How hard is it to actually install a turbo yourself? It basically bolts right on am I correct? ALso, do I need to get it tuned afterwards or am I good to go?

 

Well if you havent before i dont think anyone would recommend it. But if this helps any, Jotech Motorsports in Garland is having like a sale on Rev Hard Stage 2 turbo kits, for 3500 installed and everything. 100 bucks more for the Tial Wastegate upgrade. Thats everything you need included in the kit to run it on an Ls with stock everything, safely on 8-9psi.

 

well...if you get a kit, the parts are basically bolt-on. If you piece it together, you will find that you will have to have madrel bent tubing for the intercooler and cut it yourself to fit. Lets not forget that you WILL have to drill into your oil pan for an oil return line from the turbo and tap the block (near the oil filter) for the oil-in line to the turbo. Also, you will need a MAP-bypass so you don't throw CEL's.

Once you do get teh turbo on you NEED tuning - this is not a plug-n-play project. If you don't tune, you will knock (detonate) and this will kill your motor. So a nice line of electronics (APEX'i boost controller, J&S safeguard, Hondata are a few) will help prevent that, but you will need to hit a dyno to properly tune your A/F ratios and boost limits.

Its a lot of work, but if done properly you'll be happy and you're motor will be too...

also, do a search for this topic has been covered many of times (i mean MANY)

 

any place in the mass/ct/ny/jersey area that tunes turbo's? im thinking about turboing my car later this year. now you have to drill into the block too or just the oil pan?

 

well you have to drill into the oil pan.

with the oil-feed line you can:

a) hit a feed on the block near the oil filter (there is a plug there so you can use that)

b) install a remote oil filter assembly and use the auxilary feed line on that to run to the turbo.