Turbo Build Diary
 

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!

http://www.jefftsai.com/Pictures/Car...rbobuild01.jpg
Basically stock under there

http://www.jefftsai.com/Pictures/Car...rbobuild02.jpg
Stock intake removed

http://www.jefftsai.com/Pictures/Car...rbobuild03.jpg
Bumper removed

http://www.jefftsai.com/Pictures/Car...rbobuild04.jpg
Picture with the bumper out of the way

http://www.jefftsai.com/Pictures/Car...rbobuild05.jpg
Jack up the car

http://www.jefftsai.com/Pictures/Car...rbobuild06.jpg
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.

http://www.jefftsai.com/Pictures/Car...rbobuild07.jpg
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

http://www.jefftsai.com/Pictures/Car...rbobuild08.jpg
Bottom cover removed

http://www.jefftsai.com/Pictures/Car...rbobuild09.jpg
Pic of the lower oil pan

http://www.jefftsai.com/Pictures/Car...rbobuild10.jpg
Draining oil

http://www.jefftsai.com/Pictures/Car...rbobuild11.jpg
Exhaust removed. 3 bolts

http://www.jefftsai.com/Pictures/Car...rbobuild12.jpg
Removed bolts from stock header

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 :D

I can't wait to see the finishing project!

http://www.jefftsai.com/Pictures/Car...rbobuild13.jpg
Stock header removed

http://www.jefftsai.com/Pictures/Car...rbobuild14.jpg
Shot of the side of the engine with no header

http://www.jefftsai.com/Pictures/Car...rbobuild15.jpg
Turbo manifold mounted

http://www.jefftsai.com/Pictures/Car...rbobuild16.jpg
Turbo mounted

http://www.jefftsai.com/Pictures/Car...rbobuild17.jpg
This is the pipe that has to be routed out of the way

http://www.jefftsai.com/Pictures/Car...rbobuild18.jpg
I have a lotta manifolds :p

http://www.jefftsai.com/Pictures/Car...rbobuild19.jpg
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.

http://www.jefftsai.com/Pictures/Car...rbobuild20.jpg
Pieces of the fitting kit

http://www.jefftsai.com/Pictures/Car...rbobuild21.jpg
Assembled. The exposed hole is where the oil line for the turbo will go.

http://www.jefftsai.com/Pictures/Car...rbobuild22.jpg
Mounted back onto the union bolt

http://www.jefftsai.com/Pictures/Car...rbobuild23.jpg
Showing where the oil line comes up from

http://www.jefftsai.com/Pictures/Car...rbobuild24.jpg
End result from todays work. More progress to come tomorrow!

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

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

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?

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.

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

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 :p (both made by XSPower). gYWKR

wow, awesome write up!
thanks for sharing :) .

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

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