Turbo 1st gen vs. TII FC, what do you think?
 

Alright, so I have a 85 GSL-SE right now. Its pretty much stock, but I’m hoping to stick on a exhaust and cone filter soon, and maybe some other basic things. I’ve wanted a TII for awhile, in fact, I almost bought one before I bought my FB, but being my first sports car (I’m in high school) I decided to wait on getting something too fast. I’ve been driving the FB on and off, and I’m hoping to drive it as much as possible once it gets warmer.

My plans for the future were to sell it and buy a FC next fall/early winter, but I have been thinking about another option. This option is of course, to do the 13bt swap on my –SE.

As far as money goes, I have about 5500$ now to spend, but I expect ~7000$ by the end of the summer to play with.

Now as far as doing the actual work, I don’t really know what I’m doing. I’ve done basic car maintenance (oil changes, fixing small stuff, etc..) and I’ve rebuilt a one cylinder lawnmower engine (don’t know if that counts for anything…) Obviously, I’m not exactly a mechanic.

I’ve tried to organize this into a +/-‘s chart, so here it goes..

TII FC
+ Less work
+ Newer
+ More technologically advanced
+ Safer (I would guess…)
+ Better aftermarket
- Heavier
- Have to find one…
- I’d have to sell my FB!!!

13bt swap’ed FB
+ I already have the car…
+ Lighter
+ More unique
+ I’d have more pride in it
- Lots of work
- Not as technologically advanced (I.E. solid rear axle)

Like I said, the work scares me, not because I don’t want to commit time, I just don’t know what I’m doing and I don’t know anyone that can/would help me.

The reason I want to figure this out now is because I don’t know if I want to start putting my money into my car for cosmetic stuff (like a paint job, a set of rims, and a stereo)

The other thing I could do is sell my car and buy a piston car (240sx with engine swap, 300zx TT, mr2t) but I dunno if I want to do that….

Anywho, try not to be biast toward the first gen if you can help it...

Thanks.

i know this may sound shitty, but do a search on this. theres a lot of writeups on this. you will find everything you need here. but, the search at the bottom of the page is your best bet.

I've read most of the write-ups on doing the swap, and for the most part, I know whats involed with doing it, just not sure if I'd be able to do it alone...

I'm trying to figure out if I should sell the FB and buy a FC or keep the FB and do the swap.

that is a tough choice. for practicallity reasons, i would buy an FC TII

I'm impressed with the knowledge and common sense you posess, rosey. Most kids (not you, you're a young adult!) are interested mainly in speed and neons. I have first hand knowledge, I have a 16 year old.
Can't help with your question, but you obviously have a good head on your shoulders.

Thanks for the compliments :)

I am a 16 year old by the way....

Just thought of another minus for the swap....

If I pumped all my money into a FB, when (or IF I should say) I try to sell it, I would never get my investment back, the FC should carry more resale value.

fb will be lighter and faster

I say go for the TII.....It will be way more work then expected...Im in the process right now. Espically if you dont have the space/tools/etc. do not do it.... Even though it would be pretty cool

talk to the owner of www.rotaryshack.com

he has set up a few people with bolt in carburated turbo engines for FBs

he's 680rwhp12a on the forum.

Im building a Turbo FB right now, so I vote for Turbo FB

I'm no expert on the turbo swaps, but with 7 grand to play with, I bet you could build a fairly reliable 300hp turbo engine and make the car look a little better.

You would spend almost all of that to get a TII in good condition. I think they can go for around $5000-$6000 all day. You wouldn't have nearly as much speed and good looks as the first gen. I say stick with the first gen.

As for resale value, you could probably get most of your money back. A good condition stock GSL-SE can go for $4000 and up. But it comes down to how much someone will pay.

Re: Turbo 1st gen vs. TII FC, what do you think?
 

Tough choice. But based on this alone..

I would say get the TII.

I DO know what I am doing, I DO have tools, I DO know people who can/did help me - and it still wasn't easy or cheap - to do it the right way.

Good Luck.

Yehm there is serious work envolved. but it depends on what path you take. Directfreak and I have have taken fairly complicated routes in search of rediculous power in a small ass car.

Whats the milage like on the stock engine.

You could get a 89-92 stock turbo and manifold for fairly cheap. add a turbo prepped weber carburator, change the fuel system to low pressure (new pump and reg) and add a intercooler if you want to run higher boost.
you would also need a new clutch.

you know one pros on owing a FB, insurance is cheaper

Re: Re: Turbo 1st gen vs. TII FC, what do you think?
 

Amen. I agree with Directfreak 100%. I have my own shop, i have all the knowledge, i have all the parts. And things are still in question. It isn't a straight drop it and plug it.
But if you have the resources, time, money, ambition, and a lotta help, it could turn out to be the funnest thing you can do, plus the great experience.
I guess it is really up to you though. You just have to decide what you have to work with.

Zachstylez

yea, why not just turbo your cars as is? you have an 85 SE, so its up to the task. but be fore warned, if you take this route and carelessly tune it, BAD things can happen...

put a down payment on an RX8.

you have any idea how much insurance a 16 year old would have to pay on a brand new rx-8? It makes a FD look like a fucking steal!

As far as whether you are capable of making an FB, It really depends on your mindset and your resourcefulness. You can do anything you want, if you put in the time to research, and the brains to solve the fabrication issues that will arise. You've got the budget which is more than most do when they start this kind of thing, if you are wise and keep your expectations reasonable.

As far as the pro's and con's, I think you need to add daily drivablity. Turbo FB's are a ton of fun, but they're a handful on and off the road. Certainly, it isn't wise to make your turbo FB your only source of transportation. Not that it can't be done, but murphy will come to haunt if you give him chance. Also, FB's generally are fairly poor winter cars stock, a turbo FB would be stupidly unsafe in the snow.

From my perspective, knowing what I would have been able to handle when I was 16 (not that I'm old: I'm only 23), I'd say get the FC. Its the easier choice, being nearer to OEM makes it much easier to keep running without mechanical incident. When you've proven to yourself that you can properly modify and maintain that, a major project like a Turbo FB won't be so far a stretch.

For $7000.....

Find one in good shape, that someone already did the swap on.....but their wife is making them sell the car.

.....and then....

.....tell the guy, "Its in pretty bad shape, I'll give you $50."

TII is easyer... seeing you dont have to do any thing but find the car.

turbo FB, a lot of work but well worth it in the out come. and a tubo FB should spank a TII all day if done right.

i can do that all day long :D

You do seem to be pretty mature for 16(hence knowing your limits). However, mature and wise are definatly two diferent things. FB's are damn light cars and it really doesn't take a whole lot of HP to make them quick and dangerous.

With the cash you have and age considered, I would go with a rebuilt 4port engine with a good street port and Weber carb, full exhaust and suspension and maybe a paint job.

You will be amazed how fast your car will be with 200hp(13sec 1/4), and at 16 that is way fast enough:). The fact its a Weberized NA will make it dependable and fun for years:) Turbo cars are a whole different world of maintenance, trouble shooting, and level of treatment. Higher octane requirement, less reliable, much more initial cost, cost of tuning, cool down period, can't take the abuse an NA will..............the list really does go on and on. Not to say turbo rotarys arn't sweet but there is just a lot more involved, and at 16 I would be worrying more about my grades in school then a totally replacable piece of metal.

good luck

I think XLR8 is on track here.

Turbo FBs are fucking cool, but they are a lot of work.

you can drop in a professionally built ported motor, with a weber carb and a racingbeat exhaust.

YOU WILL BE FAST AS SHIT - I added just a exhaust and fuel system to my car when I first got it (it had the smaller 12a) and it was decently fast with 100 or so RWHP

A built SP engine with a big carb and a racingbeat exhaust can get you 200+ hp and be very reliable.

Here are my recommendations on parts, FYI I almost went this route and these are the exact parts I would go with.

streetported 13b 4port Talk to http://www.pineappleracing.com/ if you want the best motor money can buy. These guys are the top, engines come with 2 or 5 yr warrenties, Looking at about $3000 for a Large streetport 4 port with a 5yr warrenty. + shipping.

Carberator: again, go to Rotaryshack.com they have a good selection of carbs and carb kits. They can also set you up with fuel parts.
FYI, if you wanted a Turn key engine/carb/clutch combo that you can just bolt in and go, these are the people to talk to.

Exhaust: Hands down, Racingbeat is the way to go for exhaust. here is the kit you would want for a NA motor in a SE. I had this exhaust on my car, and the quality is TOP. it bolted right in with no problems whatsoever.
http://www.racingbeat.com/resultset....rtNumber=16424

Fuel parts: www.Summitracing.com this is a mail order performance parts company that is dirt cheap.
Call them and tell them what you are doing and they will get you every part you need.

AND ASK QUESTIONS, this board has all the info you need.

I knew nothing about rotaries when I joined and now Im finishing a Turbo swap.