was going on out there fellow 7 owners.....well my turbos are gone and im getting a used set, would like to go single but don't have the funds for it......well anyways i just wanted to know how hard it is to swap out the stock twins.......i really don't trust mecanics plus i would like to know my car more can the average person do this ????? thanks

 

Figure 8-10 hours the first time you do it. Its really not that bad once you know what you're doing. Spray every nut and bolt on the downpipe and turbos with penetrating lube. Don't use 12 point sockets. They strip easier. Take note of which bolts have to come out on the turbo assembly. Some of them are difficult to see. Let me know if you need any pointers.

 

I have taken mine off to send out to BNR's for a rebuild (still waiting to get them back...), and if you're familiar with your engine and have the workshop manual, you should be able to get them off in about 2-3 hours. Not hard at all. Don't forget that you might need to order gaskets with your rebuilt turbos. One of my gaskets that goes between the turbos and the exhaust manifold was blown clear through and I ordered a new set from Mazda Trix. They're metal gaskets so they're about $80 or $90 for the set!! Just a side note that you might not be aware of.

 

It is a big job. Figure a "pro" with everything going just right can probably do the whole job in 2-3hrs, R+R.

If you haven't tinkered with the car much it could take you a long time like Rotary said.

Becareful of the studs breaking off in the exhaust manifold, not a big deal by itself, but you have to remove the exhaust manifold. If you take that off sometimes the studs strip out of the rotor housings. NOT fun!

You might check to make sure that you have a metal lower intake manifold gasket. The paper ones fail and replacing it requires you to remove the turbos.

 

I mentioned the lim gasket. I made a double post by mistake and I guess someone deleted it. Oh well.

 

My record pulling factory turbos is 30 minutes

But the first time is gonna take an entire weekend.

 

It's not that bad. I just finished doing it for the second time last weekend. Buy some PB Blaster. Don't waste your time with liquid wrench. Soak every bolt you can see for the days leading up to when you plan to start. It makes things a lot easier.

You also do not have to remove the exhaust manifold to swap the turbos.

Obviously, take all the intake stuff off. Take pictures of where things go or clearly mark things so that you know where they go when you are putting things back together.

Also, take the ABS heat shield off. You can get it out by unbolting the two bolts that go through it, then loosen the rest of the bolts holding the unit to the fender well, and then wiggle it out. This will give you lots more room to get to the pre-cat/downpipe bolts.

Another trick is to unbolt the engine mount on the turbo side below the frame. After you do this you can jack up the motor to gain easier access to the pre cat/downpipe bolts. Make sure you put a solid piece of wood or something under the oil pan if you jack up on that area though. It will bend if you don't.

Order your gaskets from Malloy Mazda. They are great guys and will get them to you very quickly.

Those are the quick tips I can think of off the top of my head. Feel free to pm me if you want more.

later,
ray

 

30 mins Teddy? lol

I take my time and take pictures of everything, because a dumbass like myself won't know how to put it back together.

 

My record is 2 minutes dead. But I did have the distinct advantage of having the motor out at the time Spare a thought for us RHD guys we have a steering column to contend with

ExpensiveHobby22 got me thinking though. Could you just support the engine and drop the subframe off (15min job)?

-pete

 

Never used that before but if you can do it in 30 minutes that's incredible...I can't even take out all 4 spark plugs clean them and put them back in 30 minutes without rushing. Like everyone else said the first time on everything is a disaster with this car. I agree with teddy on that part and would start on a friday night and be happy to be done early sunday. You also don't want to work for more than a couple hours at a time because then you get real frustrated and more things break. When I have a big project on this car I let the car sit for a week and do about 30 minutes of work a day and at the end of the week it's all done perfect and I feel like I did no work.

 

well i guess i have my work cut out for my self but im kinda looking forward to it...... thanks for all the pointer, thast really cool to know that im not alone in this.

 

pimpin, if you can, take tons of pictures, and do a write up. I'll be needing to do mine in a while.