Moderators note:This thread is a blow-by-blow account of this install. It takes place over several months and things are presented in the order in which they took place. Consider this a prototype installation and as such is experimental.

A much better and more well documented version of this install is available here:
http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/naturbo.htm . While it is based around the same install and images, it's more organized and explained and has been updated with improvements and different ways of accomplishing certain aspects of this project.

Additionally, the car has gone on to receive far more upgrades. It's now running a GT4088R and making over 400HP at 13 PSI. This project thoroughly covered at http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/projecttina .


You asked, so here they are. 32 pictures, unedited, raw and uncensored. Keep small children and pets away, view at your own risk...

Turbo And Intercooler Before Cleaning/Modification


Intercooler showing rivits to be removed


More rivits to be removed


Intercooler - backing plate removed


Intercooler - back plate removed and cleaned

 

Turbo all cleaned up


Engine - Cold start, 6 ports, ACV, exhaust manifold removed


Throttle body with secondary butterflies removed (for throttle body mod)


Throttle body - secondaries removed, cold start removed


Same as above

 

NA exhaust manifold removed (air pump removed for clarity)


Rear of car in garage


Upper intake removed


Upper intake removed still


Oil Pan Removed

 

NA turbo adapter/Spacer










This adapter spaces the TII manifold out 2.5" so it clears the lower intake.

 

Oil cooler with bung installed for turbo oil supply


Oil pan with turbo oil drain pipe installed (don't laugh, I did that with an arc welder)






TII manifold with adapter on engine

 

Turbo installed


Showing how close the turbo is to lower intake


Turbo installed, various views






You will notice there is no wastegate on the turbo. It has been removed so the turbo can be test fitted. The wastegate seems to interfer with the inner fender. So, the fender will have to be....modified....with a hammer or saw to make things fit....Just didn't feel like doing that at the moment...

 

let us know how it goes. I hope you have a fuel controler

 

Wow, I am sure some NA guys will be jealous now Enjoy forced induction.

 

tell us how she does when you are finished

 

Glad to see everything is coming along smoothly for you.
Guess those measurements worked out huh
Keep us updated

 

Once you're done, my convertible needs one of these

What ECU are you running anyway?

 

Yep, the measurements worked out. I will be making a VERY THIN blockoff plate for the ACV hole, and will probably end up having to tap my own holes to mount it. I just want to avoid that whole JB-weld situation. For what it's worth, the air pump still fits fine, so I will be able to run a cat. Also, I am thinking of extending the wastegate actuator arm intead of modifying the fender....I'll take a look at things tomorrow...

For the ECU, I am using the stock ECU w/TII injectors and an S-AFC. Probably some kind way to increase pressure...boost sensitive regulator? Don't know for sure, haven't got that far yet.

 

I just find it so funny that with all the NA -> turbo newbie questions, this topic gets so few views....

 

i'm view'in and awaiting results!

 

looks good a guy over here did that too

 

me likey! GOOD JOB.. i was about to do that myself.. but sold the whip.

scott

 

I was going to do that to my n/a but I have found that just buying the TII engine and moding that will be cheaper for me. good luck to you though, it looks good.

 

nice

 

oh oh oh. my dream. stupid automatic convertible, my dog runs faster than it does.

How much did it cost you? How many parts, aside from the oil pan, did you have to fab?

 

oh oh oh. my dream. stupid automatic convertible, my dog runs faster than it does.

How much did it cost you? How many parts, aside from the oil pan, did you have to fab?




haha i know the pain.. but mine's not manual..

 

So what are you going to do for coolant passing through the turbo?

James

 

Wow, that looks good. You are right, it is funny with all the questions that this topic gets that there are so few views. Oh well, now we have a thread to make those newbies search for (if the search function ever starts working again).

Kris

 

aaron cake when i did my turbo project on my n/a i modified the wastegate to fit in the space not the fender it is close but it will fit

 

is that turbo oil drain above the oil level in the pan?

 

Wow. That's a hell of a lot of custom work. Looks good.

Heh, and I thought my garage was cluttered

PaulC