Today I was looking at F-max's web page and saw that new turbo's are going for $3500. That seems extremely expensive when we can get a whole turbo engine used for less than that. I think if I was buying a car new I would put the $3500 into getting a more powerful engine in the first place rather than adding on a turbo.

Few Things you have to consider. A fmax kit will make more power on a DE than a stock JDM DET.... Period. With the DET you still want a JWT computer among other things, which the FMAX includes. You can get about 250~whp on the stock BB motor/turbo combo, whereas the FMAX can make over 400 with the right combo...

HTH

Danny

turbo kits a generally expensive but that is because they are providing you everything you need to turbo your car.

Buying a det will probably cost you $2000 with shipping and that is just for the engine. Then you should replace the bearings and water pump at the very least.
then you need to do something about the intercooler and a downpipe at the very min. then you will also need a ecu. By now you are approachings probably close to $3000 and you still only have a 200whp car or so.

You have to think about how well your current engine will take turbo'ing and how much power you really want and weigh those options.