JC Sports GB Turbo in!

[Ethan]

First off, a BIG thank you to my Dad for helping me install it. And a special thanks to davidz24. Dave got my boost gauge working again and the final four bolts back into the oil pan (the ones in the rear). Also forgot to mention that Dave got the intercooler to sit lower by cutting a pipe, but you'll read that farther down.

Also, I'm not sure if all his kits come this way, but everything that could be preassembled was. This was a very nice treat as you didn't have to figure out what went where. Also saved a lot of time. Good job JC Sports!

Ok FINALLY GOT IT, 6 month late roughly. But enough of that. If your not familiar with the GB..I don't know how you couldn't be by now ....It was 2.5" up and down pipes, IHI Turbo, and larger intercooler. I upgraded to the Ball bearing turbo also.

Parts: All the parts were there to install the turbo, only part missing was the high flow fuel pump, but I should have that by Saturday (I wasn't upset at all, because I didn't even remember it until I had it all up and running).

I also have a RRFPR to install, but I don't know how

Quality: I was VERY impressed, all the parts exceeded my expectations.

Problems: Oil pan's turbo drain was at too sharp an angle, had to bend that a little to make it fit. Also maybe we did something wrong, but couldn't get the intercooler to really sit low enough for the hood closer properly so the "turbo to intercooler" pipe had to have about a 1/2" cut off. Last night while on the freeway the CE came on (I was expecting this on as soon as I turned the car on)....but today it went off, so we'll see about that.

Install: Easy thanks to Larry's instructions. There were a couple of steps that were confusing, like where to hook up the blow off, but got that squared away now. Total install time was about 6 hours, spred out over 2 days. Also took dave's advice and didn't jack up the engine, although we had to have dave come over and put a couple bolts in, because we couldn't do it .

Intial start up went well, no leaks or other problems. Took it for a spin (Boost gauge not reading boost at this time ) was a little worried, until we got on the gas !!!!!!! Got back, checked for leaks none, yeah! Also with my EGT probe in #3(? drivers side, sort in the Y-part of the two ports) it seems to be running hotter, which If I remember right, is richer, right? No knocking present at this time either. Although I did hear something when I was on the gas, but was shifting as it happened so it went away. We'll find out later after it's broken in if there is any.

Really got on it today, although still taking it easy to break in........Ok it feels about stock up until about 2800 rpm, then it just takes off like a rocket! I've never driven a fast car before, but WOW! it puts in back in the seat when your on the gas. 5th gear from about 65 is very nice now, just step and it goes (not as fast as I thought it would at that speed though) but I can't really test it out, because by the time it really starts going your going WAY too fast

Boost: Was at 7psi yesterday, but today the max it has reached is 6psi. It's suppose to be set for 5psi, but what's 1 more pound right?

Sound a little noisey yesterday, but it seems to have quieted down today. Even though the blow off valve is going back into the intake you can still hear it clearly. Exhaust (2.5" Rallispec) is now quieter too

Overall: I'm very happy with the performance and kit. Although the wait was A LOT longer then I would have liked, it all came together in the end. Oh yea, a lot of creaks and groans when going slower, but put the last two bolts in for the down pipe to secure it better today, so I'll find out tomorrow if there gone. Also seems easier to stall it now...weird.

Pics:
Engine pic....duh!
<IMG SRC="http://216.242.153.40/MembersList/UserPics/111/IMGA0001.JPG" border=0>

Car....
<IMG SRC="http://216.242.153.40/MembersList/UserPics/111/IMGA0018.JPG" border=0>

New plate frame
<IMG SRC="http://216.242.153.40/MembersList/UserPics/111/IMGA0004.JPG" border=0>

P.S. Dave, maybe you could comment on the whole thing, since you saw it in the box, during, and after, plus you had that little ride in the car.

Probably EDITED this thing about ten times

[This message has been edited by Ethan (edited April 12, 2001).]

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

[david2z4]

Looking good Ethan. Glad I got to help a little.

Okay, I'll comment a little more. Looking at the kit when it just arrived it was pretty well packed in a huge box. As Ethan pointed out it was preassembled into about 5 or 6 major pieces. All the clamps on the hoses and hoses on parts. Quality was better than I had expected. Few things I wondered about was why the serial numbers were ground off a new turbo and the pan was the square type not the round one like was on the car.

The power was pretty impresive for the little drive I had but we only got up to about 4000-4500 rpms so it was just starting to pull hard and he wasn't all the way into it. I was watching the exhaust temps and they were lower than my 2000 stock engine.

All around a very nice kit for the price. No way would I have the patience that Ethan had waiting for the kit to get here.



[This message has been edited by david2z4 (edited April 12, 2001).]

[SkToBe]

Nice beauty shot of the rear.

Gotta love that RB5 wing!

[illmatic]

Very nice

[kaos200]

Good to hear, at least the story ended well
Now all you need is a boost controller... You are a boost junkie aren't you?
Check this out...

[kkeetha]

Cool dude I can't wait to get Turbo 2!! Hope I can see it in person soon. Man, your car look better and get better everytime I read you post. Catch u later.
Dave: Can u help me installing the Turbo when I get it?? I really hope you will

[yebokmj]

Your kit looks really good. I wish mine did. Your fit looks so much better than mine. The elbow from the IC to the turbo doesn't appear to to knock agains the metal thing that I belive is for the AC? Mine does and there is no way for me to fit the BOV with out it slaming against the hood, if fact I had to run a hose from where it's sposed to mount and reloacte it. Also do you have a MY99? My filter is rubbing agains the ABS sensor brake lines. It is slowly wearing away the metal, are you having the same problem? After seeing your kit I am going to give JC Sports a call and see it they can help me out. Enjoy the boost.
Joshua
Subaru Salesman

[Subie Gal]

happy for u Ethan!!

way to go!!!!

j.

[Ethan]

yebokmj, yes to everything The BOV had just enough clearnence, but since Dave cut that pipe, there become a lot more room there. The filter is indead rubbing against those, but I suggest a strap you secure it. Right now I have it pinned in between the wall and the ABS lines. I didn't have the problem with the AC lines though. Sorry to hear that your doesn't fit as well.

[DeliciouSpeed]

Very clean Ethan, good job. Boost on.

Len

[cvalle-sd]

Atta boy - looks like a nice, clean install into a great-looking car.

[yebokmj]

MY99 don't have air control valves do they? If so how did your vacume chamber fit?
Joshua
Subaru Salesman

[Ethan]

I guess it does, because it went where it was suppose to go