how hard is it to install the stock turbo?
 

So what if I had to swap out an old turbo for a new, but still stock, turbo on an 88 TII? Is this difficult? Do I need any special tools, parts, etc.? I assume I have all of the hardware that came with the turbo but do I need anything else? Thanks.

It's a pretty simple job, actually. You might need a breaker bar to tackle some of the more stubborn bolts, but a wrench set/sockets is all you'll really need. Just be careful and take your time, make sure you're doing everything right and it should go fine. Took me the better part of two days to swap out my stock turbo for another stocker with a ported wastegate, but it was a clean install. Well, except that I reused an old gasket for the large steel-braided oil line, and now it leaks a little, but not too hard to fix. You'll probably want to get all new gaskets and replace most of the hoses around the turbo while you're at it. Also, the heat shields around the turbo are a PITA, and I had to use tin snips and cut them off because the bolts on them had completely rusted out. I didn't replace the heat shields, so I hope that's okay, lol. You're also going to drain a little bit of oil and coolant when you disconnect some of the lines, so it's a good time to change the oil and flush the coolant system while you're at it.

Lol, I tried to cover everything. I hope this helps. If any of my info is wrong, please correct me, lol. :p:

what gaskets do I need to replace? Are there any that are more problematic than others?

u need, 4 crush washers for the banjo fittings, exhaust gasket, downpipe gasket, exhaust manifold to block gasket, oil feed and return line gaskets, and the gasket for the coolant line that comes out of the side of the block. I took mine out and put in a s5 turbo, and it was a pain to get the old one out. My advice to make it easier to get out, is to take off the passenger side motor mount, and jack up the engine a little, I did that and it made it a lot easier

Make sure you replace the gaskets on the oil lines or they might leak. This is especially bad if you have something cause the turbo to overheat and you might get a little bit of fire like I did.

I did this a few weeks ago, the only pain in the ass is removign the old stock turbo. I replaced mine with a ported s5 turbo with manifold. I replaced ALL gaskets, and just so you know if you go to the dealer and get these parts its gonna cost some good $$$. I paid 170 for all new gaskets, that is manifold(s), dp, oil lines, water lines. It was like a good 6 parts or so. Follow the haynes or the FSM and youll be fine. Installing it is not bad the key is to drain all fluids, disconnect the lower radiator hose and pull that nice turbo out through the top. And of corse intall is reversal of removal but without those damn heat shields its so much better!! Good luck dude let us know if ya need anyhelp at any stage.