Ok guys. I have tried to educate myself so that I don't sound really stupid on this forum like I used to. However, I am getting tired of the whole N/A deal. Seems like too much money for not enough power IN MY OPINION. What I want to know is....if I was to install an sr20det into my 200, could you upgrade stuff? I am uneducated on turbo stuff, and before I decide to take a plunge and buy one I would like to know all the facts. Right after I post this I am going to read up on the turbo forum, so any additional help would be appreciated. Basically, can you get a better intake or exhaust, would my Greddy cat-back work w/ the det? Thanks guys.

Ju§tin

I'm running my Greddy with my t25. You should really go with a 3" exhaust but I don't have any money right now and it's still pretty damn fast. The greddy is 2.36" by the way (60mm). With turbos, well, if you upgrade the turbo, you have to upgrade a lot of other things at the same time. For instance, running a t25, you can use the stock maf, 370cc injectors, stock fuel pump (don't boost high). You move up to a t28, it's a good idea to get bigger injectors, though Andreas is making real good power using a bored MAF, 4 bar JWT program, and the 370cc injectors. You WILL need a bigger fuel pump at this point. Then the next step would be t3/t4 hybrid, or GT28xx, or GT3037, etc. BIG TURBO; and with it you'll need even bigger injectors (50, 72 lbs), Cobra or TTZ MAF, etc. With turbos, you just gotta make sure you can get enough fuel for the amount of air that turbo flows.

Khiem

Sounds cool. However, if I got a full engine swap would everything be included?

Ju§tin

Originally posted by Crono1321
Sounds cool. However, if I got a full engine swap would everything be included?

Ju§tin
No. Whats your budget?

Well, for now I'm just going to save up until maybe.....$2000? I know this question has been answered a million times, but like I said, bear w/ me. What do you think the minimum is? I don't need all the toys or whatnot that go with it at first. If you or someone who has a det could tell me how much (approximately) your swap was when you did it (including installation charges if applicable). I won't even attempt this one by myself, I'll end up finding someone to do it. Thanks again.

Ju§tin

I would say save up $5k to be on the safe side. It's funny how all the little things add up. Hell, there are guys who'll spend $1k on just gauges. Then there's all the assorted nuts, bolts, fittings, hose clamps, vacuum lines, T's, oil lines, coolant lines, wires, AN fittings, all these little things that you don't take into account. With $5k, anything left over is a bonus.

Khiem

Oh.... um, hmm... I think you'll need at LEAST $4k if you're paying someone else to do it. And that doesn't include any gauges or timer, or boost controller, etc.

Yea, its the little things that getcha. Quick question: how many miles are on your current engine? Have you taken care of it? If yes, skip the det and just turbo it. Cheaper, and its reliable. Them crazy Indiana people have got it down on turboing a de for cheap. Hunt around and you should be able to find some posts with dollars spent.

If your set on a det, 2k is too low. You can cut corners and do one somewhat cheap, but I don't do that so I can't really help you out there. I imagine an older top mount with a bluebird ecu would be the way to go if that was your goal.

Heres what mines run (btw this is an avenir det, so no IC included but its newer):
Engine, downpipe, and JWT ecu all from jgy - $2500 and some change, shipped.
Intercooler (real pretty forge one, I recommend highly) - $450 and some change, shipped.
DSM bov - $75shipped off ebay.
Gauges and mounting plate, from various - $150
180 degree mandrel bends for IC piping - I forget, summit carries it, its not too bad, like $30 a bend.
Little silicon connector things for IC piping- $100 and change, theres a local shop that sells 'em. Theres some good stuff in 2.5" on ebay all the time for a good price.
Walbro fuel pump - $100 off ebay, shipped. Good deal and they've still got a bunch for sale.
Finding one of your injectors is busted - $18 bucks per injector to get 'em all cleaned.

Thats off the top of my head, I'm sure theres other stuff. I've got all the receipts saved.

Wow I sincerely appreciate all of these info packed posts! Ok that is way more than I had imagined. I figured I could get a DET for like $1500 and then pay someone to install for around 500-1000 bucks. I guess my estimates were way off!

At any rate, my engine right now has just hit the 44k mile mark. Its the original USDM sr20. If I run a T25, could I leave the internals stock? What about for a T28? The point is I'm not going to want a lot of boost, so I think a T25 is for me. Also, I'm concerned about getting all this custom piping. Do I just call up a shop and ask them to make me some pipes, or do they come premade?

Calum, or anyone for that matter...if what you say is true, and I could just run a small turbo off my current engine, what would you say is the estimated price range and amount of work involved in installing one of these? I know you mentioned the price for a DET, but if I should just keep the regular engine this would change I'm sure. Thanks again guys I appreciate the help.

Ju§tin

With relatively low miles on your motor, I would go ahead and work with what you have (assuming that is is well cared-for). You can buy the det components and bolt them up to your de motor. You can even run the stock injectors/mas, etc with low boost (5-6 psi). All you would need is:
-manifold (bluebird/gtir)
-turbo (t25/t28)
-exhaust elbow
-downpipe
-intercooler (you can front mount the stock det one with some fabbed-up piping
-you can use the stock blowoff valve (keep it recirculating, not open venting)
-jwt ecu to make it all work together
That should be the main components, you'll need to figure out the little things like the hoses, clamps, piping, various fittings, etc. Oh, and as mentioned earlier, stuff like a boost controller, turbo timer, fuel pump...Hope this helps.

Yes it does. I will keep researching and pricing, since it will take me a long time to get the money to put the project to work. I was reading and I noticed something about oil lines, etc. What's this about?

Ju§tin

Originally posted by Crono1321
At any rate, my engine right now has just hit the 44k mile mark. Its the original USDM sr20. If I run a T25, could I leave the internals stock? What about for a T28? The point is I'm not going to want a lot of boost, so I think a T25 is for me. Also, I'm concerned about getting all this custom piping. Do I just call up a shop and ask them to make me some pipes, or do they come premade?
With only 44k on your engine, don't waste your time on a det. I assume your the original owner, or pretty close to it. Thats great; you get to skip a ton of the se-r headaches. The stock de is a wonderful engine to turbo if its been taken care of. Thats been proven many times over. More than enough to handle a T25 or T28. Change the oil every 3k, run mobile 1. Greg Perry turbod (T28 btw) his car at 150k, it pulls like a freight train. Runs great. And that was after being a nitrous mule.

The T25 setup is great for a street car. Don't get put-off by the bigger turbos out there. I wish the dyno plot of Ben's old car could be posted. Freaking awesome. Power everywhere. Even compared to a T28 it looked great.

The great thing about about turboing your de is you can buy it piece by piece, and alot of the pieces you can add _before_ the turbo goes on (and thats a good thing, and not just because it makes it easier financially). If you havn't read this post (http://www.sr20deforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19062), read it.

Neither the piping or lines is that big a deal. I believe there are several sources selling pre-made line kits (uh, probably at least one in Florida :)). I woudn't waste your money buying a prefabbed intercooler piping kit, or letting a big shop do it. Its not that hard. If theres a se-r guru in your area thats done one before, I'd see what they want to do it (you supply the materials of course). Se-r gurus are worth their weight in gold for monkey mechanics like me. Have you found one yet?

Turbo your car. :D

if you want to get your car done correctly, just take it down to Andreas in Miami. Could probably have the whole thing done in a weekend.

Oil lines, need them for the turbo. Coolant lines to the turbo too if you run a t25 or t28 from Nissan. Running a turbo off a DE, most people get the oil from the oil pressure sending unit area. And of course you'll have to drill and tap the block for the oil return. And you'll need all the associated fittings and lines for the oil and coolant.


Khiem

Remember if you were to do a det swap, you can sell the motor out of your car and you can sell other things, header, cold air intake, etc. to pay for the swap.

Hehe I love you calum! :) I was considering calling andreas when I get the dough to go through with this project (which will be awhile). I have read literally most of the night away reading about turbo, and I have come up with more questions.

1. I was reading on a site you can make your IC piping from home depot plumbing pipes. True? Reliable?

2. I thought you tapped into the oil pan, not the block, for the oil supply for the turbo.

3. Is there a certain webpage that has an install guide/notes for a turbo install on an sr20de. I read the sr20det install on se-r.net but that didn't help like I expected it would.

4. Do I need turbo timer, boost gauge, and other assorted gauges (which ones do I need) to run this turbo. I sort of had it planned that I could put the turbo on and sort of add on the cool little parts that go to it. Also a fuel pressure regulator?

5. If I run a T25 setup do I need 370cc injector?

6. How long (and how much) does it take/cost to get JWT to program my ecu for the turbo setup? I have a G20 ECU coming in the mail this week that I bought off ebay so I will have the sr20 ecu just sitting around. Downtime on the car won't be an issue for the ECU.

7. Cobra MAF? Do I need it?

I feel kind of bad asking all these questions, but I hope someone has the time to answer them, or at least a couple.

Thanks guys for answering these questions my faith in the sr20de community is restored!!! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Ju§tin

Originally posted by Crono1321


1. I was reading on a site you can make your IC piping from home depot plumbing pipes. True? Reliable?

You can... get the stainless steel stuff.

2. I thought you tapped into the oil pan, not the block, for the oil supply for the turbo.

The SR20 block has a location for the oil drain. It's just not drilled out for the DE. If you get a t25 or t28 from a DET, the hole is in perfect position for the oil drain and you can use the stock drain fitting.

3. Is there a certain webpage that has an install guide/notes for a turbo install on an sr20de. I read the sr20det install on se-r.net but that didn't help like I expected it would.

um, go to google and search under Dr. Lew and Hotshot Turbo Install. He has a good write-up for his 97 SE-R.

4. Do I need turbo timer, boost gauge, and other assorted gauges (which ones do I need) to run this turbo. I sort of had it planned that I could put the turbo on and sort of add on the cool little parts that go to it. Also a fuel pressure regulator?

Don't NEED gauges, though a boost gauge would be nice. Don't need a turbo timer. In fact, I hardly even use mine. Just drive easy for a bit before you get to where you're going. se-r.net archives, Jay Hassinger, turbo timers.

5. If I run a T25 setup do I need 370cc injector?

yes, if you want to be safe. I don't think JWT tunes the ECU any other way. If you use the stock ones, you'll be pushing their limits which could lead to a blown up motor. Better to just spend a couple hundred bucks on new injectors.

6. How long (and how much) does it take/cost to get JWT to program my ecu for the turbo setup? I have a G20 ECU coming in the mail this week that I bought off ebay so I will have the sr20 ecu just sitting around. Downtime on the car won't be an issue for the ECU.

Depends...

7. Cobra MAF? Do I need it?

t25, no. t28, good idea.

Ju§tin

Lots of good stuff on se-r.net

Originally posted by Crono1321
1. I was reading on a site you can make your IC piping from home depot plumbing pipes. True? Reliable?
This is a method that many people use. If good silicon connectors are used and the pipes are bead rolled, it will work fine. Even better, you can have the pipes welded together. Just rember, the reliability of this is in the hands on the fabricator.

Originally posted by Crono1321
2. I thought you tapped into the oil pan, not the block, for the oil supply for the turbo.
The oil return line is tapped into the block.

Originally posted by Crono1321
3. Is there a certain webpage that has an install guide/notes for a turbo install on an sr20de. I read the sr20det install on se-r.net but that didn't help like I expected it would.
Try this...http://brazosport.cc.tx.us/~lshadoff/turbo/
Originally posted by Crono1321
4. Do I need turbo timer, boost gauge, and other assorted gauges (which ones do I need) to run this turbo. I sort of had it planned that I could put the turbo on and sort of add on the cool little parts that go to it. Also a fuel pressure regulator?
No, You dont NEED them. These parts will probably be obtained after some regular use but they are not essential to the function of your turbo. I would recommend gettin an autometer boost gauge and perhaps fuel pressure gauge, but remember (No offense to you) a gauge only tells you the information, you have to be able to interpret the information.
Originally posted by Crono1321
5. If I run a T25 setup do I need 370cc injector?
Yes.

Originally posted by Crono1321
6. How long (and how much) does it take/cost to get JWT to program my ecu for the turbo setup? I have a G20 ECU coming in the mail this week that I bought off ebay so I will have the sr20 ecu just sitting around. Downtime on the car won't be an issue for the ECU.
It depends on JWT, but if downtime is no issue, then JWT turnaround should be of little concern to you.

Originally posted by Crono1321
7. Cobra MAF? Do I need it?
No, stock MAF works just fine with a T25 and 370cc injectors.


Mike

For IC pipes, just get the pre-bent mandrel pipes and cut and assemble them yourself if you're up to it. I would NOT recommend using plumbing pipes for IC pipes. They can crumble because of the heat in the engine bay which may lead to cracks, and ultimately pieces of it being digested by the motor.

Tapping the block (where the factory DET return line is) is your best bet. You won't get any of the frothy oil that's sitting towards the top of the oil pan backing up into the turbo.

Other than http://www.brazosport.cc.tx.us/~lshadoff/turbo/ I haven't seen any sites documenting a turbo install. I'm sure they are out there, I just haven't come across them. You don't have to get gauges right away, but at least get a boost gauge. You need to know if you are over-boosting just in case. Others like to have an EGT, oil pressure, and fuel pressure gauge. Nice to have, not necessary. You do not need a fuel pressure regulator if you run a JWT turbo ecu. Send your spare ecu to JWT as soon as you are 100% about turboing your car. It may take a week, or up to 3 months (based on what I've read.) The sooner you send it out, the better. The size of the injectors, as well as using a cobra mas, depends on how much boost/hp you want to run. You have to determine that first...

SupaBlackNX2k, you just beat me! I must have been typing while you replied with your post. Hahaha

Wow thanks for answering those questions. Also I have another question. I see these kits w/ little K&N filters sticking out of the side, but I don't see these on the kit stuff. Does it connect to one of the pipes? I thought the intercooler connected up to the throttle body???? :confused:

Where can I get those silicone connectors for all the piping I need to do? I heard I can get the piping from JGY, but can I get the connectors there as well?

Ju§tin