I'm running an S4 6-port with S5 turbo in my SA. I've just brought the car out for the summer, and have a couple questions for you turbo 1st gen folks:

1.) This is the first season with turbo, and I was hoping at low boost/gentle launches the stock clutch would last a summer of driving. That's not going to be the case, as it's slipping at around 5500 rpm @ 8psi boost. What's a nice streetable clutch that will hold a mild turbo 13B? Any thoughts on the XTD stage2 or 3 units sold on Ebay?

2.) The turbine housing is really tight against the idler arm. I'm sure the heat will kill that bushing in short order, so I plan to put an aluminum heat shield between. How have others solved this issue?

TIA.

 

I made a little heat sheild that bolted over the idler arm pivot and it helped,but keep extra idler arm bushings handy because it will fail again with the S5 turbo.The S4 turbo leaves much more room,but who wants a S4,right?!
I solved my idler arm issue permanently with a R&P conversion.
Look around for idler arms with bearings instead of bushings.I think Moog makes them and they are around here and there, on performance sites.

The RB street/strip clutch should hold up,just be sure you surface the flywheel.Its not grabby at all,and the push isnt too hard.It is stiffer than stock,but the behavior is very streetable and it wont eat the flywheel.My RB TII clutch holds up to 300HP just fine,so the smaller N/A version of that unit should hold 200-250HP just fine.

 

MOOK9369

Search on Summit Racing for this part number. It is the performance idler arm that uses ball joints rather than the rubber bushings. I bought one from them but haven't got it installed yet. I'm still working on the whole engine rebuild and Megasquirt thing.

 

i got an xtd stage 3 on ebay for my accord and it is the super harsh(i mean like you drop it and you get whiplash). maybe the stage 2 would be a little better as far as those go.

 

I liked the Centerforce Dual-Friction clutch. Good holding power with completely stock pedal-effort. It held up against ~350hp pretty well, but that was at the limit.

 

Get a turbo beanie.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions folks. I'll have to get a shield on there pronto. The beanie is another idea. I've got the stock S5 turbine housing shield in a box somewhere. I should check to see how it fits with the custom install. I'll post results of the clutch swap after its done. Haven't made a final decision yet.

 

I found a deal on an ACT Xtreme pressure plate and street strip disk kit, it's on order now. The old n/a clutch held better today, but still slips a bit during full boost runs. It'll have to do for the next couple weeks till the ACT setup arrives. This ACT setup comes highly recommended by the infamous David Lane one of the early GSL-SE turbo guys. He's run a few different clutches on his car, and pointed me towards this unit.

That S5 turbo/6-port engine combo really wakes up this little car. Lots of power, and yet still putts around town quietly at 2000 rpm. I was going to put on the lightweight flywheel I've got on another engine, but it always caused annoying bucking at low rpm. I think I'll stick with the stock 'wheel.

 

You can always get a new exhaust manni that moves the turbo up and forward. Someone on here posted where to buy those at one time but I forgot where it was. I too will be installing a S% TII motor, tranny, ecu, and Harness into a 79sa. I just need to get a driveshaft, front cover, a manifold, and some wiring done.