The EF3 generally does not need the anti-surge housing; after testing a turbo both with and without I would suggest getting it without unless you feel your setup deems it necessary. I was looking at brand new pricing though, not used core upgrade.

The question to ask yourself though, is how long do they last? A dyno chart online doesn't mean it's a reliable DD.

 

that's hard to say, most of the cars tuned by Tom seem to be doing very well and have quite a few miles on them. I've also seen stock block cars pop at 350tq while others have 470tq and hold strong. It's really tough to tell what is going to happen but I wanted to keep the torque around 400-425 with horsepower in the high 400's

I've only driven my car 5,000miles since I bought it over a year ago, so it's just a fun car I take out of the garage on nice days. When I drive it I do drive it pretty hard but that's mainly because it's slow. I tend to drive fast cars slower and slow cars faster. Maybe it's because when you have a fast car you need a football field of distance to really go WOT and when you have a 330hp car you can just nail it anywhere

 

Why not shoot for somewhere in the middle so you can enjoy the car in a variety of situations?

 

I guess it's hard for me to visualize what an evo with a larger than stock turbo feels like since I've only driven my own Evo 9 with stock turbo. I don't know what an FP Red feels like or a green for that matter, but I do know that to keep the stock block in one piece you need a turbo that makes peak torque later (typically done through tuning) and flows well up top. I figured the EF4/Black was that turbo but maybe the EF3/Red will get me there as well...

 

I think you're under a bit of misconception here. You need a little more real-world experience and a little less internet forum mania. First, any turbo can be dangerous, period. You need a safe tune no matter what if you want your engine to last. Next, the bigger the turbo, the higher the likelihood for something to pop. You most reliable aftermarket DD turbos are going to be something along the lines of a FP Green or MAP EF2. As you've never owned, or even driven, an aftermarket turbocharger before, these are the ones I'm going to really suggest you look into. They're both capable of 400+ whp on pump, and 450+ on E85. The best way to learn how to swim isn't by jumping in the shark tank. You keep stating these numbers and goals that you're after, but you have zero practical real-world knowledge on what those numbers actually are. Are you aware of all the supporting mods that you're going to need to go along with any aftermarket turbocharger to fully utilize it?

 

I've driven other cars with power, just not an Evo. I don't think I'll be happy with an FP green or EF2 because I hate the quickness of the stock turbo spool up. I want a bigger turbo, the decision is between EF3/Red or EF4/Black. I was going to get a 6262 kit from STM before I decided to stay stock frame to save a little money... I don't want a turbo that hits full boost before 4,000 rpm like my stock turbo. That's not a fun car for me personally. I may just go with the EF3/Red because I've still seen them make very nice numbers and put down good times at the track.

I was set on the MAP turbos because they're more affordable but obviously FP makes great turbos as well.

 

EF3 it is then.

 

There is nothing wrong with an EF4 on a stock block you just have to go full retard on the tune and you don't have revs to utilize it.

Without the ability to run 8500rpms on the motor I wouldn't run a EF4. I have ran an FPred, FPblack and EF4 and the stock turbo, the red was about perfect for the stock block and I think you'd be happy with the EF3...bigger I think you will hate it on the stock block but everyone is different.

If you want a 2500rpm powerband by all means go for it

 

I think EF3/Red is the direction I'm going. That was my initial choice when it all started, but then I saw the refurbished EF4 MAP was selling and I guess I tried to convince myself to go that route...

Now I just need to basically decide between BB or JB. I know they are both reliable, but the transient response of ball-bearing is what is appealing, but the price tag is not. There seems to be people on both sides of the fence and it makes it very difficult to decide. I mean are we talking .5 of a second on the 1/4 mile between JB and BB turbos or is it miniscule?

I've always been pleased with MAP products and I plan to buy quite a bit of stuff from them here before the end of the year and I would like to add an EF3 to that list but I want to make the right decision. $2250 for a turbo seems ridiculous (FP Red). I could do the MAP rebuild for ~$1,400...

 

I am still having difficulty understanding your concept of a "fun" car. So you basically want a turbo to not be "TOO" responsive (spool up under 4k) but still give you good top-end? The EF3 will be fairly responsive on the 2 liter with a respectable power-band but keep in mind, the rest of your setup (cams etc) will dictate this as well. Personally, I prefer a turbo that has minimal lag with a big torque hit and is still able to sustain power through the band. But it's just a matter of preference.

 

I am not going to comment on this as this is an EF series thread...

 

yes, I want a turbo that pulls strong to redline. I don't like small turbos that make tons of torque instantly then do nothing after that. I hate the stock turbo feel where I am just one small punch of the throttle away from being full boost. I want to have to plan to hit boost by downshifting for example

 

Maybe on an x it would be. I mean I understand its it is the x section but you can do it no prob witht he 8 and 9 no problems.

 

I just love people that say this. Do your homework about turbos before you even start thinking bb or jb. Honsetly is it really worth 1200 more to upgrade to something that spools a 3 to 500 rpms earlier? I mean really? I just love how people think that oh man jb turbos are so laggy and what nots etc..., but when it comes down to it its all about tune. I know I coudl put 1200 more dollars on other upgrades myself. I mean is it really worth having spool when your not even useing the powerband your gonna bennifet from anyways?

 

I never said spool is the factor. Transient response is the big one that everyone says is a night and day difference between JB and BB. I have done research.

I'm not sure where $1200 came from, everyone seems to exaggerate costs between JB and BB

I can get an FP Red for $2250 and a brand new EF3 for $1885. The EF3 can also be an upgrade for a cheap cost of $1445 which makes the EF3 very appealing and, in my opinion, a great option for power.