Engine internals before FI?

[Rejor11]

Good evening everyone,

So I'm considering installing FI on my FR-S this year. I've been following different threads of turbos being developed, but I'm curious about one thing.

Has anyone upgraded their engine internals yet?

I'm using my FR-S for amateur track duty as well as daily driving. I'm sure I'll need to install an oil cooler on top of the usual components, but what about the engine's internals? Has anyone burned through them yet?

I don't want to go about 280hp... I see that many stage one kits don't go above this mark, and I haven't seen any reports of engines blowing up... yet.

Any thoughts on this though? Should I wait until some stronger components are developed? Or should I just sell the car and get a WRX? LOL

[velin86]

Go FI man, The stock internals are quite good. I know FBM has pushed 600 hp on the stock internals. I know one member here has a blown engine but as a result of a boost spike. Crawford has their turbo kit running on a built engine. Anyways, go for it. The car can handle a lot and you can always go forged internals to make it more reliable in the future if you so please.

[Lonewolf]

Originally Posted by Rejor11

Good evening everyone,

So I'm considering installing FI on my FR-S this year. I've been following different threads of turbos being developed, but I'm curious about one thing.

Has anyone upgraded their engine internals yet?

I'm using my FR-S for amateur track duty as well as daily driving. I'm sure I'll need to install an oil cooler on top of the usual components, but what about the engine's internals? Has anyone burned through them yet?

I don't want to go about 280hp... I see that many stage one kits don't go above this mark, and I haven't seen any reports of engines blowing up... yet.

Any thoughts on this though? Should I wait until some stronger components are developed? Or should I just sell the car and get a WRX? LOL

There are already stronger pistons and rods available if you want to go buckwild. For mild boost levels, 7-10 psi, the stock internals seem to be holding up.

As people are starting to see, the tuning and heat management of the motor is going to be critical with the FRS. Since you are going to be doing track duty, an oil cooler (like you said), the proper monitoring gauges, and a bigger radiator (since the stock one is wafer thin) would be good ideas.

[Bach415]

I believe Crawford BRZ has upgraded internals and block with a lower compression ratio for higher boost. They are pushing around 450-500 hp with a custom tune.

[robispec]

and because they are pushing the edge are on their 3rd or 4th motor.
Not a slam just doing what a good tuning shop should do on their SHOP CAR. Then when they work on YOUR car they know where the boundries are for a safe tune.

[Rejor11]

I see. Well that's good to hear. I suppose now I just have to figure out what turbo build to look at.

I remember last year that there was a company working on their own kit from the get-go. I can't remember where it was exactly, but I know it was near Colorado.

Guess I better get things together then... gotta do the whole exhaust, intake, oil cooler, etc at the same time :P lol

[Wonderbar]

I'd say this motor will be just fine stock for 300whp. I haven't pulled it apart but looking at others' success and failures, so long you have a good tune and you take care of it, it'll be reliable at 300 or less.

[mid_life_crisis]

Originally Posted by Wonderbar

I'd say this motor will be just fine stock for 300whp. I haven't pulled it apart but looking at others' success and failures, so long you have a good tune and you take care of it, it'll be reliable at 300 or less.

It looks like it could be good for more than that. This is with the provision that the tuner deliberately targets a gentle build up of power in the lower rpm's, building to a peak once the revs come up.
This makes sense in a couple of ways for guys who want a livable DD with balls.
When you're putting around town just being conservative or cruising on the highway, your rpm's tend to stay down in a range that is tuned more for efficiency than power so your fuel costs and wear on the engine stay down. When you want power, you downshift to bump the revs up, get that kick in the pants, gulp down fuel and make power in an rpm range that is safer for your internals. Almost like two different cars depending on the rpm range you are working in.

[NorseLegend]

I'd be looking to get 350whp out of mine. If I slap either SC or turbo on it, I'm going to do forged, unless it turns out 350 is fine to run on stock. I'd really just like to see sub 5-sec 0-60s with this car though... That's all...

[killerkid08]

The question you should ask is how long do you want it to last ?

[lexusb3]

i have 5psi only make 286.. on stock exhaust and i am drifting and beating the hell out of the car and it has not giving up on me i have about 7,000 turbo miles on it Fa20club.com turbo kit

[Xdragonxb0i]

u dont really have to do anything to the engine. First thing to go/break are the CV and clutch on boosted cars.

[lexusb3]

clutch goes at 300ish so yes get a clutch i havent heard of the CV unless you tracking it or banging on it daily @Xdragonxb0i

[Wonderbar]

^ hahaha.

I can't wait to have an excuse to put a nice clutch, cf shaft and dss axles in