My friend wants to take me up to Chicago for our 2-week vacation. Im hopefully installing a turbo and intercooler before we go (Dec 26 - Jan 9). The trip is approximately 3000 miles round-trip. Will this hurt my engine if I drive my Lancer up there with a turbo and intercooler installed, especially driving it in the dead of winter? If it is bad, what about a 700 mile (one-way) trip to North Carolina, same dates? Our first choice would definately be Chicago, but NC will do.

 

hmmm....aftermarket boosting on engines not designed for turbos has been known to crap out or leak on long long long trips. why don't you just install the kit after your trip and save yourself the trouble of worrying about it? if you must install it rght away, i suggest getting the turbo timer and boost controller...lower your boost too so its not working so hard. this might save you some doe when your pistons fry half way into the trip or you pop a gasket...

 

I don't think anyone's had their turbo Lancer"crap out" or "leak" yet. I doubt you'll have problems so long as you're still following a slightly accelerated maintenance plan for your engine. Change the oil before you leave. I seriously doubt you'll have any problems unless of course you abuse the car.

 

actually, im the friend thats speaking for the owner of the Lancer. He's not too computer literate lol I know he's got a turbo timer but not a boost controller. If he gets a boost controller, is it possible to control it enough to where the turbo is virtually "off"? He's hopeing to get his turbo installed prolly by next month, and he wants it bad. So im not sure if he's gonna want to wait to install it aftere the trip

 

I wont hurt it. Just make sure that you have the Turbo Timer or that you leave the engine on for a while after use. And dont forget the 500 mile break in period for the Turbo.

 

yeah, we wouldnt beat the hell out of it there or back. Maybe just when we get there for the two weeks But he just wants to be certain (as well as me) that we wont come-across any break downs on our way there or back. He's pretty good about keepin his car maintenanced and hes definately gettin an oil change before/after the trip.

 

If he gets a boost controller, is it possible to control it enough to where the turbo is virtually "off"?

 

There's no reason that he should run into any problems. A boost controller really isn't going to have to do with reliability here. You don't even need a turbo timer. Just be sure to let the car cool down for a few minutes after you've driven it for a while.

 

I think you should play conservately. Put TC after the trip.

On a roadtrip, a lot of things can happen. Murphy's law. If one doesn't respect it, it'll blindside you like there's no tomorrow.

 

Boost controllers do not turn down the only up. If you want the boost down set the wastegate lower.

 

Just have air/fuel guage and change the oil before you go

 

Air/fuel really isn't going to do dick. Drive the car around a bit before you leave if you're worried about kinks if you're that concerned.

 

if the car has been dyno tuned with all the goodies like A/F controler and boost controler installed i dont see why the car would not make the trip but just dont expect to slap on a turbo kit and hit the road. these things are a little bit more complicated than plug and play

 

what part of south florida are u from....never seen you on the boards b4....Vero Beach here