[masterA]

Hi all... Its been some time since I was here and since I done the GTi writeup

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=36242

Anyway... I was hoping to get some info from the old school forum members and specially from the guys that are running a turbo GTi sierra

Never thought I'd get a turbo for the GTi engine (as I always though sand, dust and water don't mix well with a turbo) but the bug has bitten and I've started looking into turboing my sierra GTi.
Spent the last few days on redlinegti forum and gathering info

I don't want to go more than 8psi (maybe 10psi) to avoid using an aftermarket computer and keeping costs down plus to be abit more gentle on the sierra weak driveline

My goal is not to drop the clutch on every corner but to power into the accelerator once you get going and to keep a neat 110km/hr on the freeway when fully loaded.

From what I understand if you want to run max 10psi you can run a standard ecu with a $150 chip...get a turbo exhaust manifold for around $250 and possibly a low/quick boosting turbo like a t25 (that will boost at 1800rpm instead of 2400rpm like a td04L)... I need low end revs/torque so want the turbo to spool up quickly. I also heard a good turbo for spooling quickly is a Toyota starlet ct9 or ihi td035 from Subaru Forrester which comes to full boost by 2500 rpm (max boost 13-15psi)

I see on ebay you can get a whole intercooler kit with all brackets for around $400 so all up with a few miscellaneous hoses and boost guage, manual boost controller and a Bosch 044 fuel pump it should come to around $1000 (not even sure if running an intercooler is needed - will do more reseaech)

Just curious to find out what others are running in a sierra...how you have set up your turbo manifold/what turbo and what psi (are you running an aftermarket computer)?

Any pics and info would be much appreciated

Thanks

[shandy92]

Ante, welcome back:) i dont know about turbos and sierra but i know that an intercooler will do nothing but improve power (as long as it isnt to big), i would consider a bit of dyno time, that way you can be sure that your not over fueling and melting pistons.

Wouldnt it be wiser to have a turbo with full boost around 3500-4000rpm, slightly higher than 110kph revs. I think the donk would get to hot and over stressed being at full boost for extended cruise durations.

Also, you say you want it for low end torque but also cruising. I would of thought cruising would be a bit higher in the rev range? Two different set ups. Correct me if im wrong. Look forward to see the build.

Have you had a look in here:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6084&hilit=Supercharger

[masterA]

Thanks mate

The low boost option will kick in at 1800-2200rpm and still pull hard til 6,500rpm so I'm not too concerned letting it sit at 3000rpm
Having a manual controller I can set boost accordingly

[shandy92]

Oh ok, should be good

[masterA]

Just abit more info regarding my above question

I've done a fair bit of research on redlinegti.com already (and still reading) before I started asking questions here and most of the things were answered about the engine and power levels and how much boost I can run with what computer etc

I'm looking a low budget cost turbo setup and basically from what I've read I can use standard injectors, standard internals and a standard ECU with a Gnardi ($150 chip), bosch 044 fuel pump ($150), fuel regulator ($150), turbo ($200) turbo manifold off ebay ($250) and manual boost controller with a small intercooler running only on 8psi and a dyno tune
With a few small things such as hoses and fittings, oil return lines, custom snorkel, and I'm looking and hoping for a budget of $1500

This has been a well proven and cheap mod to a GTi engine since 2003 and some of the guys have been racing these engines for years without any dramas on 8psi
Anything over 8psi and you're asking for trouble and looking at an aftermarket ECU ($750-1000), strengthening the internals to handle the boost, changing possibly to vitara pistons to decompress the engine (which could be well over $3000) etc etc etc

The current engine in the zook is abit lazy and had it's fair share of use so I know it's on it's last legs but it's been like that for the last couple of years so I don't mind if I blow it up in the process or strapping on a turbo.
I don't plan on running over 8psi so the standard engine should handle it for at least a couple of months and if it blows up...well it blows up and i'll throw in my other one and perhaps do a full turbo build on the block I have sitting in the shed once funds permit but at least i'll have the majority sorted with the piping and turbo oil lines etc
If I decide to up the boost at a later stage then its a matter of getting an aftermarket ECU, changing the turbo possibly and have the engine that can handle high boost (probably rebuild the engine to handle 20psi)

What I was hoping to ask a few questions of people that have already done this in a SIERRA and perhaps throw up some pics so I can see how you setup your engine bay, how you did your piping, do you run the AFM/MAF before or after turbo, how did you mount the intercooler on a SJ410/413 with the metal grill (as there's not much room there) if you are running an aftermarket computer what boost do you have, did you get your manifold off ebay or was it custom made and was it a hi mount or low mount?

Look forward to a few replies


BTW - I've found a few link on this forum that I've read through already
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=48059&p=878969#p878969
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=39920&p=878970#p878970

[vet 180]

Haven't run a Sierra turbo before but turboed a few cars over the years. I think a low boost set up will suit more. You will get a nice midrange kick when loaded without boost and power ramping up in a couple hundred rpm.

Remember the shorter the piping the less lag. Have heard xr6 coolers fit in the front nicely. I would also look at upgrading the radiator at the same time. I also wouldn't worry about manual boost controllers, run it on waste gate pressure as most turbos are set up for 7psi and can spike to 10psi with free flowing breathing mods.

Subaru offer a bunh of turbos that would be suitable. Or running a t25g mean a cheap turbo that will be easily upgraded and suited for now

[monley]

If your chasing xr6t cooler let me know. May have one available shortly

[sideways]

Starlet guys say the CT12 spools up quicker than the CT9. CT12s are readily available and cheap, CT9s are usually dead and expensive. There's a few variations of CT12s so it's probably worth putting some research in if you want to run one. Good T25s are so darn cheap and seem to be what a lot of the GTi guys run and are probably what the chip was made for. Makes sense to run one. Forester turbo is a TF035, there's small and large(r) exhaust housing versions. Dunno what models those correspond to though. Older Pajeros also had a TF035 with a smaller compressor than the Forester ones and the small exhaust housing.

[masterA]

Thanks Hayden
I'll have a look into those

[MrRocky]

I think all of your budget figures need to be tripled
Seriously doubt you could get a decent reliable setup, tuned, fitted and driveable for less than 5k.
Having dropped alot of coin on turbo cars keep in mind the cheap stuff will let u down manifolds will warp, turbos will die and get bits in your engine, things will melt, injectors/fuelpumps/regulators will need upgrades, then comes the dyno time followed by more upgrades followed by more dyno time.
Make sure u take plenty of beer on beach runs to drink while you wait for your temp to come down every 500m
Haha