Which turbo kit fits my needs?
 

Hi there,

I am looking for a turbo kit for my car and i'll keep things simple

-looking to spend the least $$$
-the turbo will be straight up just for looks
-230whp is the most I want
-exhaust? I cut out the 2nd cat, and aim to get UEL headers...
-trying to change the least amount of parts possible

the reason for all of these reasons is because I want the car to have the least amount of maintenance/greatest amount of reliability possible - and I don't mind less hp because of it.

SBD or JDL. Only thing is that you won't have the option of UEL with the SBD.

Only UEL turbo kits I know are AVO and JDL. AVO is not top mounted so it's not going to have the "straight up just for looks" factor you're going for.

The cheapest UEL turbo kit is the JDL ($3300 at the new price/new base turbo). The other options are AVO ($$ - $4500) and Ptuning with any UEL header ($$$$ - $5800 + the cost of the UEL header). You would just run it with the weakest wastegate spring possible for the least amount of boost and let your tuner know that you want it as conservative as possible.

From when I was looking for a turbo I was looking at the WORKS turbo kit, it's tuned and CARB compliant but compared to cars that come turbo from the factory it it just seems like there really isn't enough space anywhere in the engine bay besides in front of the engine for a turbo. Also keep in mind the cost of tuning for any of the other kits and you're gonna have to have a oil return line into the oil pan on the motor and turbos get hot. Ultimately in the end I personally REALLY wanted a turbo but since I like driving my FR-S daily I opted for a supercharger, less maintenance, don't have to worry about heat management and I don't have to worry as much about keeping the boost in check. Lastly I suggest you take a long hard read at some of the turbo kit owners threads to get a realistic idea of what it's going to be like installing the turbo and living with it on the day to day. Good luck in whatever you choose to do!

Why not just get an intercooler to put behind your bumper, and never pop the hood?

To add to @Cole 's answer:
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_fG_b65WiU"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_fG_b65WiU[/ame]

If you are concerned about CARB being in CA, then dont remove any cats and run a SC.

If you want reliability run the JSRC. Dont run a turbo. It's more maintenance.

IF you want to change as little parts as possible plus make the car easily turned back to stock your power goal is very obtainable with a supercharger kit.

Perhaps consider that. Also the just for looks comment is really confusing...

@Cole with the real answers.

If you absolutely must have a turbo and you must have UEL sound, just get JDL V2 with no options and call this thread done.

I mean... by what measure? I don't have to worry about belts or an LTR cooling loop anymore, and I'm checking my oil regularly anyway. I always hear this argument and then wonder what the shit people are doing that requires so much "turbo maintenance".

Uhh, wut?

Edelbrock Supercharger and done.

Carb compliant, 240whp, 100000 mile maintenance interval, retain warranty

get a works stage 2...
 

Just get a works stage 2 and use any uel header you want, since it uses the stock header, you can use any header that mounts in the same location.

Hell you'll also get the power you're looking for with the standard tune and you can just use the tactrix for it which it comes with for no extra charge on the carb kit.

Jaden

Yeah, a turbo setup seems like less maintenance, if anything...

Add oil cooler, maybe big rad... thats a grand there