What will I need to install my turbo on a non-turbocharged vehicle?
Here is a pretty complete list of items you will need to purchase in order to install a turbo on your non-turbocharged vehicle. There could be a few more small things such as nuts, bolts, fuel lines, etc… You will not need an intercooler if you do not plan on running more than 10psi of boost.
- Turbo Exhaust Manifold or an Adapter (you can purchase one or build your own)
- Turbo w/ Internal Wastegate (easier to install)
- External Wastegate (if turbo is not equipped with an internal one)
- Oil Feed & Drain Lines
- Water Fittings (if turbo is water cooled)
- FMU (fuel pressure regulator that increases pressure as the boost goes up) BEGI is the best one made right now
- 440cc or 550cc injectors
- Walbro 195/255 LPH Fuel Pump
- Exhaust Work for turbo connection
- Misc. Pipes, Clamps, and Connecting Hoses
My brand new, or newly rebuilt, turbo is leaking oil. Is the turbo bad?
There are several reasons why new, fully rebuilt, or good used turbos leak oil, having nothing to do with a turbo problem:
- Excessively high oil pressure/volume. Oil pressure on these turbos should not exceed 60psi. We actually recommend the maximum being 55psi or lower. Any more pressure than this will blow out the seals. All these turbos need at idle is 1/2 of a liter per minute. You can remove the drain line with the engine at idle and let it run into a container of known size to see exactly what the flow/volume is. If excessive oil pressure or volume is found, a restrictor will be needed to remedy this problem.
- Oil drain too small, bent, kinked, cocked, or entering the engine below oil level. The oil drain is actually the most important factor in keeping a turbocharger from leaking from the oil seals. This is due to the fact that once the oil has gone through the turbo, it is changed into a consistancy of whipped cream or foam, and the system relies on gravity to drain all of the oil. Minimum inside diameter of the drain pipe should be 7/16″. We recommend inside diameters of at least 1/2″, ideal would be 5/8″ if possible. The turbo bearing housing should be as perpendicular (or vertical) as possible, and should not “cock” to either side any more than 15 degrees. Once again, we recommend vertical. Obviously, any kinks in the drain line, or sharp bends will cause oil to back up inside the line, not allowing oil to drain. Also, oil entering the engine below oil level will build up the oil inside the turbo, not allowing it to drain.
These are the top two reasons why new, rebuilt, or good used turbos leak oil on custom installations. There are two other “not so common” problems in this area:
- Restricted or dirty air filter
- Improperly installed, or non-functioning PCV system
How do I know which style of T3/T4 hybrid turbo I have?
If you have a T3/T4hybrid turbo, there are four different styles available:
- Big shaft model with 270 degree thrust bearing
- Big shaft model with 360 degree thrust bearing
- Standard shaft model with 270 dergee thrust bearing (this is the kit we have listed on ebay, it is the most common)
- Standard shaft model with 360 degree thrust bearing
The only way to determine which size shaft you have (without taking the turbo apart) is by the size of the compressor end nut. If your turbo has a 11mm (7/16″) end nut then it is a big shaft version, and if you have a 10mm (3/8″) end nut then it is the standard shaft version. There is no way of determining which type of thrust bearing you have without disassembling the turbo to see.