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JDL Turbo kit review
Here's the first half of my review of the JDL turbo kit. I've only just got the kit dummy fitted ready for coating, but I've already got 100 or so pics, so wanted to start uploading them.
In short, I'm happy with the kit. The quality of the product is as I expected, very good. There were some negative points which I will go into, but these have been resolved to my satisfaction. JDL's reputation and service with regards to putting things right was one of the main reasons I chose them. Kit arrived in two big boxes. Fit in my wagon without having to put the seats down. I expected there would be more, but no just packed very tightly. There were a couple of points where an item or two and started to penetrate the outer packaging (which is more a reflection of how many freight monkeys handled it) which initially had me worried. However, once I opened the box I saw how well the packaging was. Packaging was exceptional. Every part over wrapped. I like it. JDL take the title of packaging champions. https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...16319853_n.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...98483335_n.jpg Unwrapping everything, and I'm impressed with what I see. Workmanship looks excellent. Not perfect, but excellent. It's not as pretty as the marketting photos, but I guess that's to be expected. Exhaust piping and manifold have all be tidied with a dremel, very good. A couple of points could have had a few more minutes tidying, but overall very good. https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/...11863254_n.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...25082904_n.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...51438191_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...77292392_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...71895958_n.jpg https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/...91027014_n.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...10376798_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...01214483_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...64248016_n.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...52446521_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...92850548_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...81382283_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...40223481_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...92286031_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...27455880_o.jpg https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/...49519449_o.jpg https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/...61730583_n.jpg https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/...11361602_n.jpg https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/...03372427_o.jpg https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/...05525266_n.jpg So after I unwrapped it all, I had to wrap it all back up and take around to my mate Beau, who owns his own workshop. I like using one-man-band businesses, because you know for certain the person who is working on your car. You're not talking to one person, and some underpaid spanner monkey is doing the graft. Anyway, Beau started pointing out issues. No instructions. Sure, its a turbo kit, hes a mechanic, he can figure it out. But instructions would certainly save some time. No water fittings or lines for the turbo. These were mistakenly not sent with the kit and are now being sent. Beau also wasn't happy with the v band clamps or flanges. Here's some pics first... https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...66616388_n.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...4bf3b5ceee0832 https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/...56203793_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...67561444_o.jpg https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/...34120463_n.jpg So what we're seeing here is a Tial turbine housing, with a locator insert. Usually this would be paired with the Tial male flange, shown in the next pics. The flange on the downpipe was instead a generic flange, with no locator. It was also a different size. The vband flanges at the other end of the downpipe, and start of the overpipe were matching sizes, but did not have locators. Beau said without the locators they'd leak. The vband clamps provided were branded clampco. Beau showed me a Tial Vband had, and he felt the clampco ones were inferior. I decided to go see my usual fabricator, Simon @ Surfab. Another one man band. He shared Beau's thoughts on these issues. I then took these to another fabricator I'd used, he shared the same thoughts. I then put pictures of the issues on my fb page, and I got rubbished for even considering running it as is. JDL's defence was that the generic flange at the start of the downpipe suited both the garrett and precision turbos, so it was easier from them to use one type. They also felt that neither the lack of locators on the flanges, or even the mismatched downpipe to turbine flanges would leak. But the overwhelming opinion of others locally was to changes the flanges and clamps. So thats what we did. I feel better for doing it. Someone said on here that non locating flanges are better because it gives you 'wriggle room", everyone I told that to laughed and said that that wriggle room shouldn't be needed. I suspect JDL's opinion and usage of these non Tial units is for simplicity (on their part) and also for cost reasons. Tial stuff aint cheap. And in their defense I didnt ask or query it prior to shipment; I didnt even really know about any of this till it was pointed out. What I would have preferred is to be given the option. "Mike you can either have these flanges and clamps, that we use and we think are okay, or you can pay an extra $200 (or whatever) and have the genuine Tial stuff" I think that's probably a good way to handle the situation moving forward. As some will care, others won't. The last couple of pics above are not what came with the kit, they are what I had to borrow while waiting for replacements. The smaller Tial flange wasn't needed, that was already on the manifold. |
I got a text from SURFAB saying he was working on my car yesterday. By time I got round there in the afternoon, he'd already sorted most of everything, which was a bit gutting as it means I got no pics. But he ran me throught what he'd down.
Swapping the flanges to the tial items obviously. Including the two bolt at the rear of the overpipe. The 3" overpipe in the RHD application was a nightmare. The pipe as it was didn't fit. ***This is not to be seen as a bad mark on JDL's part, they made it very clear to me prior to ordering that they were not sure it would fit, and so I went into it with that knowledge*** The overpipe itself ended up needing a 4mm extension added to the start of it. The rear of it needed to be cut anyway (it had a 2 bolt flange, we had spare vbands) but the final curve wasn't quite right, So had to be trimmed back. I asked Simon if he'd rather have made the pipe from scratch instead, and he said that at first he thought it didn't need much tweaking, but after he'd taken it in and out of the car 15 times, he wished he had. Anyway, it fits now. But is very tight. Only 3 or 4mm clearance either side. Lucky I have Cusco engine mounts. Also, even if it did fit, not really suitable to a home install. You have to jack the motor up a long way, and unattach the steering column. The downpipe (the pipe between the turbo and the over pipe) was pretty good, but Simon wasn't happy with how he had to pull it towards the turbo. He said the clamp would hold it, but its not ideal. His first thought was that it needed a few mm added to the top of the pipe so that it reached the turbo better, but was hesitant to do this, as its up in the open, and would be seen. He instead trimmed the wastegate exhaust pipe (where the exhaust from the wastegate rejoins the downpipe via a slip join) He said thats what was causing the top of the downpipe to pivot away from the turbo, and after trimming the wastegate exhaust, the downpipe met with the turbo perfectly. From there, Simon starting fabbing up my exhaust. I went with him because I didn't want to get a generic exhaust, because my rear subframe has been raised quite a bit, so if I got a generic exhaust it would hang much lower than it could on my car. Plus these exhausts were ridiculously priced by time they were shipped to NZ. The Perrin cat back for example was almost $2k. The tomei 80R was $1600. Simon did this one for me for $500. Plus when I saw the exhaust Simon had made, it was the straightest exhaust I had seen on this car, so I was pretty stoked all round. Its all mild steel, but I'm getting the exhaust ceramic coated, so that doesn't matter. The muffler is the same one I have on the race car, and it works really well. At least I was there to make the final call on how the exhaust and the tip sat at the back. I dont like different sized tips to the exhaust, it's ricey. I like the tip being the exhaust. Got the angle and slight extension that I was after as well, for maximum jdm tyte'ness. Don't like how the muffler is shiney from the back, but ones its all black ceramic coated, it will look much better. https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...18499013_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...41760976_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...86534890_o.jpg https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/...24818754_o.jpg https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/...93169816_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...13380079_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...86114610_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...80751996_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...23621066_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...39699594_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...69083320_n.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...10546128_n.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...a137ea62ac32dd https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/...54246876_n.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...78793869_o.jpg Will get more pics today of the overpipe, before I drop it off to the coaters. Will also get better pictures of clearnace of it around the RHD setup. And here we go. Was hard to get a decent picture showing overpipe clearnace, but trust me, its tight. https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...97567384_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...00625800_n.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...71459686_n.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...92668625_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...16666856_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...46221894_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...34356079_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...80550818_o.jpg https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/...20155961_n.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...86131031_n.jpg https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/...89064456_n.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...be0f175a2fe267 https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...41429161_o.jpg https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/...36961027_o.jpg https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/...14645359_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...98692452_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...60876704_n.jpg https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/...96956076_n.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...19065351_n.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...58293863_n.jpg |
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Nice looking kit, but man... that wastegate angle. Not ideal for sure. Regardless, still one of the better looking kits out there once installed imho.
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Just recently ordered mine! Great write up keep it up. Good intel for people to know what to expect going into the install. Hoping mine wont have to many issues (don't foresee to much at least)
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I'm trying to put as much info out there. Whether it good or bad. Too many reviews I read are stroking the vendors junk way too hard, and just come across as sponsored posts. I instead try to focus on what the issues were, to put the info out there for future buyers, but also for the vendor so they can improve the product for others (if they choose to) Most of the time, the vendor posting on the forum, is not the guy making the kit. Things like flack being in the pipes is not somethinf he'll be telling his guys to do, they'll be doing it without his knowledge. I'm showing it so he can go kick them up the bum. As a business owner myself, similar things happen with our products. Nothing worse than seeing something received by a customer with something like this. And most employees will only ever work as hard, or in this case tidy/finish, as they are made to. No feedback from the boss, and standards slip. Most of the issues I've pointed out would be ignored by a lot of people, and they could be ignored I guess. But some other anal people like myself, like to know about everything; good or bad. I tend to just focus on the bad on my reviews. Maybe a quick comment or two on the positives, but generally, if I haven't commented on something in particular, it means it was good! |
I hate you
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Flooding the I/C and running the hose through it, followed by a healthy dose of compressed air is how I made sure all the extra 'junk' came out before installing and ingesting that crap into the engine.
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I plan to flush my intercooler too just for safety sake...
My pipes didn't have an weld issues but I did notice some aluminum dust on the parts. |
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Yeah I checked my pipes after you mentioned something in the other thread and I didn't see any flack at all, but as a general rule especially with IC parts I flush everything anyways.
The OEM impact beam part # is 57711CA0009P. I was planning on picking up another one to hack up, it's around $175 through some online parts shops. |
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nice! this is what im thinking about going with thanks for all the pics!
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Love the kit and the thread
Hate, loathe, disgusted by your "exhuast pip" sticking out of the bumper... Reminds me of my old pos lawnmower |
I've never understood why time and time again dirty parts leave "reputable" companies.... Intercoolers full of alum. dust? WTF. As an engine builder would it be ok if I left cylinder heads full of rocks and used condoms?
Most people in the industry know it is recommended that the customer clean and inspect everything before it is installed, but IMO if a company can't get something clean, they can't be trusted to fabricate a dreidel. Mistakes happen... But I've seen this a few times from this company. What about all the kids scraping together money to build their dream car? By the looks of the packaging one might assume they are ready to install (and by rights they absolutely should be) Feel free to post or PM me your thoughts @Jesse@JDLAutodesign Great job OP on the install. Thank god you know what you're doing or your engine may have ended up as a paper weight. That tip isn't my favorite though.... |
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With that said, i've worked in Aerospace welding, sanitary welding, other performance shops all in the past. I've seen mistakes and screw ups at all levels. As busy as we are we had to let go of one of the fabricators here over a month ago because of constant issues that he didn't regard as a "big deal" but i personally would never expect a paying customer to have to deal with. I do my best to keep everyone happy while still making sure parts go out on a daily basis. |
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J......D.....FUKN. ..L......, excited to have placed my order. JDL is one of the few members/vendors who seem to handle things in a more professional manner, Im happy to be doing business with JDL. I can understand things not being perfect and the frustration of having to remedy what should have been ready to go from the beginning but lifes always gonna throw those curve balls at you from time to time, just makes the accomplishment all the more sweeter in my eyes. Thanks for the review and pics OP, I think this is the first independent review other then whats been posted in the JDL thread. Really like the pics and how you reinforced the crash bar, also I really liked how you got the insides of the pipes welded and smoothed out, im pretty detail oriented myself and would've done the same thing, maybe the results wont make a world of difference but you'll feel better about it, which is really all that counts. Was there specific instructions as to where to weld the oil pan fittings with your kit or do you recommend a specific spot? |
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I REALLY appreciate you addressing this directly in the way you did. A professional reply goes a long way and your honesty is impressive. Good help is hard to find, good luck in the future. |
Any new update on the kit running yet? Still patiently waiting for mine hope fully getting news soon.
#revive |
It Lives
BRZ-JDL first start
Finally fired up the BRZ last night, we still have some work to do but we wanted to go ahead and test for leaks and such. Can't wait to wrap up the install, get her tuned and start driving the damn thing again. |
Diss7 is your car up and running at this point?
I bought an extra bumper beam to hack up and re-box and installed the RacerX oil pan ahead of time, so I have those two things out of the way now. I seriously can't imagine the rest of the install taking more than a couple hours... I've thought about just using the stock pump/injectors and running very low boost for now and installing the pump/injectors/ebcs later on. |
Mine was good to go. All the little fiddly bits ironed out, exhaust done, all ceramic coated. Waterlines arrived from JDL. Base tune from tuner.
Then it was pointed out to me how dumb it was that I was putting the kit on my street 86, when I have another one coming that I'm going to use just for track. So I thought about that for a week, and agreed with it. And put my gt86 NA headers and exhaust back on and have been driving it for the last week. My RC 86 is supposed to arrive late this week. I'll be breaking that one in differently, basically at the track like I would a race or go kart engine. Then the turbo kit will go on it, probably when the car has only 200kms on it. I was originally concerned about using the turbo kit on the track, because of heat. But the guys that work on my car have pointed out so many things they could do if that becomes an issue. |
Still waiting on an intercooler to show up that isn't bent to shit...
I have zero miles on my car since November at this point and I am pretty f'ing frustrated... Not to mention my 3 inch turbo back exhaust has a random 2.5 flange on the bottom of the down pipe. |
Hey diss7, how much was delivery to NZ? the JDL website quotes $1600-2400 for delivery alone to Australia. Also what kind of heat management methods were pointed out for the track 86?
Great thread btw, can never have too many pics of this turbo kit Edit: Just noticed the guy got banned lol |
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uh oh wonder what happened to @diss7 o.O was looking forward to this thread
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I am waiting on my 3rd intercooler to show up hopefully this one doesn't look like it came out of colin mccrea's rally car. as for the flange I was told on the phone last night that it was supposed to be like that to because of space issues. that's weird cause the flange it bolts up with is 3 inches.... supposed to get a call back today about the down pipe. |
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nice
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I got a good intercooler. still waiting on the downpipe issue to be resolved. they said they are building a new one to send out.
at this point I have lost interest for working on the car for the year so I wont have any numbers till next year for this kit. I have put 0 miles on my car since November wheni parked it for winter so I am not going to rush around trying to get tuned and dial in the the fuel system just to park it again. |
Late comer to the thread, but I am digging a lot about this kit. It's well constructed fab wise. The manifold and downpipe work seem very well done. Kudos!
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