Project Thread: Cartech SE Turbo Kit Install
11-08-07 | 06:12 AM
#26
Hunting Skylines
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,431
Likes: 4
From: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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?
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?
11-08-07 | 06:45 AM
#27
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.
However, if you want to be safe just keep the stock harness unconnected and run a megasquirt or other aftermarket ECU.
11-09-07 | 02:21 PM
#30
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).
A recent engine pic (all stock):
Here's the turbo, fresh from a rebuild:
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).
A recent engine pic (all stock):
Here's the turbo, fresh from a rebuild:
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?
11-09-07 | 03:00 PM
#32
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.
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.
12-30-07 | 02:09 AM
#33
Full Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: California
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.
12-30-07 | 02:29 AM
#34
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.
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.
12-31-07 | 11:57 PM
#35
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!
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!
01-01-08 | 10:50 PM
#38
Full Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: California
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.
. 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.
04-15-08 | 03:56 PM
#40
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?
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?
04-21-08 | 08:26 AM
#41
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...
If anyone is interested in buying it, post here or PM me. thx...
04-21-08 | 08:40 AM
#42
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. 
Man, now I want it, but probably can't afford it.
It seems like an awesome setup and would be so much fun.
04-21-08 | 11:13 PM
#44
Wassup!!
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 1
From: Longmont Co.
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...
If anyone is interested in buying it, post here or PM me. thx...
04-22-08 | 12:54 AM
#45
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
iTrader: (17)
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,740
Likes: 4
From: Las Vegas, NV
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 
. God bless
. God bless
05-18-08 | 10:23 PM
#49
05-24-08 | 02:09 PM
#50
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.
