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Adding a turbo to a Tracker

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Offline Skyhiranger

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Adding a turbo to a Tracker
« on: February 02, 2007, 10:37:35 AM »
I have read through the numerous pages of turbo discussion on here and checked out the websites/pics of wildgoody and bentparts.  I think I have a pretty good idea/plan for putting a turbo in a Tracker.....

Here is my plan...
2wd, 5 speed, 2 door Tracker, swap in a 16V, keep the boost at around 5psi (I want to be able to run 87 octane gas, use stock engine internals, and hopefully I won't "melt" anything), stock fuel injectors, intercooler, custom manifold made with heavy wall pipe, bigger exhaust (2.5"-3"?), open/no cat and glasspack type muffler or regular cat and no muffler, BOV, turbo timer, AF gauge, EGT gauge.
Does that sound like a good/proper setup?  Anything else I need to consider?
What ID size pipe do I need to use for the manifold?  Same size as the exhaust port ID's on the engine, I assume?
Will the vehicle I get the turbo off of have a BOV, or is it better to just get a new one?
The wastegate will be part of the turbo, right (either internal or external)?

Here is where I am running into my biggest problem.....
My biggest issue is locating a turbo.  I read that mazda mx3 1.6, ford probe (1.6?), or subaru 1.8 turbos work well.  My problem is finding them....the mx3s I find are not turboed (and I thought I read that they did not come turboed from the factory, if they have a turbo, it will be an add-on).  I have not found any turboed probe's (and most of them have the 2.2 engines anyway).  The subaru's are non-existent in these parts.

I have read that 1.6-1.8 turbos work well on the 1.6s.  Can I just use any turbo off any engine in that range?  Are some 1.6-1.8 turbos not good to use?  If so, why?
What about turbos for 2.2s?  I read that if I run too big of a turbo, I will have turbo lag.  I don't want that, but if I can't find anything in the 1.6-1.8 range, that might be my only option.

Is there a list somewhere of vehicles (and years) that would have the proper sized turbo for a 1.6?  Or just a list that shows what turbo's came on what vehicles in certain years?

I see a lot of listings of turbo's by number.....I can't decipher anything from the numbers.  Like when I read I could use a "T3" turbo.....that's fine....but I don't know what vehicles had "T3" turbos. ???

Any help or advice anyone can give me would be great.  I would like to start gathering parts for "the build". >:D

Thanks.
« Last Edit: September 20, 2011, 08:21:54 AM by Skyhiranger »
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Offline chet

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Re: Building a turbo Tracker
« Reply #1 on: February 02, 2007, 12:45:40 PM »
you need to look at late '80s mazda mx6's some had turbo's , check e-bay.

with no additional fuel being added you will run lean even with only 5psi and I would recommed running high octane fuel as well. turbo motors do not like detonation.

T3 is a size from Garrett.

I would say any turbo from a 1.6-1.8L car will work. Lots of Volvo's had turbos not sure how big the motors were though.
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Offline WorkInProgress91

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Re: Building a turbo Tracker
« Reply #2 on: February 02, 2007, 02:50:08 PM »
Some ford turbo coupes were equipped with t3 turbos.
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Offline bentparts

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Re: Building a turbo Tracker
« Reply #3 on: February 02, 2007, 04:16:59 PM »
You want to make to make sure you get a turbo that has all the inlets and outlets in the right places facing the right ways.  An RHB5 out of a Probe/Mazda 6 is a good choice for it's size and location of ports. Try Ebay, found lots of 'em.  You will definitly need bigger injectors, and don't forget to include heat sheilding around the vunerable areas. You dont really need heavy walled tubing, just the right tubing, I used 1+5/8ths mild steel exhaust tubing on mine. A lowered 2WD with wide low profile tires on boost sounds like a blast.  Good Luck and Happy Boosting!
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jamesl

Re: Building a turbo Tracker
« Reply #4 on: February 02, 2007, 05:32:03 PM »
Here's a handy reference on turbos suitable for 1.6 to 1.8 cars: http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/kirkosaurus/picking_a_turbo_fastresponse.jpg

I put a turbo on my Toyota Mr2, which has a 1.6 liter engine similar to the Tracker. I'm partial to the t25 found in the Mitsubishi Eclipse and related DSM cars. They're cheap and easy to find. The BOV from the early Eclipses are good and can be found for cheap.

I strongly recommend an after market engine management system, like MegaSquirt, to properly control fuel. Using stock injectors and the stock ECU are a recipe for disaster, even on a low boost setup, IMHO,.

I built the custom manifold for my Mr2 out of  1 1/4" Sch 80 Weld Els and pipe -- matching the ports on my engine.. Lighter pipe might work, but you would need to brace your turbo really well to avoid stress cracking long-term.

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Offline blacktrack99

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Re: Building a turbo Tracker
« Reply #5 on: February 02, 2007, 05:33:46 PM »
In the early 90's Ford's Mercury Capri XR2 had a 1.6 turbo.  I had one for a couple of years and just sold it last year.  It wasn't the Mustang based Capri of the 80's.  It was an Australian built convertible import.  The base model didn't have the turbo: only the XR2's.  It wasn't a popular model; so, if you do a search on Autotrader or eBay,  they're usually going for pretty cheap.  

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Offline Praise Him

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Re: Building a turbo Tracker
« Reply #6 on: February 02, 2007, 06:41:13 PM »
Running is T3 or  T3/o4 turbo is way to big for a little 1.6 16v...and if you did run that size, what Size Trim would you run ? Have you thought about Spool time ? and turbo lag?

Your would be way better off with a Tdo4h or Tdo5h ,13G or a turbo off and old Dodge Omni,ford thunderbird coupe Turbo, there small, stock boost spool up near 2k rpms, But a TDO4H would be your best bet, (DSM) turbo, then you have to either make a Manifold, Equal lenth would be key.. than you have to made and adapter to mock the turbo to the manifold, and clock the turbo for the best way it will fit in your engine bay, you have to find a turbo thats in good shape..ETC Bad rings,Bad shaft play..

once you find a small turbo and have a manifold and adapter, then you can think about making you (ICP) intercooler piping and rubber fittings, then find a (IC) Intercooler..Best bet would be from a (DSM) aka mitsubishi starion,laser,talon,ecplice.. small Side mount intercooler.

then you want to figure out your Oil system... Most people drill a hole on the bottom of there oil pan, and line a Line to a brass fitting, to the brass fitting on the turbo... then

Exhaust, Make a Downpipe..2.5 inch. then your catback, or whatever

misc fittings,lines,hoses,garmets,zip ties,

Then you will have to make a intake tube from your intake to the intercooloer pipe, were you can run a (BOV) I would run a 1 gen dsm BOV , then figure out if your going to run a internal wastegate or external..

You can make your own MBC Manual boost controller, but if you have no clue what your doing, just buy one !!!!

then... run your EGT/ ..A/F ..OIL Gauge..water temp..or even a wide band O2 senser gauge.. stock injectors are fine i guess... but vitara injectors might be better if they fit, FPR and fuel ral is always good,

Im not sure if anyone offers Tuning for Geo/suzuki's you might want to Visit www.teamswift.net on that one.. I would jsut use a timing gun, and retart my dizzy 3 degrees to be safe.

and if your motor is stock.. run low boost.. you can get a 3 layer metal head gasket, and a block guard, you can even make the block guard..

those 2 things will help hold the boost,

I have turboed ALOT of cars and truck.. 4,6,8 clylinders, If you dont knwo what your doing, Stop while your ahead... enless you have some Good help.. Visit my roomates website for more info on Homemade turbo's...

www.homemadeturbo.com

take care
sammy/toy axles/locked/geared/cased/36's

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Offline Skyhiranger

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Re: Building a turbo Tracker
« Reply #7 on: February 02, 2007, 08:25:56 PM »
You want to make to make sure you get a turbo that has all the inlets and outlets in the right places facing the right ways.  An RHB5 out of a Probe/Mazda 6 is a good choice for it's size and location of ports. Try Ebay, found lots of 'em.  You will definitly need bigger injectors, and don't forget to include heat sheilding around the vunerable areas. You dont really need heavy walled tubing, just the right tubing, I used 1+5/8ths mild steel exhaust tubing on mine. A lowered 2WD with wide low profile tires on boost sounds like a blast.  Good Luck and Happy Boosting!

I'll have to check out some other Mazda's...I was just looking for the mx3s and looked at a few 626s, but none were turboed.
Wasn't the RHB5 is what you were going to run?  Then you had a bad one or something and ended up with a subaru turbo.

Running is T3 or  T3/o4 turbo is way to big for a little 1.6 16v...and if you did run that size, what Size Trim would you run ? Have you thought about Spool time ? and turbo lag?

Your would be way better off with a Tdo4h or Tdo5h ,13G or a turbo off and old Dodge Omni,ford thunderbird coupe Turbo, there small, stock boost spool up near 2k rpms, But a TDO4H would be your best bet, (DSM) turbo, then you have to either make a Manifold, Equal lenth would be key.. than you have to made and adapter to mock the turbo to the manifold, and clock the turbo for the best way it will fit in your engine bay, you have to find a turbo thats in good shape..ETC Bad rings,Bad shaft play..

once you find a small turbo and have a manifold and adapter, then you can think about making you (ICP) intercooler piping and rubber fittings, then find a (IC) Intercooler..Best bet would be from a (DSM) aka mitsubishi starion,laser,talon,ecplice.. small Side mount intercooler.

then you want to figure out your Oil system... Most people drill a hole on the bottom of there oil pan, and line a Line to a brass fitting, to the brass fitting on the turbo... then

Exhaust, Make a Downpipe..2.5 inch. then your catback, or whatever

misc fittings,lines,hoses,garmets,zip ties,

Then you will have to make a intake tube from your intake to the intercooloer pipe, were you can run a (BOV) I would run a 1 gen dsm BOV , then figure out if your going to run a internal wastegate or external..

You can make your own MBC Manual boost controller, but if you have no clue what your doing, just buy one !!!!

then... run your EGT/ ..A/F ..OIL Gauge..water temp..or even a wide band O2 senser gauge.. stock injectors are fine i guess... but vitara injectors might be better if they fit, FPR and fuel ral is always good,

Im not sure if anyone offers Tuning for Geo/suzuki's you might want to Visit www.teamswift.net on that one.. I would jsut use a timing gun, and retart my dizzy 3 degrees to be safe.

and if your motor is stock.. run low boost.. you can get a 3 layer metal head gasket, and a block guard, you can even make the block guard..

those 2 things will help hold the boost,

I have turboed ALOT of cars and truck.. 4,6,8 clylinders, If you dont knwo what your doing, Stop while your ahead... enless you have some Good help.. Visit my roomates website for more info on Homemade turbo's...

www.homemadeturbo.com

I wasn't meaning I was going to run a T3, I was just using that as an "example".  Like in your post, you talk about "Tdo4h or Tdo5h ,13G" turbos, those turbo numbers mean nothing to me without a reference to what vehicle they can be found in.
Yes, I have thought about spool time and turbo lag....from my understanding, if I find a turbo off a vehicle that has a 1.6 or 1.8 engine, it should be well matched for my application....am I correct on that assumption?
I have read the "best" way to check a JY turbo is to check the play in the shaft and see how easily it spins....is there a better way to check it?
I have read that injectors off a non-turbo ford 2.3 can be used, if I need a little "extra" fuel flow.
Is 5psi consider low boost?  I wasn't planning on running anything over that, since I was wanting to keep the internals stock.
Block guard?
I have checked out homemadeturbo.com....some good info, I need to look at it again, though.
Don't know what I'm doing?.....I have an "idea" of what I am doing.  If I run into any issues or have any questions....that is what you guys are for, right?  I gotta start somewhere.
I appreciate the info and advice.
Tracker and Sidekick parts for sale.....PM me with your wants/needs.

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Offline Skyhiranger

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Re: Building a turbo Tracker
« Reply #8 on: February 02, 2007, 08:46:26 PM »
A lot of good info for what vehicles to look for a suitable turbo in....I appreciate it. 
It appears that you guys are naming off cars that have 1.6L (or close) engines in them.....so I am correct in my assumption that a turbo off most any 1.6L-1.8L car will work good, if the piping configuration is suitable?  Will turbos off 2.0L and up cars be too big (too much lag, too inefficient, etc)?
Tracker and Sidekick parts for sale.....PM me with your wants/needs.

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Offline kirknd4spd

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Re: Building a turbo Tracker
« Reply #9 on: February 02, 2007, 08:48:39 PM »
why not '93 and newer rx7 twin turbos? the first turbo is smaller, to kick in early, help eliminate lag, and provide decent torque. the second turbo is larger to produce good top end power. the setup has a built in wastegate, and BOV's are cheap enough to get new. you would, however need a new ecu to tune the A/F ratio. but it IS off of a small motor (most rotaries are 1.3L) but very capable of handling high horsepower and boost
89 Sidekick - 2 door soft top, 1.6, auto, 4x4, 3" suspension lift, 31x10.50's on 15x8 Mickey Thompsons, long tube header

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Offline droppedtracker

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Re: Building a turbo Tracker
« Reply #10 on: February 02, 2007, 10:56:22 PM »
I have read through the numerous pages of turbo discussion on here and checked out the websites/pics of wildgoody and bentparts.  I think I have a pretty good idea/plan for putting a turbo in a Tracker.....

Here is my plan...
2wd, 5 speed, 2 door Tracker, swap in a 16V, keep the boost at around 5psi (I want to be able to run 87 octane gas, use stock engine internals, and hopefully I won't "melt" anything), stock fuel injectors, intercooler, custom manifold made with heavy wall pipe, bigger exhaust (2.5"-3"?), open/no cat and glasspack type muffler or regular cat and no muffler, BOV, turbo timer, AF guage, EGT guage.
Does that sound like a good/proper setup?  Anything else I need to consider?
What ID size pipe do I need to use for the manifold?  Same size as the exhaust port ID's on the engine, I assume?
Will the vehicle I get the turbo off of have a BOV, or is it better to just get a new one?
The wastegate will be part of the turbo, right (either internal or external)?

Here is where I am running into my biggest problem.....
My biggest issue is locating a turbo.  I read that mazda mx3 1.6, ford probe (1.6?), or subaru 1.8 turbos work well.  My problem is finding them....the mx3s I find are not turboed (and I thought I read that they did not come turboed from the factory, if they have a turbo, it will be an add-on).  I have not found any turboed probe's (and most of them have the 2.2 engines anyway).  The subaru's are non-existent in these parts.

I have read that 1.6-1.8 turbos work well on the 1.6s.  Can I just use any turbo off any engine in that range?  Are some 1.6-1.8 turbos not good to use?  If so, why?
What about turbos for 2.2s?  I read that if I run too big of a turbo, I will have turbo lag.  I don't want that, but if I can't find anything in the 1.6-1.8 range, that might be my only option.

Is there a list somewhere of vehicles (and years) that would have the proper sized turbo for a 1.6?  Or just a list that shows what turbo's came on what vehicles in certain years?

I see a lot of listings of turbo's by number.....I can't decipher anything from the numbers.  Like when I read I could use a "T3" turbo.....that's fine....but I don't know what vehicles had "T3" turbos. ???

Any help or advice anyone can give me would be great.  I would like to start gathering parts for "the build". >:D

Thanks.

finding a turbo isnt that hard. trying to find a turbo manifold is another story....or just go to www.turbinetech.ca for all your turbo needs

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Offline Skyhiranger

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Re: Building a turbo Tracker
« Reply #11 on: February 02, 2007, 11:10:49 PM »
why not '93 and newer rx7 twin turbos? the first turbo is smaller, to kick in early, help eliminate lag, and provide decent torque. the second turbo is larger to produce good top end power. the setup has a built in wastegate, and BOV's are cheap enough to get new. you would, however need a new ecu to tune the A/F ratio. but it IS off of a small motor (most rotaries are 1.3L) but very capable of handling high horsepower and boost


I haven't seen any of those in the JYs.

I have read through the numerous pages of turbo discussion on here and checked out the websites/pics of wildgoody and bentparts.  I think I have a pretty good idea/plan for putting a turbo in a Tracker.....

Here is my plan...
2wd, 5 speed, 2 door Tracker, swap in a 16V, keep the boost at around 5psi (I want to be able to run 87 octane gas, use stock engine internals, and hopefully I won't "melt" anything), stock fuel injectors, intercooler, custom manifold made with heavy wall pipe, bigger exhaust (2.5"-3"?), open/no cat and glasspack type muffler or regular cat and no muffler, BOV, turbo timer, AF gauge, EGT gauge.
Does that sound like a good/proper setup?  Anything else I need to consider?
What ID size pipe do I need to use for the manifold?  Same size as the exhaust port ID's on the engine, I assume?
Will the vehicle I get the turbo off of have a BOV, or is it better to just get a new one?
The wastegate will be part of the turbo, right (either internal or external)?

Here is where I am running into my biggest problem.....
My biggest issue is locating a turbo.  I read that mazda mx3 1.6, ford probe (1.6?), or subaru 1.8 turbos work well.  My problem is finding them....the mx3s I find are not turboed (and I thought I read that they did not come turboed from the factory, if they have a turbo, it will be an add-on).  I have not found any turboed probe's (and most of them have the 2.2 engines anyway).  The subaru's are non-existent in these parts.

I have read that 1.6-1.8 turbos work well on the 1.6s.  Can I just use any turbo off any engine in that range?  Are some 1.6-1.8 turbos not good to use?  If so, why?
What about turbos for 2.2s?  I read that if I run too big of a turbo, I will have turbo lag.  I don't want that, but if I can't find anything in the 1.6-1.8 range, that might be my only option.

Is there a list somewhere of vehicles (and years) that would have the proper sized turbo for a 1.6?  Or just a list that shows what turbo's came on what vehicles in certain years?

I see a lot of listings of turbo's by number.....I can't decipher anything from the numbers.  Like when I read I could use a "T3" turbo.....that's fine....but I don't know what vehicles had "T3" turbos. ???

Any help or advice anyone can give me would be great.  I would like to start gathering parts for "the build". >:D

Thanks.


finding a turbo isnt that hard. trying to find a turbo manifold is another story....or just go to www.turbinetech.ca for all your turbo needs


I would like to find a turbo in a local JY.  I can buy them for $35, if I know what I'm looking for; plus I can at least "test" them before I buy, instead of "taking my chances", if I buy one online.
I don't plan on finding a turbo manifold....I will make my own.
« Last Edit: September 20, 2011, 08:22:33 AM by Skyhiranger »
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Offline bentparts

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Re: Building a turbo Tracker
« Reply #12 on: February 03, 2007, 06:10:02 AM »
You can do this if you have the skills. If you don't and attempt it anyway you'll do either one of several things: get frustrated and quit halfway, quit and chaulk it up to a learning experience, or perservere and learn new skills, and reach your goals. Plan carefully, so you don't end up on a wild spending spree trying to make it work. You DO NOT need a new or modified ecu to run 5lbs, bigger injectors will do the trick.( I have an extra set out of a 2.3 ltr Ford, cleaned, matched and documented with wiring adapters if you really intend to do this.) Email me if you would like to save some time and money. I also have a few other items that would make your build easier. Left overs from my build.
The usual stuff, and 2nd generation Air to liquid intercooled TURBOCHARGER

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Offline Skyhiranger

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Re: Building a turbo Tracker
« Reply #13 on: February 03, 2007, 04:42:25 PM »
You can do this if you have the skills. If you don't and attempt it anyway you'll do either one of several things: get frustrated and quit halfway, quit and chaulk it up to a learning experience, or perservere and learn new skills, and reach your goals. Plan carefully, so you don't end up on a wild spending spree trying to make it work. You DO NOT need a new or modified ecu to run 5lbs, bigger injectors will do the trick.( I have an extra set out of a 2.3 ltr Ford, cleaned, matched and documented with wiring adapters if you really intend to do this.) Email me if you would like to save some time and money. I also have a few other items that would make your build easier. Left overs from my build.

That is why I am gathering info before I start.  If I do this, it will not be half-assed, but I am also not going to spend a bunch of $$$, that is not necessary.  I am sure I have the skills to do it.....I build my own kicker 3 for my samurai, along with every other "aftermarket copied" part on it....so I have no problem fabbing stuff.
I had read that I do not need a modded ECM....so I was going to try it with the stock one anyway.  I don't think I'll have any problem finding injectors.  Is there any real reason injectors that have not been cleaned, matched, and documented, can't be used?  I mean, injectors get ran 100K+ miles and usually without being cleaned, without any issues.  Did you use different injectors?  Did you have yours cleaned, matched and documented?
I'll shoot you an email, to see what all you have.
Tracker and Sidekick parts for sale.....PM me with your wants/needs.

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Offline droppedtracker

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Re: Building a turbo Tracker
« Reply #14 on: February 03, 2007, 05:04:41 PM »
i think i posted a link to the guy who owns Turbinetech, he built the 1.6l 16v and turboed it and did a complete write up of the build let me see if i can find it...