Is is possible to take the turbo ($950) and intercooler ($600) from a 2002 WRX and get the necessary bits to turbo a 2001 RS? All you experts tell me if I'm dreaming.

Mike Gayle

The turbo for the WRX is probably too small for the EJ25. It would work, but the turbo would get maxed out pretty quick, you wouldn't be able to run a lot of boost. This is all if I recall correctly though.

Jim

It would probably be adequate for running 5-7psi though.

Almost all of the pieces will bolt up to the RS. I say almost because there are a couple catches. You must replace the crossmember with a turbo crossmember if you wish to use all the factory piping OR you can simply have a custom up-pipe and downpipe made to use your factory headers (similiar to the aftermarket turbo kits available now). If you chose to use the turbo exhaust manifolds, you will run into a conflict with the heads and you must create a spacer to push the up-pipe away from the intake manifold and the back/underside of the heads. The intercooler will not fit on the EJ25 due to intake manifold differences between the EJ25 and the EJ20. If you purchase an older MY93-MY96 IC, then it will fit, but after that the IC is too deep to fit between the firewall and the TB. A custom downpipe will most likely be needed no matter how you chose to add the turbo.

On the subject of the turbo, I think it may be small, but no more so than my RHB5 (legacy turbo). I am using a turbo designed for a 2.2L motor and runs out of oomph past 5psi. I think Rich L is using a tiny TD04 turbo (same basic thing as the WRX) and he is running well too. The turbo size will be setup for quick boost and great autox-ability. Your maximum boost will definitely be low though, because of the monstrous displacement of the EJ25.

Tune into my website (http://www.susogi.net/stimpy) for more details on this.

-Jon

Mike -

There is certainly more to it - you can use just about any turbocharger and the top-mount intercooler choices are slim - basically your pre-97 WRX air-air, a Legacy/Liberty air-water, or a custom job.

If you are planning on new headers on your car, you'll probably want to go the custom up-pipe route because otherwise you have to get rid of the new headers, and then you'll need to add a bunch of stuff to your turbo and IC, like water and oil feed and return, turbo-IC piping, turbo inlet piping, gauging, and, since you are in an '01, some way to trick out the ECU (I am working on something better than I have right now - let you know), additional fuel capability (higher pressure pump and an FPR).

At that point, you are better off with one of the kits than starting with $1500 worth of stuff from Subaru.

While noone seems to be able to provide in a truly timely manner, but there are some quicker than others, and then there is that whole good, fast, cheap (pick any 2) formula.

I went the whole Legacy/Liberty route from the headers to the IC, and then because I got a great deal on that. If I were to do it again, I might opt for one of the kits currently available - ASR, Ludespeed, or if I had way too much money, I'd just park my car at Rallispec for a month.

I'll take you for a ride in my car tonight - Liberty turbo at 5 lbs. You can see what you think.

I read the post about doing this on a 2001 rs, but I am not sure if its the same with the 2002.

If I was to pick up a 2002 tdo4 factory turbo, what else would I need besides it to make my 2002 a turbo?

Do I just follow the recipe you guys set forth for the 2001 RS, or are their differences that make it different.

I think I will need at least an ecu, some new injectors, and turbo members, intercooler maybe, and a boost controller? What else woudl I need? How much would parts and labor cost for these (not including the td04 itself)?

Is the td04 too small a turbo to use on the 2.5?

Thanks,

Bahboy20

Same as above. You can use any turbocharger, some are more appropriate than others.

The TD04 wouldn't be an awful choice, must be very similar to the Legacy turbo in its map, probably actually better.

But unless you are getting a real sweetheart deal on it, you are better off with another turbo remanufactured.

What would be considered a sweet deal for a slightly used 2002 wrx td04 turbo?

so then i would have to get the oil line, intercooler (is it necessary?), flange, (are new injectors necessary)?, manifold, ecu/unichip?

What is the most expensive part (not labor)-- is it the td04?

How much should all the other parts that I need besides the turbo cost all together.


thanks,

bahboy20

Click here (http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=65366)

Re: the linked discussion...

If you want DIY then don't make friends and bitch when your over-priced custom pipes aren't right. Just enroll in an evening welding class at your local technical school. You might be the only one in there that is taking it just to be a car hobbyist, but the skill will pay massive dividends.

Otherwise, you can pay the price the market demands and be pissed off that everything doesn't fit quite right. This really isn't that expensive besides that turbo itself and collateral items needed to make the car run properly / safely with the turbo.

Just an update, my website is now changed to www.nothingserious.net .

I definitely agree with what ColinL is saying about welding. There have been so many times where if I had welding knowledge I could have done my own little project. RS'ted went through, bought a turbo and then made his own turbo piping from the ground up. More or less, the entire turbo system is built around the turbo, so find out what options you have for that first.

FWIW, I paid $250 for my Legacy turbo (IHI RHB52). For $800 you can find a slightly used IHI VF22 ballbearing turbo which is near ideal for low-mid boost.

Here is a fairly comprehensive breakdown of parts needed and costs http://www.nothingserious.net/partslist.html . I noticed problems with IE6 rendering the page, but it definitely loads properly in Mozilla. There may be one or two very small items missing from there.

On your questions regarding the oil lines, flanges, intercoolers, ecu, and all other things, go to http://www.nothingserious.net/turbo.html

On the TD04, as I recall, Rich L is using a turbo very similiar on his RS. He had Rallispec do some custom wheel clipping or some sort of magic on it and he is running a 13.7 at 7psi I think. Not too bad for a turbo thats supposed to be too small :)

-Jon
Did I miss anything?

www.nothingserious.net

[edit] Here is a description of Rich's turbo: Rallispec worked on my mini Mitzu TDO5-12A-8CM2 turbocharger, rated at 320 CFM @ 15psi, into a very functional application. Its off a 2.6Lt 1989 Conquest / Starion...

The TD04 of which he speaks is the one off the WRX.

You are looking at a custom up-pipe and downpipe for this unless you go the whole route with the headers, waterpump, etc.

Since you are looking at custom stuff anyway, you don't have to be married to a WRX turbo - www.turbochargers.com has lots of Mitsu turbos to choose from - check out their prices. Lots of turbos available on ebay, too - I picked up a turbo like RichL's for $250 just remanufactured (though I eventually sold it to a guy with a Starion because I went down another path).

So, if you are getting a WRX turbo off somebody's car with a very few thousand miles on it, then $5-600 might make it worth while to do.

Note: Someone was selling a stock WRX turbo for $400

Anybody got a good $2000 so I can get one and try and get a system made for a 1.8l? :p