Turbo Options

[lyserjic]

I'm looking to replace the original turbo in the next few months. Car is 100% stock, daily driver and will remain as such for some time. I'm old, and I drive slow. :)

My question for those of you in the know, what "bolt on" turbo upgrade would you recommend without having to go forged or install an EMS? Or should I simply replace it with stock? I'm wanting a very moderate and well behaved performance gain over stock, nothing insane. (unlike the rest of you..:P)

When I do this work I'm going to ditch all the plastic piping with hardpipes. Things are getting a bit brittle after five years. Will do all the other vac lines at the same time.

Thanks,

-Lyserjic
SpicyO #1291

[Ricktalife]

might as well go stock if you don't have any other performance mods already.

[mp3-79bronco]

just stay stock

[BOOSTR]

Get a Split Second AFC V2. A bigger turbo w/o other supporting mods is really not needed. The stock turbo is more than adequate, even with mods unless you want to make more than 250 hp.

[wickedjra]

you can get moderate gains from "simple bolts ons," such as when you replace your plastics with hard pipes, also replace your Side mount intercooler (can get an upgraded one at protegegarage or Street unit) and of course replace your exhaust, get something with a high flow cat (or catless depending on where you live). and even though you don't want an EMS, i know adding a unichip, is simple and doesn't require you to tune anything, and you will feel noticable gains. good luck.

[MSpeedFreak03]

ok so you not looking for huge gains... stay stock, if you must do an upgrade get a garrett GT28RS disco, this turbo is great for everyday use spool up is instant like stock gt25.

suggested upgrades for a GT28RS... upgraded intercooler and pipes, fuel management SSAFC...

IMO just stay stock and if you want reliable power just do some mild bolt ons!

[KrayzieFox]

you can get moderate gains from "simple bolts ons," such as when you replace your plastics with hard pipes, also replace your Side mount intercooler (can get an upgraded one at protegegarage or Street unit) and of course replace your exhaust, get something with a high flow cat (or catless depending on where you live). and even though you don't want an EMS, i know adding a unichip, is simple and doesn't require you to tune anything, and you will feel noticable gains. good luck.
Judging by what you told us in post 1, this is probably too much. Replacing the SMIC for a FMIC isn't necessary for what you're looking to do, and the exhaust won't do much without other supporting mods. It'll probably just make you and your relatives hate the car cuz it'll be too loud.

ok so you not looking for huge gains... stay stock, if you must do an upgrade get a garrett GT28RS disco, this turbo is great for everyday use spool up is instant like stock gt25.

suggested upgrades for a GT28RS... upgraded intercooler and pipes, fuel management SSAFC...

IMO just stay stock and if you want reliable power just do some mild bolt ons!
This advice on the other hand, is probably more along the lines of what you're looking for. However, I'm gonna side with the majority and say that you probably don't need to upgrade the turbo. Just stay stock.. the GT25R is more than capable of delivering what you're looking for.


My suggestion would be to ditch the plastic pipes but keep the SMIC. Since you're not after big gains, it's all you really need. If you wanna upgrade it, you can certainly do so. Protegegarage offers the CustomMSP SMIC upgrade. I don't know if anyone still offers SMIC hardpipes brand new, but Turbohoses and MAM made some. Post in the WTB section and more than likely someone will be upgrading to a FMIC and be willing to sell theirs.

Also, if you upgrade the SMIC pipes.. there's no sense in keeping the stock plastic intake either. You can get an Injen or AEM CAI, or if you live somewhere where it rains a lot and don't want to risk hydrolocking your engine.. you could go with a WeaponR or Perrin SRI instead. Protegegarage offers most of these items.

And lastly, the SS AFC would be a good idea as well. The stock MSP tune isn't very good.. it's WAY too rich, so there's a lot of power loss right there. Improving the stock tune would probably be one of the best things you could do to your car.

However, if you're really set on a bigger turbo, the GT28RS (aka disco potato) is probably your best bet. It bolts right up to the stock manifold, and is capable of delivering WAY more than your engine can handle..

[lyserjic]

Appreciate all the input guys. Thanks!

[zuku26]

Another option going along the kinda upgraded turbo route is to send the turbo to MPnick and he will swap the internals of the GT28RS into the T25. But since your not looking for huge gains it's really not worth it, but you'll get some power out of it. Your better off going with a split second and an upgraded SMIC, and tuning in more power. I do not recommend keeping the stock "interwarmer" (intercooler) it completely blows ass and does nothing but rob your power. If I could do one thing only..that would be it.

[wickedjra]

Judging by what you told us in post 1, this is probably too much. Replacing the SMIC for a FMIC isn't necessary for what you're looking to do.
.
just for clarification, i was speaking of upgrading the SMIC to the SMIC upgrade offered by the listed shops. I NEVER mentioned fmic. thanks

[MSpeedFreak03]

get a ETS side mount well worth the wait, hard pipes, and new gt25 or the disco... good reliable gains!

there is someone here that rebuilds gt25 with gt28 internals???please inform on a PM so we dont thread jack

[MSPLIFE]

Not looking for big #'s?! well the stock gt25 can get you close to 300whp with bolt ons and a tune. Now looking over 300 means building block and gt28rs. So if you want to be under 300whp just stick to the stock turbo, get an upgrade side mount intercooler or fmi for better gains, get rid of the plastic pipes and stock vacum lines, a split second with air/fuel control or fuel and timing(to do it right) an exhaust and with 12psi and tune RIGHT you will be more than happy. Also a 626intake mani wich they sell very often here. Other than that make sure you get good motor mounts before you put more power. And welcome to the msp world where everything is lot of money.


And remember this was just my opinion!!

[axisboldaslove]

Not looking for big #'s?! well the stock gt25 can get you close to 300whp with bolt ons and a tune. Now looking over 300 means building block and gt28rs. So if you want to be under 300whp just stick to the stock turbo, get an upgrade side mount intercooler or fmi for better gains, get rid of the plastic pipes and stock vacum lines, a split second with air/fuel control or fuel and timing(to do it right) an exhaust and with 12psi and tune RIGHT you will be more than happy. Also a 626intake mani wich they sell very often here. Other than that make sure you get good motor mounts before you put more power. And welcome to the msp world where everything is lot of money.


And remember this was just my opinion!!


haha classic quote welcome to the msp world where everything is lots of money