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Old 08-23-2001, 02:45 PM   #1
Imprezer
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Default WRX Turbo Install Tips and Tricks

Yesterday I re-installed my tiny stock turbo. I have to send my VF-22 to get it checked out. This is the 4th time I replaced the turbo on a WRX myself and even then I did some mistakes, but since I think I have done every single mistake you can make, I will tell you guys what to do and what not to do in order to avoid as much problems as possible.

1. Always drain the coolant complely before doing anything. I prefer to disconnect the lower radiator hose. This way both the block and the radiator get drained right away.

2. Open the hood all the way. I usually just tie a rope to the locking mechanism and tie it to my garage celling. This gives you more room to work.

3. Do not lean on the fenders too much. They WILL bevel in.

4. Remove the IC and put a rubber glov onto the TB to prevent stuff from getting there.

5. Undo the coolant lines from the turbo first. Get some paper towels and collect some coolant that will leak out from the turbo and the hoses. There isn't much of it there (if you drained the system) but enough to get all over, stink and cause white spots.

6. Undo the oil feed line and gently bent it out of the way or loosen the bolt that holds it to the block (good luck trying to do that) and move it out of the way.

7. Once the coolant and the oil feed line are off, unbolt the intake pipe.

8. Remove the downpipe. Make sure to wait long enough until the turbo is cold. Warm bolt tend to get stuck and cause major pain.

9. Once the bolts are removed the only thing that is holding the turbo is the oil return line which is clamped onto the turbo with a very weak clamp.

10. You can pul the turbo straight up.

11. MAKE SURE NOT TO LET ANYTHING FALL INTO THE UPPIPE. This will take about 2 extra hours to disassemble the header and the uppipe and get that something out of there. I prefer to slowly pull the turbo up and cover the uppipe with my hand, and then plug the hole with a paper towel.

12. If you get coolant into the uppipe, you can loosen the header/uppipe joint and drain it.

13. When putting the new turbo in, simply PLUG it onto the oil return line. Move the clamp about 4mm away from the top. Make sure that the turbo is pluged onto the hose.

14. Make sure to refill the coolant after you are done.

15. First thing to check after you start the car with a new turbo is all the coolant and oil lines. They MUST not leak. Look under the car and make sure that nothing is leaking.

I think these are the most crutial areas of the turbo install. Feel free to ask any questions you may have. If you know what you are doing, you can replace the turbo in about 1.5 hours.
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Old 08-23-2001, 03:28 PM   #2
DeliciouSpeed
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K here is my question, wanna come to my house and help me do this next weekend . K Im laughing but I am serious, I have air tools. And beer (tapping neck)...

Ken
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Old 08-23-2001, 03:37 PM   #3
alfriedesq
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Imprezer - could have used those intructions before I bent my fender !!!!!!

Thanks for the tips -

Hey my jap instructions that came with the PE 1820 which I got translated gave another hint - before you put the oil intake line on the top of the turbo - but after its pluged over the oil out put hose - squirt a bit of oil into the intake of the turbo to prime the bearing - - and chaneg the oil after 500 miles break in

Imprezer - - I'd really LOVE to hear how the car runs with the uppipe and all that with the stock turbo - - how quick does it spool ??? It must have lots of low end????
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Old 08-23-2001, 05:20 PM   #4
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Will you have to reprogram the tec2 with the stock turbo?
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Old 08-23-2001, 05:26 PM   #5
nmyeti
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Quote:
Originally posted by alfriedesq


Imprezer - - I'd really LOVE to hear how the car runs with the uppipe and all that with the stock turbo - - how quick does it spool ??? It must have lots of low end????
My car is as described... 1bar at 3000rpms in 3rd gear. Not bad for 5200 feet above sea level. I was at 1 bar at about 3600-4000rpms stock.

-Nathan
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Old 04-08-2010, 08:58 PM   #6
tubmyster
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so these tips are great!

I would like to ask a question to clarify about tip 13.

by simply plugging it into the oil return line, is there a risk that the line will come off if it is not clamped?
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Old 04-09-2010, 02:50 PM   #7
andrew3776
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For step 13, make sure you tighten the lower part of the hose and make sure its tight. Mine came off when i did mine and its easier. Just to clarify that step. And also add, when taking the large coolant inlet line off, have something to plug into it so you dont lose a lot of coolant. And you wont have any burping issues. I plugged mine right away and the coolant didnt need to be burped and only lost the coolant that was in the turbo.
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Old 07-16-2010, 03:12 AM   #8
oguitar
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Bump in honor of NASIOC member #1 Imprezer.
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Old 03-13-2012, 02:52 AM   #9
SubaDre7
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Bump!
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Old 03-22-2012, 08:03 PM   #10
glennegrabil
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Cool turbo replacement on my2002wrx wagon

i do believe my turb0 is going out, lots of smoke,,""only sometimes"" so i've been checkin out alot of options, should i do a rebuild kit myself?? should i upgrade?? if i dooo upgrade can i get something that will give me ""MORE"" low end torque?? not so interested in doing 145, as i am gettin it thru some tight cornering,, ""hate that turbo lag"",, luuuuv my subbi,, thought my rings took a dive on me,, or that i had a gasket go out, no signs of oil in my coolant, or coolant in my oil,, no loss of power,, so00o0ooo must be the turb0!!!,, any addvice wrx world??? o0o00o and i am a discount kind of a guy,, any turb0's layin around collecting dust,, do'nt need don't want???,,, other needs include:: passenger front fender,,bumper cover& passenger fog lite,, spun out black ice in a snow storm,, bummer of a day,, still here tho
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Old 03-22-2012, 08:05 PM   #11
CrazyCatfish5
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Woahhhhhhhhh
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Old 03-22-2012, 10:54 PM   #12
FD_Wear
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Very helpful, I've been thinking of upgrading the turbo in mine for a while...
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Old 03-26-2012, 09:42 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glennegrabil View Post
i do believe my turb0 is going out, lots of smoke,,""only sometimes"" so i've been checkin out alot of options, should i do a rebuild kit myself?? should i upgrade?? if i dooo upgrade can i get something that will give me ""MORE"" low end torque?? not so interested in doing 145, as i am gettin it thru some tight cornering,, ""hate that turbo lag"",, luuuuv my subbi,, thought my rings took a dive on me,, or that i had a gasket go out, no signs of oil in my coolant, or coolant in my oil,, no loss of power,, so00o0ooo must be the turb0!!!,, any addvice wrx world??? o0o00o and i am a discount kind of a guy,, any turb0's layin around collecting dust,, do'nt need don't want???,,, other needs include:: passenger front fender,,bumper cover& passenger fog lite,, spun out black ice in a snow storm,, bummer of a day,, still here tho
I hope you are trolling...
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Old 03-26-2012, 11:29 PM   #14
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Another small tip to add here. My Monster TD04 finally start leaking oil and I recently replaced it. I used a pair of these to pinch off the coolant feed line to the turbo instead of draining the system:



Worked pretty well and saved some time.
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Old 03-27-2012, 01:26 PM   #15
wrx surfwagon
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I watched a vid and a guy plugged the line with a AA battery. I had batteries ready and did the same, it worked perfect.
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Old 03-27-2012, 07:06 PM   #16
jchafee
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Haelan View Post
Another small tip to add here. My Monster TD04 finally start leaking oil and I recently replaced it. I used a pair of these to pinch off the coolant feed line to the turbo instead of draining the system:



Worked pretty well and saved some time.
These x2 makes it so much easier to not have to dean your entire system. I have a pair of matco ones. They still drip a bit, but Nothing a well placed rag won't take care of. As for the aa batteries, that's an awesome idea. I maybe have to give it a try.
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Old 04-25-2012, 09:44 AM   #17
wgr73
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#1 has been found! Oh, and great tutorial
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Old 04-25-2012, 07:01 PM   #18
SubieMonte
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wrx surfwagon
I watched a vid and a guy plugged the line with a AA battery. I had batteries ready and did the same, it worked perfect.
GANGSTER!
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