So I wanted to start my own thread here so I can kinda show the progress I'm making on the 7. In the next few months, I plan on blowing a couple grand on her, and I want everyone to be able to see the results and give any kind of advice/feedback they might have.

To start, I got this car over a year ago. It was an 88 GTU, pretty clean body, unknown exhaust and suspension done to it. I'll have pictures at the end.

Just recently after starting to receive a decent amount of steady income, I decided to go ahead and ditch my idea of saving for an FD, and do what I wanted to my car.

The motor has 212k miles on the original motor. Runs strong, compression was good. Decided to get the car looking decent, and save for the swap. Over the past month or so I started to steadily collect the parts I needed, and get little things done here and there.

Ok, well, I dropped a cone filter in, did some body work, added a driveshaft and diff, and did the 5-lug swap.

I'll have more up tomorrow after I get the car back from the shop (hopefully). Some clips were broken for the S5 side skirts, so I brought it in to get them done. Tell me what you think.

 

Within the next month, the car is going in for paint. Aurora blue.

Installing the walboro fuel pump, 720cc injectors, apexi N1 exhaust (downpipe, midpipe) by late january. By late February, the car is going in for the swap. I'm thinking of maybe running an S5 turbo with all TII S4 parts. I'm definitely porting the wastegate, and shooting for my goal of 12-14psi. Of course, the 14 will be done on either the S5 turbo, or another aftermarket one that I receive positive feedback on.

After the swap I plan on getting a stage one ACT clutch and new flywheel.

I'm excited to see where this is going to go. Hopefully I don't screw this up too much

 

Great project! Just don't give up.
I run a s5 hotside and manifold. Everything else is s4. 12 psi is fine for the stock turbo. If you go higher then you need more mods so I hope you have saved $

Have you bought an engine yet?

 

I'm actually ordering one from lucky7 down here in el monte. But as of right now, no. By mid feb. I should have around 4 grand or so to put towards the project.

It was recommended to me to wait on streetporting for a little while. I was just going to have it done right there before the engine went in. That way, it'll get a rebuild and porting.

S5 Hotside and mani? How's that working for you? You have the manifold ported as well?

 

88 GTU that was a 4 lug?? I think not..

 

Are you leaving the S4 rear bumper when you paint it? I noticed you have an S5 front bumper, are you doing the full moulding swap.

 

Don't ask me why there were 4-lugs on the thing. The owner before me had some wacky intake setup that looked like it was made out of alluminum foil... and the suspension is STIFF. Like, the whole car rattles like crazy. I've done a lot to minimize that, but it's still a problem. I need to look into getting some better not-so-stiff suspension.

The body was clean, but I have no idea what this guy was doing before me when it came to mods.

Well, I might pick up the rear bumper... getting the front and the fenders on was a lot of work, so I was kind of debating it. If you think it's a must, then I'll go pick it up. I know a guy who's selling one.

 

If I were spending the money on paint I would make the body mouldings match...

 

Hang on... something's not sitting right with me...
No, that's not the problem. Good choice and can't wait to see the color and pictures
Here it is... You're upgrading your fuel pump and injectors (a month) before the turbo? Does it already have a turbo on it or something? I can't remember off the top of my head if the GTU came with one... I thought they didn't So are you upgrading the turbo or swaping in a turbo? I think I just confused myself, but if you're NA don't upgrade the injectors until you're ready to put the turbo on (or unless you have an EMS/Piggy back).
Other than that sounds brilliant.

 

Ah, yeah, the car will be sitting when this happens. Forgot to mention that. Once I install them, I'm going to be dragging it over to the shop and making sure that I have everything for the swap to go smoothly. It'll be sitting for a few weeks while I drive my roommate's van.

Well, before I get it painted, I'll throw the rear bumper on to match, I'm going to call the guy today.

I THINK i'm getting the car back today. They've been working on the skirts for a while now. I'll have updated pics then.

 

I left the manifold stock.
I had an s4 turbo in great shape. So I just bought a really used s5 turbo and combined the s5 hotside with my coldside s4 turbo. Bolts right up. I have a rebuilt TII and I'm running 5.5 of boost for now during the break-in.

Just an Idea. You could sell your N/A for ? Then buy a TII with a blown engine (search they are out there.) Then you would have 4grand and whatever you sell your car for to work with. I bet your N/A with a fresh paint job will bring some cash. You would then have the ECU-drivetrain-etc. Again just an idea. A buddy of mine scrapped his N/A to turbo build. Then bought a decent running TII for $2500. He's much further ahead with his total goal.

 

That's an idea. Maybe it's sentimental value that's keeping me from doing that? I actually thought about a few times, and I'm still kinda debating it. But, doing a project like this would be good experience for me, and in the end, I'll have turned a car from meh to wow on my own.

If I find a good deal, I might be able to do that. Though, as you probably know, parting ways with a 7 is never easy. I'd probably just end up buying another one and keeping both

 

got the car back today. Everything looks great! Body work is nearly done. I've decided to get the rear bumper and put it on next.

Pics!

Sorry, took em with my cell.

 

lookin good