Cheap eBay turbo kits…
- Thread starter Jimxms
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It's not that easy. You'll probably have to find a cobalt ss ECM that has the pin out for a turbo. You need the ability for the ECM to see feedback on boost so it can adjust timing and fuel flow.
Maybe I'm all wrong, but that's what I know/have talked to people who have done them.
Maybe I'm all wrong, but that's what I know/have talked to people who have done them.
mikez71
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$714!? That is cheap.. I say throw it on and tell us how it does 
Maybe a way to program a new MAP sensor?
How does something like a magnussen blower kit deal with it?
Maybe a way to program a new MAP sensor?
How does something like a magnussen blower kit deal with it?
strutaeng
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I thought the E38 ECU could run a turbo? Maybe it does it on speed density only?
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I would not buy a cheap turbo kit, as there is a lot of solid engineering required to produce and fit a quality turbo kit in an aftermarket situation. Several decades ago, I did purchase a cheap turbo kit for another vehicle, and it was a royal PIA to get tuned and to start in the winter. When it worked, it was really exhilarating, but one year later, I developed a hole in the top of 1 piston that you could drop a penny through.
mikez71
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Similar story, I had some chunked some pistons and pock marked melted looking head chamber in an old MR2 I turbo'd.
I had an additional fuel injector computer controlling a couple extra injectors, but it was not setup right and 14psi on a stock motor..
I was expecting to blow it up and swap a real turbo motor eventually... just happened a little sooner than I wanted..
Still have the car, no motor, no LSD trans for it, but I might put a V6 in if I can find a good LSD trans..
In the end, the tuning will make it run right and the turbo is just a blower and plumbing..
Seems like 4psi should be fairly safe with proper tuning. Less boost than your typical supercharger kit?
I had an additional fuel injector computer controlling a couple extra injectors, but it was not setup right and 14psi on a stock motor..
I was expecting to blow it up and swap a real turbo motor eventually... just happened a little sooner than I wanted..
Still have the car, no motor, no LSD trans for it, but I might put a V6 in if I can find a good LSD trans..
In the end, the tuning will make it run right and the turbo is just a blower and plumbing..
Seems like 4psi should be fairly safe with proper tuning. Less boost than your typical supercharger kit?
mikez71
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To clarify, I am not saying it would be 'easy' to tune, only that the boost level is well below what aftermarket kits are set at..
(apparently the aftermarket kits are not well tuned?) 4psi is 4psi no matter what blower it's coming out of.. (maybe little more or less heat/lag/etc.)
The HPTuners forum has a nice group people that are active, and seem to solve lots of issues for people.. if you decide to take on that project..
I'm curious enough, I probably will have to search through randeez's posts!
(apparently the aftermarket kits are not well tuned?) 4psi is 4psi no matter what blower it's coming out of.. (maybe little more or less heat/lag/etc.)
The HPTuners forum has a nice group people that are active, and seem to solve lots of issues for people.. if you decide to take on that project..
I'm curious enough, I probably will have to search through randeez's posts!
randeez
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the same general layout of turbo on a log manifold passenger side... off the top of my head:
battery is going to be inches away from the downpipe. i didnt like the idea of that so i moved mine
ac dryer/ freon lines will be all over everything
coolant reservoir prob going to stick out into it
theres no waste gate, shows two bolt flange on cross over (mostly only opening for driveside exhaust flow) , so not going to be great for control and two bolt flanges only go up to 40mm iirc
no cold side, so youll need to source tubing/couplers, intercooler, blow off valve
still need to have somewhere for oil to drain back into oil pan.
hptuners can handle the tuning
depending on injectors will prob need bigger injectors
downpipe is only going to get you under yukon, so you still need to build or connect to the rest of the exhaust
battery is going to be inches away from the downpipe. i didnt like the idea of that so i moved mine
ac dryer/ freon lines will be all over everything
coolant reservoir prob going to stick out into it
theres no waste gate, shows two bolt flange on cross over (mostly only opening for driveside exhaust flow) , so not going to be great for control and two bolt flanges only go up to 40mm iirc
no cold side, so youll need to source tubing/couplers, intercooler, blow off valve
still need to have somewhere for oil to drain back into oil pan.
hptuners can handle the tuning
depending on injectors will prob need bigger injectors
downpipe is only going to get you under yukon, so you still need to build or connect to the rest of the exhaust
fozzi58
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STAY AWAY!
The ECM needs to be programmed to handle boost. To do it right - even with a mail order tune, you are looking at $600 minimum. If you go the HP Tuners route you are looking closer to $1000.
You need a blow off valve - I don't see one included with that kit unless its mentioned in the description. If you are worried about blowing up your motor you want a high quality BOV. If you are looking at TIAL, that is $200+
You just added $1200 minimum to your $700 Turbo kit and you still have sub quality exhaust manifolds and turbo.
Probably not a wise use of money. Buy some cheaper headers. You don't need to spend $2k on Kooks headers. See if you can source used exhaust from a comparable truck with a 6.0 or 8.1.
Get a mail order tune from Blackbear. A tune alone will probably make just as much power as that ****** turbo at 4lbs
The ECM needs to be programmed to handle boost. To do it right - even with a mail order tune, you are looking at $600 minimum. If you go the HP Tuners route you are looking closer to $1000.
You need a blow off valve - I don't see one included with that kit unless its mentioned in the description. If you are worried about blowing up your motor you want a high quality BOV. If you are looking at TIAL, that is $200+
You just added $1200 minimum to your $700 Turbo kit and you still have sub quality exhaust manifolds and turbo.
Probably not a wise use of money. Buy some cheaper headers. You don't need to spend $2k on Kooks headers. See if you can source used exhaust from a comparable truck with a 6.0 or 8.1.
Get a mail order tune from Blackbear. A tune alone will probably make just as much power as that ****** turbo at 4lbs
