My thoughts on the GReddy turbo installation
 

Last weekend I finally was able to get my used GReddy turbo kit installed.(thanks phil's 8 :)) All the information on this forum was very helpful in this, since the GReddy install instructions don't have pictures for all the steps.

I realized that I NEVER want to do a turbo install again....especially on jackstands. It took me 27 hours total (23 by myself) to get everything installed including the boost gauge, GReddy oil pan and oil catch can. Fitment was so tight, it was almost impossible to remove/install some items....for example...removing stock manifold and then trying to install the turbo and turbo manifold was nearly impossible.

That said, I want to give props to all you people/vendors for being able to do this sort of stuff regularly. Granted you probably have the right tools and might have access to a hoist, but still it's not the easiest thing to do. So props to Jeff (MM), Ray, Scott and Mazsport, Pettit, Esmeril...etc.

So you may be wondering if I am enjoying my newly boosted 8....

Well, not exactly. As this install was the first time doing something this major to this kind of car, not exactly everything came together in the end. After I had everything all put back together...I started it up. First try and it fired right up. I was very pleased. Unfortunately I had an oil leak. It was coming from the oil return line. It was midnight and I said forget it. I am not tearing this thing apart again. I ended up taking it to a buddy's shop that does all kinds of aftermarket installs from wheels to turbo's etc... They confirmed the leaking from the return line and I had them fix it. They made a new gasket made out of....I don't remember..something good anyways...Got it all back together...No leaks....until they noticed a little bit of oil seeping out of the oil feed line into the turbo. So they will be fixing that tomorrow.

So from this experience, I learned that sometimes it's better to shell out the cash to have someone else do it instead of saving some money. Sometimes it's not worth all the headaches. I will update once I get my car back and get to tuning it with the help of MM's expertise. :)

Oh and by he way....while checking the oil leak under the car, I burned my eyebrow/temple on an exhaust flange. :eyetwitch

Congrats!

I found taking both motor mounts off and moving the engine to the drivers side helps 1000%

if you think the greddy turbo is a pain, wait till you try the 3071R! It's even bigger!

Interesting....
LOL, I'm sure, that's why I will let my buddys shop do it when I get to that point :)

ughh it was never fun to take Kane's out, but i'll be tickled pink when i get ot put mine in :)

It isnt so bad once the motor mounts are out - you big girl!

I just pulled my turbo. It literally took me 9 months. I kid you not.

One thing I dont remember is if I pulled the transmission for the install. Definitely on the way out, there was no room to pull the manifold AND the turbo at the same time. Had to disconnect the turbo and perform gymnastics to get it out.

Does the transmission need to be out for the re-install?

Thanks in advance.

The hardest part of installing the greddy was the oil line. OMG that spot is so cramped to work in. I took the passenger side motor mount out and everything else was a snap.

no need to pull tranny, if that was required, I would've definitely had a shop do it!

I hate that oil line :wallbash:

so the best way to tighten that oil feed line is when the motor mount is off?

i was able to tighten the oil line before mounting it to the manifold that was pretty easy, hey kane what other mount did you remove other than the passenger side mount?

The other mount - there are only two.

My way - remove both motor mounts (with motor jacked of course) - take off oil sending unit and move motor as far left as possible - toward the driver; then you can place everything on easy as pie - I have about 4 -6 extra inches of room that way.

yeah, I missed that step....lol

that's why it's leaking :)

I'm not much of a mechanic...I can get by on some things, but you see the end result here ;)

I think I did pretty good for a newbie

Honestly though, I think I will stick to auto body :)

Let me check out your car soon. I go to school in ames.

it's really not that bad. You basically just need to raise and lower the engine a bit to finagle the turbo into place.

yeah definitely man, we should get another meet going before the snow flies!

yes, and I will leave that to the pro's :D:

I've spent way too much time under my car in the past 3 days. That's probably not that bad to you or MM. But for me.....that is enough! :)

no, i've never done that part!

I watched Jeff do it though. He held the turbo in his hands, and used his leg to jack up the engine. It was like watching someone figure skate.

LOL, I would've liked to see that

If you are an engine carney - I guess you can do that - LOL.

My farmers fingers are too fat I guess.

I wish I was an engine carney :(

Me too, but since I'm not, I'm getting someone who knows wtf they are doing to put my kit in while I watch and learn.

Are those oil lines stainless braided? or rubber (at least for the return)? When you learn the tricks to installing oil lines, they aren't TOO bad. but oil return lines always suck on every car, because they are big and the fitment is very tight.

The most nightmare oil line I have ever done is the oil return line for the front turbo on a 93-95 twin turbo Rx-7.

I hope you enjoy the turbo setup. I would never have installed it myself. It would have been CRH to the rescue for me.

Congrats! and I know how you feel I have installed a Greddy Kit myself and it is no walk in the park!