Hey guys, my twins started puking oil bad recently, and I refuse to put another pair on the car. I've started buying parts for the new single setup. I don't entirely trust the turbo I bought, I'm just hoping it will last long enough for me to buy a descent turbine.

My horsepower goal is 300-320 rwhp. I have a KnightSports ECU tuned to 1.0bar, but I don't plan to use any more than 8 PSI.

What I plan on getting:

- T04B cheap ebay turbo. (already purchased for $200 + shipping)

Compressor Specs:
3" Compressor Inlet
2.128" or 54.06mm Inducer
2.752" or 69.91mm Major
2" Compressor Outlet
Compressor .50 A.R.
Compressor 50 Trim
8 Blade Propeller Type
T4 Compressor Housing

Turbine Specs:
T4 Type Turbine
T4 4 Bolt Flange
2.539" or 64.50mm Exducer
Turbine 1.15 A.R.
Turbine 70 Trim
2.880" or 73.16mm Major
T4 Twin Entry Turbine Housing

- eBay 304 stainless manifold
Redo all the welds to prevent cracking.

- eBay Wastegate. (45-50mm)

- eBay intake piping & a cone filter.

What do you all think of this?

 

Why not buy a single turbo kit used on this site?

 

"cheap" kits here on the site are $1500+

the kit I am looking at will cost less than $600, and it's all brand new. I know it's not as nice as the stuff people have on here, but it's all I can afford to keep the FD on the road until I can get a good turbo.

 

I rather keep the fd in the garage and save up for a better setup then do what you did.

If you wanted to just keep the FD on the road until you have enough money for a single setup why not buy a good condition used twins turbo way cheaper then 600 so you'll have some money left over for the single setup later.

Your probably going to have more problems with your new setup then before.

 

I will tell you from 1st hand experience that you are getting ready to spend an a@@load of money on this BAD decision.

Those ebay turbos are nightmares. The manifold will be fine if it's decent... the turbo will cause you all kinds of problems which will lead to you inevitably purchasing again and possibly fixing the repercussions. Get a GT3574 (good bang for the buck) and you'll be MUCH better off in the long run AND spend less money.

 

The only component that would really need replacing is the turbo, all the other stuff should be fine. I've seen other people, use these components with no issues.

The reason i don't want another set of twins is because they are usually around $300, and there's no way to tell if they work good, or for how long. That $300 is better spent on a manifold and Waste gate.

 

Wait a bit get a quality kit. Cheaper always ends up to be more expensive in the long run. Do it right the first time.

If you are still dead set on this, DO NOT buy the Ebay turbo, buy a used Holset off of Ebay which will cost around $200 and they are quality turbos.

 

I wouldn't trust that ebay wastegate either

 

Just one other bit about the ebay manifold(s) that I'm sure you're overlooking and I can share from having been in that boat.

First they mostly have HKS flange wastegates. HKS wastegates are terribly more expensive than Tial. You'll eventually have to pony up the cash for a good wastegate (more money), have the HKS flange cut off and a Tial V-band added (more money), or purchase an HKS-Tial Adapter (more money). In the end, that cheap manifold will cost you about the same as doing it right the first time.

 

Sent you a pm to rebuilt turbos worth buying.

Theres a article somewhere on those ebay turbos and how bad they are. Google it.
Quality turbos require precise and tested machining and balancing.

If you use the Ebay manifold have the flange machined if not it will most likely leak between the turbo and manifold.

Idk if youve calculated
oil feed and return lines/fittings.
Manifold to turbo gasket.
Rear oil return line block off plate ( you can gheto fab/plug up using the stock line and jbweld)
Egr block off plate

 

^^ don't forget a CUSTOM downpipe.

 

Yeah, I've factored those in. And I knew this wasn't going to be a long lasting setup, it just has to get me through spring. The stock twins won't get me thru another week.

At least this way i have some components I can use. I'll sell the ebay turbo once i can afford a good one. and I have access to most of the tools i would need to build/machine a flange. And the manifold comes with all the gaskets I'll need. If the manifold eventually goes, i plan on buying a HKS cast iron one.

I'll buy a good turbo and waste gate in a few months. I just can't have this thing puking oil like it is now. It was this or run it N/A for the next few months.

 

It's a hit or miss type thing with those turbos...I tried alot of them just to see (even when I had my Garrett sitting on the shelf) they either slung apart due to cheap wheels and not balanced or they poored oil like no tomorrow....had one though that worked great and it's my spare turbo now. It was the ss autochrome t70. 2 friends of mine bought those too and they worked damn good. But remember these cheap turbos can't be repaired like Garrett or holesets or other name brands...

The manifolds work ok. Just weld on some braces and make sure the flange is flat. The wastegates I've used and they all worked great. The tial replicas are the ones I get cause they are identical (minus the engraving) and can be repaired with tial parts when needed.

But I do agree with these guys ^ get a used Garrett or holset and you should be good

 

I rather run it NA thats what i did

 

+1 to what S14.3REW says.

Plus, why ask for advice and then ignore what everyone is saying and stick to doing what you're set on anyways?

If you're that tight on cash, you probably shouldn't be doing this "upgrade".... I'd take used OEM parts over that ebay junk anyday.

But whatever floats your boat.

 

I shoulda posted sooner, I bought the turbo like a week ago so I'm kinda committed.

But for sure the turbo will be replaced, and I'll beef up whatever manifold I buy. I'll be sure to get a Tial replica wastegate.

ninja Edit:

I more or less asked for advice on the turbo itself. given the specs it has, would a descent quality turbo with the same specs be good enough?

 

Yes that size turbo would support your hp goal

 

You can't afford to own this car. Stop dreaming.

 

Lol

 

my friend's shop installed an "ebay turbo" on a civic. worked great until the motor blew up. haha

 

I feel obligated to sell you my recently decommissioned twins than see this snowball. I totally feel ya, but its always more money and time than you anticipate even taking into account overestimation. Cest la vie.

I normally dont have such a strong opinion, but i just got done doing all my single research. I totally get where you are coming from, everyone here has experienced it with one facet of their life.

is the car a daily driver?

 

Yeah shes my DD, I just rebuilt the motor after I had the intake portmatched and the exhaust ported. Heat treated apex's and all seals replaced. I do want to do it right, but right now my car just has to run.

 

 

^^^
My NA comment was towards this
My first though was he should save for a real setup but he brought up the NA setup so that reminded me if he needed the car to run asap he should do that instead of putting those cheap and dangerous parts that could harm the engine.

If its a DD i rather remove the turbo then put parts that could possibly harm then engine later but if its not a DD save for a real single set up.

 

if you can see if you can get rid of the ebay turbo (not saying its bad... just wouldnt put alot of trust in it) im eventually going the holset route with my FD and it would be awesome if you did the same. you could even get lucky and find one at a junk yard or something in a wreck and rebuild it for $80.

the manifold should be fine if it is tune correctly and the manifold is strengthened (just in case). ive seen some that a entire pipe will just break off! but it should do for a temporary manifold.

the wastegate shouldn't be an issue if you run low boost.. give yourself a bit of a safety net so it boost creep wont hurt you. then if it works good for a while you could probably add more boost

the intercooler piping shouldnt be too bad. if you need some good couplers go to http://www.hosetechniques.com they have some awesome couplers and vac hose.. get the silicon couplers with nomex, its like $8 for a straight coupler.

to block off the oil line in the rear get some steel or aluminum plate (aluminum is easier to work with IMO) and you can make a block off plate, its super easy. you can do the same for the EGR. that will save you some money.

so i think that just leaves the lines and fittings, and the downpipe. get a v band down pipe and keep in mind you may have to get it slightly modified to fit the turbo, but that should be easy (i would say not to do this yourself, find a good welding shop)


let us know how stuff goes, and if you dont mind could you take some pictures of the parts you have?