Homer Posted July 11, 2006 Share Posted July 11, 2006 After having a chat with a few club members at the weekend there seemed to be a huge difference in opinion on the reliability of a car after going BPU (Jspecs, not UK's). Now, in my opinion, provided the BPU upgrades are done properly and the car treated correctly, the turbos should last for years. Other disagree and several said none would last more than 5k miles/6months. So, I think its time for some facts from those that did the full BPU mods to post up their examples. I'll go first: Time since going BPU: 2yrs 4 months Boost level: 1.2 bar Miles at BPU upgrade: 49,000 Miles recorded since BPU upgrade: 32,000 Problems: Valve stem seals need replacing Edited for grammar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted July 11, 2006 Share Posted July 11, 2006 Time since going BPU: 2yrs 8 months Miles at BPU upgrade: 74,500 Boost level: 1.2 bar Miles recorded since BPU: 28,500 Problems: Valve stem seals need replacing, Radiator cracked. (I don't believe either problems are due to BPU) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpie Posted July 11, 2006 Share Posted July 11, 2006 Do you not need to show your total mileage too ? as 32k miles at BPU will be different from one car that starts with 40k on the clock to a car which, starts at 80k on the clock. hth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted July 11, 2006 Author Share Posted July 11, 2006 Very good point Pete, I'll edit the 1st post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markie Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 Time BPU - Before I had the car so approx 2 years 6 months Milage at BPU - Pre 40,000 Milage now - 51,000 Boost Level - 1.2 BAR No problems... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 Time since going BPU: 1yr 6 months Boost level: 1.25 bar Miles at BPU upgrade: 70,000 Miles recorded since BPU upgrade: 37,000 Problems: Valve stem seals need replacing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 Time since going BPU: 6yrs 3 months Boost level: 1.2/1.3 bar Miles at BPU upgrade: 10,000ish Miles recorded since BPU upgrade: 50,000ish Problems: None Useage: Everytime I drive, and as often as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpie Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 I'm UK spec so, won't post my details but, IMO if you get to 100K miles having done X 000's at BPU you are doing well. Once over 100k miles, it's only a matter of time......all IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted July 12, 2006 Author Share Posted July 12, 2006 Once over 100k miles, it's only a matter of time......all IMO. Since you raised it, I think thats become the 2nd point of this thread Either way I hope we can collect some meaningful info for future reference and members considering going 'BPU'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terminator Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 BPU Approx 5 years. Car built July 95 18K at start of BPU 4000 mile oil changes Turbo timer always used. A few silly month at 1.4 bar, restrictor ring brought it down to 1.2 30K at BPU Problems, 1 Stem seals, not surprising in and 11 year old car. 2 Too slow, ripping it all out and starting again:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merckx Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 It's going to be totally dependent on how often you use this extra power! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilli Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 yes some indication of how often you use the extra boost might be handy. i.e. all the time, at least once per drive, occassionally... Time since going BPU: 11 months Boost level: 1.2 bar Miles at BPU upgrade: approx 65k Miles recorded since BPU upgrade: approx 8k Problems: None (but I might replace the SMIC to be safe) Useage: At least once per drive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulrik Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 How do you guys know you have a problem with... Valve stem seals need replacing White smoke upon idle ? (after 2-3 min) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockys96 Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 good thread guys, i want to go bpu soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 How do you guys know you have a problem with... Valve stem seals need replacing White smoke upon idle ? (after 2-3 min) Smoke when first starting up the engine, and having to top up the oil too frequently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 Time since going BPU: 7 months Boost level: 1.2 bar Miles at BPU upgrade: 67,000ish Miles recorded since BPU upgrade: 5000ish Problems: None Usage: Rarely above 1.0 bar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben-san Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 Nice thread. I'm off to the land of BPU this weekend, and this has quashed the doubts I had about going for it. I'll be staying at 1 BAR in observation for the above symptoms, at least for the first month or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 I'll be staying at 1 BAR in observation for the above symptoms, at least for the first month or so. Which symptoms? Worn valve stem seal has nothing to do with BPU y'know.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockys96 Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 it got to have a little, the turbos are under more pressure? wear down quicker? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 it got to have a little, the turbos are under more pressure? wear down quicker? I'm no techie, but I'd have though the valve stem seals will be getting worn due to the valves going up and down on them over such a long period (11 - 12 years) of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markssupra Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 I would have thought the valve stem seals will become more brittle over time because of the age of the car, not the mileage it has covered. I dont think going BPU will shorten the life of the stem seals though as your not raising boost in that area. Obviously pushing the stock tubbies with higher boost must surely shorten their life but how much? I am thinking about going the whole hog on BPU so this thread will be quite interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lpher Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 Smoke when first starting up the engine, and having to top up the oil too frequently. Could you define "too freqently"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 Could you define "too freqently"? heh. well, if you're doing complete oil changes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jspec Germany Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 I'm on my way there and concerned about the seals as my Jspec is one of the oldest on the forum. I change my oil every 3k miles religiously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colsoop Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 BPU Approx 2 years. 76K at start of BPU current mileage 90K 3-4500 mile oil changes (using silkolene pro S 10W50) Turbo timer always used. 1.0 - 1.1 bar Valve stem seals, or possibly turbo seals ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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