Getting ready to install my bbk full on my 05 VIII just have a couple questions:

1. Can I remove the stock turbo from below and leave the exhaust manifold on the block? Also can the new turbo be installed from the bottom?

2. Should I buy a new donut gasket for the downpipe?

Rather novice questions but this is my first turbo swap in 8 years of ownership.

Thanks guys

 

Where are you located in NJ?

I suggest removing the radiator & then removing the turbo/manifold/02 housing in 1 piece. Buying a new donut gasket is up to you, depends on how she looks when you remove everything. I've reused mine for multiple turbo swaps. While you have everything apart I suggest cleaning up the oem metal gaskets & spray a nice coat of copper gasket spray on them before reinstalling everything. You want to reinstall everything while the copper gasket spray is slightly tacky.

And last, pretty sure it says this in the install instructions from CBRD...but make sure to prime the turbo before starting the car.

 

FYI- I don't know if its just bad luck but I had my O2 housing bolts backing themselves out after installing my FP Red. I got some Nordlock washers and not an issue any more.

 

To answer both your questions.

1. Remove turbo fromt he top. Plain and simple. I tried to wiggle it out the bottom and it just became a pain in the ***. Also, just remove the exhaust manifold. You're going to want to drop the new turbo in from the top, have someone hold it up from the bottom while you get the exhaust manifold into position. This will all be very easy once you see how the removal goes.

2. Go ahead and buy a new donut gasket for the reason of, they're cheap as hell. No reason to take the risk of having a possible exhaust leak and screwing up wideband readings.

Good luck with install and let us know if you have anymore questions. I've done, 2 turbo swaps in my evo, all stock frame, and I learned something different each time. Just takes patience.

 

Top notch answers guys, this is the forums bread a butter right here. I'm located in central NJ right near etown.

I'm going to give it a try this saturday. Hopefully it all goes smooth so I can drop her off at Ivey for a tune.

Andrew

 

Don't worry about taking the radiator out either. Find a piece of cardboard that is the same size as the radiator and tape it to the top. Match sure when u put the turbo setup back in that the o2 housing is already bolted up and the oil return line is "loosely" bolted up. Once again, GL and shoot me a pm if you would happen to need help.

 

Yea this is the route I was going to take actually. If I have to remove it I will, but I'm going to put some cardboard on it and see if I can make it happen. I don't really feel like 'burping' the radiator.

 

Burping the radiator is pretty damn simple. And with it being your first turbo swap on an evo I would definitely suggest pulling the radiator to give you more room to work & no chance of damaging the rad. There are coolant lines on the turbo, so when you remove the turbo coolant will come out of them anyway. How old is the coolant in the car? Might be time for a coolant "flush" anyway, especially with a new turbo.

 

As cheap as a thing of good radiator fluid is, just flush the system entirely.

 

 

Oh and real quick, couple simple things that I didnt do the first turbo swap I did that I wish I would have. You don't need to replace the gasket thats from the hot side of the turbo to the o2 housing unless is eff'd up or if you're running an o2 dump which they should provide when you buy it. Also get new gaskets for the oil return line. Gasket to the CHRA and the oil pan. But now that I just looked, you have an 8 so you should have already purchased your install so I'm pointing out sh** you already know LOL

 

I agree take the radiator out. Its so easy and you'll be under there anyway. It frees up a lot of room.

 

^^ **install kit**

 

Listen to these guys, do yourself a favor and pull the rad. All the extra room it gives you makes it so much easier. After doing myself both ways, I can say that I wish I had taken it out the for the first swap.

 

Plus when you drain the coolant you won't have as much spill all over when you remove your turbo. I usually pull everything and replace all gaskets but that's just me.