Hey all, I'm new to this forum, and new to the lancer community. I wrecked my mustang and ended up getting a 2002 Lancer Es. Overall I am happy with this car, I just kinda miss the power my mustang had... therefore I MUST turbo this . As turbos are not common on mustangs, plus I'm pretty poor anyway, I have never had a turboed car before so I have some questions.

First of all, I'm a poor college student and can't afford a $3k-$4k turbo kit. I was searching around and found that I could get a brand new turbo by itself for around $700, or a rebuilt one off ebay for around $300-400. So here are my questions:

1. If I buy all the stuff separately rather than a kit, around how much do you think it will end up saving me. (not sure how much it will cost to get custom piping, all the hoses, wastegate, yada yada etc.)

2. If i did go this route, is a rebuilt turbo ok? or should I definately go with a brand new one?

3. Which brand of turbo should I get? Size? I noticed there are different flanges (T3, T4, T25, etc.), which one should I get for this car?

4. Will it bolt onto my stock engine, or will I have to get a new manifold, etc.?

5. If I get a turbo and no intercooler, can I later add an intercooler to that same turbo? or are turbo's built differently if you're using an intercooler?

I think that's all for now... please don't be too harsh, I know i'm a newbie to all things turbo , but I will have help installing it from people who know more than me. Plus my ex-step-dad owns a machine shop (works on monteros) so if I need to, I can go to him for help installing.

Thanks in advance

 

well here we go, my first advice is to save and get a RRM turbo kit, now with that out of the way.

There are several ways to go about this, you could have a custom manifold built for you, buy the hacker tweaker kit from RRM, without the turbo and have someone custome fit whatever turbo you get.

Either way it isnt terribly cheap but none the less cheaper.

Now you can always add an intercooler later, I did. I started with the RRM regular kit and later upgraded to the intercooled kit, just a few mods to the turbo housing and you are good to go.

Remember to do it right the first time, it is more expensive to do it cheaply twice than correctly once.

 

Hey thanks for the advice.. that would save me some time searching for all the parts I need.. One thing though.. On the RRM site, I only see a hacker/tweaker kit with a turbo.. how much is one without, do you know? Also what would be the best turbo to get to go with this kit?

(money burns a hole in my pocket, so its hard for me to save a huge amount... I plan on buying the turbo first, then saving up for the other parts I need.. I know, in the end it costs the same, but it makes me feel like I'm spending less if I spend $500 here, $200 here, $300 there, rather than laying down $1000 all at once, plus this way I don't have to save up a bunch, I just buy a few things with each paycheck )

 

if you are serious about the turbo bet thing to do is call them there is some one there right know that can awnser any and all Questions you may have
www.roadracemotorsports.com
(562)906-0080

 

hey call RRM maybe they can put a turbo on lay-a-way for ya seriously though Call them and ask about their kit without the turbo, I know they have done it before.

 

Well I'm at work right now so I can't, but I will probably call them either tonight or tomorrow if they're closed. That may be a good route for me to and I appreciate your guys' advice, but does anyone know the answers to some of my other questions? I want to weigh all my options, and no offense, but basically you guys just reffered me to RRM. I do like the idea of getting the hacker/tweaker kit w/o the turbo if that isn't too expensive, though.

 

well i said you could get a manifold custom made as there is NO company that seems to produce and sell one. second a re-manufactured turbo isnt the best but if it is all ya got the $$ for rock on, especially since you are going to be running super high boost anyways. garrett makes great turbos, i suggest you ask hobie about his setup as he seems to be one of the only non kit turbo guys. he is far more knowledgeable on this than I.

 

k, I'll try to PM him.. thanks for all your help!

Hey, I was checking on www.roadraceengineering.com and I noticed they have a do-it-yourself kit for the eclipses... the full hacker/tweaker kit w/o a turbo is $325, the wastegate is $75, and the 16G turbo is $500. If their hacker/tweaker kit for the lancer w/o a turbo is that price then I'll be happy!

 

No you cant use the kit. For example it even tells you in the discription about what they assume you have. It is for a 2g eclipse...not a lancer. The turbo eclipse's share the same engine (diferent version) as the EVO. The lancer has an all out completey different setup. I just don't want you to waste your money. What you can do for a cheap good turbo is get a Garret t25 off of a stock eclipse. I have pointed many poeple in this direction before. Go over to www.dsmtrader.com there go to advance search pick your state and run a search for a t25 turbo. You will find many in great condition selling for 100-150 bux. Alot of DSMers upgrade to something much larger so they can be found in abundance. HELL I have one sitting in the coat room closet . The t25 is a great turbo for the lancer. It doesnt take much to spool it and can be boosted to 15psi. To reach 15psi it is gonna take alot of internal work on your tiny engine!! So I hope this helps you out some. Good luck.

 

Sounds Great, thanks for that info! I'll check into it.

 

Might be worth your time to enquire.


https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...threadid=60963

 

yeah if your going turbo RRM is the place for you.

 

speaking of....

I need to start making turbo manifolds for our cars.. i bet you can make a killing

 

hey, most shops will do a custom setup for you. here in austin, we have two shops, that i know of, that will do it for 4000. i dont know if its worth it, but its pretty much how much you would pay for an RRM kit without installation.

 

1. Depends upon what you want from the kit. It may actually cost you more.

2. Rebuilt is fine.

3. Depends upon what you want. T25, T28, T3 and T3/T4's are what have been used this far. I think Billy has a TD05 too or something like that. Also see #4.

4. Yes, you'll need either a manifold or return pipe. A manifold is more efficient and will spool a larger turbine faster than a return pipe, but either works. If you couldn't tell from my avatar I much prefer a tubular manifold. RPW Makes one that's sold through Vision Imports but you'll either need to get a downpipe fabbed or buy one of them as well. As you already know, RRM has the hacker/tweeker kit. I'm sure if you call them they'll break up whatever kit into whatever you want.

5. You can add it later, but you'll probably want to face the turbo the opposite way to keep piping length reasonable. Compressor should outlet on throttle body side (right) if you're non-intercooled, opposite side (left) if front mount intercooled. Why? Plumbing.

Good luck. Don't forget, fuel first, boost second.