Finding a complete 13BT...
 

I'm planning a little ahead on the turbo swap I'll be doing on the convertible this Spring. What are my best options for sourcing a complete 13BT?

Unfortunately, I don't have a line on a wrecked S5 Turbo II, so unless somebody can help me out with that that isn't an option. Would Jap-spec be the way to go? If so, where can I get one? Is Dave still selling them?

Also, about the rear end... will a Turbo II differential bolt into the n/a subframe assembly or will I have to replace the entire subframe to bolt it in?

I've been dreaming and talking about doing this for a long time, but up until now I haven't had the time or money to complete such a project. The end goal is to have a "like new" turbo convertible. Which means refreshing the interior, paint, and suspension.

Any advice on how I should go about this from turbo-swap veterans?

Ill be doing mine very shortly. I have about everything I need, just need spare time to put it all together...

All bullshit aside, I dont like jspecs as a source of a runnign engine. I like them as rebuild cores, or to part out. What I would do is get out there and find the cheapest s5 jspec available, somewhere like nippon-motors or the like; they used to go for $750 all day w/no warranty. Then, use that for a rebuild core; do it yourself, have me do it, have someone else do it, but dont buy one from anyone intending to use it as-is. Just my 2 cents...

Bolts right in. You have to have the matching axles as well; NA diff's are narrower, thus both axles are longer. T2 diffs are wider, thus both axles are narrower.

ON an s5, if you get the proper wiring harness, it is basically plug and play, as opposed to s4's which require a bit more modding of wiring. Here is the basic list of what you'll need; dont forget FCD and exhaust considerations, unless you're keeping the exhaust stock you'll need the fcd, and dont forget youll need a downpipe...

www.rotaryresurrection.com/t2conversion2.htm

Thanks for the advice. :) As far as what I need to actually do the swap, that's not a big problem. There are a million and a half posts around here and all kinds of info.

You touched on a spot that I was a little iffy about. I was a little nervous about buying a J-spec engine and expecting it to run right out of the box, so I was also trying to figure out where I could go to get a super cheap, not grenaded 13BT long block to rebuild and perhaps port a little before I install.

I was gonna purchase a full Racing Beat system right off the bat, so an FCD will be necessary. I've read a little bit about wiring the engine through some searches and from what I understand I can use my n/a harness that's already in the car with a little modification, is this correct?

Other than that, the whole process seems to be fairly straight forward for a S5 car. As soon as I get my R/T back on the road so I have transportation I'm going to start ordering stuff. I'm kind of excited about doing this, but a little intimidated by the whole thing.

I would say, just go J-spec, because they are a cheap way to get a COMPLETE engine, IMO if you are doing a na/t2 swap Jspec is the only way to go unless you have a t2 parts car. However, you want a like new turbo vert so you should get the engine rebuilt. My Jspec runs great, I must have got lucky.

This whole project is going to be fairly pricey so I may as well include an extra few bucks for a rebuild. That and a friend of mine is dying to get the chance to crack open a rotary engine. I'm not so excited about it, but I would definitely like to do it.

How much power can I expect the stock turbo to push before it runs out of breath? I'd like to not have to worry about upgrading it for a while... or at least until I get the paint and suspension finished.