Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some of the most common questions we are asked. We
hope you find this information helpful.
What will I need to install
my turbo on a non-turbocharged vehicle?
Here is a pretty complete list of
items you will need
to purchase in order to install a turbo on your non-turbocharged
vehicle. There could be a few more small things such as nuts, bolts,
fuel lines, etc... You will not need an intercooler if you do not plan
on running more than 10psi of boost.
- Turbo Exhaust Manifold or an Adapter (you can
purchase one or build your
own)
- Turbo w/ Internal Wastegate (easier to install)
- External
Wastegate (if turbo is not equipped with an internal one)
- Oil Feed &
Drain Lines
- Water Fittings (if turbo is water cooled)
- FMU (fuel
pressure regulator that increases pressure as the boost goes up) BEGI
is the best
one made right now
- 440cc or 550cc injectors
- Walbro 195/255 LPH Fuel Pump
- Exhaust Work for turbo
connection
- Misc. Pipes, Clamps, and Connecting
Hoses
My brand new, or newly
rebuilt, turbo is leaking oil. Is the turbo bad?
There are several reasons why new,
fully rebuilt, or good used turbos leak oil, having nothing to do with
a turbo problem:
- Excessively
high oil pressure/volume. Oil pressure on these turbos should not
exceed 60psi. We actually recommend the maximum being 55psi or lower.
Any more pressure than this will blow out the seals. All these turbos
need at idle is 1/2 of a liter per minute. You can remove the drain
line with the engine at idle and let it run into a container of known
size to see exactly what the flow/volume is. If excessive oil pressure
or volume is found, a restrictor will be needed to remedy this problem.
- Oil
drain too small, bent, kinked, cocked, or entering the engine below oil
level. The oil drain is actually the most important factor
in keeping a
turbocharger from leaking from the oil seals. This is due to the fact
that once the oil has gone through the turbo, it is changed
into a
consistancy of whipped cream or foam, and the system relies on gravity
to drain all of the oil. Minimum inside diameter of the drain pipe
should be 7/16".
We recommend
inside diameters of at least 1/2", ideal
would be 5/8" if possible.
The turbo bearing housing should be as
perpendicular (or vertical) as possible, and should not "cock" to
either side any more than 15 degrees. Once again, we recommend
vertical. Obviously, any kinks in the drain line, or sharp bends will
cause oil to back up inside the line, not allowing oil to drain. Also,
oil entering the engine below oil level will build up the oil inside
the turbo, not allowing it to drain.
These
are the top two reasons why new, rebuilt, or good used turbos
leak oil
on custom installations. There are two other "not so common" problems
in this area:
- Restricted or dirty air filter
- Improperly
installed, or non-functioning PCV system
How
do I know which style of T3/T4 hybrid turbo I have?
If you have a T3/T4hybrid turbo, there are four different
styles available:
- Big shaft model with 270 degree thrust bearing
- Big shaft model with 360 degree thrust bearing
- Standard shaft model with 270 dergee thrust
bearing (this is the kit we have listed on ebay, it is the most common)
- Standard shaft model with 360 degree thrust
bearing
The only way to determine which size shaft you have
(without taking the turbo apart) is by the size of the compressor end
nut. If your turbo has a 11mm (7/16") end nut then it is a big shaft
version, and if you have a 10mm (3/8") end nut then it is the standard
shaft version. There is no way of determining which type of thrust
bearing you have without disassembling the turbo to see.