Na-t conversions

[Chasz86]

I have got active on the forum again as I start the build on my GE block. I have also noticed a few other people picking up Na-t parts seems a good time to reach out to other members currently doing Na-t build to mull over ideas, get info on parts currently available, combine each person's research.

 

Is my suspicion correct are there a number or lockdown builds occuring?

 

 

[evinX]

There used to be a thread on Supraforums - NA-T Bible, I think DavidP has a page on coil conversions using MKIII coils. And for what its worth IMO even if its in good shape, replace the 20+ year old Head Gasket as its likely to fail later down the line as they are aged. When changing the gasket if the engine never overheated or the gasekt failed you will be ok without having to skim the head or block, just a good clean up using the correct solvents.

[Chasz86]

Yeah I have been researching the places you've, mentions few extra helping points. A big thing is getting views on current manifolds that are available some guides are many years ol, so I thought any people currently looking in to parts would have found different places and may be helpful for others. For example I have been looking into the XS power exhaust manifold, couldn't get any response from suppliers, maybe bad timing with covid disruptions, I'm aware of whifbitz kit, and two or three different offerings on ebay. I haven't even started on FFIMs, piston rings, head bolts the list seems to go on.

Cheers though geezer

 

 

 

[Suprakeith]

I’ve researched na-t builds for years before started my build few years ago, wanted to try do something different with my build and wanted to push the limits of na-t build, I think it’s great so many different options now and different ways to go, I am at the finally stages of my build and to my knowledge think when she’s finished will be one of the most powerful in U.K., which wasn’t my aim to start with just got carried away and gone from there

[Chasz86]

Yeah I bought this block over a year ago, finally stripped it down last week. I'm looking to build to about 400bhp. But while I'm inside I may uprate few bits to some head room in the future. Do you have any go to places that you have used? I think my approach will be original crank, pistons and cons. New rings, hone cylinders, new valves, gte gasket original head, arp head bolts, gte oil pump, renew all ancillaries bigger fuel injectors, coil packs, I have an emanage ecu.

 

Something new I've read is putting a gte sump as it is larger? Which I haven't seen anywhere else so am questioning that. I wish I have kept a folder of print out from snippets of info i have read over many forums and sites. The Na-t is a decent go to. Getting the nitty gritty details in another thing tho.

 

Im going to bolts on as much as possible then look for assistant from a mechanic pals to build up further and install before looking for a tuner to give it first runs.

 

 

[Frank Bullitt]

Just a small request Chas, when you start tinkering any chance you could start a thread. Would be great to see a new build

[Chasz86]

Yeah, i will attempt to. im getting plenty of pics in at the mo unfortunately i get focused and forget to record bits. But hopefully I can document it well enough.

 

 

[Suprakeith]

I used place not far from me called Cambridge Rebores to do all block machining and then me and mate built engine block.

I haven’t heard anyone using GTE sump cause bigger, think people may be doing it just to save drilling hole for turbo oil return.

If helps I have full build thread with lots of pictures from start to current stage on build.

[Chasz86]

That's great I will track the thread down and give it a read over. Thanks

 

 

[Dan8]

Hi

I am in the same process as you due to having all this extra time to mess about in the garage while stuck at home and this thread seems like a great idea

I been looking into the brand new XS power manifold thick walled tubular as I wanted to spend most of my funds towards a decent turbo and wastegate along with management otherwise I would go for a whifbitz or branded part

I will be getting it decked though or at least checked the flanges are true and definitely changing the waste gate as Noz did to a Vband and he mentioned location flowing better

GTE oil pump as has better flow and relief pressure higher and will also be porting it and opening the return drain up to make sure I don’t blow the seal and using AN10 breathers in the centre of the valve covers to a vacuum assisted breather catch can to help stop it with higher oil pressures

The only reason I changing wastegate is for more precise boost control over the XS power one but they replied back to a email about a complete kit with Intercooler all piping and new manifold posted to UK for £1340 and the full specs of turbo

I was considering doing the TT ecu mod and using the coil packs and wrx injectors it picks up the crank trigger signal from the distributor though I believe meaning you still need to keep part of it but I would much rather get a aftermarket management or similar

You can also your 04 reg WRX injectors there plug and play straight swap no resistor packs needed just remover one of the spacer rings installed in the injector ends

What turbo you thinking of opting for

Edited May 3, 2020 by Dan8 (see edit history)

[Chasz86]

So I have also been looking at the XS power new. mharvey just had one up for sale with the wastegate which I believe went to supra_aero, it done the job for 600bhp it is said. I am still waiting on a reply from them to determine shipping. I may stretch the budget on manifolds and spend less on a turbo, with the view of being able to upgrade turbo at later date on a solid foundation.

 

I have been considering a Holset Hx35, thinking smaller turbo quicker spool. Looking for a 400-450bhp. Now originally this was a daily driver, but over last year I done a fair bit of bodywork on it and now I don't particularly like leaving parked around as much so it may be, by the time I get to the end of the build I am looking to increase bhp and get track day, meets and show ready. The turbo will be be bought later and I think cash flow will help determine final choice.

 

I am actually quite glad I have bought in this manner as I have already increased budget in several areas due to taking time and buying up parts from forum when they come up, shopping around etc.

 

 

[Dan8]

I saw that manifold and wastegate but I was way to slow and beaten to it otherwise I think that would of done me I could of kicked my self

I can forward you the email they send me as I requested exact specs of turbo and what’s included if that can help you in any way and let me know if you decide to go for it

Same here I looked into them and that’s a fantastic all round turbo what size where you thinking of running cm wise I found that nearly all of them are T3 fitment though and not a lot of T4 but can always convert it over they quick spooling and strong it’s definitely one of my options I get over paranoid about using a cheap copy turbo that it might let go and destroy my newly built engine

[Chasz86]

Glad someone else has looked at similar stuff to me, sometimes it can seem that is all borg warners, and big tuning company parts, make you question a more humble build especially as less information on it.

 

 

[Chasz86]

I Haven't got to details of it yet, I'll keep an eye out for t4 and look at some stats on variants probably what's on offer will probably be the driving factor.

 

 

[Dan8]

Same here buddy

I was pleased you posted this thread its great to mull over ideas and share thoughts and information with others doing similar builds that’s the good thing about the forum community

Personally I couldn’t afford the BlG branded name tuning company build and parts but still wanted to enjoy some forced induction but not skimp where the main contributing factors come into determining the reliability and drivability of the build which is for me full freshen of motor like you with TT gasket and ARPs a good wastegate and reliable turbo and a setup management such as a ultimate again like you for everything else I don’t mind trying to save a few £ here and there

I found this when looking for a HX35 was quite helpful for me to determine what CM I was wanting for my build

http://www.stavtech.co.uk/home/the-ultimate-holset-turbo-guide-probably#

[Chasz86]

That's a great find, it give a good insight to the pedigree of holset, which is much broader than I had known. 650 variants of hx35s... That's going to take sometime checking out. I will be starting a build thread, and get some background down ASAP.

 

Here a few pics until then

 

 

[Dan8]

I know I thought that when I came across it cause most of them are just advertises as HX35 16cm 12cm and what have you but that doesn’t give you turbine specs or housing

And that looks great mate very nice I love them in that colour are they JDL wings and is it a poly front lip I want that front lip again I had fibreglass one but it broke into bits now I have active lip but thinking of changing it to that again

[Chasz86]

Yes it had a full jdl kit but that now front now sits cracked, battered and shattered on a flat roof in the yard. Was just too delicate for a daily. London bumps are impossible. I was hoping that I could give it to some one to make a mould of at some point. The TRD lip fit the lines of motor pretty well and have grown to like it especially with the black accents that's my second oem bumper too after tearing the first one off, dumb idea to use plyboard to attempt reversing up a kerb, tyres bit and board shot straight out the front of the car. Lessons learned.

 

 

[Dan8]

I feel your pain mate it’s that sinking feeling when you hear that familiar Crunching noise after your hard work and money gets trashed over something silly That’s what happened to my fibreglass TRD lip after I lowered The coilovers a bit to much for some daily use while my van was getting cam belt changed and it ripped it from bumper and jammed underneath leaving a smoke trail till I could find a place to stop as it was a traffic calmed area and had cars behind me

Where did you get your lips from and what was fitment like I like the colour contrasts of your car looks really clean have you tinted the lights

[Frank Bullitt]

I like that look, did you ever have any problems with your headlights being that dark?

[Chasz86]

They are a latest edition, put hid in but I think they may be the source of some problems in the future. For me I worked on the basis that the standard light were like tea lights. Haven't tested them at night yet. I will let you know after some testing, Old bill haven't stopped me yet. My indicators are in the face lift lights was thinking to put some bright side lights in them too. I gave them to spray shop he made them a lot darker than I expected he did three coats of a black /laquer mix, i think two would have sufficed.

 

 

[Chasz86]

I feel your pain mate it’s that sinking feeling when you hear that familiar Crunching noise after your hard work and money gets trashed over something silly That’s what happened to my fibreglass TRD lip after I lowered The coilovers a bit to much for some daily use while my van was getting cam belt changed and it ripped it from bumper and jammed underneath leaving a smoke trail till I could find a place to stop as it was a traffic calmed area and had cars behind me

Where did you get your lips from and what was fitment like I like the colour contrasts of your car looks really clean have you tinted the lights

They are ABS picked up from a member on the forum. I just had to get away from fibreglass. The lip still scrapes often but the plastic flex is so much more forgiving. There is still plenty of paint work to be done, unfortunately it has to be done in stages when spare cash is saved. The jdl bits are starting to crack around the blended parts. Photos does do it a lot of justice, when I went to ace cafe meet last year I did stick away in the corner. That when I started to improve the body work, I had it wingless which I do quite like, but I also like TRD spoiler kind of ties the front and back together again style wise. So far the front bumper, targa roof piece and boot lid and spoiler has been done.

 

 

[supra_aero]

Keron on here had quite a few front lips laying about. I got one in white from him which was just laying about. Might be worth asking him...unsure he 'll post though

[Chasz86]

I had my spoiler made by charge auto styling based near Chelmsford. He has a few moulds of parts he has built for his motor. Was decently priced. Thought he may be able to do something with my jdl bumper one day. Many have said they like the jdl but just can't find them anymore.

 

 

[Noz]

Love a nice NAt thread