Project Thread: Cartech SE Turbo Kit Install
 

After much thought and consideration on how to get more power out of my stock and low mileage GSL-SE without destroying a clean and collectable car, I've come across a good solution: I am about to install one of the Cartech turbo kits from Corky Bell that is designed for the GSL-SE.

For those unfamiliar with the kit, it is an old school turbo that uses the stock ECU, a healthy T-04E turbo, and well-designed manifolds to provide peak performance with very high reliability. It's truly a bolt-on exercise; even the A/C is easily retained. HP is in the 275 range at the rear wheels with 7 lbs of boost.

Given the conservative approach, retention of stock parts, its old-school design intended for the SE, and bolt-on approach, I believe that the car's value will not be dimished. We won't be carving it up, ricing it out, adding gauge pods, ripping up the dash for ECUs and DVD players, and so on.

The install starts on Sunday. Here's some intro photos:


Here's the car (pictured at the Michigan Rotary Club's spot at the Woodward Dream Cruise back in August).

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30...e/DSC_0322.jpg

A recent engine pic (all stock):

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30...DSC_0003-1.jpg

Here's the turbo, fresh from a rebuild:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30...d/DSC_0002.jpg

Very nice. How did you go about ordering it? From them directly? Another vendor? Cost?

I am leaning towards a turbo for the next real mod so I am subscribing to this thread so I can keep up with the news and status.

Thanks and keep us informed...

How are you planning on adding enough fuel?

Sounds like a great plan. 2 important considerations, does the kit provide additional fuel (like revhead said) and what does it do about timing. I highly stress adding a wideband before boosting and lock the distributor as well. Keep us informed please, looks like a nice project.

I purchased the kit used; they probably haven't been available new in years. In terms of fuel, I'll quote the vintage Cartech material:

"The single most difficult problem ever tackled by the aftermarket turbo kit makers is to provide a correct air-fuel ratio in a fuel injected automobile when operating
under boost. This is also the single most important aspect of a turbocharger system.

"At this writing, Cartech is still the singular company that has accomplished this. We are able to maintain a correct air/fuel ratio by programming the fuel pressure to rise relative to the boost pressure. This is done by installing a second fuel
pressure regulator of our design in series with the original and replacing the stock fuel pump with a 120 psi unit."

Nice! I look forward to the install.

does this kit keep the 5/6 ports actuators?

Hmmm...i'd like to see some progress pics of this as well. Think we can get a few intrest on the site for them to make a second production run? lol...seriously though, i'm in the same boat you are. I don't want to hack anything up, mine is MINT as well :)

I just talked to Mike at Corkey Bell, he stated all the equipment/parts/diagrams and blue prints were sold to a company named Redline performance. That would be the only lead he said he knew about. I'm going to dig a little deeper into this, maybe something will come up. Hope i'm not stealing your spot-light, goodluck and keep us updated!

Well...just got off the phone with redline performance in CA, they don't/won't do that type of production run again. They no longer have the parts and all the goodies. Looks like you might be starting a one of a kind car if somebody else dosn't have it/find another kit.

I'm highly interested in this. I was thinking about getting a engine swap for a turbo'd fc engine but now i could just get my engine rebuilt and bolt on this turbo with out doing anything drastic cause my FB is still mint stock under the hood.

Might wanna read my above posts :(

275 hp sounds like a stretch to me at 7psi considering the stock 13B puts out about 130 on a good day

Thats what I was thinking... I wouldn't mind seeing any numbers :)

It's about 275 at the crank. Not the wheels. And yes, that's still plenty.

That's a recipe for trouble. A few minutes on the injector calculator shows the stock injectors don't flow nearly enough fuel for that sort of horsepower unless you crank them to some ridiculous pressure. I suggest adding extra injectors and a micro fueller or a full aftermarket ecu.

This will be an iterstesting install, but I'm not sure I believe 275 hp though.... I mean a stock S5 T2 engine puts out 200hp and thats right around 7psi stock. I realize this is a different turbo, engine etc, but still... Will be interesting nonetheless :)

i have called corkey bell before to get info on the twin weber down draft set up (dcd) he designed at rotary engineering... he is a rotorhead all the way... they were his first love, but mustangs pay the bills...

Listen:

For anyone wanting to do this, please click on the link below. David Lane has had much success with adding a turbo to his 85 GSL-SE. It is very streetable and pushes over 300 hp. It is an old Cartech turbo set-up. He is also a friend of mine and one of the nicest and most knowledgable RX-7 gurus you can talk to.

Mike

http://www.wankel.net/DavidLane/

Having ridden in and seen David's car in person I would agree with the above poster. His car is beautiful and makes plenty of power. I would definitely believe the 275 hp claim.

David is one of the most knowledgable and helpful guys out there. He's had this package (actually a slightly earlier version) on his SE for over 20 years. And yep, 275 is pretty conservative; I think the healthy T-04E is a key to its power.

The package is brilliant in its relative simplicity and conservative approach, and they have an outstanding track record for reliability and longevity.

I noticed David's car has an aftermarket computer. It would be crazy to try this with the stock ECU and no extra injectors.

David Lane is a Great guy, have hung out with him a few times. very knowledgeable with the cartech setup and electromotive ignition. He runs autocross.
I had a simular package as David has on my SE. Although we did come to the conclusion that my manifold was a different design. Even though it have Cartech name in raised letters on the manifold.
I attached some pictures of my cartech Setup.
http://img393.imageshack.us/img393/6185/pc155245pe4.jpg\
http://img393.imageshack.us/img393/1974/p1025270lp8.jpg
http://img456.imageshack.us/img456/5029/23154312iz6.jpg

Corky Bell designed the Cartech kit to work with stock ECU and stock Dizzy @ 7psi.
It was a straight bolt on package. David decided to go with the Tec2 by Electromotive, along with running two additional injectors plumbed into the side of the plenum for extra fuel and more control of timing.

BTW,
NICE car man!!!!
What wheelz are those?

So after reading this I guess there are no options for us other SEs?

I too hope to go turbo one day...as my car is nice and stock and just clicked to 101K so I kinda want to keep it pretty stock too. My car is not pristine but it aint all beat up either.

seems like the cartech kits were the best bang for the buck and had "everything" power and reliability. Strange a company wouldnt copy or mimic it and offer it. Even at a slight premium. I mean its a win win right?

Direct Bolt on
Super reliable
Pretty large power increase

strange no one has jumped on it....

I don't care if it was designed by Felix Wankel himself. The only way to get that sort of flow with the stock injectors is run well in excess of 100psi fuel pressure and even then they would be reaching very high duty cycles.

I believe David Ran it on the stock ECU for quite a while. Well into the 90's. I also believe he is the original owner and bought the kit back in 87 or somewhere around there. So it does work.

However, if you want to be safe just keep the stock harness unconnected and run a megasquirt or other aftermarket ECU.

Revhead, I hear your point, but really, this package has two successful decades of users with real-world miles....

do u have to change the rotors or just manifold to turbo it.

i cant wait to see you start and finish this. i have a question if you dont mind do you have the specs on the turbo by chance?

heres what i think you should do.....get it on the ca, and then give me the car :D

man, i love your car.

good luck with the project. ill be keeping my eye on this thread

aws140, thx for the comments! I'll keep you posted.

markusj08, it's all bolt on to the stock engine.

My kit game off a tired SE. It was put on the car and 85,000 miles and ran like a beast for over 50K until the owner decided it was time to break down the car. The engine was still going strong. The turbo was beginning to show some age, so I decided to have it rebuilt to be safe. I am also going to repalce all the tubing with braided line.

Forget about all stock. Go to Re-Speed and redo all the front steering and rearend to get the best performance and ride out of the SE. Depending on your use, install a gsl lsd unit into it and opt for a port job. Why stop at 275 when a proper build and tune can get way over 300 hp. I'm interested in seeing what you do with it though. I'm not going to go turbo till I rebuild my rearend, redo my suspension, remove and replace the front crossmember and pinion for new a new one. Along with a steering rack that will replace my rusted old steering arm. So much money I have to save up.

Thats great and all, but sounds like the OP wants a turbo kit only on his SE :)

Plus, the GSL-SE came stock with a LSD, but instead of 4x110 it was a more common 4x114.3. If you have ever rode in a turbocharged first gen you will see that 275 is more than enough to get killed in. I have been in a 200hp 12a turbo and it was quite a handful, even as a passenger only haha.

granola, if I was building from a shell, I'd take a path more like what you suggest. But I am starting with an ultra-clean low mileage car. I don't have rusted suspension parts to deal with because the undercarriage is clean. I don't need to rebuild the engine because it only has 30k miles on the original engine.

My dollars and time are not infinite, so I am working with the approach that provides the biggest bang for the buck. I think this old school turbo approach maintains the integrity of the design, the collectible value, and provides a huge performance increase over stock.

also, an UPDATE: I've been waiting for someone to ask for an update. Well, nothing has been done. The person who will be leading the install effort was injured in a work accident. We will start work soon, but the car really isn't going anywhere, as we are in the midst of the Michigan winter, and this car has never season rain, snow, or salt.... and I have no plan to change that practice!

cartech turbo
 

i have a cartech blow through weber turbo system this kit fit 80 to 85 rx7 $1300 bo

^ That is pretty slick

Agreed with everyone if the car's in great condish then thumbs up and have fun friend :). For my self I'm stuck with completely having to revamp everything. Thanks to RE speed I've been considering major upgrades within a three year span. Upgrading everything suspension and rebuilding to someday turbo once I completely enjoy a safer "updated" Rex especially if I want to drift my car.

hay i was wondering if theres any updates to this project.

Well, sort of. The plan was to do the work in the fall, but my installer got injured at work, so it didn't happen before the snow fell. So, the car has sat all winter... remember, this is Michigan, and we use tons of salt here. This car needs to remain clean and pristine!

So, the weather is finally breaking and spring is upon us. My installer is fine, but busy as hell. We just spoke last night, and I hope that it gets done this weekend. If not.... can anyone here willing to spend a weekend in beautiful Michigan? :)

Well, with much regret, I am not going to install this kit after all. Other than the turbo -- which was professionall rebuilt -- I never took anything out of the box. Turns out I need to buy a car for a family member, so for sale it goes.

If anyone is interested in buying it, post here or PM me. thx...

Sorry to hear about that. I was looking forward to seeing it installed.

Man, now I want it, but probably can't afford it. :( It seems like an awesome setup and would be so much fun. :D

Wht are you looking at for the price point?

I'd like to see some pics of the complete kit if you don't mind. Thanks.

Wow, I was waiting to see the finished project. Sorry to hear that. Wish you were selling later on in the year as i'm backed up on money right now. GL with the sale and beautiful example of a GSL-SE :icon_tup: . God bless

I am on the road; once I return, I'll post some pics.

Did you end up selling the turbo?

Wow, that is a TRUE Cartech Fuel Injected kit, isn't it?
Please, Post many many more pictures of this setup (and your car too).

I archive almost everything Turbo FB related..

Well, after much consideration, plus the fact taht my installer just returned back here after 6 weeks in Puerto Rico, we're going to do the install after all. Next weekend we start! I will deliver pics and updates.