bambisdad Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 Guys, I would like to gauge your opinions on whether or not fitting a modest small single turbo to a NA auto is a job within the capabilities of an average amateur grease monkey. I am doing as much research as I can and would really like to tackle it myself but I do have some reservations. I would like to achieve somewhere around 350hp as this would allow me to keep as many parts as standard on the car such as drive train and injectors (from what I have read). I would really like to hear what you think are the most difficult parts of a conversion and since price is always an issue on any job, what would be the essential parts list and what would be optional or desirable? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David P Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?264578-na-t-kit&highlight=turbo+kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 This forum seems to have more information regarding NA-T conversions if it is any help? http://forum.clubna-t.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 What's your budget? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bambisdad Posted March 19, 2012 Author Share Posted March 19, 2012 I was thinking around £2000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 Not a chance, to be honest without spending well over 10K you are far better off buying a TT after selling the NA. For every proper NA to turbo conversion there are probably ten times more disasters, uncompleted projects, or plain dire adaptations that are a failure in the making. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 I was thinking around £2000 A decent quality NA-T turbo kit will cost £3K-£4K - forget any cheap poor quality Ebay c***p - that's just a fraction of the overall cost, once you add in all the supporting modifications required; drivetrain, fueling, electronics, ECU/mapping, cooling, etc. you'll be looking at the price it would cost you to buy a decent 2nd hand TT. Far cheaper to sell the NA and buy a TT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schtuv Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 There's always the Whifbitz NA-T package (which has tempted me on many occasion) ... wasn't that circa £4k + fitting + mapping? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham1984 Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 I have thought about this too but in some respects unless you have a 6speed you are already somewhat turned around with your cacks down...... On the other hand Noz and Dr Jekyll might be worth a pm as both have gone NA-T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy442 Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 Not a chance, to be honest without spending well over 10K you are far better off buying a TT after selling the NA. For every proper NA to turbo conversion there are probably ten times more disasters, uncompleted projects, or plain dire adaptations that are a failure in the making. Yeah that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noz Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 (edited) If you use second hand parts you can do it for £2000. But if I done it again, I'd never use second hand parts. Or an ECU that was popular in the 90's (that used software that was cearly based on windows 95). Fitting the kit will be the easiest bit, as long as you've a good idea what to do. Wiring the ECU should be if you have a diagram and have the time. Swapping a manifold and a turbo isn't brain science, though I put mine into the garage so I could make sure if I ran into any problems it was in the right place. Everyone will tell you it will cost just as much as a TT, but a budget kit will cost less than a manual TT. Your limited on future upgrades past 450bhp due to compression and transmission. Up to 400bhp it will be cheaper going NA-T, but less reliable and above that power you hit with the kit installed, you need a big wedge of cash to get above 600bhp which isn't the case with the TT. The kit and second hands parts may come within £2k, but little things like gaskets, braided lines that will needed replacing, manifold bolts, hosing, intercooler & piping, clutch, dont come into the costing, which you need to remember, I picked up my clutch and lightweight flywheel CHEAP, £500, thats a quarter of your budget gone already and you've only had it arrived in the post. Converting an decent NA manual to NA-T is usually cheaper than buying a decent manual TT (though they are out there), but you have less reliability, choice of aftermarket engine parts and the ones that are out there, are more expensive as they are more uncommon (try and find a cheap GE fuel rail!!!) and also your get flamed for owning an NA as apparently a 2JZ block without a turbo on it from factory isn't very good, though you can replace one for £100, they are so cheap I have a spare one in my magic shed. God save the NA! Edited March 19, 2012 by Noz (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham1984 Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 See first hand experience, I do like that idea of the whifbitzs Na-t kit but like Noz said for the £3500+ it will cost if whifbitzs fit it you get the added agro of needing a 3" exhaust system (you can sell your own bits though) you need it mapped etc and the more and more I think about it a TT bpu could probably be sourced although you lose the original car you grow to love (we do love our NA's sadly enough to TT owners) but if common sense prevailed then that is the way to go. I used to love the idea of strapping a turbo on my car but just like the mods I have done to my NA I could of kept the money added it to the original car cost and nearly sourced a TT by now...... I am a moron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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