I am running low compression right now and can feel it pretty bad. Right now I am planning on a large street ported motor with 2mm ceramic seals. I am wanting to go single at the same time or very soon after. It will be street driven with track use, both drag strip and road course. I have read all the posts about the HKS T51-R KAI and have read by some that it is very laggy but others say that its BB design makes it spool quite quick actually for its size. I would like some rpm numbers that tell the boost spool to see if it is too laggy for my likes. Also what psi ranges would be appropriate for 93 octane pump gas and 100 octane pump gas(damn that stuff is expensive). Also what other parts will I need to go with this turbo. I know I need clutch/flywheel, but will I need ignition, upgraded oil cooler, etc.. My mods are in my sig.

I would like to see pics and info on other peoples setups. I read from a few older threads that some people were soon to get these kits.
Thanks for the any information available.

 

I am doing something similar and i dont think the t51kai is BB, it can be(the one from HKS) for about $4000 i think dont quote that.

 

The t51 spl is the ball bearing version if I recall corectly. Other than being very laggy it is also expensive. It really depends on what you want to do with the car. If it is a street or road race, a turbo that big is stupidity. But if it is a drag car, it might work out pretty well.

 

nah, the spl is just the bigger one not BB though

 

From what I know both the KAI and SPL from HKS have non-BB and BB options. The only difference between the two is that they have bigger inducers and exducers. And I just realized that the BB is not included in the hks kit. What other turbo would be comparible to this turbo. I am pretty much set on the idea that I want a BB turbo because of its faster spooling while still retaining high HP output.

 

I think the T51R is too big for your application. The KAI has a 94mm inducer and the SPL has a 102.2mm inducer. Both huge turbos able to support over 1000HP.

You mention you wanted to use it on a road course. IMO, this turbo would be too big. Same for the street. The only good thing this turbo is for, is drag and lots of boost(on a 13B that is).

IMO, running it on the street with pump gas would be a waste. Too big. And the turbo would be running no where near is effiency(sp?) Meaning on the street you could be making less horsepower than say a TO4E,S, or even a GT35/40 @ 15psi for example. And even if you did they would still build boost and power alot faster than a T51R.

Something smaller with a ball bearing option would be more acceptable. A turbo that has good response and builds boost fast on the street and has the potential to make good HP w/ lots of boost with race gas.

I guess it all depends on what your goals are. Too sum it all up, IMO the T51R is too big for the street and costs way too much, and were are you going to rebuild it, if it needs to?

EDIT: As for a turbo. Alot of people will probably tell you to get a GT35/40. Alot of people like it because of its fast spooling characteristics. A excellent turbo for the street, easily making 400RWHP+ with a street port and pump gas. But I've yet to see a dyno with one running on race gas and 25psi+. I think it could make 480 -500RWHP with race gas. But like I said. I've yet to see one with race gas running lots of boost.

Good Luck

 

I would agree.....don't get a T51anything for a street car...and for the road corse....that's a good one. I have a T51SPL and it was a laggy bitch until i got the bridge. It's great for drag....but i have lost my fare share of street races beacuse i was caught off guard and didn't have time to spool. If you want a good drag turbo...i would say it's great...it you have the engine. I ran a 9.67 with it....but you can't be afraid of boost. i'm running 26-27psi. it's a turbo you need to have money for.

 

hey diaperboy-- what turbo are you running?

Matt