Help Me Get My Car Going Again

[SSStagea]

OK, so some of you may know that on the first of January (Yes New Years day), my Turbo died. It was a GCG Hi-flow S2 R33 turbo of 18months. Now as I am completely new to turbo cars, I have spent the last 3 weeks searching the internet to just make myself well and truelly confused and bewildered. I have quite a few freinds here to help me but since I work most nights and they work days I don't get a chance to catch up much any more and get there advice.

What I need help with is some decisions on turbo's and a few other things to do at this time of it being off the road.

Bit of info to help. All I am looking for is daily driver, no big horsepwer, don't have a lot of money to spend, looking at trying to keep it to around $2000 to $2500 max. Don't want another GCG and may be looking at just a second hand turbo to get me by until I can afford something more. The car is a RS4S, RB25NEO has a CES split dump, 3in catback, Catco 4in cat.

First question - I have been looking at the garrett turbo's here - http://www.horsepowerinabox.com/hpiab2/category12_1.htm

Specifically the GT28RS (fifth one down). Anyone have this turbo on a Stagea? Any suggestions on other options? Also, anyone know of where to pick up cheaper Garretts?

Second question - I have a Justjap FMIC that was given to me with the sale of the car, should I look at fitting this now, or save for a more expensive possibly better option? http://justjap.com/store/product.php?produ...at=0&page=1

Pretty sure it is that kit but the cooler has been modified by the last owner to use the original piping.

Third question - I have access to someone locally that does the Nistune chips. He has offered it to me for $450 installed with a street tune. More for dyno tuning. Since I can't afford a PowerFC, is this a good option to do at the same time as the new turbo?

Fourth question - what else should I look at doing while I am doing the Turbo and getting it back on the road? I will be changing the spark plugs, draining and filling radiator since I had to drop the water for removing the turbo (Should I do the thermostat at the same time?). Replace O2 sensor due to the other being damaged on removal from dump pipe. (Anyone know where to get a genuine RB25NEO one cheap?)

Fifth and last question - Dump pipes. I have a CES split dump pipe. When removing the O2 sensor the thread on both the sensor and the dump was buggered. Now I know I can just get the nut removed from the dump pipe and a new one welded on. Where the sensor screws in, it blocks one of the bolts to where it bolts to the turbo, so I have been looking at what else there is. Has anyone used the JJR bellmouth dump pipes? http://justjap.com/store/product.php?produ...at=0&page=1 Been looking at this one and not sure if it would be any better/worse then what I have except that the sensor is on the top, easily accessible.

All help greatly appreciated. Sorry it's such a long, multi question post. Since it's my first time dealing with having to look at parts for a turbo I am completely lost.

Thanks for any help, no matter how small.

Dave

[KiwiRS4T]

OK, so some of you may know that on the first of January (Yes New Years day), my Turbo died. It was a GCG Hi-flow S2 R33 turbo of 18months. Now as I am completely new to turbo cars, I have spent the last 3 weeks searching the internet to just make myself well and truelly confused and bewildered. I have quite a few freinds here to help me but since I work most nights and they work days I don't get a chance to catch up much any more and get there advice.

What I need help with is some decisions on turbo's and a few other things to do at this time of it being off the road.

Bit of info to help. All I am looking for is daily driver, no big horsepwer, don't have a lot of money to spend, looking at trying to keep it to around $2000 to $2500 max. Don't want another GCG and may be looking at just a second hand turbo to get me by until I can afford something more. The car is a RS4S, RB25NEO has a CES split dump, 3in catback, Catco 4in cat.

First question - I have been looking at the garrett turbo's here - http://www.horsepowerinabox.com/hpiab2/category12_1.htm

Specifically the GT28RS (fifth one down). Anyone have this turbo on a Stagea? Any suggestions on other options? Also, anyone know of where to pick up cheaper Garretts?

*** Get another R34 turbo that looks Ok unless and until you can save up for a 3037 0r 3076R or suchlike ansd send the GCG back to GCG and tell them you don't want to spend any money on it but want to know why it failed (unless you already know - did you have the right oil supply? a turbo timer?) - I would be interested in the answer as I have a fairly new GCG highflow myself.

Second question - I have a Justjap FMIC that was given to me with the sale of the car, should I look at fitting this now, or save for a more expensive possibly better option?

***Why - any problem with the just Jap?http://justjap.com/store/product.php?produ...at=0&page=1

Pretty sure it is that kit but the cooler has been modified by the last owner to use the original piping.

Third question - I have access to someone locally that does the Nistune chips. He has offered it to me for $450 installed with a street tune. More for dyno tuning. Since I can't afford a PowerFC, is this a good option to do at the same time as the new turbo?

***Yes

Fourth question - what else should I look at doing while I am doing the Turbo and getting it back on the road? I will be changing the spark plugs, draining and filling radiator since I had to drop the water for removing the turbo (Should I do the thermostat at the same time?). Replace O2 sensor due to the other being damaged on removal from dump pipe. (Anyone know where to get a genuine RB25NEO one cheap?)

***Look in the DIY section above under "replacing your O2 sensor"

Fifth and last question - Dump pipes. I have a CES split dump pipe. When removing the O2 sensor the thread on both the sensor and the dump was buggered. Now I know I can just get the nut removed from the dump pipe and a new one welded on. Where the sensor screws in, it blocks one of the bolts to where it bolts to the turbo, so I have been looking at what else there is. Has anyone used the JJR bellmouth dump pipes? http://justjap.com/store/product.php?produ...at=0&page=1 Been looking at this one and not sure if it would be any better/worse then what I have except that the sensor is on the top, easily accessible."

***Take the O2 seat off (or buy a new one, they're not expensive) weld up the hole and make a new hole in a more convenient location and weld the O2 seat back on.

All help greatly appreciated. Sorry it's such a long, multi question post. Since it's my first time dealing with having to look at parts for a turbo I am completely lost.

Thanks for any help, no matter how small.

Dave

***R34 turbo $400, nistune $450, O2 + plugs say $200 total $1050

or new turbo $2500, better FMIC 800, nistune 450, new dump O2 and plugs say 500 = $4250

[SSStagea]

Possibly lined up another R34 turbo, just got to wait for the turbo to come off the car and see how much money I have at the time as to if I buy that or go new turbo. As for the GCG, looks like the bearings have failed in it. Haven't pulled apart yet but from initiall inspection by a couple of freinds who are mechanics that helped remove it that's where they think the problem is. Turbo had good oil supply from what we can see and I have a turbo timer installed. As for the front mount, don't want to have to cut to much to fit it but am thinking of just going ahead with it anyway since it is there and didn't cost me anything. As for the O2 sensor, got someone that can remove the old seat off and replace just wasn't sure of being able to move to a better position. Not sure if I want to go with the EL falcon O2 or just fork out for an genuine sensor. See how finances go and what my freinds can help me with on that side of things.

As for not wanting another GCG unit, don't get me wrong, not saying they are bad or anything. This one came allready on the car and the only thing really putting me off getting this one redone is that they quoted me approx $1600 to rebuild and to me, I could spend that on an aftermarket new turbo. Now I know they are essentially new turbo's when I get it back just can't justify it for myself. Also this one isn't the original turbo off the car so will look around and see if I can get hold of the R34 turbo that I am looking at.

Thanks for the quick reply.

[Tangles]

sau shop Croydon racing development have a sale on garrett turbos at the moment'

worth checking out for pricing. the one you marked is fine.

I use the JJR bellmouth, fine and fits well.

Buy & Install the turbo, install the fmic, fix the current dump pipe, get a nistune. sounds great !!

can do that ^^ all in the $2500 budget

[wolverine]

my first concern is diagnosing accurately why the GCG failed. you don't hear of them failing very often with low K's so you don't want o put a new one on and face the same issue.

1. GCG rebuild will be the cheapest and will be brand new for the bits that count. it will bolt straight back on, no new lines or dump modifications. GT3071 is a plan B but there are many guises for this turbo. you can spec one with a nissan turbine housing allowing the dump to bolt back up but may require new oil and water lines and possibly intake changes. alternatively, buy one with the garrett turbine housing and spend on all the new bits to make it fit. (at least this way the the turbine has the correct housing as it was designed. if you are made of money there are HKS bolt on versions including the GT-RS (aka 2871) and 2835ProS (aka sorta 3071 with smaller 56mm turbine). make a note that CRD are trialling a nissan specific turbine housing for GT30 based turbines so they are putting up some results on their trader advert here at SAU shortly. this might just be the local casting of the OP6/VG housing or it might be the garrett housing to suit nissan flange. this would be worth looking out for.

2. if you have it fit it.

3. simple answer is hell yes. again if you can stretch your budget a Powerfc or Vi-Pec or E-manage Ultimate are going to give you more tuneability down the track if you make further changes but for $450 it is tough to beat the Nistune on a budget.

4. new one's are dime a dozen lots of traders on the forum sell them

5. modify the CES one to fit the O2 sensor.

Edited January 25, 2009 by wolverine

[BensDR30]

Depending on what comes out of your GCG diagnosis, it might be worth selling as a rebuildable unit. I'm on the lookout for a 'T3/T4 Stage V' (as they tend to be called) for my 240Z, a GCG highflow from an RB25DET might be a good alternative!

I haven't seen the condition of your CES dump, so initially I'd suggest that once removed, check it out for any damage that deems it uneconomical to repair. The JJR bellmouth is a good fit - but I couldn't re-use the gearbox exhaust hanger, there wasn't enough clearance for the thickness of the mount when mating it all up to the Catco CAT

O2 sensors are about $120 for a new OEM unit.

For your setup, you probably don't need anything more than the S2 factory I/C - I would consider testing the JJR unit vs. the factory unit for efficiency & pressure drop - the end-tanks of the JJR unit don't look that great for even flow through the core.

If you're going the route of a PFC/E-manage then you probably warrant a bigger turbo to take advantage of the investment in engine controls. Consider the parts as a package & work out whether there is anything that is 'overkill' or a weak point. There's not much point in a PFC on a 100% stock engine/exhaust, but the factory system will run like a dog if not modified when running a high-flow, big exhaust, and more boost. It looks like you're somewhere in between.

Edited January 26, 2009 by BensDR30

[DaveB]

This might be a little superfluous however I though I'd just chime in and say: if you're fitting a split style dump again, make sure it is either the eyebrow divider style, or that the turbine pipe is the right size to fit snugly inside the exhaust housing and won't stick in so far that it jams the exhaust turbine. Just something I've found out from experience...

[leetom]

is your car an s1 auto, if it is,as no nistune, check boostcruising and sau classifieds for turbo (get your hi-flow checked as gcg is a great budget alternative), i would be thinking twice about getting rid of the ces dump as they are the best in the business,as far as the o2 sensor fouling a mounting bolt that does'nt seem right( are you sure it,s ces,. ces systems are stamped) ces rb25 front/dump have there 02 sensor underneath the dump and not next to turbo( not sure if older versions are any different, if not sure about dump pipe ring trevor at ces.

goodluck.