non turbo to turbo?

[pooski]

My mate wants to get a RX7 but keeps finding cool ones that are non-turbo..... my question is, is it possible to bolt a turbo onto a non-turbo standard engine.... and if so how much will it cost and is it a pain in the arse?

thanks

[Demon Dave]

perhaps this question is better suited to an RX7 forum

But, in general it usually works out cheaper (and easier) to buy a turbo car instead of modding a N/A to turbo.

[pooski]

thanks deamon... thats what we were thinking too.... it was just we saw a cheap rx7 and a $500 turbo for it.

[Demon Dave]

for most cars, converting them from N/A to turbo is a lot more involved than slapping on a turbo. You'd need to start by making sure you have all the extra bits and pieces (wiring, intercooler etc etc) not to mention you could have a problem with the compression ratio on the N/A block.

however, I don't know alot about rotaries - maybe it is simpler (and therefore cheaper) - and so it might be worth looking into.

Still, IMHO it's better to leave an N/A engine N/A.

Dave

[JimX]

I think it is cheaper to turbo a rotary, because it doesn't use/need the bore oil squirters that normal engines have. Aside from that though it's still a pretty major project. You'll need a new exhaust manifold, new ECU, new intake, and piping for the intercooler (oh, and an intercooler).

The plus side is there is a heap of room in the engine bay in an RX7 up the front, so you just whack everything up front and it's pretty sweet. The exhaust might be a bit fiddly though.

[pentae]

Not to mention turbo models of cars usually have other tweaks that would cost you a fortune to add on.. like suspension and brake upgrades.

[jvs007]

cud also buy a complete turbo engine with loom and do the conversion.