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GT35R A-Spec Single Turbo kit and Motor Build - Short Write Up

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Old Jul 1, 2007 | 12:13 AM
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GT35R A-Spec Single Turbo kit and Motor Build - Short Write Up

Hello fellow rotorheads! Long time no post. After years of reliable service at the track my FD decided to kill two rebuilt motors in the past year and a half (One due to a defective part and the other my fault racing while too low on fuel). So I've been mostly racing my Miata and also a new fully built FD racecar I recently purchased (I'll do another post on the race car in a few weeks).

After the last engine blew I decided to go all out and built a really nice motor with the help of a local race shop. I spent countless hours on the porting alone (medium size street port).

I also went with the long runner GT35R single turbo kit from A-Spec Tuning. Although this kit lacked a bit in quality in some areas and required a bit of fabrication to get it to work right the end performance result was very good. I was also able to get it to work with the M2/ASP large stock mount intercooler.

The car is still VERY drivable on the street. In fact, I have a hard time telling that there is any less boost reponse or low end power than with the stock twins. The power is great too. Overall I'm very happy and enjoy the car much more than before.

Power is pretty darn respectable too - 370rwhp at 12psi on 91 octane pump gas.

I plan to up the boost a couple more pounds and do some final dyno tuning in a few weeks and I'll post the final results.

A picture of the motor and turbo is below.
Attached Thumbnails GT35R A-Spec Single Turbo kit and Motor Build - Short Write Up-fdmotor.jpg  
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Old Jul 1, 2007 | 12:33 AM
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That looks awesome, John! It looks like you've been busy since we last spoke.
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Old Jul 1, 2007 | 12:51 AM
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John! Car looks great, and I bet it runs so too! Is it at the shop right now? I just got back from Iraq last week. Long time no talk, and I still am greatful for the favor you did me.
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Old Jul 1, 2007 | 01:24 AM
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Hey Guys! Good to hear from you.

The FD in this thread now rests in my garage at home.

However, my new FD racecar is at the shop if you want to check it out.
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Old Jul 1, 2007 | 02:52 AM
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nice, i've gotta check it out sometime
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Old Jul 1, 2007 | 08:07 AM
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John, I'd love to check out your new setup sometime. I'm living in La Jolla now! I finally made the move to UCSD (studying econ).
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Old Jul 1, 2007 | 11:25 AM
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How about we all go over there tomorrow! HAHA!
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Old Jul 1, 2007 | 12:30 PM
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Congrats John!

So you were able to get the long runner mani to work with the M2 large ic I see?

When do you see full boost in 2nd/3rd gear?
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Old Jul 1, 2007 | 11:59 PM
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I want a ride in it. Can you make that happen John? HAHA!
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Old Jul 2, 2007 | 02:37 AM
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Very nice numbers. How do you plan to keep the car registered for the street?
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Old Jul 2, 2007 | 11:04 AM
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Originally Posted by ReadyKW
Very nice numbers. How do you plan to keep the car registered for the street?
Obviously this car will not pass smog. Fortunately the car is now registered in an area that has no smog requirement.
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Old Jul 2, 2007 | 11:05 AM
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Originally Posted by WaLieN
John, I'd love to check out your new setup sometime. I'm living in La Jolla now! I finally made the move to UCSD (studying econ).
Cool. I too studied econ at UCSD. Now you just need a single turbo on your FD and you'll be following in my footsteps
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Old Jul 2, 2007 | 01:15 PM
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Thats some pretty good numbers, 370rwhp at only 12psi!. What are all your mods? Engine mods? I am planning going to a single GT35R as well. Also what are your torque numbers?

Thanks,

Ben
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Old Jul 2, 2007 | 03:33 PM
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Congrats on both builds.

:-) neil
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Old Jul 2, 2007 | 05:38 PM
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I went by the shop today John, but the big man said it's at his house, and he'll bring it there tomorrow. So, I'll be there tomorrow. Are you going to be there too?
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Old Jul 3, 2007 | 12:52 AM
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Originally Posted by apexFD
Thats some pretty good numbers, 370rwhp at only 12psi!. What are all your mods? Engine mods? I am planning going to a single GT35R as well. Also what are your torque numbers?

Thanks,

Ben
I don't remember the torque. When I do the final dyno tuning in a few weeks I'll try to post the graph.

I spent a lot of time porting the housings. I basically went as far as I could with a street port without severaly compromising the idle quality or oil sealing. I also installed a lower intake manifold from Xcessive Motorsports and spent a lot of time cleaning it up and port matching it. Power steering and AC have been eliminated. 1300cc secondaries with a Power FC.

What impresses me the most able the GT35R with the long runner manifold is the drivability and response. I've heard a lot of people complain about single turbo FDs not being nice to drive on the street... but that is certainly not the case with this turbo kit.
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Old Jul 3, 2007 | 12:53 AM
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Originally Posted by TRISPEEDFD3S
I went by the shop today John, but the big man said it's at his house, and he'll bring it there tomorrow. So, I'll be there tomorrow. Are you going to be there too?
Yes, I guess the race car is so pretty after the $500 Tijuana paint job he just wanted to keep it at home today. I'll be there tomorrow after 2pm. You're welcome to help me wet sand and buff the new paint if you like.
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Old Jul 3, 2007 | 11:14 AM
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nice!
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Old Jul 3, 2007 | 02:15 PM
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at what rpm do you start making boost? like 2500-3000rpm @ 1/2 throttle what kind of boost??

Thanks,

Ben
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Old Jul 3, 2007 | 03:14 PM
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What, did you get jealous of the power I was making John, and had to top it? :p Nice, glad the car's coming back together for you. If I ever get the red bitch back to the track, I'll need a ride along.
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Old Jul 3, 2007 | 10:56 PM
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Originally Posted by John Magnuson
Yes, I guess the race car is so pretty after the $500 Tijuana paint job he just wanted to keep it at home today. I'll be there tomorrow after 2pm. You're welcome to help me wet sand and buff the new paint if you like.
DAMN! I wish I would have seen this post before now. I was playing golf from 1:30 to 5:45. So, I just lost track of time and forgot to stop by. Next time you go over there, give me a call, because I only have until Tuesday, and I'll be on my way back to Nor Cal. I'll be out the navy next week. I want to see you before then. I'll probably end up calling you, but I want to see you again before I leave.
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Old Jul 4, 2007 | 12:44 AM
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Originally Posted by rynberg
What, did you get jealous of the power I was making John, and had to top it? :p Nice, glad the car's coming back together for you. If I ever get the red bitch back to the track, I'll need a ride along.
Yeah... had to try to show up your BNR stage 3s.

I'll be as Mazfest this Sunday at Buttonwillow. I hope to make it to Laguna Seca in the Fall a few times. I'll let you know!

Get the red beast back to the track!
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Old Jul 4, 2007 | 01:09 AM
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I will be there on sunday with my custom stealth exhaust. Hmm, is A-Spec offering a contingency?
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Old Jul 4, 2007 | 09:59 AM
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Originally Posted by GoRacer
I will be there on sunday with my custom stealth exhaust. Hmm, is A-Spec offering a contingency?
lol... I wish!

But I'll be there with my race car which does not have A-Spec product on it.

It's going to be a furnice this weekend... 110 F is the forecast! Make sure you keep yourself and your car cool. I'll have a garage with a cooler and fans. Stop by the garage with the black and silver FD and say hi!
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Old Oct 15, 2008 | 06:38 PM
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Hi John, never saw a dyno chart. Please post if it's not too much trouble
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