RX-7 Turbo Conversion: Status Update 2

**Aaron Cake** · 02-25-2002, 09:34 AM

So here's the 2nd installment...

Work has been rather slow because I have been waiting for parts. After some exhaut flanges came in, they went off to the welder and came back a week later in the form of a wonderfully made turbo manifold. The welder did excellant work, and I would recommend them to anyone. Expensive, but you get what you pay for. I will bringing the intercooler back to them to have the outlet relocated.

Anyway, my plan was to actually mount the turbo to the engine last weekend, but that didn't happen. I had to reinstall the oil pan after I welded on a small piece of pipe to function as an oil return from the turbo. Well, that took ALL sunday, and saturday was spent searching for a tap and die set. When someone says "oh yeah, it's pretty easy to remove and reinstall the oil pan on an RX-7 with the engine in the car", they are lying. 4 hours later, and several broken bolts, it was installed. Technically, I had time to bolt on the turbo, but since I am waiting for some engine mounts to come in (which should have been here last week.....arrg) I didn't want to risk having things in the wrong position. The engine is supported by a jack at the moment, and it is leaning slightly. Since the turbo sits so close to the inner fender, I didn't want to push it. So turbo install is probably next weekend.

In the meantime, I am waiting for some engine mounts to come in, and need to pick up a good tap and die set. There is a flapper door in the manifold that needs to be removed, which then means the hole that it entered through needs to be plugged. I will kill two birds with one shotgun, and simply tap that hole to accept an EGT probe. But first I need a tap...

The oil cooler came back from teh rad shop last week. I had them repair a leak and add a bung for oil takeoff to supply the turbo. They did a great job, and the price was more than reasonable. Once they found out what it was for, they practically did it for free.

Probably off to Toronto next Saturday to pick up some big fuel injectors.

FWIW, my boost guage and guage pod came in last week. I put it above my TV and look at it whenever I need cheering up. On a completely unrelated topic, I found out that I could draw about 17HG of vacuum with my mouth, but only produce 0.7 PSI of pressure. I don't know if that is good, or bad.

Sorry no interesting pictures this time, but I have not had time to download things off my digital camera. And really, pics of an oil cooler and oil pan are not that exciting...

**Falcon62Travis** · 02-25-2002, 10:49 AM

Looks like fun Aaron! I'd like to know about how much all the parts cost to do this.

I could pick up a turbo pretty cheap at my local "Pick n' Pull" but I'm wondering if a supercharger might be a better way to go.

A supercharger would be about $3500 but would bolt on without any problems. With a turbo I'd have to worry about the intercooler, oiling it and all that other stuff. But if a turbo is significantly cheaper then I'd probably lean that way...

These are all plans for my 1983 BMW 733i. It has a 3.2L straight 6 and has plenty of room under the hood.

**smashr2k** · 02-25-2002, 02:40 PM

I can see it now: mp3car.com makes it in some big magazine, and there is a full page picture of Aaron, blowing into a boost gauge....

**darkwingduck** · 02-25-2002, 04:06 PM

sorry know this is off topic but

LOL

**Maveric** · 02-25-2002, 05:36 PM

On a completely unrelated topic, I found out that I could draw about 17HG of vacuum with my mouth, but only produce 0.7 PSI of pressure. I don't know if that is good, or bad.

So Aaron you suck better than you blow?

Sorry just had to get that out of my system!

**Aaron Cake** · 02-26-2002, 07:25 PM

Boost guage comments: LOL!

Funniest thing I read all day...

Falcon62Travis: There are arguments for and against both a supercharger and a turbocharger. Personally, I prefer turbos as they are the most "high tech" solution, and are much easier to adjust with electronic boost controls and all that. I have heard that turbos are less of a restriction on the engine, but I'm not sure I believe that.

As for cost, I am expecting the project to run around $3000 Canadian. Remember that the turbo itself is a relativly cheap part, it's just all the other custom stuff that gets expensive. Manifolds, piping, fuel, computers, etc. It all adds up quickly. Add an intercooler to it (as I did) and add about $1000 to the cost. Plus, any turbo you pick out of the junkyard should be rebuilt before it is installed on the car.

If you are looking for a bolt on solution, go with the supercharger kit. If you are looking for a DIY project and mad power, go with a custom turbo.

**Falcon62Travis** · 02-26-2002, 07:56 PM

Cool Aaron, Thanks for the reply.

The supercharger I'm looking at is $3500 installed and they say it adds 100hp.
I've rebuilt motors before and although I feel I'm capable of adding a turbo I think it woould take me about 3 years to get it done. (so many other things to do. You know...) So I think the supercharger is for me. It sounds like the easy bolt-on solution.

Now I just have to save up the money! hehe!

MP3VW.COM · 02-26-2002, 10:43 PM

Originally posted by Falcon62Travis
Cool Aaron, Thanks for the reply.

The supercharger I'm looking at is $3500 installed and they say it adds 100hp.
I've rebuilt motors before and although I feel I'm capable of adding a turbo I think it woould take me about 3 years to get it done. (so many other things to do. You know...) So I think the supercharger is for me. It sounds like the easy bolt-on solution.

Now I just have to save up the money! hehe!

Whos kit are you looking to use? Neuspeed or Z-Engineering or someone else? and why?