mack123

iTrader: (4)

Hello all, first time on this site. Seems like a lot of information here,and lots of fun. I have been an rx owner for nearly 20 years,and have owned several cars.
Always have done my own work or bruised my knuckles trying.. Last weekend I picked up an 88 turbo 2, all original,stock, with 73,000 miles. Right now the top of engine is being dissasembled to inspect,clean everything, vac lines, swiches, sensors, etc.
My question is about the turbo. I havent owned a turbo before. I have a basic understanding of how it works on the 7. Im sure there are some people here who have good things to write.
Would be there be anything special a guy would want to check out on it ?
It runs super, has plenty of power, no abnormal noises. I have the hose off that goes up on the intake side and can see the little vanes turn freely, etc.

Also, the pressure rgulator vac line might have been replaced, the vac line was like 12" long, and melted in the middle. The conection to the vac source is only a few inches away. Anyone know what the stock application would be? I already have it fixed, it just seemed a little odd, being so long.

Any other info anyone would have on a turbo, would be great to hear. thanks mack

hondahater

iTrader: (2)

ohhh first turbo...Nice! Well with turbos you have to watch out because unless they where extremely taken care of your life expectency on the engine is about 100k miles where as the n/a's are alot higher. I don't have any emissions so my vac source comes from right to the left side of the bac valve, you should see a little nipple. Anyways if you look at the top right on the main page you will see a search button and there are tons of threads about vac sources and also nzconvertable even has a diagram up so good luck! Turbos are fun aren't they!

YearsOfDecay

When you have the Turbo inlet duct (TID) off. Also reach in and grab ahold of the hub of the compressor wheel (windmill lookin thing) and try to wiggle it around a bit, if it only moves a little bit, you're most likely good to go. If there is a lot of slop, its time to get the turbo rebuilt.

If the car runs good, stays in normal heat range, and doesn't smoke. Leave it alone!!!! It' when you start modding the thing that the goonies creep up on ya!

The stock turbo runs at about 6 PSI, if you put a performance exhaust on it, the turbine (exhaust side) of the turbo will be freed up and, therefore, will drive the compressor harder and you will see much higher boost levels. Up to 8.6 PSI.. then you will have your first experience with "fuel cut' when the factory ECU cuts the fuel to the rear rotor as a factory overboost prevention measure. Then you have to get an fuel cut defenser or other device to limit the signal from the boost sensor to the ECU so that it never sees 8.6 PSI. The rub is, you have to add more fuel as well, and therefore, must add a piggyback fuel computer or totally change the system all together. So before you start cheangine things from stock.. cruise through the archives and muck about a bit to see what you are in for!!

Change your oil every 1500 miles. (you know this already, but its more important on a TII because the oil runs through the turbo as well)

BUT, if it's running good and you leave it stock, you should get another 30-60K out of it with proper preventative maintenance.

My new engines going to be pushing 350-400 RWHP and I will be happy if i get 25K out of it (thats 5 years here in PA because of the 5k/Year emissions exemption). The stock engine in the car lasted 140K and was still running strong when i started messing with it (it would still be running if i hadn't blown a heater hose).

Since you are familiar with RX's, there isn't a WHOLE lot that you have to learn about the turbo. Check the oil lines going to the turbo, make sure they are in good shape, check that there are no leaks or cracks in the TID after the MAF.

If you run into a problem later.. odds are that someone else already has and it will be in the archives!!!!!

mack123

iTrader: (4)

Thanks honda hater and years of decay, I appreciate your excellent responses, and the info is really helpful.
I didnt know there was an oil injection line to the turbo.
I have spun the little vanes, they look like a mini japanese windmill. No sound or looseness. Seems ok.
Its seeming to be one of those things you look at first adn say.. oh man this is tough stuff, then a few times later it becomes simpler and then its easy.
I can see the changes mazda made to this engine,and where they were starting to pile on more stuff on top of the 1.3 hard to belive they strapped 2 turbos on it, but that underhood layout looks pretty cramped.
I can remember driving by the mazda dealers in the late 80's and seeing these cars there, when theye were new, they were like 25,000
and seemed out of reach. Its great having them now and I love them more each day.
Thanks again you guys. have a good one