Turbo maintenance question

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Sep 19, 2004 | 05:09 PM

2edybrd

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Launching!

Joined: Aug 2002

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From: Milwaukee

Turbo maintenance question

Hi All,

I have a local guy who wants to build a custom turbo kit for my GTO. He has a real good reputation around town and is very meticulous.

For the project, we aren't going over 6 or seven pounds of boost as this is the only car I have and I will be putting lots of miles on it.

My question is for those of you who have had a turbo (or blower) on your car for a few years.

How much extra maintenance does having a turbo require?

Is it in the shop often?

For how long?

For what different problems?

I don't want a set up that will keep me going to the shop every six thousand miles for maintenance tuning or whatever.

I plan to have a serious sit down with this guy and ask him the same questions. but I thought I would ask all of you as well.

Thanks for your help

Sep 19, 2004 | 05:43 PM

red ws6 99

TECH Fanatic

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 1,190

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From: Las Cruces, NM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2edybrd

As far as extra maintenance on the car it really depends on the design of the kit. Majority of the problems with a lot of the kits is the oil return from the turbo to the pan. If not setup correctly you can damage the turbo seals real quickly. Also badly designed exhaust header or manifold could have issues with cracking. There are numerous things that can go wrong.

I only have 10000 miles on the Incon turbo setup and 36k miles on the car. I have not had to do anything but change the oil. Car is running 9 psi of boost on 91 octane and goes to the track at least a couple times a month.

If you are not planning on going to the track your stock clutch might hold up for a while.

Gary

Sep 19, 2004 | 05:57 PM

2edybrd

Thread Starter

Launching!

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 264

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From: Milwaukee

I don't really plan to drag race the car very much. I am more interested in starting to go to road course events.

No I'm not looking forward to putting in a new clutch, but I know it will happen.

Thanks for the reply.

Sep 19, 2004 | 08:17 PM

eviltwins

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Joined: Nov 2003

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I have a well setup turbo kit on my mustang. I daily drive it. Fill up the tank with 93 octane, change the oil every 3000 miles, and go. No tuning, no fiddling with anything. if it's done right it shouldn't add any maintainance, all that changes is you have to let the car run for a while to cool off the oil so it doesn't fry the turbo.

Sep 19, 2004 | 09:36 PM

parish8

single digit dreamer

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From: omaha ne

you will want to use synthetic oil and change it more often. i change mine about every 1000miles but for what you are talking about i would go every 3000miles or so.

other support systems like the clutch and tires will not be happy but that is all in how you drive it. even at only 7psi you will be making some prety good power. your mileage might go up if you drive it nice or will plumet if you hammer on it all the time. like said above a cracked header is always a concern if not designed right. the company i got my kit from outright told me it could happen and if it did they would fix it.

Jan 16, 2005 | 06:32 AM

2MuchRiceMakesMeSick

TECH Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2004

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From: Texas

Just out of curosity (and it probably depends on the temp) but what would yall say on average safe cool down time is?

Jan 16, 2005 | 09:34 AM

parish8

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From: omaha ne

i try and go at least 2 minutes after any boost at all. more like 5 minutes after a full run just to be safe. just driving around town(like if my woman is in the truck) i dont even see boost so there is no cool down time. just my $.02