Planning to turbocharge my '97 VR6 this summer. Trying to do it simply on a low cost budget.

Can a wastegate be spring operated so that it opens past say 10psi?

Can I apply mild boost to the engine before the turbos increase boost? (1psi electric supercharger)

Does the tubing have to be metal, or can strong plastic tubing be used with 10psi?

Will the weight of the turbo be too much on exhaust flanges over a period of time? Is support needed?

Do I need a separate oil pump for turbo cooling, or can I run off the engines oil pump? likewise with oil resevoirs?

Does the air intake have to come from the bottom of the car, or can I leave the intake filter on the upper right where it is now?

Any thoughts on low cost timed turbo cooling?


Any help would be appreciated

alright, I'll do my best to answer your questions. I must say, these are some of the most intelligent questions I've ever heard on this forum, hahaha. In order...

1. I don't know anything about wastegates, I'll do some research and get back to you.
2. electric superchargers have been proven to be a wasteful draw on the alternator. I designed one myself a long time ago and scrapped it, because no matter how efficient I made it, it just wasn't worth it.
3. I suppose it doesn't HAVE to be... but much of it should be welded together to prevent air leaks, but if you have a way of taking care of that with plastic tubing, I'd be interested to see how it goes.
4. Yes, it needs support.
5. As long as the turbo you're using isn't too massive, you should be able to run it off of the stock oil pump.
6. It can come from wherever you want... just try to avoid the engine heat as much as possible, which usually means the bottom of the car.
7. Nope, don't know anything about it.

I doubt you'll find the answers to these questions on this forum. Try www.clubgti.com/forum I'm sure you can find the answers there.

My wastegate idea involves making a tubular (approx.) 90 degree offshoot with a airtight cap/valve that would be controlled by spring tension from within, this way, I could make my own (save $100's) and easily control the psi by means of removing or adding springs.

Is there any popular place to mount the turbo onto? I'm guessing it would have to have some sort of play to move with the motor. ?
I was planning have a custom machined interface directly between flanges and turbo. (ie: between exhaust flanges and firewall)
Maybe I can beef up my upper strut bar and partially secure it from there, although I dont like that idea.

thx for everyones help in advance.

At the end of next summer I'll let you all know how my econo turbo turns out. My goal is to hit 300hp and more or less leave it at that .

i would suggest trying to find a way to mount directly to the engine block, or at least thats how I'd do it. So far your idea is pretty slick, I had thought about it myself many a time, but haven't gotten around to doing it yet, due to the issue of having my license suspended and not having a car for the time being.

i smell potential disaster on this one...lol no offense.

go to www.atpturbo.com
i think they sell vr6 turbo kits. you could probably buy the turbo manifold from them and then at least see what their turbo kits look like so you can model yours like that.

I've decided that if the turbo I've purchased is the right size, then I'll be turbocharging this summer. If it is the wrong size, then I'll scrap the turbo idea and work on some other things like seats and pulleys and whatnot.
The turbo is a Garrett T04B, Compressor Wheel 2.50" 60 A/R Compressor Housing. Ex Side Exducer, 2.500" .95 A/R Tangential T-4 flange

If the turbo is compatible, then I'll be using 3" exhaust downpipes, getting rid of both resonators and using a larger cat., as well as replacing the muffler.

I plan to install a hood scoop so that I can mount the intercooler above the motor (STi setup) in order to reduce the distance the turbo will have to push air.

Greddy S-type wastegate seem to be popular so I'll be using one of those. Haven't decided on BOV yet.

I would like to use an oil cooler as well.

Can anyone provide me with info about fuel systems for turbos???
Will I have to get a larger pump/injectors if I plan on bringing the car only up to about 280HP? I have a Nuespeed P-chip already.