What setup would be good for road racing? (fast repsonse and spool up, yet makes decent power) Just curious for now!

 

I'm going for the gt35/40 unless something else comes out in the time till I have enough money

 

the apexi rx-6 kit has those qualities.

 

yeah i agree go for the apexi rx6 great spool up good power (17+ psi is the sweet spot) and if ya ever want to please a police officer if ya drive it on the street u still got ur airpump if u feel like keepin it

 

Try rebuilding an RX6 if something breaks or if it "eats" and apex seal.
FWIW,
Crispy

 

well if i broke a apex seal or it eats anything that comes out of the engine i dont think the turbo is the biggest of my concerns, cause thats askin for a new engine

 

With all due respect to Crispy, I agree if an RX6 toasts a rebuild is impossible because parts are still unavailable stateside....however has anyone checked into the availability of rebuild parts for Garrett BBs lately. As recently as 3 months ago parts were unavailable for the Garretts also.

In the case of the RX6 as with any BB turbo (Garrett KKK etc), even if you can get the parts they are going to cost you a large percentage of the total cost of a replacement because (unless you are planning to do some kind of a hack job) you are going to be replacing the entire CHRA. $$$$$.

You pays your money and you takes your choice. When I blew my engine and my RX6 was destroyed I considered my options and bought a replacement RX6 even though I could have had just about anything else I wanted (my darling wife said it was OK )-----

Nufff said about my feelings about the RX6 as a street/roadracing turbo?

 

T51 will make a nice circuit turbo, used in F1 years ago on 1.5lt engines so will match a 2.6lt good if you like your power band higher up in the range.

Bit too high for most though Oh and only use it if you want between 650bhp & 850bhp from your engine !

 

Jeff,
Yeah I hear ya. My data points are two friends who have lost motors and which took out the turbine sides on their RX6's. It was a long and painful process to get them "rebuilt." Don't ask me how but both managed to scrounge up the part needed but it still took them ages. As for the new Garrett BB turbos even though parts are currently unavailable (I wasn't aware of this and this sucks) I still think you're better bet for servicability and parts availability is going to be with a Garrett unit.
Now as for the "best" road racing unit, I know 4 guys that road "race" with the RX6 setup and all are happy, all put down decent power, not megapower but good useable tractable power. I'd guess in the 340-380rwhp range. All have very nicely set up track cars. I also know of 2 T78 track monsters - both 400rwhp cars. However, for those that chose the RX6 at the time they made their choices the new GT series had not come into the picture. I'd be willing to bet some may have made a different choice. As for me, if I had to choose currently, I'd go with a GT35/40 setup. A compromise between a RX6 and a T78. My preference for a little bit more juice than the RX6 but without the apparent (as I have no person experience) "lagginess" of the big T78. I've also seen TO4E's and TO4S's on the track. Most consider, and some who have tried, the TO4E to be too small and prefer the TO4S. My reservation is, without a custom manifold, the off-the-shelf manifold is a cast unit. I like the SS tubular variety. Which again brings us back to the GT35/40 "kits" available. Just my thoughts and observations from 6 years on the road racing side of the fence.
Regards,
Crispy
- and yes I wish I had $4k to drop on a GT35/40 kit

 

Oh one more thing, Jeff....can your wife give my wife a call and explain how this need for a "better" turbo "thing" works?
TIA
Crispy

 

Crispy

There is little doubt that the Garrett or the newer KKKs will take the nod in power and serviceablility in the long run. Like you I also know a few roadracers (with waayyy more track experience than I will ever get) who feel the RX6 is a dependable, smooth and affordable option for the track. To me the kicker is the fact that the RX6 is a fairly priced, currently available, well sorted out, extremely durable and convincingly reliable (except when apex seals explode) turbocharger system for both the street and the track. I love the fact that while having the ability to make 400 hp when hooked up to my radically street ported 1.3 liters, it also is capable of sitting quietly by and lets me cruise down the highway at 21+ mpg.

BTW I am sure Sharon would be glad to explain to your wife why go-fast goodies are a good thing. Of course Sharon also drives a 1993 Dodge Stealth RT (As she puts it "I did the Mom car thing when I had to....I don't have anymore"). You see there are ulterior motives in letting me get my toys....I get go fast thingies for my car, so does she.

Later

Jeff

 

I have an rx6 for sale if you are interested, dont mean to jump in on the thread though

 

haha, I can't even drive yet, just curious though. Thanks guys!

 

Good work Garage Boy------Got us!

 

Hey Jeff...you ever make it out to Mid Atlantic east coast events?

Crispy

 

Crispy

Haven't made it out there yet, but it isnt beyond the realm of possibility in the near future. I am going to need a ton of track time and a second job before I am ready to get into this really seriously though.

Jeff

 

I'm running the RX6 turbo for road course, and it's great. The only thing is that in retrospect, I wish I would've gone bigger since you really aren't ever below 4500 RPM's anyways

 

As one of the T78 track monsters Crispy mentioned, I have no problems with lag. A properly ported motor and good tuning makes it a super track only setup.

 

Soon as I get my T51 installed I will update you guys on what I think of it, I only circuit race my RX7 and I found the TO4S too small for my liking (to much mid range responce) also a bit low on power (472rwhp on a dynapack).

 

My analysis exactly, on my data logger I spend less than %5 of time at revs lower than 5k on an average lap, and a vast majority of time at revs between 6k and 8.5k (turbo limited) hence the choice of turbo With the new turbo rev limit will be lifted to 9.5k so I can use the higher range too.

 

IHI is the original maker of the RX6?

 

yup

 

(T51 + GT35/40 ) where do you get kits for these and which one is bigger?

 

T51 will out power the Gt35/40 by about 300 to 400horsepower ! MUCH BIGGER turbo ! You can get kits from rx7store (HKS ones) you can buy the T51 turbo's everywhere and make your own parts to bolt it up.

But it is a high HP turbo, if you want 400 to 480rwhp then a gt35/40 is the thing you would look towards. T51 can supply from 500rwhp to 800rwhp and more if pushed hard !

Don't pick it unless you want to go for over 600rwhp is my suggestion.

 

If you're going to road race, you want a turbo that has a smooth delivery. It doesnt' matter if it's big, as long as the power comes on nice and smooth it's all good. Soem of those huge turbos have power that just comes on and off, and kick in spontaneously, this is bad for road racing as it disturbs the balance of the car when you come out of corners