Turbo Build Diary

[JeffTsai]

Mar 14, 2007: I started installation today.

- Install turbo manifold
- Mount the turbo on manifold
- Rerouted heater core tubing
- Drained engine oil
- Ran the oil feed line
- Mounted the downpipe
- Wiped down engine bay
- A bunch of test fitting and measuring

I will be drilling the oil pan and fabricating some intercooler piping tomorrow. I'll keep up with the pix. I'm aiming for my project to be completed by this Saturday so I'll be ready in time for the Sunday Clublexus meet here in the Dallas area.

On with the Pix!


Basically stock under there


Stock intake removed


Bumper removed


Picture with the bumper out of the way


Jack up the car


Jacked up the car from the crossmember. This is where you're supposed to jack the car up from when you're servicing it. Close up pic for those of you that don't know where it is.

[JeffTsai]

Two jackstands + two jacks on either side. Extra support. I like to be extra careful especially when I'm gonna be working under the car


Bottom cover removed


Pic of the lower oil pan


Draining oil


Exhaust removed. 3 bolts


Removed bolts from stock header

[GSteg]

guh. i hate how the crossmember is so far back. I have to drive my car on wooden blocks to even let the jack underneath. One of these days i'm going to invest in an AC Jack

I can't wait to see the finishing project!

[JeffTsai]

Stock header removed


Shot of the side of the engine with no header


Turbo manifold mounted


Turbo mounted


This is the pipe that has to be routed out of the way


I have a lotta manifolds

[JeffTsai]

Tap into oil feed line from here. Basically remove the stock oil pressure switch(sensor) and install it into a T fitting so it feeds oil to the turbo.


Pieces of the fitting kit


Assembled. The exposed hole is where the oil line for the turbo will go.


Mounted back onto the union bolt


Showing where the oil line comes up from


End result from todays work. More progress to come tomorrow!

[qlex56]

what size is your innercooler? is it 12x24x3"
i think i have the same turbo as you. xs power?

[qlex56]

just curious are those 2 mandifolds the same? if not which mandifold are you useing, the xs or the other
thanks

[milky]

Howd you get the jack under your car?

Did you jack up one or both of the sides first, then stick the other jack all the way to get to the crossmember?

[sleeper408]

Milky: What I do is drive my car on two pieces of wood first. That elevates the car high enough to slide the jack all the way down to the crossmember.

Jeff: Everything looks good so far. What I hated about installing my custom turbo set up on my Mustang was tapping next to the oil filter for the oil feed line and tapping into the oil pan for the oil drain. The metal on the oil pan was so thin there was little room for error.

[aloha08isf]

looking good soo far...keep up the good work!

[JeffTsai]

Originally Posted by lexmada

what size is your innercooler? is it 12x24x3"
i think i have the same turbo as you. xs power?

The two manifolds are exactly the same. I got a spare in case one cracks or something lol...not to mention I got the extra one for dirt cheap. As for the turbo it's a Turbonetics 62-1 turbo. I didn't go cheap on any of the critical parts (turbo, wastegate, bov). I only went a little cheap on the manifold and intercooler (both made by XSPower). gYWKR

[Coco-bun]

wow, awesome write up!
thanks for sharing .

[corkycal]

looking forward to the end results. nice step-by-step pics. how much HP are you expecting to get?

[cherplex]

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[AgentEzzard]

Nice write up. I would have picked another turbo besides a Turbonetics unit though.