The Single Turbo Shopping List

Ok, this has been asked about a few times now so here goes for what will hopefully end up as an FAQ entry.

There is no hard and fast rule to convert a Supra to a single turbo, and it is also difficult to put a boundary around it. Some would say, for example, that you need bigger brakes because you'll be going faster - but is that essential? I'd say no. Advisable, maybe, but not essential, your car will run, boost, accelerate, and dyno without bigger brakes. So although it could be a train wreck please contribute what you think is essential to a single turbo conversion. I'll draw a boundary now by giving some headings. Anything in these heading areas can be left stock or changed depending on people's opinions. Add any other bits that fit logically, I'm not hubristic enough to think I've covered everything, but don't start wandering too far off track or trying to sell shit. And remember essential - if the engine will run and stay running without it, it's not essential in this context.

Edit - a quick clarification to say this is the minimum spec you would be happy with on your own car. It is most definitely not the place for your "ideal" Supra spec list, or a maximum attack drag racer.

So quote this and fill in the areas with either "stock" or what you would put in.

Intake side

Intake filter, piping, hoses, clamps, intercooler

Intake manifold

Breather system

Idle control

BOV

Engine

Crank, rods, pistons, rings, bolts, bearings

Block

Cams

Cylinder head

Ingition system - spark plugs, ignition amplifiers, coil packs

Oil system - pump, cooler, filter (NOT the type of oil for the love of god)

Drivetrain

Clutch

Autobox

Exhaust side

Downpipe, centre section, back box

Turbo itself

Manifold

Wastegate

Oil feeds

Coolant feeds

Fuel system

Tank, pump(s), wiring, hoses

Fuel rail

Injectors + resistor pack

Fuel pressure regulator

Fuel pulsation dampener

Electronics

ECU/fuel controller

Ignition timing control

Things not on the list but you wouldn't go near a single turbo engine if it didn't have them

Gauges

Boost controller

Knock monitors

Other

-Ian

. Some would say, for example, that you need bigger brakes because you'll be going faster - but is that essential? I'd say no. Unadvisable, maybe, but not essential, your car will run, boost, accelerate, and dyno without bigger brakes.

 

Ian - typo - you need to change to adviseable

OK this are what I would consider as a minimum

Intake side

Intake filter ( K&N or AEM), piping, hoses, clamps, intercooler - Blitz LM, (dont buy cheap!)

Intake manifold - To suit selected Turbo

Breather system ( will work with Filter on Ex cam cover)

Idle control - suitable for ECU selection

Engine

Crank, rods, pistons, rings, bolts, bearings ( tock if in good condition)

Block ( Stock)

Oil system - pump, cooler, filter (NOT the type of oil for the love of god)Stock

Drivetrain

Clutch - stock to say 500

Autobox - as above

Exhaust side

Downpipe, centre section, back box - all BL but clearly others can be inserted

Turbo itself - T61 P trim

Manifold - Good Tubular, DO NOT BUY CHEAP

Wastegate - HKS, TurboSmart or Tial, DO NOT BUY CHEAP

Oil feeds/return, BL Kit

Coolant feeds

BOV - HKS SSQV or HKS Racing for larger output motors

Fuel system

Tank, pump(s), wiring, hoses - Single Walbro as minimum

Fuel rail Stock

Injectors + resistor pack 650cc Drop in

Fuel pressure regulator ( stock OK to a point)

Fuel pulsation dampener ( remove)

Electronics

ECU/fuel controller - E-Manage Blue or Ultimate, must be tuned by Ian C

Ignition timing control - as above

Things not on the list but you wouldn't go near a single turbo engine if it didn't have them

Gauges - Oil Pressure/Temp. Boost. AFR

Boost controller - Blitz DSBC range

Knock monitors ( not all aftermarket ECU can do this.)

LSD - you are wasting the power without it

Other

Experience: owned a few, built a few, specced a few.

So I would say:

Intake side

Intake filter, piping, hoses, clamps, intercooler

An intake pod filter of some sort will be needed, probably supplied in the kit along with all the other bits you need

A nice 3 row intercooler like a Greddy or Blitz one with all the hard pipes and any relocation gear needed.

Intake manifold - Stock

Breather system - Fully closed

Idle control - Stock

BOV - Yes, no brand specific recommendations though (I like the HKS ones)

Engine

Crank, rods, pistons, rings, bolts, bearings - stock

Cams - stock

Block - stock

Ignition system - NGK BCP7ES plugs, and refresh all the coil packs if there is any hard to diagnose misfiring

Cylinder head - stock

Oil system - pump, cooler, filter (NOT the type of oil for the love of god) - stock

Drivetrain

Clutch - RPS Street Max

Autobox - stock (I think, I'm no expert on the autobox)

Exhaust side

Downpipe, centre section, back box - supplied with the kit and would mate up to pretty much any back box

Turbo itself - T61, any smaller is a bit futile, any bigger and you might need more fuelling system expense

Manifold - BL tubular seems good so far, none have cracked that I've heard of (for what that's worth)

Wastegate - a decent one - if it's too small or goes wrong then you could overboost, which is bad.

Oil feeds - kit supplied

Coolant feeds - Only necessary if the turbo has a water jacket

Fuel system

Tank, pump(s), wiring, hoses - One Walbro pump, the rest can be stock

Fuel rail - Stock will suffice with drop in 650's

Injectors + resistor pack - 650's with no resistor pack needed

Fuel pressure regulator - Stock

Fuel pulsation dampener - Leave it in

Electronics

ECU/fuel controller - E-Manage/FCon

Ignition timing control - E-Manage/FCon

Things not on the list but you wouldn't go near a single turbo engine if it didn't have them

Gauges - AFR, EGT

Boost controller - Yes but no specific brand recommeneded

Knock monitors - nope

Other

-Ian

. Some would say, for example, that you need bigger brakes because you'll be going faster - but is that essential? I'd say no. Unadvisable, maybe, but not essential, your car will run, boost, accelerate, and dyno without bigger brakes.

 

Ian - typo - you need to change to adviseable

Done thanks, christ did that read wrong Well spotted. I meant unadvisable to run it without upgrading j-spec brakes but it came out wrong.

-Ian

OK gotcha, just don't think this should turn into another spurious advertising thread, especially in tech.

he is my setup: running 650-700hp. @ 1.5bar - 120000 miles on the clock UK car

min spec for single: ***** / UPPERCASE - MY MIN SUGGESTIONS

Intake side

Intake filter, piping, hoses, clamps, intercooler -k&n , stock hoses / -****STOCK****

Intake manifold - greddy manifold -****STOCK****

Breather system - re-circulated into turbo intake feed -****STOCK****

Idle control - stock -****STOCK****

Engine

Crank, rods, pistons, rings, bolts, bearings - stock -****STOCK****

cams- hks 264 in/ex -****STOCK****

head gasket- stock -****STOCK****

Block -stock -****STOCK****

Oil system - greddy 16row oil re-location kit -OIL COOLER

pump, cooler, filter - stock -****STOCK****

radiator - koyo after market -****STOCK****

fans - dual electric -****STOCK****

Drivetrain

Clutch -rps carbon/ carbon -RPS 6 PUCK

gear shift - B&H quick shift -****STOCK****

brakes

UK spec calipers / hawk brake pads / brembo disk -UK BRAKES

Exhaust side

Downpipe, centre section, back box - 4 inch all the way -3 INCH

Turbo - sp71gts -SP58 / GT35

Manifold -sp manifold -EBAY MAINIFOLD

Wastegate -hks 60mm -HKS / GREDDY

Oil feeds - boost logic kit -BOOST LOGIC

Coolant feeds -stock -****STOCK****

bov - greddy -GREDDY /HKS

Fuel system

Tank, pump(s), wiring, hoses -twin walbro / 30 amp relay /-6n hoses -****STOCK****

Fuel rail - hks -****STOCK****

Injectors -1000cc delphi -550CC

resistor pack -stock -****STOCK****

Fuel pressure regulator - aeromotive -****STOCK****

Electronics

ECU/fuel controller - aem -SAFC 2

ignition amplifier - hks dli -****STOCK****

o2 sensor - aem wideband -AEM WIDEBAND

laptop

Gauges - boost / oil pressure /fuel pressure /etg / wideband -ETG/WIDEBAND

Boost controller- bliz dual boost solinode -GREDDY/ BLITZ

Knock monitors- stock / controlled via aem -****STOCK****

installed and setup my me . MIN SETUP I SUGGEST

I populated one to give an idea of what's required and added a clarification to my first post, saying it's the minimum spec you would be happy with on your own car. I think that's fair.

Feel free to recommend products, just don't try and sell them Like I recommended a BL tubular manifold as I haven't heard of one cracking yet and it's what I've got experience of. I know a T61 sized turbo can be run on 650's. I know they can drop into the stock fuel system and run at decent boost levels, thus saving £££'s on fuelling components. You get the idea.

Oh, I'm also editing my list and the template as people mention stuff I've missed - cams, BOV, cylinder head etc Cheers guys

-Ian

Plugs

So, Terry, Michel, can you edit yours to show the minimum spec you'd have on your car and be happy with? Not what you have got already (sorry I didn't make that clear to start with) Ta

-Ian

so is the list restricted to those who have actually built a Single or open to everyone's Interpretation/regurgitation. If the later it would be useful if they could state the experience building singles, like Michel has, stating its his car.

So, Terry, Michel, can you edit yours to show the minimum spec you'd have on your car and be happy with? Not what you have got already (sorry I didn't make that clear to start with) Ta

 

-Ian

Done

Good call.

What about those in the midst of it like Tony. No experience yet, but he's elbows deep!!

Good call.

 

What about those in the midst of it like Tony. No experience yet, but he's elbows deep!!

Then his input is invaluable, we have probably forgotten stuff. Tony can state mid build or something.

so is the list restricted to those who have actually built a Single or open to everyone's Interpretation/regurgitation. If the later it would be useful if they could state the experience building singles, like Michel has, stating its his car.

This is a good point. People who have actually built one would be very valuable to have contribute to this thread, as well as people who have been involved in working on one. E.g. I know 650's can work because of the cars I've mapped and seen running, even though I've not installed them on my own car. I know 550's are, in my opinion, too small. I know people who run T61's and are happy with the power they produce, and I've been in them, so I feel qualified to comment on them. I know people with smaller than T61's that aren't so happy. Bigger ones are irrelevant as they increase the fuelling and ancillary requirements. Therefore that's the one I'd choose for minimum spec.

People who have read up on stuff and know what they want can contribute too but please make it clear with a note that it's your plan rather than your experience

-Ian

I have put my setup and my min recommendation, this is based on several kits that i have already installed with min spec they achived on 500- 540hp , but different dynos show different readings. As Tery has mentioned , dont bother using cheap parts like the wastegate / bov /injectors , you get what you pay for . Iam not a tuner nor car engine builder , i only have min experiance with these parts, unlike Terry / Chris wilson / Paul W has alot of knowledge on the machanical side of things. I read up on things and try them on my cars if they dont work then i bin them , it all a matter of making mistakes and learning by them, thats how i have gained my experiance with the engine and cars i have put together. So if you want an expert in resolving problems then go with the professionals in this field. I dont put cars together for money , its purely for fun so my advise is to be taken without contridicting anyone who does this for a living . But if you talk about networks and I.T infrastructure / server 2003 admin .. i would have to charge you £75 per hour + v.a.t

Good call.

 

What about those in the midst of it like Tony. No experience yet, but he's elbows deep!!

To be honest I won't know what is absolutely essential untill the car is completely mapped and has had a few thousand miles under it's belt. Then I'll know if I've missed anything. Plus quite a bit of what I'm doing could be described a bit overkill, compared to "bare essential".

so is the list restricted to those who have actually built a Single or open to everyone's Interpretation/regurgitation. If the later it would be useful if they could state the experience building singles, like Michel has, stating its his car.

I think that is a fair point Terry

- there are many different levels of involvement (does this mean passing the tools?)...and as we are not here to flatter 'egos' (or advertise!) if kept to 'generic' parts etc then sure it will be really interesting...

As here for the good of all - are questions allowed?

Or does this come under the heading 'PM me?'

I think that is a fair point Terry

 

- there are many different levels of involvement (does this mean passing the tools?)...and as we are not here to flatter 'egos' (or advertise!) if kept to 'generic' parts etc then sure it will be really interesting...

 

As here for the good of all - are questions allowed?

 

Or does this come under the heading 'PM me?'

Depends on the questions Paul TBH

Well what good is posting a technical thread demanding that only those with turbo install knowledge and then not answering any questions that are put?

LOL!

Frankly no one really cares...

Well what good is posting a technical thread demanding that only those with turbo install knowledge and then not answering any questions that are put?

 

LOL!

 

Frankly no one really cares...

You are a funny man. You didnt ask any tech questions!

Fair enough...

Im liking this thread, can prove to be really helpful.

Now now.

Sure people can ask questions but if this is to be a resource then it's got to remain 'uncluttered' so that someone can just go through a load of minimum specs written by people, rather than 5 pages of discussion over if they need one or two fuel pumps, or a DLI, or an AEM over an E-Manage, you know how these things can go I've always got the option of collating the data into an FAQ thread or something though.

But what we do want is more "minimum spec" opinions from those with single turbo experience please Bring them on! you never know, we may agree on some bits

-Ian

History - BL61, on a VVTi with an eManage.

Min spec

Intake side

3" intake filter (cotton or paper type) could reuse stock filter box + pipework with silicon connectors to 3" turbo housing. (Should be in any budget single kit)...UK or VVTi's will need to couple the MAF back into the intake unless you're using an EMS that allows you to remove it.

A 2 or 3 Row FMIC OR a high quality brand new SMIC + piping from the turbo to the IC...again should be included in the kit.

Intake manifold - Stock

Breather system - Fully closed - boss needs to be welded into the new intake pipe.

Idle control - Stock

BOV - Atmospheric for J-spec, Recirculating for VVTi or UK spec with a MAF - larger capacity required over stock.

Engine

Crank, rods, pistons, rings, bolts, bearings - stock, upto 600BHP.

Cams - stock - though a good idea

Ignition system - NGK BKR7E's gapped to .7mm or BCPRES's gapped to 0.7 or Desno IK24's or NGK BKR7(or 8)EIX's (last two are pregapped).

Oil system - Stock, but it would be advisable to get a gauge and probe to monitor temp to help you decide if you need an additional cooler.

Drivetrain

Clutch - Stock till over 500 at the fly. HPF Bronze/Southbend DXD-F are good replacements.

Autobox - stock but higher stall might be required if you like drag racing...3400 or something like that.

LSD - essential you have a stock one...and consider the TRD LSD when you have more cash.

Exhaust side

Downpipe, centre section, back box - supplied with the kit - usually 3"

Turbo itself - T61 sized non DBB - DBB's add cost though needing a water supply.

Manifold - Cast Manifold...far cheaper than the tubular ones...BUT you'll always wish you had gotten a tubi. (I know I did)

Wastegate - a decent one - 44mm or larger. HKS/TIAL are proven bits of kit.

Oil lines - supplied

Fuel system

Tank, pump(s), wiring, hoses - One Walbro pump, the rest can be stock

Fuel rail - Stock will suffice with drop in 650's

Injectors + resistor pack - 650's with no resistor pack needed - J-spec and VVTI!

Fuel pressure regulator - Stock

Fuel pulsation dampener - Leave it in

Electronics

ECU/fuel controller - E-Manage Blue/eManage Ultimate/FCon-EZ (I'd have the EMU)

Ignition timing control - E-Manage Blue/eManage Ultimate/FCon-EZ (I'd have the EMU)

Things not on the list but you wouldn't go near a single turbo engine if it didn't have them

Gauges - AFR, EGT, Boost

Boost controller - Yes - Blitz or Turbosmart