Which entry level turbo kit is the most responsive?
 

I'm moving to the mountains soon and near sea level my car (with a catless UEL header and tune) is just barely (not) fast enough... But at the elevation I'm moving too it's just an absolute pain. I'm looking to forced induction to remedy all my problems, but I don't want a kick-in-the-pants sort of rush, I want a steady build that starts fairly low, with no punchy spots that upset balance. Yyes I could go supercharger for that as well, and that's not off the table, but this thread is about turbos...)
I'm not looking for crazy numbers, 245-270 at the wheels is the range I'm looking at, much more and I feel it would upset the balance of the chassis with my current, very dialed in, set up.
I know that JDL and SBD both have a budget friendly option, anyone else amazing that I'm missing? I'd really love a twin scroll set up but that doesn't appear to be budget in any way... :cry:

Oh and I'd really like to retain the OEM bumper bar if at all possible too.

Not somuch the kit but the turbo used. Smaller turbos spool faster. Ball bearing turbos also increase schooling. The gtx28 is a good fit but some may think its to small if you want more than 400hp.

Not all turbos are equal. Some are oil cooled and some are water and oil cooled.

Get ready to break the bank.

Yeahhh these things I understand. A ball bearing twin scroll would be my go-to..... But that's not available in the basic kits unfortunately. I'm honestly just most curious what base kit has the best responsiveness. I can always upgrade a turbo later when I have more money... (I'm in college with a part-time job)
And I have no interest in even breaking 300whp, let alone 400 lol :iono:

i'd go with a EFR 6758.

"I'm looking to forced induction to remedy all my problems"

Heh heh heh.

Mo boost, mo problems.

AVO Stg 1

Like Member above said. AVO stage 1.

Known to be extremely reliable, but their stg 1 kit is only 230 - 250 whp. If you decide to spend 6 grand or so on the Avo Stage 2, still 250 - 270 whp. There's plenty of kits that can beat that WITH reliability and more power.

I personally have been NA this whole time and No Dynos but I am pretty sure I am around 230 whp. I am also in the market for a turbo. However, settling for low numbers like these for a kit after spending thousands of dollars seems pointless to me. To each is own. :)

No offense meant (really!), but I doubt you're making 230whp... I'm make 202whp, on a dynojet dyno, with a Gruppe-S UEL and an OFT e85 Tune (that I've revised to ensure the best power). Making over 200whp (i.e. 30ish whp over stock) NA is difficult as is, making DOUBLE that (over stock) NA is the definition of a tall order. Too my knowledge it's never been even close to done. But the real reason I'm looking at forced induction (besides always wanting about 25%-35% more power) is because I'm moving to a higher elevation and I can noticeably feel the car choking from the drop in ambient air pressure... To a point where it is no longer amazing to me.
Currently the SBD kit is at the top of my list. But I honestly don't want 280whp. I want 250whp, and faster spooling. Can a turbo wizard please help me out... What ball bearing turbo can I substitute into such a kit that will provide me with faster spoiling but lower peak numbers. I'm think a garret below the GT28X(?) class maybe?

Basically (prepare for an oversimplification) I'm curious if a Miata turbo will work. :lol: :lol:

:bonk: I meant close to 230 HP, not whp.

I have been researching kits for about 3 months. SBD and JDL are on the top for me. Watch You Tube videos, that what I mainly do. You will see a lot of youtubers happy with the SBD kit. I notice the SBD spools up about over 3000 (don't quote me on that).

Regardless it is a fast spool.

The only thing with SBD is i don't believe they have a ball bearing option. JDL does. Both are pretty affordable for being a turbo kit.

Ahhhhhhhh yeah 230 crank horsepower is probably about right then lol :bonk:
Yeah I'm test-driving a SBD sometime soon, so I should get s good feel of it there. I know the turbo they use is a bit bigger than what I'm looking for though :(
I just wish there was a 250whp super-fast-spooling option available... Maybe the SBD test drive will blow my mind though. *fingers crossed*

Just save a bit longer and get what you really want. The AVO kit cost a bit more (not that much more) but delivers the quick response you are looking for. SBD is good too but you will need a few other small things to get it going. Where in the revs are you usually? Plot that against the dynos and you will get your answer.

I've got a Garrett gtx2867r. Dyno tuned and 3" exhaust. I put down around 285whp, and the torque and power curves are really smooth.

It's a good amount of power. If it was less, I'd want more, and if it was more I'd shit myself at WOT. Already get to 100kmh(60mph) at the top of 2nd gear (or very close) in a bloody short amount of time :P

Honestly it feels like the right amount of juice.

https://i.imgur.com/hMJFRiR.jpg

If transient response and quick spool is the end all, be all... then look for the shortest cold side piping as possible, stay away from huge intercoolers, external wastegate with a boost controller, and a ball bearing turbo. You mentioned a miata turbo, I haven't seen anyone run a gt25 on this car yet. JDL with GT2860 would probably work perfectly.

Your exhaust set up and tune is also going to go a long way in regard to response and throttle feel.