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Trying to figure out if the turbo is worth it

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Old Jul 9, 2008 | 04:51 PM
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Trying to figure out if the turbo is worth it

I keep reading the outputs on some of these turbo's and some say 350 and some say 400. I'm wondering which turbo really gives you more bang for your buck as these things are pretty expensive kits. I also want to know what I could really expect out of them.
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Old Jul 9, 2008 | 04:55 PM
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most turbo kits will go to around 300. That's a nice safe number. As you approach 350, more and more parts of the car are subject to fail. I have not seen any 400 whp dynos on street gas. I personally would not think it's a viable number for a DD RX-8.
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Old Jul 9, 2008 | 04:59 PM
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Originally Posted by mysql
most turbo kits will go to around 300. That's a nice safe number. As you approach 350, more and more parts of the car are subject to fail. I have not seen any 400 whp dynos on street gas. I personally would not think it's a viable number for a DD RX-8.

So all I should expect is 60 hp for 5k+. That seems kind of steep IMO.
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Old Jul 9, 2008 | 05:08 PM
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Originally Posted by y2frankie69
So all I should expect is 60 hp for 5k+. That seems kind of steep IMO.
your car makes anywhere from 170 to 190 whp if you have a manual transmission.

The smallest turbo kit is the greddy, and that will give you about 80-100 whp gain, as the typical person sees approx 270 whp with a boost controller.

Did you really think you made 230 hp to the wheels? lol


A smart buyer will require a lot more information than manufacturer hp claims. I suggest reading up on customer feedback for the various kits. You want highest power with the lowest spool time and maximum torque. There's really only one turbo kit that fits the description. I'll let you figure the rest out yourself.
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Old Jul 9, 2008 | 05:26 PM
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Thanks!
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Old Jul 9, 2008 | 05:47 PM
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which turbo kits are you considering? Built the same they are not, choose wisely you must
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Old Jul 9, 2008 | 06:05 PM
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The increase in HP/dollar may not seem like much, but remember you are dealing w/ a 3000lb car w/ low power to begin with. 300 whp and a significant boost in torque on a such a light/balanced/capable car should feel pretty phenomenal.
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Old Jul 9, 2008 | 07:01 PM
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Because you want to outrun 400 HP, single-turbo-conversion 300 ZXs over a 1/2 mile and nearly 150 MPH.
(Not to mention the Saleen and Cobra that just plain lost it back there somewhere.)
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Old Jul 9, 2008 | 07:32 PM
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oooh...want to see more. Gimme some more.
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Old Jul 9, 2008 | 08:02 PM
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How about a backwards drag race?
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Old Jul 9, 2008 | 08:09 PM
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I love those vids

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Old Jul 9, 2008 | 10:47 PM
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imo its not worth it, you loose your factory warranty, the car is not designed for FI, thus the parts are subject to fail, and you have to be a lot more diligent in maintenance. Its a big financial and time commitment that goes well beyond the cost of the turbo kit and installation. I personally usually dont recommend any naturally aspirated factory cars to get turboed. Just buying the kit and getting it installed cost a lot and is not worth it imo. If something breaks, your wallet will be in trouble. Ohh, modding your car to such a degree also tend to kill your resale value.

to put it in layman's terms, if its worth it everyone on here would have been doing it

Last edited by playdoh43; Jul 9, 2008 at 10:54 PM.
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Old Jul 9, 2008 | 10:56 PM
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^^ All good points.
All so terribly, terribly boring.

Don't cross the street or you might get hit by a bus.
Don't fall in love or you might get hurt.
Don't travel alone or you might get mugged.
Don't talk to strangers.

All so terribly, terribly boring.

Its just a car. Its a hunk of tin, rubber, plastic and glass. If you primary concerns are the warranty, the difficulty and the cost, you bought the wrong car to begin with.
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Old Jul 9, 2008 | 11:08 PM
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easy to say that when its not your money
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Old Jul 9, 2008 | 11:14 PM
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MM what did run in the 1/4? Just curious
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Old Jul 9, 2008 | 11:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Macius8
MM what did run in the 1/4? Just curious
Yes, please tell us...
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Old Jul 9, 2008 | 11:54 PM
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Originally Posted by YaXMaNGTO
Yes, please tell us...
Yes please :D
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Old Jul 10, 2008 | 12:02 AM
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I dunno. That 1/4 mile in the second video was 2 years ago on the smaller turbo.
Flashwing (who took the video) probably remembers.
MPH was 109 - 111 or so. I remember that.

More important - I was doing 147 MPH at the end of that 1/2 mile straight in the first video.
You do the math on that one.
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Old Jul 10, 2008 | 12:53 AM
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Originally Posted by y2frankie69
I keep reading the outputs on some of these turbo's and some say 350 and some say 400. I'm wondering which turbo really gives you more bang for your buck as these things are pretty expensive kits. I also want to know what I could really expect out of them.

if you have to ask.

you have not read enough. few say 350 and only one says 400. and that is with a bunch of stipulations....

how much money do you have?

they have been kind to you.

beers

Last edited by swoope; Jul 10, 2008 at 12:56 AM.
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Old Jul 10, 2008 | 12:53 AM
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Originally Posted by MazdaManiac

More important - I was doing 147 MPH at the end of that 1/2 mile straight in the first video.
You do the math on that one.
how fast did you come out of te previous turn? approx...
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Old Jul 10, 2008 | 10:11 AM
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Originally Posted by Jedi54
which turbo kits are you considering? Built the same they are not, choose wisely you must

all I can hear is Yoda
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Old Jul 10, 2008 | 10:48 AM
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350whp is about 400 ish at the crank


so basically you will have as much power as a corvette
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Old Jul 10, 2008 | 10:55 AM
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Originally Posted by MazdaManiac
^^ All good points.
All so terribly, terribly boring.

Don't cross the street or you might get hit by a bus.
Don't fall in love or you might get hurt.
Don't travel alone or you might get mugged.
Don't talk to strangers.

All so terribly, terribly boring.

Its just a car. Its a hunk of tin, rubber, plastic and glass. If you primary concerns are the warranty, the difficulty and the cost, you bought the wrong car to begin with.
My turbo turned into something very small and round with lots of sparkles on it
Mind you - there was some relief from the boredom as a result
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Old Jul 13, 2008 | 09:13 AM
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The turbo kit will be more fun than a guy in a white van with a handful of candy.
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Old Jul 13, 2008 | 10:29 AM
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Originally Posted by MazdaManiac
Because you want to outrun 400 HP, single-turbo-conversion 300 ZXs over a 1/2 mile and nearly 150 MPH.
(Not to mention the Saleen and Cobra that just plain lost it back there somewhere.)
"Wow, that Audi's good!"
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