldn't buy?

Need more info.

This is perfect for ya

Ooh, I know! Get a 4age car. Toyota. Do a 7afe to 7age swap on it then turbo the bish. You can get them in RWD cars like the 80's Corolla's and MR2's. Or if you want a later model car, you can get an SW20 MR2 (1990's) which are known for turbo fun. I've ridden in a 300+ whp SW20. Its scary fun.

For $10k, I'd look into the 2.5RS too. You'd be right at the top of your budget though.

I turboed my '97 outback sport (impreza wagon) using the original 2.2l SOHC and my GT2560R off my miata. I probably have $6000 into the car and the turbo setup. Just a simple up pipe & downpipe that bolts to the OEM header and exhaust, and a cheap intercooler from a WRX. Fueling/ignition handled with an emanage Blue w/Olderguy O2 clamp and a Vortec FMU with 4:1 disc. I have never raced anyone or taken it to the track, but it is definitely quick for a DD and is extremely torquey. I get 25-27mpg too!!

http://www.shoremotorsports.com/OBSTurbo.html

I've also turboed geo's. That is highly recommended. Those cars are an absolute blast. I miss them :(

My brother's saturn will get a turbo eventually.

checked out the link, that is pretty cool Tim, not too many (that I know of) sticking with the n/a engine, everyone just goes and gets a wrx engine since they are so cheap nowadays. very nice, Id love to see it in action.

Lexus SC300-its a luxury supra and the 2JZ loves the boost.

have you ever seen the price tags on supra parts????? there is no fucking way you will keep that under 10k if you plan to mod it and do it right........I love both the supra and the lexus, but once you start to mod (turbo, fmic, etc) the prices are ridiculous....unless you plan to make everything yourself and stick to homebrew

Thanks man. I probably would have gone with a WRX swap too but I had everything for this kit except the WRX I/C, which I got for like $50 locally off NASIOC. And a $30 ebay BOV that I adapted to recirc. I've been in bugeye WRX's, and as it turned out I think my OBS is much more perky. Those 2.0l WRX's stock seem sluggish to me. True it doesn't have that distinct incredible boxer rumble (basically an equal length header on these engines) and does start to run out of steam around 5k, it but it goes like stink until then. I run 7psi...I have no idea how stout these SOHC 2.2's or the 5-speed are so I'm a little hesitant to turn it up higher.

+1! Why is anyone bothering to try and help when kenzo isn't giving up any info?!? He said BMW in the 1st and 21st post (he's only jumped back into his own thread once! :bang:)

He said less than 10K but then throws out Boxster (1st post said bigger car than the Miata - apparently that doesn't mean roomier or more practical :vash:).

Quit trying to help until kenzo comes back in with more specifics! :jerkit:

Im thinking of getting one in the future (when we have kids and need 4 doors again. the 2.5L blocks off the newer wrx's along with the avcs heads are available for super cheap these days. throw a 20g 8cm (my favorite turbo for a daily driven wrx), 750's, large tmic, and a couple other things in it and in a gc8 chassis you will have power/weight ratio that will put a grin on your face daily. they are 2700lbs correct? afaik

im really interested in how you managed to tune that thing without opensource, cobb, or hydra, or any of the major subaru tuning platforms. surely that has to be one of the more original setups Ive seen. ive seen a guy run a garrett gt28rs in a bugeye, with custom up/down pipes and other different stuff, but a t25? thats a first for me

Lexus SC300 or IS300

Seen some powerful e30 and e36 BMWs but never looked into their setups. One guy at a local autocross with a turbo e30 325 was putting on a smoke show with some all season tires. I don't think he had a built motor.

did you even read the original thread?
HE SAID <10K........

Heres from soomeone whos builds these things for a living:
92 SC300 5speed: $3000 in great condition.
-tt gasket (9:1 comp)/arp studs = engine good for minimum 750whp: $215
-Dave H turbo kit with T67 and FMIC good to 720whp: $2350 complete, bolt on
-oil pan pre-drilled (even on the non turbos, its ready for a 10an): free
-fuel management: $0 (stock fuel + walbro $100) good to 350whp, don't even bother buying a wideband or an afc/ms2/tec, not necessary

RWD + 2jz sound: priceless.

You can say the exact same thing about BMWs. Although, I gotta say the 7 series columbian drug lord mobile is a bad ass mofo!

Yeah, I would agree on this. An IS will push you over budget by a bit, an SC or GS300 is doable.

so you're saying you can have a 350whp lexus sc300 turbo for under 6k????????because I have yet to hear of one around here
I see you are from canada, that may change things quite a bit. my brother has had nothing but lexuses for the past 8 years, and while he doesnt mod them, he goes to meets religiously to look at other, modified ones. He's taken me to a bunch of clublexus.com bay area meets, and I have talked to many turbo lexus owners, and lemme tell you: I have yet to see one that spent less than 6k for a kit alone, not including all the other stuff needed. Now Im not a big lexus fan so maybe im missing something, but here in northern cali thats the way it is.

I said it before, but I'd like to justify it. A 944 turbo would be a fun car to do. I'm not even suggesting it because of my sn. I thought of other cars first to be honest. But, a stock 944 turbo puts out like 220, if its an S, its more like 250. So there you go. Its a fun car to start with. Has great options and lots of room (and seats 4). Picking one up will run from 4.5k-up to 20k depending on condition, mileage and package. Most of them run about 6-9k on FS threads and sites like Autotrader.

With a couple thousand dollars, you can have a well balanced car that can do track days just as well as any Miata and have playing room if you get greedy for boost. They have a low redline for a 4cyl motor (about what an SRT4 has), but being a 2.5 liter motor, they have torque. Also, there are kits and shops that can do a 3liter conversion (more or less engine work on the motor to bore and stroke it). With a 3.0 or 3.2 liter motor, and supporting mods, you can make 500 whp easy. That's all on an 8 valve head. Throw an S2 or a 968 head (16 valve) and expect considerable gains. The fact that they are balanced, makes them fun to sport around in, but being a little heavier than a Miata with a longer, wider wheel base, they ride smoother and are great for trips.

Just a thought, but I felt I had to throw it in. It'd get my vote. And yes... I did mean 3.0liter or 3.2 liter 4 cylinder.

wow, holy crap that is pretty cool..any clips of what that sounds like? geez

You know a guy with a 944 named Clifton? He has a NICE 944 putting down 420whp. Has the 2.5L w/ the 16 valve head you speak of. Head built by Lindsey racing. I don't mean to sound like I know shit about Porche by the way. But I know his car is really nice and really REALLY fast. He smoked the shit out of my friends GT a 8PSI SC'd. I mean handed it to him. I could never own or work on a Porche, but I'll admit they are nice and well designed until you have to work on them. (like changing the clutch.... :) )

3.0 liter 944 with over 400whp (has less in one of the vids I think)

LOL changing the clutch sucks. Actually dropping the oil pan can suck (you have to remove the cross member first). They even have 3 piece cross members for 944's to make engine work easier. BUT if you can spin a wrench, breathe manually and avoid drooling on yourself and (God forbid) can count your IQ points on more than one hand... You can work on a 944. You just have to know what a socket wrench does.

OK this thread has me thinking along similar lines... Since the OP is not adding more specs it is time for a threadjack :fawk:

Our family car will need a new replacement in about a year. The current '99 Avalon is at 150K miles and has a long daily commute so the miles add up quickly. Needs:

4 door (family transport)
auto trans (yeah, I know...)
RWD
boostable, megasquirtable
good mileage when not boosting (90% highway), minimum 25 mpg
$15K budget, DIY

I think building and tuning a reliable sleeper for her to commute in would be a lot more fun than buying another used Avalon or a new Fit. FOrget about modding the Avalon, way too tight under the hood, and it is FWD anyway.

A Crown Vic could do it...

Tim, i know on the older 2.2 subaru's it is a closed deck and they supposedly are boost crazy. Also as long as you're not beating on the car the trans should be fine, its mainly when you change the clutch, i've found out, on the 5spd subie trans is when they start blowing up fast than hustlers blow up doll.

turbo a honda element.....go look it up...crazy

I love the Impreza RS with the WRX STi motor swap. I would purchase one in a heart beat.

One car that responds to boost surprisingly well is the split port V6 Mustang. One of my close friends had one (soon to have another, dumb trick) and his made 380whp / 400wtq on stock motor. His next one is going to have the same turbo setup, only with cams and roller rockers. Shooting for 420whp, and 450wtq.

Attachment 210883

Attachment 210884

SAAB makes good turbo engines (or atleast they used to). Especially the older 900 models can make a ton of power. I know, they are FWD (and so is the Volvo 850 posted earlier btw), but they are actually quite fun to drive.

Perhaps a Volvo S60R (AWD and turbo engine) is the right way to go?

::continue hijack sorry OP::

I am pretty sure the gc8 chassis is around 27xxlbs, yes. :)

I don't think any of the opensource tuning solutions work on the '97 outback ecu. I'd be very interested in knowing if I'm wrong!

I'm using the vortec FMU off my GReddy kit with a 4:1 disc for fuel and the emanage blue for extra fuel, ignition retard, and anti-stall. I'm using Olderguy's autotune for it's O2 clamp which clamps right at boost threshold (0psi). I'm sucking thru the MAF attached to the OEM airbox/K&N panel filter, BOV recirc empties right before the compressor inlet. The anti-stall within the emanage blue clamps the MAF voltage at a preset value for a preset time period when TPS and RPM fall below preset values.

When you chop the throttle the MAF voltage says unusually high, as if it's still reading a lot of air flow even though RPMs are at idle/high vacuum. It takes about 5 seconds for the MAF voltage to come down to where it should be at idle. I have no idea where the extra air is going, I can't seem to find any leaks. But without the Antistall the extra MAF voltage will cause the car to go off the scale rich and stall.

It's a PITA when the engine is cold and the ECU wants a high idle. The antistall-clamp-voltage is too low for the high idle so it goes lean and stalls when cold. Other than that the setup as a whole works fine. Hopefully in the future I'll have Paul or Jason create me a piggyback megasquirt so I can run the fuel and ignition off a MAP sensor like it should be.

I've tried blowing thru the MAF and that fixed the idle/stalling issue but completely changed the tune everywhere else and caused a plumbing nightmare.

Actually that build list was given out buy a guy who lives in California and builds some pretty nice cars out there. The price of a nice shaped SC300 or SC400 is about 5-6 grand here so even here it is doable with the parts listed for about 10k.

You mean Ian? That guy knows his shit.

Ya I took it from his thread when he was showing off his supra and SC300. Ya he certainly does know his shit and definately a great resource of lots of information.

Is that the car that got crunched recently that you had to do a midnite run to the tow lot to recover the goodies from?