Hey,

I've got a couple of question's that I couldn't answer with searching.

I'm putting an S5 T2 into an 82 GS car.

My questions are:

1. Do most people use the heat shields on the turbo? I know space is tight, and the idler arm bushing takes a beating from the extra heat, but other than the bushing. is anything seriously at risk without the heat shield? I'd like to leave the shields off at first to check for leaks, etc. Not sure if I can get the shields on once the engine's in the car.

2. I disassembled the turbo to clean it and port the wastegate. Now I'm wondering if I need to replace all the aluminum crush washers for the coolant line banjo fittings. Do these generally work ok if reused? I can't find the right size replacements in the local parts stores, and it's a pain for me to get to the dealer during business hrs. Anybody know an online source for these?

Thanks,
Neil

 

1.) A heat shield is preferred, but regardless you should at least upgrade that idler arm setup to the Moog unit. That will give you a much higher quality unit that also happens to sit lower, giving you another inch or so of clearance. Do a search here for more info. There are lots of threads with pics showing the difference from stock.
http://www.mazdatrix.com/getprice.asp?partnum=MOOK9369

2.) Dress the washers on some fine emery, and re-use them. Unless corroded badly or damaged, they should be fine.

 

Thanks.

I've been to the Mazdatrix site ALOT, and never saw that Moog piece. I have some brass replacement bushings that I was going to use, but maybe I'll just save them for the race car.

 

Wow, I never knew that that idler arm existed either. Anyone have any pics of this installed? If it sits an inch lower it should do the trick as far as making room for my turbo heat shield.



Heavy Duty Replacement Idler Arm
These replacement idler arms use ball joints rather than bushings, we use these in all 1st gen race cars.

 

No pics of it installed, but it works pretty good. I don't have one on my T2 swap car since I'm going rack and pinion, but I was able to use the stock S5 shields with just a little trimming and the stock idler arm.
Oh and you can put the shields on with the engine in the car, but the one shield can only be put on with the turbo off, so you might wanna keep that in mind when deciding to run them of not

 

the moog idler arms is the ****! I've got one, and it's convinced me to stick with the ole recirc-ball steering a lil longer.... very nice piece, but www.rockauto.com sells it for cheaper than mazdatrix. as for the crush washers, you can by an assortment of copper crushwashers in all kinda of sizes from harbor freight, it's like an assortment pack. Cheap insurance, we went through the same headache when a friend and I did an SR20DET swap in his 240sx... get the washers, you'll be glad you did.