Reliability of single turbo FD vs. factory twins?
 

This might be a stupid question, so please forgive me if it is, but in general, would you guys say single turbo RX-7 setups more reliable than the factory twin turbo system?

That's what I've been told by a friend who had a FD a few years back (I don't think he personally ever went single turbo though). I'd like to know if there's any truth to that, or if it's more likely to be BS.

The context of this is, I'm currently looking at picking up either a Supra / RX-7 / NSX / S2000, and have concerns about reliability. And yes, I know the RX-7's reliability issues are way overrated and blown out of proportion (trust me, I'm sick of hearing about it too) but regardless, it's still a consideration that's on my mind.

Thanks a lot for any feedback.

It sure is. You get rid of all the damn solenoids & vacuum hoses, plus cracking manifolds & all that shit.

I think you should be able to eventually arrive at a single turbo setup that is more reliable than the stock twins for the same power level. But the path to that state usually involves some bumps in the road that can require engine rebuilds and turbo system packaging / heat shielding work (so you don't melt wiring or bang a hole in the AC pipe, etc.). During this period, the car will be less reliable than it was with the stock turbos. And once you get it all sorted out, you want to make more power than you could with the stock turbos, so reliability can be an issue. If you want to make modest power (350-380 RWHP, modest for a single turbo), though, a single turbo will put less stress on the engine than making the same power with the stock turbos.

That's probably more information than you were interested in. But the message is that you will likely be disappointed if you get an RX-7 and then install a sngle turbo kit thinking it will protect you from expensive failures.

-Max

Well going single can be more reliable and less reliable. If you go single and still keep moderate power levels, say <325hp and <12psi then it should be WAY more reliable then the pile of junk stashed on the engine before.

If you go single and want to push 25psi and make 490rwhp, then I doubt it's going to be more reliable then the stock twins in stock form.

That's the main reason I dumped the stock crap for the XS T04e kit. It was for reliability not just power. I hated the stock complexities. KDR agreed with me.

Ken

Thanks a lot for the input.

If I were to get an RX-7 and go single turbo, I don't think I'd try to go overboard and make crazy power, but who knows, those might be some famous last words. 300-something RWHP is already pretty decent in my book.

Anyway, this really helps in my decision process. Thanks again!