legendkurado

Well, my Greddy Turbo Kit plus Interceptor X has finally been installed. Let me first thank ahhex8, for as he was the one that helped me install the turbo kit. I also want to thank Lae for helping me out also, both of ya'll helped me out tremendous. As some know my car was previously in track time performance, but due to some issues they couldn't finish the install. Instead I asked ahhex8 for aid on finishing the install. WE towed the car back to his house, and used his nice garage and tools to complete the install. A lot was confusing since things were done out of order, not to mention some parts were placed incorrectly!! We still have a few things to do, but the car is running and it drives smooth. After I get enough time to finish all the little tweaks here and there, I will get it tuned by BDC Motors. It is very tempting to test the car, but I am babying my car, and avoiding boost for now. Here are a few pictures!

Keef

Congratulations! I can't wait too be inside of it when you get it tuned...

mysql101

the CAI is a good idea, though that filter looks like someone recently gave birth to the filter

You should straighten out all the bent intercooler fins. I would also add the stock intake bottom tray back (you might have to cut it up a little), as it prevents the hot air from heating up your charge tube and intake piping. Also, you'll get less dust and crap in the engine bay.

jones75254

iTrader: (2)

Nothing ever seems to go quite a smoothe as you would hope, does it? Just the way it goes. Man it is so fortunate you were able to get help from the gracious peeps here on the forum. Says alot about the passion they/we all have for the 8. Kudos!!
I will be following the thread, i am interested in seeing the progress and to see how well BDC motorsports tunes your ride. I am in Dallas, so, when you are here for the tune, post up the dates as i would like to come over and check it out. Peace!

½mv²

Wow... that's kinda ballsy, bro. Not that I don't trust ahhex8's install, but for someone who was paranoid about getting a CEL and/or blowing a seal, I can't beleive you would get impatient over the matter.

Best of luck to you - hope you get it tuned soon... Dyno day is less than a month away

legendkurado

We had to correct many of the previous installer's mistakes.. I am glad i took my car out of there..who knows what would've happened if i started the car with his install... ahhex8 has taken apart 7's inside and out before.. though it differs from the 8 in many ways... CEL is inevitable.. for I am using the interceptor-x as ems... i know he is a well known installer, but porsche's and race cars are much more important to him.. even I saw many flaws when i started to take apart the car... a famous installer wont' do a good install if his focus isnt' on it..

legendkurado

jones unfortunately the 8 will be tuned in houston when brian gets here. If possible I will drive the car to dallas for the tune, however work proves difficult around that. You are definitely right, ahhex8 stayed up late and aided me through the whole thing. I feel very thankful. I am hoping for a tune quick! so far the car runs smooth and great.. but of course i am not putting it in boost.. I will keep everyone updated.. there are still many things ahead to do...

heyarnold69

iTrader: (1)

Is it wrong to be in love with a turbo? i want it ...

Spinning Sushi

iTrader: (21)

Wanna trade cars?

rotarygod

For the record since it wasn't mentioned anywhere, Curt (the installer) refused to use the used gaskets that were supplied to him.

I don't know the whole story but I'll call and ask him about it. I have no doubt he'll chime in here after I do. He doesn't need to know about tuning or sizing turbos to know how to install them. He's thorough and refuses to take shortcuts. It after all is a used kit off of another car. I still stand by my recommendation of him.

½mv²

So, does this mean Wednesday's weekly meet is at Rob's house?

"Get Legend's turbo working"-themed meeting, anyone?

Keef

I feel like being quiet, and then some not...

1. used gaskets
2. 03 turbo for 06 Mazda
3. used parts
4. used gaskets

so are you hating Curt for the time he spent gathering the necessary gaskets and fittings too simply get the turbo working?

rotarygod

FWIW I'm not blaming anyone so don't think that I'm calling anyone a liar or starting a fight with anyone. I'm not. I don't know the whole story but I do know there are always 2 sides to it and I'm pretty sure we aren't hearing all of the details here. I'd like to see what Curt's side of the story is.

I can admit that your car probably wasn't top priority compared to others. He didn't charge crap for the install compared to what he should have as he has never done a Greddy turbo install on an RX-8 and wanted to learn it. It's not rocket science and he's more than capable. This is the same thing I did with Charles Hill's port job. The cars that come in and go out on a day to day basis are the ones that pay the bills. The cars that get priority are the ones he fixes so the owners can drive them. They aren't the people who are waiting for performance upgrades to get installed. I do know if he had all the necessary parts when the car and kit were dropped off, he wouldn't have taken so long on it and may very well have gotten it done on time with room to spare. I also wouldn't say he did things wrong as again, he wasn't done with it. I do remember getting a phone call on Saturday asking me where the APV line was supposed to go. I was at SSX and couldn't really answer though. If you don't know where a stock part goes on your own car, don't question an aftermarket part on a car that he doesn't own. He probably would have figured it out.

Curt is probably the most honest guy I know who works on cars. I've known him for a few years. His customers love him. Track people love him. He's got great attention to detail and is trusted enough that he is a finish/builder for Noble Supercars. When I hear a story that is contrary to every other experience that I've ever seen him have, I question it and wonder what the other side of the story is.

Now on a different topic, definitely stay off of the gas until it's tuned. Brian is a great tuner. You'll be happy. I've got a couple of his timing maps. I have one for a streetported engine and another for a half bridgeport. I don't have his a/f ratio numbers though but that's not that hard. Start rich and tune from there.

legendkurado

What does my car being an 06 have to do with anything??? The only thing I noticed different was the routing of the AIV which he didn't get to anyways.....

Hating Curt? Before I comment any further, I would like to bring out the fact that nobody has mentioned hating anybody else. Prior to installation and even after the incomplete installation I respect Curt for a reputable mechanic/installer. I don't know where you got that from Keef, but we have done nothing but post observations and inferences. As many of you believe it to be the "impatient little kid" I can not change your point of perspective. As quoted one time after another, I am not blaming Curt for waiting on the gaskets. Before the installation even took place, I've been in contact with Curt sending him links to the pictures of my turbo kit. He commented on new clamps and additional oil, but said nothing further.

The day I dropped my car off I had the parts in the trunk, and I gave him the install manual. I told him that I've brought everything that he saw, plus the interceptor x and gauges. We had a long talk, for I was very interested in all the nice cars around me. After a few minutes, my arranged ride needed to leave so I showed Curt the manual's parts list. (Which was the only good visual pictures Greddy had in the manual mind you -_-.. a warning to anyone ever planning on going greddy turbo) I told him to call me if he ran in to a problem. If anyone ever has the chance to speak with Curt, he will probably tell you that I'm very clingy to updates. So I called time after time to see whether or not the installation was going well. Later that night, Curt called me to let me know that the gaskets weren't reusable. I told him to go ahead and find the quickest way for him to get the gaskets. He told me on Saturday the soonest he could get his hands on the gaskets would be Tuesday. Tuesday came and he then told me that the greddy gaskets weren't usable. Wednesday came and the gaskets were in his hands late in the day. He then started on my car on Thursday and told me that a coupler wasn't in condition. He didn't have the available time to find this coupler himself so I took the rest of the day off from work to get that part to him. (I asked him to check everything else and see if he would need anything.) I didn't expect him to finish even though I asked. Friday he began finishing the install. I was waiting there at 8 but he then let me know that he was going to need at least another 2.5 half hours. He told me that he was planning on leaving the shop at 1 a.m (In a manner I felt as if he was blaming me) I went to rob's house to whoop him in Gran Turismo ;p.. lol However, in the meantime, I was missing a phone call by Curt. I called back at 10:30 and he then told me that he gave me a ring two hours earlier. He told me that he could not get the 02 sensor out, which surprised me because he already put together everything on the bottom of the vehicle. (It was tedious to place the o2 sensor with everything bolted together underneath) He told me that he would help me on Sunday. I decided to just pay Curt, and ask Rob to help me finish the rest. There were a few things that weren't done correctly, however like RG says he most likely would've figured it out. The 02 sensor came out without being damaged and the thread was just a bit deformed. Nothing a little bit of rethreading couldn't fix.

The things I'm disappointed in:
1.) Before starting the installation he didn't even gather the parts to see what he was working with. This could've easily prevented everything, and could've altered the entire scenario.
2.) When figuring out that the gaskets were not reusable he didn't even check if the greddy gaskets were reusable. That could've also altered the entire scenario.
3.) When bringing him the coupler, I asked him to specifically check everything else that would be needed to install, and he told me that he needed nothing else.
4.) Even though he was missing a few parts, he didn't attempt to install the things he could when he had the time. He told me he would, but when I dropped by my car was nothing but taken apart.

What I liked:
1.) He had a great personality, and he was willing to hold conversations with me.
2.) He offered a good deal and was honest.

What I would like to get straight:
1.) I don't' hate him. Stop putting words in people's mouthes.
2.) I don't doubt his abilities. Never did I challenge is knowledge and capabilities.
3.) I still respect him

legendkurado

Thank You RG. Easily put

jones75254

iTrader: (2)

Whats done is done. You can NEVER count on a timeframe given on an install like that (especially on used kit). You can hope, but have to prepare yourself for time obstacles, as they will almost certainly happen. Not saying it should have stretched out as long as it did but there are always two sides to every story.
But hey, you are happy! Its installed just awaiting a tune! Good stuff

legendkurado

definitely.. i have no time of worrying about what happened... but instead worrying what WILL happen.. i have a lot of work to do.. one additional parts come in

rotarygod

**** happens pure and simple. Get it tuned and go enjoy it!

rowteree

car looks great legend. Wow i didn't know you would go FI that soon. I guess i have to get my nitrous set up and see who's faster =)

legendkurado

ty rowteree.. but there's still a lot to do... i think you should definitely go for nitrous

So far, the car drives ok. Again I am taking it very easy on the throttle. I might try to find a way to get my car tuned before the 20th

RotarySpirit

Now you just need to learn how to drive, legend :P

legendkurado

Been hearing rumors from rob? ;p lol

Keef

I didn't mean too put words in your mouth, I guess my interpretation is skewed...

Either way, I'm happy you have the turbo installed, and considering it's your first install, having it done is better than abandoning the turbo completely.

If this was your 3rd turbo install then most of the problems you had you probably would have taken care of yourself, but I guess that's what experience is for...

legendkurado

Yes, it actually was a great experience. Regardless good or bad, I learned a lot. Don't worry keef none offense was taken, I'm just confused to what exact diction I used to make you conclude that. I'm sure Curt would also understand why I feel this way. I know there are many satisfied clients, and in a matter of fact I still recommended him to many people looking for performance alignments. I am just not too happy about what happened. Both he and I could've done things to prevent this, however I didn't know as much as I do now. So, it was definitely a lesson learned. But in both party's interest I would like to drop this subject. If anyone would like to address anything else just pm please.

Back on topic: Does anybody have a scanalyzer I can use?